Pick a Peck: Fall Is Apple (and Pear) Harvest Time in Julian

Apple and pear season is in full swing in San Diego's mountain region, and there's plenty of fruit ripe for the picking. Visiting a "U Pick" orchard is a fun way to kick off autumn and bring home fresh-from-the-tree fruit for eating out of hand or making into a favorite pie. 

Forecasters are predicting temperatures in the low 70s Saturday and Sunday in Julian. Take a sweatshirt anyway!

According to the Julian Chamber of Commerce, the season runs through October. Here is a roundup of some of the orchards open for picking:

Apple Starr Orchards, 1287 Julian Orchards Drive, 760-305-2169.
Ripe this week: Fuji and red delicious apples, Bartlett and Anjou pears.
Pick a peck for $25. Picking poles are available to reaching high branches, and there are two small wagons for children.
Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends, and by appointment weekdays. Groups need to make special arrangements.

Calico Ranch Orchard, 4200 Highway 78, 858-586-0392.
Ripe this week: 130 apple varieties and several pear varieties are grown at the orchard. Pickers are steered toward what's ripe at the time of their visit to the 30-acre orchard. 
Pick a half-peck for $10, cash only.
Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends. Groups should call to make arrangements. 

O'Dell's Organici Orchard, 1095 Julian Orchard Drive, 760-765-1174.
Ripe this week: Bartlett, Bosc and Anjou pears.
There are also chickens, goats and horses on site.
Open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends, and by appointment weekdays. 

Volcan Valley Apple Farm, 1284 Julian Orchards Drive, 760-807-1816.
Ripe this week: Seven apple varieties.
$10 per bag.
Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends, and by appointment weekdays.