Volcan Valley Apple Farm - Julian, CA

Did you know it's apple picking season? The family visited Volcan Valley Apple Farm in Julian, California last weekend. On the website and signs, the official start date was Friday Sept 13th but we found out they had opened two weeks earlier due to ripening Gravenstein Apples!

Volcan Valley Apple Farm fence with apples

You can reach Volcan Valley Apple Farm by taking the perfectly named road of Julian Orchids Dr. We lucked out with a parking spot two cars away from the first entrance! If you drive further down the street, there is a second gate, followed by a huge side parking lot with the third entrance. We recommend going early for the best selection of parking and apples! They are open Friday through Monday from 9am to 4:30pm during the picking season.

apple picking bag at Volcan Valley Apple Farm

Entrance to the farm is $2 a person. You can buy an apple bag for $12 each. Talk to the employees at the gate who will let you know which apples are ripe and ready! Now go fill 'er up! We also recommend planning meetups ahead of time due to spotty cell phone reception, at least for T-mobile. The fields are large and it took a while to find each other when separated!

fresh apple cider at Volcan Valley Apple Farm

Our entrance was also next to the picnic area, which is an easy meetup spot. Cold, fresh cider made from Gravenstein apples is available for $4. Shake it up to loosen the bits that settled, then drain that deliciously sweet flavor onto your tongue! You can also purchase the juice from a few local stores. Since there are no preservatives added, make sure to finish up within a few days, if it isn't already all gone by then!

Apple orchids at Volcan Valley Apple Farm

There are rows upon rows of trees, each with one type that is displayed on signs at the row end. Row 5 pictured here has Golden Delicious apples and there's a Gala apple tree in the very front. The 7 available varieties are Gravenstein, Jonathan, Empire, Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, and Pippin. The most ripe apples during our visit were the Jonathan and Gala apples.

middle of the orchid at Volcan Valley Apple Farm

In the middle of the orchid is a crosswalk path that gives you the option to traverse another row or continue onward. Dennis caught me walking along, exploring my options.

apple closeup at Volcan Valley Apple Farm

On the Gravenstein Apple row, which had begun ripening two weeks prior, some apples I found practically fell off with a slight tug. I can't remember which row I was on here but it looks like a Jonathan apple! I forgot my camera that day so here's my one cell phone pic.

double apple at Volcan Valley Apple Farm

Double Rainbow? How about Double Apple! The niece and nephew were ecstatic to find joint apples here and there! We told them to look for the reddest apples, other than the golden delicious of course. I'll say the kids were less diligent and we got some greener picks.

sampling apples at Volcan Valley Apple Farm

You can sample but be mindful not to waste by picking apples you aren't taking home in your baggie. Mother-in-law had a utility knife which she used to peel the apple skin off (for the kids). The farmers here do not use pesticides once the crop comes in so rest assured that you won't have additives on your apples. Just wipe off the everyday dust that comes from growing outdoors!

apple balancing at Volcan Valley Apple Farm

During picture time, one of the kids was holding an apple on top of his head and I thought I should do the same. To help out was my dutiful hat. Ta-da!

triple apple balancing at Volcan Valley Apple Farm

But it didn't stop there... Dennis's sister managed to balance three apples onto same hat and well... Dennis is rocking them apples now!

family fun picking apples at Volcan Valley Apple Farm

It was a hot day so dress accordingly. We filled up two bags full of apples and each were approximately 6-7 lbs! There's at least two more weekend of apple picking left according to Volcan Valley Apple Farm's facebook so grab some while you can! While in the Julian area, you can also visit the famous Julian Pie Company for yummy apple pies or Julian Hard Cider for the tasty adult version. Have an apple-licious time in Julian!

Volcan Valley Apple Farm
1284 Julian Orchards Dr
Julian CA 92036

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Comments

Faye's picture
Submitted by Faye (not verified) on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 6:53am

This post made me smile while reading it this brisk morning. It's really starting to feel like Fall. I sooo want to visit this apple farm with my family now after this post. The photos of you and your peeps are so fun! I want to see if I can balance apples on my head too. I'm not a big apple pie person but I heard there's a famous restaurant/diner in Julian?

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Fri, 10/04/2019 - 11:04am

haha yea it's a cute family outing but nothing too crazy! i'm not into apple pies either but dennis loves them. i mentioned Julian Pie Company at the end of the post which might be the one you heard of? :)

Joaquin 's picture
Submitted by Joaquin (not verified) on Thu, 10/03/2019 - 12:42pm

I never even know this place existed. Sounds like a fun thing to do with the whole family!!!

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Fri, 10/04/2019 - 11:04am

it's nice to do it at least once! i think strawberry picking is next on my list! :)

Joaquin's picture
Submitted by Joaquin (not verified) on Sun, 10/06/2019 - 10:25am

Where's a good place to do that in San Diego?!

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Thu, 10/24/2019 - 12:21am

Strawberry fields in Carlsbad during May timeframe! :)

Soo Hom's picture
Submitted by Soo Hom (not verified) on Sat, 10/12/2019 - 8:51am

That's great you had a fun time! I use to pick apples from my mom's tree in the backyard.

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Thu, 10/24/2019 - 12:23am

yes fun with the youngsters! we could pick exotic fruit like dragonfruit at the in-law's house but i think most of the time we eat what they give us!

Mary's picture
Submitted by Mary (not verified) on Fri, 10/18/2019 - 6:41am

You guys look like models in this post. I love it! Especially those balancing apples on your head shots haha. I have been here a few times and have taken a picnic lunch to enjoy after apple picking. We didn't make it this year since we were busy but hopefully we can do a Julian visit in the winter when it's colder.

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Thu, 10/24/2019 - 12:24am

how cool that you guys have already been here! i've missed out on a lot of activities so we're doing stuff here and there to catch up!

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