Apple picking, apple cider, and apple pie have been delightful autumn traditions for as long as many of us can remember; every year, local San Diegans make the short drive to Julian to participate in all kinds of activities, which includes picking apples by hand at one of the local orchards or farms. Unfortunately, drought has hit Southern California pretty hard this year and negatively impacted many of the beautiful apple orchards in Julian. A few, including Calico Ranch and Peacefield Orchard, are already closed for the remainder of autumn; despite the bad weather, there are still quite a few places open and ready for pickin’. We’ve got all the information on apple picking in Julian you need right here.
Apple Starr Orchards
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends; by appointment only on Wednesdays.
Certified Organic Orchard (CCOF) since 2000 that grows Apples (delicious, fuji, gala, granny & jonagold) and Pears (bartlett, bosc, anjou). They are open for u-pick on weekends through October. Large Groups should email to schedule appointments; other groups should call for availability.
1020 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian, CA 92036
(760) 305-2169
www.apple-starr.com
Gastil Mountain Farms/Apples & Art Orchards
Afternoons Only – please see their website link below for all details
Gastil Mountain Farms is a full orchard featuring Red & Golden Delicious, Gala, McIntosh, Fuji, Granny Smith, Lady apples and Heirloom apples. Free apple cider making is included with every tour! U-pick is still available, but please call ahead to check availability.
1052-1055 Julian Orchards Drive
www.applesandartorchards.com
MJ Ranch
U-pick is open by appointment only starting Sunday, Sept 7.
Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All produce is completely pesticide-free! They have tons of varieties to choose from, including Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Rome Beauty, and more.
(760) 604-3070; please call for large groups
www.julianapples.com
O’Dell’s Pear Orchard
U-pick is now open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and by appointment only on weekdays. The orchard has been CCOF (Certified Organic) since 2004, and there are approximately 400 pear trees on the property: Bartlett, Anjou, and Bosc varieties. They are a family-oriented farm, so feel free to bring the little ones! In addition to Pears, there are also chickens, goats, and horses.
1095 Julian Orchard Dr, Julian, CA 92036
(760) 765-1174.
www.odellsorganicorchard.com
Volcan Valley Apple Farm
Julian’s largest u-pick is now open!
9 a.m. To 6 p.m. Choose from 7000 different trellis-grown apple trees; 7 varieties are available for easy hand picking by all ages. Contact for Group arrangements. $10.00 / purchased bag.
1284 Julian Orchards Dr. Julian, CA 92036
(760) 315-1071
SEE ALSO: Road Trip! A Day in Julian
If you’re looking for a place to wind down (and wash down all those delicious apples) at the end of a long day spent in the orchards, Nickel Beer Company (1485 Hollow Glen Rd, Julian 92036) is serving a particularly delicious signature beer – Apple Pie Ale is now on tap! The brew is made with 60 gallons of raw apple cider from Calico Ranch in Wynola; it’s roughly 6% alcohol and spiced with Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Allspice and Clove. There’s also Julian Hard Cider, located at 4470 Julian Road, which serves a nice selection of ciders. TIP: check-in with Yelp and receive a FREE full flight (Value $5)!
Planning to spend the night in Julian and make a weekend of it? There are several campgrounds (Cuyamaca is one of the closest at just a 15-minute drive away), hotels, and B&B’s located in town or nearby.
[images: www.beachforbaby.com, www.kcet.org]
Emily Ruchlewicz
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