If there is a warm apple pie in the car, the mountain scenery may have to work a little harder.
That is a fair problem to have.
This California bakery has been turning apples into road-trip temptation since the 1980s. You can stop for a slice, but the whole pies are where self-control starts getting tested.
Especially around Thanksgiving.
A full pie sounds like something you are bringing home for later. Then the car starts smelling like butter, apples, and cinnamon, and suddenly later feels very far away.
I know how this ends for me.
The box makes it into the passenger seat.
Whether the pie makes it all the way home is a completely different question.
The Company Has Been Baking California Apple Pies Since 1986
Apple pie has been part of Julian Pie Company’s story since September 1986, when Liz Smothers opened the business in the small mountain town.
The bakery grew from her experience preparing and selling pies for other local shops.
Today, the company offers baked fruit pies, crumb-topped varieties, and pies for customers who prefer to finish the baking at home.
Julian sits in the mountains of San Diego County, with a compact historic center and a long association with apple growing. A visit can include a walk along Main Street and a stop for dessert without requiring a full-day itinerary.
The bakery’s original apple pie uses Granny Smith apples beneath a traditional pastry crust.
If you’re deciding between a slice and a whole pie, consider whether you’ll be eating on the spot or taking dessert home.
The bakery normally opens daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., although holiday hours may differ. Check the day’s hours before a long drive, especially during Thanksgiving week.
Allow time to browse the available flavors rather than counting on every variety being ready when you arrive.
Liz Smothers Turned Her Homemade Pie Recipes Into A Family Business
Liz Smothers learned to work with pastry alongside her mother while growing up in a family of eight children.
That early kitchen experience followed her into professional pie baking. Before opening her own business, she peeled apples for a Julian pie shop and later baked and sold pies there.
Other local shops also hired her to make pies.
In September 1986, she began Julian Pie Company with assistance from a friend. Her son Tim helped roll dough after school during the early years. The family gradually took on different roles as the bakery expanded beyond its first location.
The business remains connected to the Smothers family.
Tim has overseen operations in Santa Ysabel, while his brother Dave has been associated with the Julian location.
Their mother’s pastry-making experience forms part of the company’s history, from its first batches to its expanding selection of fruit pies.
If you’re curious about the bakery’s roots, start with the original apple pie before considering a crumb-topped variation. The two offer different crust textures without requiring a comparison of every flavor in the case.
For a family gathering, ask about whole-pie availability and how much advance notice an order needs. The answer may depend on the date and the variety you want.
Thousands Of Apple Trees Helped Shape Julian’s Famous Pie Tradition
Seventeen thousand apple trees make for a substantial orchard. In 1989, Liz and Keith Smothers bought an apple farm and, with help from their son Dan, planted approximately that many trees to supply fruit for the bakery.
The orchard became another part of the family business, alongside the work of preparing dough and baking pies.
Apple growing has a longer history in Julian itself. The town’s mountain setting supports orchards, and apple season remains a recognizable part of its autumn calendar. A fall drive may bring views of orchards along with the shops and historic buildings in town.
The bakery’s recipes include different apple varieties for different pies. Its original apple pie uses Granny Smith apples, while the natural apple pie uses Golden Delicious apples sweetened with apple cider and contains no added sugar.
These are separate choices, so look at the flavor name before ordering.
If your trip is during the autumn harvest period, make the bakery one stop rather than assuming every nearby orchard has the same public access arrangements.
Some operations focus on growing fruit, while others may offer seasonal activities. Confirm details before heading down a side road.
Flaky Crusts And Dutch Apple Crumb Pies Define The Bakery’s Signature Treats
Crumb topping or pastry crust? That’s the first decision when you reach the apple pies. The Original Apple comes with Granny Smith apples under a flaky pastry crust, while Dutch Apple has a crunchy crumb topping.
Both begin with an apple filling, but the texture changes with the finishing layer.
The bakery also offers a Natural Apple pie made with Golden Delicious apples and apple cider, without added sugar.
Other combinations include fruit pairings such as strawberry rhubarb and peach apple, although the exact selection may vary.
If you have a particular flavor in mind, check availability before making a special trip.
