TRAVEL BEAT : LIKE GOLD? TRY JULIAN.

Byline: Susanne Hopkins

Here's a quick getaway idea: Head off to the historic gold-mining town of Julian on Highway 78 in the mountains above San Diego. By day, you can explore an old mine, visit the town museum and indulge in a big slice of the area's famous apple pie.

And from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday nights through Sept. 6, old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered; stores along the old main street will stay open until 9 p.m.; and music, food and refreshments will be featured. A Summer Nights pass is $5 for adults, $2 for children 6 to 12 and allows unlimited carriage rides for the evening. Information: [phone].

Do-it-yourself tours

Think you've done everything there is to do in Southern California? You might find a few surprises in ``One Day Self-Guided Tours of Southern California'' (B.B.L.T.; $9.95 paperback).

Authors Bev Gillett and Laurey Venn have put together a simple tome of things to do, places to eat and shop, museums and attractions throughout Southern California - and added their two cents' worth about what's really worth seeing.

The book is broken down into areas: San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, etc. Simple maps help you find your way around. It's at some area bookstores or call the authors at [phone] (Gillett) or [phone] (Venn).

Learning about ships

If you're into ships, check out the Channel Islands Harbor Maritime Museum's annual ship model show and expo now through Aug. 30.

More than 30 models will be featured, and on weekends, visitors can watch model-building demonstrations as well. The exhibit joins the museum's permanent collection of maritime art and 60 model ships that trace the history of sailing over 4,000 years.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The museum is at 2731 Victoria Ave., Oxnard. Information: [phone].

Youth hostel workshops

Hostelling International-American Youth Hostels is sponsoring two workshops Saturday: ``Women Traveling Alone - Asia'' at 11:30 a.m. and ``Budget Travel - South America'' at 1:30 p.m.

Both workshops will be held at the HI-AYH Travel Centre, 1434 Second St., Santa Monica. Cost for each workshop is $5 for HI-AYH members, $10 for nonmembers. Information: [phone].