Since the 1980s, a California bakery has been crafting road-trip temptations from apples. The whole pies are where self-restraint begins to falter—particularly around Thanksgiving.
The aroma of butter, apples, and cinnamon begins to permeate the car. The box finds its way to the passenger seat. However, getting the pie all the way home becomes a wholly different challenge.
A Family Business Since 1986
Since September 1986, apple pie has been woven into Julian Pie Company’s history when Liz Smothers established the business in the small mountain town.
The bakery emerged from her background in pie preparation and sales for other local retailers. Presently, it offers baked fruit pies, crumb-topped types, and options for customers who wish to finish baking at home.
Julian, nestled in the San Diego County mountains, features a compact historic district and a long-standing connection to apple cultivation. Visitors can stroll along Main Street and enjoy dessert without needing a full-day excursion.
If choosing between a slice and a whole pie, consider whether you’ll consume it on-site or transport it home.
The bakery typically operates daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though holiday hours may vary. Verify the day’s schedule before embarking on a long drive, particularly during Thanksgiving week.
Take time to review available flavors rather than assuming every variety will be ready upon arrival.
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Liz Smothers developed pastry skills alongside her mother within a household of eight siblings. This early kitchen experience propelled her into professional pie baking.
Before launching her own venture, she peeled apples for a Julian pie shop and later baked and sold pies there. Additional local retailers also engaged her for pie production.
In September 1986, she founded Julian Pie Company with help from a friend. Her son Tim assisted with dough-rolling after school during the bakery’s formative years. The family assumed various roles as the business outgrew its initial location.
The enterprise remains rooted in the Smothers family. Tim directs operations in Santa Ysabel, while his brother Dave is connected to the Julian site.
Their mother’s pastry-making expertise contributes to the company’s heritage, from its first batches to its expanding range of fruit pies.
For a family event, inquire about whole-pie availability and the advance notice required for an order. The response may hinge on the date and desired variety.
Thousands Of Apple Trees Helped Shape Julian’s Famous Pie Tradition
In 1989, Liz and Keith Smothers purchased an apple farm, and with their son Dan’s assistance, planted roughly 17,000 trees to supply fruit to the bakery.
The orchard joined the family enterprise, alongside dough preparation and pie baking. Apple cultivation has deep roots in Julian itself. The town’s mountain environment supports orchards, making apple season a hallmark of its autumn calendar.
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A fall journey may reveal orchards alongside shops and historic buildings in the town.
The bakery’s recipes feature various apple types suited to specific pies.
Some operations focus on fruit cultivation, while others may provide seasonal activities. Confirm details before exploring 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.
