The Scenic Drive To Julian Pie Company In Southern California Is Almost As Fantastic As The Pie Itself
By Natasha Kayes|Published December 28, 2022
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
A classic apple pie is an iconic American dessert, and for some, the ultimate comfort pie. Of course, not all pies are created equal. What could be better than discovering the best pie in Southern California? Perhaps realizing that the scenic drive that leads you to it is almost as delicious.
Just off of Interstate 8 in San Diego is the Sunrise National Scenic Byway, a beautiful stretch of highway that takes you through wild and diverse landscapes on your way to one of Southern California’s cutest towns and some fabulous pie.
This scenic drive offers epic views of pine-filled forests, rugged mountain ranges, and overviews of the Anza-Borrego desert. Each season brings a new experience and a unique set of eye-catching views, from wildflowers to snow.
When you reach quaint Julian, you will feel like you have traveled back to the Gold Rush era when this town was established. Take some time to explore or take your sweet tooth straight to the Julian Pie Company.
Julian Pie Company is a family-owned and operated business in the darling mountain town of Julian. Specializing in classic apple pie, this tiny shop has made a real name for itself and many Southern Californians agree that these are the best pies ever. In fact, if you want to stretch your road trip a little, you can continue through Julian to Santa Ysabel and see the second location of this popular country bakery.
Do not make the mistake of thinking that apple pie means just one thing. The Original Apple pie is just the beginning, but you can also try a variety of apple and apple combo pies like Caramel Dutch Apple, Peach Apple Crumb, Apple Mountain Berry Crumb, and others. And what would a fresh apple-based company be without some homemade cider donuts?
During the fall harvest season, Julian Pie Company bakes over 10,000 apple pies per week. The nearby town of Julian, the bakery’s namesake, is home to the company’s large apple orchard with 17,000 trees that produce over 21 apple varieties. The orchard supplies all of the apples for two Julian Pie Company locations as well as much of the country.
Whether you choose the best-selling apple pie or one of the other freshly baked fruit pies, or even a berry crisp, chances are you won’t want to leave without enjoying a warm piece a la mode before taking one to go.
We think this gorgeous drive and the mouthwatering pie it leads to make for an unbeatable day trip. What do you think? Have you tasted an apple pie from Julian Pie Company, or taken this vista-filled drive? Tell us about your experience. Want some more scenic drive ideas? Here are some of Southern California’s most beautiful backroads.
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