For dessert at home, choose between a baked pie and a frozen unbaked option where offered. A baked pie can be served as it is or warmed. For a frozen unbaked pie, follow the bakery’s preparation instructions, including the thawing period and full baking time.
Baking a pie isn’t quite the same as reheating one.
Vanilla ice cream is a familiar addition to apple pie, and cinnamon ice cream is another option associated with the bakery. Sharp cheddar is an alternative pairing for anyone who wants a contrast to the sweet filling.
Sharing slices is an easy way to try two varieties without committing to two whole pies.
Julian’s Apple Orchards Make This Mountain Town A Pie Destination
Winding roads lead into Julian from the surrounding San Diego County countryside.
The mountain town has historic storefronts, apple-growing traditions, and a Main Street where a bakery visit can sit comfortably beside a short walk.
Visitors can find the original Julian Pie Company bakery at 2225 Main Street, right in the heart of Julian’s historic downtown.
Make your first decision before arriving: are you stopping for a slice or collecting a whole pie to take home? A brief dessert stop calls for less time than an afternoon spent browsing shops and exploring the nearby countryside.
Keeping the plan flexible is useful when weekend traffic or parking takes longer than expected.
Julian’s elevation also brings cooler conditions than the coast or inland valleys. Take a jacket during autumn and winter, even if the weather was warm when you left. Rain or mountain weather can change road conditions, so check the forecast before making the drive.
If you’re spending extra time in town, walk through the central shopping area before heading back to the car.
You’ll see local businesses and buildings from different periods of Julian’s history. Follow posted parking limits rather than assuming a convenient space can be used all afternoon.
A whole pie is easier to transport if you clear room in the vehicle ahead of time. Keep the box away from heavy luggage, and avoid leaving baked goods in a hot parked car.
Thanksgiving Apple Pies Bring A Taste Of Julian To Holiday Tables
Thanksgiving can mean a busy kitchen, and apple pie is one dessert you can arrange before the holiday meal.
Julian Pie Company sells baked pies and offers frozen unbaked pies for customers who would rather use their own ovens.
Decide which fits your schedule before placing an order.
A baked pie reduces last-minute preparation. A frozen unbaked pie needs oven space and enough time to thaw and bake according to the supplied instructions.
If you’re cooking several dishes, plan where the pie fits on the oven schedule instead of relying on a quick final warm-up.
The company’s nine-inch round pies are intended for sharing, so think about the number of desserts on your table before choosing quantities. You might serve a classic apple alongside a Dutch crumb version, or choose just one style if other desserts are already planned.
Thanksgiving ordering windows, pickup arrangements, and holiday closures may differ from ordinary opening hours.
Confirm the current holiday schedule directly before you travel. Regular daily hours should not be treated as a promise that the bakery will be open on Thanksgiving Day.
Shipping is available for select baked pies, with two-day and overnight delivery options on specified weekdays. Check which items and delivery dates are currently eligible, particularly during the holiday period.
Apple Pie Lovers Can Also Visit Santa Ysabel
Missed your chance to stop in Julian? The company’s second bakery is in nearby Santa Ysabel, another point along the area’s mountain-road network. Julian Pie Company opened its Santa Ysabel facility in 1992 as demand for pies grew in local markets.
The location also supports production and shipping.
Santa Ysabel makes a practical alternative when your route does not pass through Julian’s central shopping streets.
You can arrange a pie stop around the drive rather than adding an unnecessary return through town.
The surrounding countryside has open views, and the highway connects with other routes through San Diego County’s backcountry.
The bakery offers familiar Julian Pie Company varieties, though specific flavors can depend on what is available that day.
If you’re collecting a large order or a particular type of pie, confirm arrangements before setting off.
The Santa Ysabel facility also handles scheduled pickup for certain fundraising and special-event orders.
For this stop, use 21976 Highway 79, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070. The location generally operates during daytime hours, with holiday exceptions possible. Check current hours if you’re traveling near Thanksgiving or another holiday.
Take a look at your route home before buying anything frozen. A cooler can help on longer journeys, and a flat place in the vehicle keeps boxed pies secure.
Whether you leave with a slice for later or a whole dessert for the table, there’s no need to rush the final stretch of the drive.