Julian, California · Est. 1996
Julian's largest U-Pick — 7,000 trees, dog & kid friendly, no chemicals.
Volcan Valley Apple Farm is a U-Pick apple orchard in Julian, California, about 2.4 miles north of town. Seven apple varieties grow on more than 7,000 trellis-trained trees across ten acres — trellised means the fruit hangs at arm’s height, so nobody needs a ladder and children can pick their own. U-Pick season opened Sunday, September 6 and runs Saturdays, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, through Saturday, October 17, the last U-Pick day of the 2026 season. The orchard is closed Monday through Friday, and closed every Sunday for the rest of the season; the banner at the top of this page always carries the current open dates. Admission is $5 per person; picking bags are $10 on that last day (they were $20) and hold six to seven pounds of apples, and only one bag needs to be bought per group. Dogs are welcome on a leash, the rows are wide enough for strollers and wagons, and the orchard is grown without chemicals.
Our Story
Nestled at the foot of Volcan Mountain along Julian Orchards Drive, our 10-acre orchard has been part of the Julian landscape since 1996. Under the care of Chris Wood-Laidlaw, it continues as a destination where families, friends, and four-legged companions come together each harvest season.
We grow our apples on a unique trellis system that keeps fruit low and reachable for pickers of every age and height — from toddlers just learning to walk to grandparents who prefer to keep their feet firmly on the ground. Seven distinct varieties ripen in waves from late August through October, ensuring something delicious is always ready to pick.
At Volcan Valley, politics stay at the gate. This is a place for good apples, fresh mountain air, and the simple joy of harvest.
The Orchard
Our trellis rows are labeled by variety so you always know exactly what you're picking. Taste a sample at the gate, then head into the orchard to fill your bag with your favorites.
Tart · Complex · Aromatic
The earliest to ripen — tart, complex, and aromatic. A longtime favorite for cider, sauce, and baking.
Best for: Cider, sauce, baking
Late AugustSweet-Tart · Bright · Bold
A beloved all-purpose apple with bright red skin and a sweet-tart flavor. Superb for fresh eating and baking alike.
Best for: Fresh eating, baking, salads
SeptemberCrisp · Juicy · Sweet
A McIntosh × Red Delicious cross. Crisp, juicy, and subtly sweet — a crowd-pleaser that holds up beautifully in pies.
Best for: Pies, fresh eating, snacking
SeptemberSweet · Mild · Snackable
One of the world's most popular apples for good reason. Mild, sweet, and endlessly snackable straight off the tree.
Best for: Fresh eating, kids' favorite
SeptemberHoney-Sweet · Crunchy · Dense
Dense, honey-sweet, and satisfyingly crunchy. Our Fujis are a perennial visitor favorite — bags fill up fast.
Best for: Fresh eating, snacking, salads
September – OctoberMellow · Sweet · Buttery
Mellow, mild sweetness with thin golden skin. Outstanding for fresh eating, salads, and applesauce.
Best for: Applesauce, salads, fresh eating
September – OctoberTart · Firm · Complex
The Newtown Pippin — one of America's oldest apple varieties. Tart and firm, it makes exceptional pies and sauces.
Best for: Pies, sauces, baking
OctoberPlan Your Visit
Every visit starts with apple samples at the gate so you can taste before you pick. Then you're off into the rows — no ladder, no strain, just great apples at arm's reach.
🍎 Harvest Season: September 6 – mid-October
Saturday
9 AM – 5 PM
Last bags sold at 4:30 PM · Gates close at 5 PM
Closed today · Open again Saturday, October 17
In season: Saturday
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Last bags sold at 4:30 PM · Gates close at 5:00 PM
Visiting vendors. Savage Bee'ches joins us with their honey and is our apple cider vendor this season. We also often see Julian barbecue, a lemonade stand and a much-loved Mexican food truck — those come as their schedules allow, so treat any one of them as a happy bonus rather than a promise.
Grab your bag, get a welcome sample of each variety — taste before you pick.
Clearly labeled trellis rows put ripe apples right at arm's reach — no ladders needed.
Mix varieties or focus on a favorite. The mountain air, the scenery, and the company make it unforgettable.
Finish with a cup of cold apple cider from our booth — golden, crisp, and the perfect end to a morning in the rows.
Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome throughout the orchard. We provide waste bags and a water bucket right at the gate.
Wide rows between the trellis trees give strollers and toddlers plenty of room to roam. Our youngest pickers love pulling apples off the low branches.
Volcan Mountain rises across the valley to the west. The crisp mountain air and panoramic views make every visit feel like an escape.
From Our Visitors
“Apples were amazing! So many trees! Kids loved how sweet and small the apples were! Soooo cute and amazing for a snack on the go!”
“Apple picking was awesome here. Orchard was huge with many different apples to choose from. It's quite a bit of walking but you don't feel it. People that work there are very welcoming.”
“Lots of apples available, nice varieties, great tasting apples. Fun things to eat and drink there also.”
“Lots of apples! They sell apple cider too and tacos across the road are delicious!”
Read more visitor reviews · Been out to the orchard? Leave us a review — it helps other families find us.
Life at the Farm
Our seasonal newsletter — harvest news, exclusive product releases, opening date announcements, and a taste of farm life delivered straight to your inbox. Never miss a season again.
Getting Here
We're 2.4 miles north of downtown Julian on Julian Orchards Drive, right next to Menghini Winery. The mountain roads are winding — if motion sickness is a concern, consider the longer route via Ramona (Highway 78).
Small local makers we are glad to work with. Their own shops are open year round, and when they are able to join us at the orchard, treat it as a happy bonus.
Old Town San Diego
San Diego's only honey boutique, with more than 25 raw honey varieties alongside honeycomb, beeswax candles and natural skincare. Black, woman, and veteran owned, and every purchase helps fund native bee habitat and community outreach in San Diego.
Kemi brings her honey to the orchard and is our apple cider vendor this season.
Visit Savage Bee'ches
Ramona, California
Freeze-dried snacks reimagined. Freeze-drying pulls the moisture out, which intensifies the flavor and leaves a light, airy crunch that melts in your mouth. Classic childhood favorites alongside freeze-dried fruit and veggie snacks.
Kingdom Kandy makes our freeze-dried apples, on sale at the farm on U-Pick days.
Visit Kingdom Kandy
