Julian Pie Company: San Diego County Treasure

In the rugged horse country of central San Diego County, where apple orchards thrive in a true four-season climate not found along the coast, you’ll find apple pie shops.

One, the Julian Pie Company, some say, bakes the best commercial pies in America. I certainly found its pies to be quite remarkable and well-worth the drive from San Diego.

Not just apple

Famed for its apple pies, of course, including a popular version with no added sugar, Julian makes a pie for nearly everyone. (See the list below.)

These are sold by the whole pie or by the slice, which you can enjoy inside or at tables outside in season. Many customers opt for both, a slice to eat in the bakery and whole pies—sometimes tall stacks of whole ones–to take away. In addition, most pies are sold online.

At the store, you’ll also find a few other baked items.

With your pie, have Julian’s delicious apple cider. In addition, you can order a large helping of vanilla or a tasty cinnamon ice cream with your pie for just $1.50.

Credit cards are accepted.

Natural ingredients

Julian prepares its pies by hand from fresh fruit. No canned pie fillings or other shortcuts tamper with their delicious flavor.

These pies are a world away from the usual frozen ones found at your supermarket and in many restaurants.

The pecan pie

Good apple pies are relatively easy to make if you use good ingredients and a good recipe. Therefore, I wanted to test this bakery’s mettle, how far it would go to make a great pie.

In my experience, chefs, especially those not from the South, most frequently lose their way when making pecan pies.

So, how did Julian do?

Outstandingly! Julian’s pecan pie is so rich, without being wickedly oversweet, and so very delicious. Again, a world away from most pies found in restaurants and supermarkets.

Out-of-the-way?

You’ll find directions to Julian via Ramona below.

The Julian Pie Company makes a great stop on the way from San Diego to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which along with Death Valley and Joshua Tree national parks and the Mojave National Reserve is one of California’s great desert parks. This route takes you the scenic way to Palm Desert and Palm Springs via the Salton Sea.

From Palm Desert, Google Maps leads you through Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave National Reserve to Las Vegas, a scenic route that actually takes less time than using the Interstates (not counting photo stops and hikes).

Therefore, if you’re traveling to Anza-Borrego, Palm Desert, or Las Vegas from San Diego, you’ll certainly want to route yourself via Julian Pie Company.

Directions from San Diego

Julian Pie Company uses an address in San Ysabel that does not work with Google Maps. Instead, follow these directions:

From San Diego, take the I-8 freeway east to State Highway 67 in El Cajon.

Then go north on Highway 67 into some rugged hill country.

When highway 67 ends at the State Highway 78 intersection in Ramona, continue straight (east) on 78. Do not turn left.

When you reach the small village of Santa Ysabel, Julian Pie does not show up well at the intersection of Highway 79.

Therefore at this intersection, turn left (north) onto 79.

Then turn left immediately into Julian Pie’s parking lot.

This drive is so worth it. You will love Julian pies!

Julian also has a branch in the quaint town of Julian, CA (naturally), east of Santa Ysabel along Highway 79, which I have not tried.

Pies usually available

Expect the following pies to be available in store plus others that come and go:

• Regular apple made with Granny Smith apples
• Apple with sweet Dutch crumb topping
• Natural apple with no added sugar
• Natural raspberry apple
• Natural blueberry apple
• Natural strawberry apple
• Cherry
• Blackberry
• Blueberry
• Boysenberry apple
• Strawberry rhubarb
• Pecan
• Pumpkin
• Blueberry apple crumb

Links:

Food Network video

Roadfood.com review

Yelp user reviews