Volcan Valley Apple Farm
Experience the charm of Julian with U-pick apples at Volcan Valley Apple Farm. Dog-friendly fun in a picturesque mountain setting.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Freshest apples, less picked
Volcan Valley Apple Farm
Best Time
Freshest apples, less picked
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience the charm of Julian with U-pick apples at Volcan Valley Apple Farm. Dog-friendly fun in a picturesque mountain setting.
"A fun, dog-friendly apple picking adventure in Julian, perfect for families and autumn lovers."
🎯 Arrive Early for Best Selection
The apple picking season is short! Go early on weekends to get the best apples before they're gone.
🚗 Plan Your Route Wisely
Winding mountain roads can cause car sickness. Consider a longer route via Ramona if needed.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.4 · 161 reviews
Type
Farm
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
U-Pick Apple Orchards
Throughout the farm
Wander through rows of apple trees and pick your own fresh apples. A quintessential fall experience!
Dog-Friendly Fun
Farm grounds
Bring your furry friends along for the apple picking adventure! A rare treat for pet owners.
+1
Scenic Mountain Views
Farm surroundings
Enjoy the crisp mountain air and picturesque scenery of Julian while you pick apples.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything for Apple Picking
Navigating the Mountain Roads
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Arrive Early for Best Selection
The apple picking season is short! Go early on weekends to get the best apples before they're gone.
🚗 Plan Your Route Wisely
Winding mountain roads can cause car sickness. Consider a longer route via Ramona if needed.
💰 Bag Prices & Admission
Expect to pay admission per person and a set price for a bag of apples. Check current rates.
🐶 Pups Welcome!
This is a dog-friendly orchard, so bring your well-behaved canine companions!
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Arrive Early for Best Selection
The apple picking season is short! Go early on weekends to get the best apples before they're gone.
🚗 Plan Your Route Wisely
Winding mountain roads can cause car sickness. Consider a longer route via Ramona if needed.
💰 Bag Prices & Admission
Expect to pay admission per person and a set price for a bag of apples. Check current rates.
🐶 Pups Welcome!
This is a dog-friendly orchard, so bring your well-behaved canine companions!
🍎 Check Apple Availability
The season is brief. Confirm they are open and have good apples before making the trip.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Volcan Valley Apple Farm offers a charming U-pick experience, especially for families and dog owners, with the appeal of fresh mountain air and the joy of picking your own apples. However, some visitors have expressed disappointment with apple availability and quality later in the season, as well as the pricing structure. The winding mountain roads can also be a challenge for some.
"Family apple picking activity on a Saturday in October for a group of young kids and adults was held at Volcan Valley Apple Farm recently. We took freeway 8 from the direction of Wynola and Santa Ysabel and it was an uphill climb with lots of turns and narrow road. One of the children got car sick and threw up. So, on the way back to San Diego, we took the longer route through Ramona to prevent passenger getting car sick again. $5 admission for each person at $18 for a small bag of apples, approximately 6-7 pounds of apples. The rows of apple trees by the entrance didn’t have any apples on them as they were pretty picked through. So we decided to go in further in search for apples because we didn’t want to disappoint the children. We managed to find small apples in the back rows of the farm. A lot of the apples had wormholes in them, unfortunately. We heard that the apple orchard in Julian had an unfavorable harvest this year, much less apples than they had last year. We realized that it’s no fault of the farm but they should have advised the incoming visitors that there were only small apples left on the trees as most of them were gone or got tossed on the ground and perhaps they should have waived the admission fee and charge the apples picked by pound. This would have been fair to the customers. While it was a fun activity for the young children in our group. They enjoyed picking and tasting the apples off of the trees. However, we felt cheated as the farm failed to communicate and inform visitors that the farm currently didn’t have enough good apples for good picking. They also gave us the much smaller bag this year for the apples at an increased price tag per bag. Disappointed. We will not be back to this farm and will try other apple farms in the area next year."
Olive T
"5 bucks per adult. $18 to fill a bag with apples. Nice stop between pieces of apple pie and apple dumplings and coffee."
Eric Weule
"Great place to visit. My grandkids really liked the apple canon. Goja was really great with kids."
ArmySFC
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Volcan Valley Apple Farm is located in Julian, CA. The drive from San Diego involves winding mountain roads. Some visitors recommend taking a longer route through Ramona to avoid potential car sickness on the steeper, turn-filled roads.
Yes, there is parking available at the farm. While it's not walkable from Julian's main street, ample parking is usually provided for visitors.
The roads leading to Julian can be steep and winding, especially from the direction of Santa Ysabel. If you're prone to motion sickness, consider the route via Ramona.
It's approximately an hour's drive from San Diego, depending on traffic and your starting point.
No, it's not within walking distance of Julian's main street, but there is parking available at the farm.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission is typically around $5 per person, with children under 5 often free. A bag of apples costs extra, usually around $18. +1
A bag of apples typically costs around $18, and it can hold approximately 6-7 pounds of apples.
The season usually begins in early September and lasts for about three weekends, or until the trees are picked out. It's best to check their opening dates.
While specific group discounts aren't always advertised, children under 5 are often free. The pricing structure is generally per person for admission and per bag for apples.
The primary attraction is U-pick, but it's possible pre-picked apples might be available depending on the season and availability. It's best to inquire upon arrival.
🎫 🍎 Onsite Experience
Visitors have mentioned picking varieties like Empire apples, which are known for their purple hue and good flavor. Other varieties may be available depending on the season.
While apple picking is the main draw, the farm offers a pleasant atmosphere for enjoying the outdoors. Nearby Julian offers other attractions like pie shops and wineries.
Yes, Volcan Valley Apple Farm is a dog-friendly orchard, making it a great spot to bring your pets along for the fall fun.
Comfortable walking shoes are a must, as you'll be walking through orchards. Layers are recommended as mountain weather can change.
Some visitors have reported finding fewer apples or apples with imperfections later in the season. It's advisable to go early or check conditions beforehand.
📸 📸 Photography
The apple orchards themselves provide beautiful backdrops, especially with baskets of picked apples. The mountain scenery surrounding the farm also offers great photo opportunities.
Absolutely! The farm is dog-friendly, so you can capture adorable moments with your pets among the apple trees.
Yes, the rustic farm setting and the activity of picking apples make for charming family photos.
Morning light or late afternoon can offer softer, more flattering light for photography, avoiding harsh midday sun.
Generally, personal photography is welcome. However, it's always good practice to be mindful of other visitors and farm operations.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit