Julian Apple Picking Season 2024: Best Orchards & Tastiest Apple Pies

by Noreen Kompanik

Fall is here and that means it’s time for apple picking in Julian, California! September and October are prime apple-picking months, so it’s an ideal time to be outdoors and plan a fun family outing.

And nothing is better than gathering up your own apples and taking them home for eating, cooking, and baking. So, let’s head to the mountains of Julian for these wholesome fall treats and maybe try some of the famous Julian apple pies or the fantastic restaurants in Julian.

As the 2024 apple-picking season is coming closer, we will update this article with the 2024 opening times and days of each apple orchard in Julian. Stay tuned…

Woman with long dark hair and a tan hat standing in an apple orchard in San Diego holding a basket with apples - Julian Apple Picking — Apple Picking in Julian California

History of Julian Apples

The town of Julian is the place to go for apples. Located just an hour northeast of San Diego in the foothills of the Cuyamaca Mountains at an elevation of 4,225 feet, Julian is a refreshing throwback to simpler times.

Once a bustling gold mining town, Julian’s mines eventually dried up, but a new treasure had already been taking hold — apples. All thanks to a widower named James T. Madison who relocated here from New Orleans and quickly discovered the fertile soil of Julian was perfect for fruit orchards.

Madison traveled to San Bernardino with a four-horse wagon and returned with it filled with apple trees. And the rest is history.

By the 1890s, Julian was proclaimed the “greatest apple belt in the world” and its fruit and pies were winning one national award after another. Julian’s legacy lives on today with its apple farms and famous apple pies.

Julian Apple Picking: Where and When to Pick Julian Apples

Here’s a listing of places to pick apples in Julian. However, it’s a good idea to check the website or give these businesses a call for updated information before you go.

Fall in Julian California - Fall landscape with colorful trees during fall in Julian California — Fall in Julian California

Peacefield Orchard

Address: 3803 Wynola Rd, Julian, CA 92036
310-902-6321 kenb.anewleaf@gmail.com
Website
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, 9 AM – 2 PM, starting in mid-September (2024). The exact dates are TBD.

Peacefield Orchard U-Pick and Farmstand will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 2 pm starting in mid-September to around mid-October (or until the day’s ripe apples run out). It’s a good idea to arrive early, as it gets hot! Please wear close-toed shoes.

Orchard tours and u-pick by appointment are also available. Please make reservations for groups larger than 2 cars. Pick Granny Smith, Red and Golden Delicious, Jonathan and Jonagold on 2 1/2 acres, widely spaced lanes made for plenty of space! The orchard is stunning and is home to beautiful old trees.

Cost: $20 per bag (1/2 peck) with no entry fee.

Julian Mining Company

Address: 4444 CA-78, Julian, CA 92036
Phone: (951) 312-9940
Website
Dates: Sweet Varieties are expected to be ready at the end of September and Granny Smith are expected to be ready in Mid-October. Check Instagram for updates.

Julian Mining Company is all about connecting living history with a working farm. Yes, there are apples, but this orchard offers a whole lot more.

Apple picking is not all they offer, but also variety of fun activities like fall goodies, pumpkins, gold mining & gold panning, fossil digging, a mini train ride, and of course, apple picking. The farm is open Saturdays 10-4 and Sundays 12-4.

Cost: $18 per bag (can be shared) and $3 per person entry fee.

Apple Orchard with ripe apples and people picking apples in the background — Fall is Apple Picking Season in Julian

Volcan Valley Apple Farm

Address: 1284 Julian Orchards Dr, Julian, CA 92036
Phone: (760) 302-4574
Facebook
Dates: Starting September (exact dates TBD)

A seasonal u-pick orchard with 8,000 trellis-grown apple trees and seven apple varieties, Volcan Valley Apple Farm is all about family fun and is starting this year’s apple picking season in September.

Hours of operation are Friday-Sunday, 9 am to 4:30 pm (last sale). Gates close at 5.

Cost: $15 per bag, which holds about 6-7 lbs. and includes one admission. Active military with an ID pay $10. Extra admission is $5 per person. Children 5 and under are free.

Tractor with boxes filled with apples in front of apple orchard on a sunny day with blue sky — Best Farms for Apple Picking in Julian

Crosscut Farm and Orchard

1209 Farmer Rd, Julian, CA 92036
(605) 431-0136
Website
Dates: September 14 – 28, 2024

Gather your friends and family and be ready when the family-owned and operated Crosscut Farm and Orchard opens for apple picking this September.

