If anything says autumn more than biting into a fresh, crisp apple, it’s carving a pumpkin. Fortunately, when you enjoy a San Diego vacation, you’re close to prime apple picking season and plenty of pumpkin patches. Spend the morning at an apple orchard, then drop by a local pumpkin patch for a day of down-home family fun.
Apple Picking Near San Diego
San Diego is just about a 30-minute drive from several U-pick apple orchards with a harvest season from late August through mid-October. Earlier in the season is best for prime picking.
Julian’s largest orchard, Volcan Valley Apple Farm, attracts big crowds every year with 7,000 trellis-grown apple trees of red and green apples. Choose between seven different varietals of apples, including Gravenstein, Empires (a cross between a Red Delicious and a Macintosh), Jonathans, Golden Delicious and Pippins. Pick up a bag for $12 and then head into the fields to fill it up yourself. They will also have cold water, fresh cider and apple woods for your smoker.
Julian Farm & Orchard has 1,500 apple trees as well as pumpkins. Starting Sept. 21, they offer tractor-drawn hayrides, farm animals and apple cider pressing.
Apple Starr Orchard in Julian has more pear trees than apple trees, but both make delicious cobblers, preserves and butter.
If you have a large group of 20 or more, Apples & Art Orchard offers tours and picking sessions by reservation. The adventure includes an apple fact lecture, apple picking, group cider making, and a tasting. This season’s apple varieties include Red Delicious, Arkansas Black, Fuji, heirloom apples and more. They book tours at 1 and 3 p.m. daily for groups only. Book your reservation soon – they fill up fast and are only open until the apples are gone.
Pumpkin Patches Near San Diego
When visiting San Diego in September and October, you’ll discover plenty of pumpkin patches for picking the perfect one for carving.
Pumpkin Station has multiple locations around San Diego including Mission Valley,
open Sept. 27 through Oct. 31. In addition to the pumpkin patch, other activities include giant slides, a train jump, Ferris wheel, boat ride and petting zoo. Their Rancho Bernardo Farm is located in Escondido, and in addition to pumpkins offers a corn maze and hayride.
The Pacific Beach Pumpkin Patch has been serving up local farm-fresh fun since 1992. Not only do they have a large selection of pumpkins ranging from mini- 150 pounds, they also have a variety of fall accessories, Indian corn, gourds and decorations as well as a free pumpkin carving and painting area with stencils, paint kits, stickers and candles. Plus, there’s free hot apple cider and free shaved ice for kids.
Oma’s Pumpkin Patch in Lakeside is open Sept. 24 through Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. It’s family fun on the farm with animals, pumpkins and plenty of activities to keep kids entertained. Admission, which is $12 for children 1 to 13 years of age, includes a pumpkin and water bottle. Adult admission is $5.
Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkins in La Jolla offers an incredible selection of pumpkins, along with games, activities and attractions. There’s no admission fee, but there are costs to some of the activities like animal viewing, the spooky maze, pumpkin bowling, pumpkins putting and more. The price for pumpkins varies by size.
Enjoy your San Diego fall vacation to the fullest. Book a luxury vacation rental near all the attractions the area has to offer.
