Family Lifestyle Things to do in San Diego

Go Apple Picking In San Diego: The Top U-Pick Apple Farms and Orchards

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.

Go Apple Picking In San Diego - The top 5 Julian apple picking U-pick apple farms and orchards to take your family this fall

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.

row of apple trees, Calico Farms, Julian CA

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!

Where to go apple picking - basket of apples from an u-pick apple tree farm

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.

Pick fresh apples this fall with these great places to go Julian apple picking in San Diego

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.

basket of apples from an u-pick apple tree farm

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

Apple picking in San Diego - boy picking apples from tree in Julian, CA

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!

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*Removed 10/6/2020: Sentenac Ranch  CLOSED

3515 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036
858-342-1667

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