About Julian Tea & Cottage Arts
Julian Tea & Cottage Arts serves afternoon tea in the King House, a cream-colored home with hunter green trim one block off Main Street between Washington and B streets. It was built in 1898 for Clarence King, son of George Valentine King, who founded the Golden Chariot Mine, on the site of the town's 1876 centennial hall. Edie and Jim Seger have run the tea room there since 1995, and a 1999 remodel copied the original exterior.
Tea and lunch are served Thursday through Monday at 11:30, 1:00 and 2:30. The four-course Cottage Classic ($44.95 in 2026) starts with soup and a small cheese scone, then finger sandwiches and savories, a buttermilk scone with lemon curd, jam and whipped cream, and dessert, with a bottomless pot of tea. Lighter choices include a cream tea with scones and a dessert tea, and the children's tea for ages 12 and under offers a peanut butter and jelly or turkey sandwich. Vegetarian and gluten-free versions of most items can be made with notice.
Themed teas run through the year. In 2026 they include Apple Time Teas in mid-September, during Julian's apple season, Autumn Harvest Teas in mid-October with corn chowder and pumpkin bread pudding, and the 31st Victorian Christmas Teas through most of December. The shop covers two floors: teapots in bone china, cast iron and glass, loose and bagged teas, a book nook, local crafts, and upstairs linens, hats and gloves, and a corner for cat lovers.
Camel Valley Lavender, at a camel dairy near Ramona, is about 25 minutes west of Julian, where lavender picking runs on summer weekends, so a morning in the fields can end with a 1:00 seating in Julian.
What to do
- Book the four-course Cottage Classic tea at an 11:30, 1:00 or 2:30 seating
- Bring kids for the children's tea (ages 12 and under)
- Plan a fall trip around the Apple Time or Autumn Harvest teas
- Browse teapots, loose teas and the book nook in the two-floor shop
- See the 1898 King House, one block off Main Street
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round Thursday–Monday; 2026 themed teas include Apple Time (Sept. 10–14), Autumn Harvest (Oct. 15–19) and Victorian Christmas (Dec. 3–23)
- Hours
- 2026: Thursday–Monday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Tea seatings 11:30, 1:00 and 2:30
- Admission
- Tea service priced per person (effective January 2, 2026): Cottage Classic $44.95, Afternoon Tea $35.95, Tea for Two $49.95 for two, Cream Tea $15.95, Children's Tea $15.95
Good to know
- Reservations
- Required (call or email ahead)
Tips for your visit
- Reserve ahead by phone or email for every seating, and include your phone number if you email
- Ask in advance for vegetarian or gluten-free versions
- Holiday and themed teas cost a little more and book up, so plan early for Valentine's, Mother's Day and December
- The tea room is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Pair it with a lavender farm
Camel Valley Lavender · about 25 minutes away
Pick lavender at Camel Valley Lavender on a summer weekend morning, then drive about 25 minutes east for afternoon tea in Julian.
Getting there
Questions
Do I need a reservation at Julian Tea & Cottage Arts?
Yes. Reservations are required; call (760) 765-0832 or email the tea room.
Is there a tea for children?
Yes. The children's tea for ages 12 and under is $15.95 (2026) and includes a sandwich, scone, cookie and a drink.
Can they serve gluten-free?
Gluten-free and vegetarian versions of most items are available with advance notice.
What days is it open?
Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