Reservations are required. Walk-ins are not permitted. 75 people per group maximum. Reservation times are 10AM-Noon, 1PM-3:00PM and 3:00PM-5:00PM but feel free to bring a picnic lunch and spend the day.

Apple Varieties: Golden Delicious, Jonathon, Liberty, as well as Empire, Fuji and Honeycrisp in limited amounts.

Parking is on site – travel down the restricted lane that is designated as a trail for Volcan Mountain, come through the metal gate near the farmhouse and follow signs to the parking area.

Cost: $20 per bag and $6 per person entry fee.

young girl walking through apple orchard with a bag of apples in her hand — Apple Picking Farms in Julian

Calico Apple and Pear Ranch & Cidery

Address: 4228 Firefighter Steven Rucker Memorial Hwy, Julian, CA 92036
Phone: (858) 586-0392
Website
Dates: No U-Pick this year

Young girl picking apples in Julian California — Apple Harvest in Julian

This family-run ranch has been in operation for over 90 years and is a great place to pick apples and pears. While this year, they are already picked out, you should definitely keep them on your radar for next year and also stop by for their cider, which luckily, has not run dry yet.

Apple Picking Tips: What to Wear and How to Prepare

Our first recommendation is to check the weather report as Julian can sometimes see cooler temperatures than the rest of San Diego due to its elevation. Comfortable, cotton clothing should be worn along with comfy shoes (preferably tennis shoes) as you’ll be trapsing through orchards.

A short orientation on proper picking techniques is available at each orchard prior to apple picking. Orchards require masks and social distancing within the rows. We’d also recommend you pack hand sanitizer, wipes, and bottles of water. Each of the orchards has bathroom facilities available.

Think about spending the night…. Yes, Julian is an easy day trip from San Diego or Los Angeles, but if you spend the night, you REALLY get to enjoy it.

Here are some really great places to stay in Julian:

Entrance and porch of Julian hotel, an old school hotel in Julian, California — Julian Hotel – Photo Courtesy of Julian Hotel

Other Apple(y) Fun Things to Do in Julian

Stop in for a Piece of Apple Pie in Julian

You can’t be in Julian and not try a big slice of flaky, sweet, delectable apple pie, a true Julian treasure. Several pie companies in town offer either sit-down or window service, but you just have to do it.

Large piece of apple pie on white plate in front of pie tin sitting on a wooden table with forks and apples in the background - Julian Apple Pie — Best Apple Pie in Julian, California

These are the best apple pies in the universe (and even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top). We guarantee you’ll be taking one home with you.

But which bakery has the best apple pie in Julian? It seems like every family in Southern California has their personal favorite and some are hard set on only eating apple pie from “their” bakery.

I have tried a few of them and have to say, they are all amazing and you won’t find a bad piece of pie in Julian, promise. Here are some of the best Julian Apple Pie Bakeries in town:

Julian Pie Company
Julian Cafe & Bakery
Mom’s Pie House
Apple Alley Bakery
Read our full review here>>

Julian Cafe and Bakery - sign over entrance of the Julian Cafe and Bakery - Best Apple Pie in Julian - — Julian Cafe & Bakery – Best Apple Pie in Julian, California

Visit Volcan Mountain Winery

Address: 1255 Julian Orchards Dr, Julian, CA 92036
Phone: (760) 765-3267
Website

Open Friday through Sunday 11-5, Volcan Mountain Winery is located directly across from picturesque apple orchards. Sparkling, white, and reds are available for tasting, but their apple wines like the Pomme D’Amour sparkling and Dolcezza, an estate-grown apple white are unique and luscious. This is one of the best wineries in San Diego county. Don’t miss this!

Patio of Volcan Mountain Winery in Julian — Volcan Mountain Winery Julian

Check out Julian Hard Cider

Address: 4470 Julian Rd, Julian, CA 92036
Phone: (760) 703-7307
Website

Yes, you can get apple cider at various places throughout the town of Julian, but there’s the really good hard stuff too. Julian Hard Cider’s Miners’ Saloon is located in a former apple packing facility.

They feature a variety of premium fresh-pressed ciders from harvest apple to cherry, berry, pear, and yes, even apple pie. Open Friday to Sunday from 12 to 6 pm, it’s a super fun way to toast the autumn!

Have fun with the apple picking in Julian, and be sure to share your experience with us!

Take a look at these other Fall Activities in San Diego and Julian: