Apple picking in San Diego is perfect for the fall season! The autumn leaves, pumpkin patches, and apples galore all mean it’s time to take your family to these u-pick apple farms and orchards for the Julian apple picking season.
Let’s go apple picking in San Diego!
Fall is near, and it’s the perfect time to take the family apple-picking! We went last year and the kids had a great time, choose your favorite apples on the farm. If you love apple season and baking with apples (and we LOVE this apple cinnamon oatmeal bars recipe), it’s time to go picking!
Apples are a popular fall and holiday treat. Whether you love golden delicious, Fiji apples, Galas, Granny Smiths, and more, you can find these apples and pick them yourself with this fun family activity! If you are searching for “apple picking near me,” learn where to pick apples in San Diego County.
Calico Ranch Apple Orchard, Julian, CA
Apple Picking In San Diego: U-Pick Apple Farms and Orchards
If you’re near the San Diego, California area and are looking for the best apple picking orchards and farms, I’ve been to a few that I can recommend. This guide lists information about each farm’s apple varieties, opening season, pricing, directions, hours, location, and much more.
Be sure to call each San Diego apple picking property for their specific dates and hours of operation, most are in Julian, CA, the apple pie town near San Diego, which is an hour outside of the city. Julian apple picking is a lot of fun and some of these farms even have apple cider!
6 Orchards to Go Apple Picking In San Diego this Fall
If you are looking for some fun apple picking orchards near San Diego, here is a great list of apple orchards to check out. Most of these places are open Saturdays and Sundays for limited weeks, so be sure to check each location before driving out there. Here are 6 places to go apple picking in San Diego…
1. Calico Ranch Apple Orchard
4200 Highway 78, Julian, CA, 92036
760-765-3620
A 30-acre orchard right outside of Julian, this little gem Calico Ranch Apple Orchard gave us a couple of hours of apple picking in Julian! This farm is right off of the 78 freeway, we came home with a ton of apples and ate them for about a week. Here’s my post about Calico Ranch Apple Picking Farm in Julian, CA this is one of our favorite places to go apple picking in San Diego!
2. Volcan Valley Apple Farm
1284 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian, CA 92070
(760) 302-4574
This seasonal u-pick orchard is located in Julian off of the 78 main road and stays open each season until all of the apples are gone. Take a look at their Facebook page for updates.
3. Pick apples at Crosscut Farm and Orchard
1209 Farmer Road, Julian, CA 92036
605-430-9791
Crosscut Farm is new to us, so we are excited to see what their u-pick apple season looks like! They are currently planning a week of apple picking this September 2023. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Visit them online to learn more about picking apples at Crosscut Farm and Orchard.
4. Julian Mining Company & Julian Farm & Orchard
4444 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036, 4381 Julian Hwy, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070
760-765-5494
Offers plenty of activities for families, gold and gem mining, tomahawk throwing, crafts, a train ride, and produce farms are a few. U-Pick offerings include apples, pumpkins, strawberries, raspberries, and flowers, when available. Visit them online: Julian Mining Company & Julian Farm & Orchard
5. Apple Starr Orchards
1287 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian, CA 92036
760-305-2169
Apple Starr Orchards is one of the most popular U-pick farms, it offers certified organic apples and pears of many varieties. We tried to go here for some Julian apple picking last year and they were almost out of apples, I suggest going in late-August/early September for the best pickings. $25 for a 12 lb. bag.
6. Apples and Art Orchards
1052 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian, CA 92036
applesandart@sbcglobal.net
A U-Pick apple orchard that offers 5 lbs of red delicious, Fuji, and Arkansas Black apple harvest for just $15. I haven’t been to this one, but it sounds pretty cool. This place requires group reservations, so make sure you contact them soon (10 bag minimum for groups). Learn more: Apples and Art Orchards
What is the best month to go apple picking?
So, when can you pick apples in Julian? Apple picking season in Southern California is late August through October, not too long, so it’s time to make plans to take the family ASAP. September seems to be the best month for apple picking as most of the trees tend to be the ripest and ready for the picking!
Happy family apple picking in San Diego!
Enjoy your time apple picking in Julian, or wherever you decide to go this fall! When you’re done picking apples, try our apple oatmeal bars recipe. They are truly delicious!
Subscribe: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube
*Removed 10/6/2020: Sentenac Ranch CLOSED
3515 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036
858-342-1667
How old is this article? There’s no date on it. Is the Julian Mining Company still around? A date on these things would be useful as that Volton apple picking place changed hands in 2014 or 2015.
I haven’t been this year, but feel free to visit their website and give them a call! http://www.julianminingcompany.com/