Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville, California

With autumn in the air, nothing is more fun than visiting the apple orchard.  When I lived in the Midwest, I would giddily make my annual pilgrimage to the local apple orchard, bundled up in a warm sweater and hat.  I would join others piling onto the hay wagons that would be pulled by a tractor out into the orchard.  There, we were abandoned with bushel baskets to pick apples from trees in the crisp, cool autumn air.  We returned later to the apple barn with our haul.  At the apple barn, there was hot apple cider and fresh, warm cinnamon donuts.  I have so many fond memories of this, I was feeling pretty bummed to be orchardless in California, that is, until my friend Lauryn told me about Gizdich Ranch.  

While you don’t need to bundle up at this apple orchard, and there are no hay wagons, hot donuts or cider, it is a true gem.  Located in a quiet, rural area, the 60-acre Gizdich Ranch has a reputation for being a local favorite.  It is located at 55 Peckham Road in Watsonville, CA, 31 miles north of Monterey and 94 miles south of San Francisco.  They have been in business for more than 80 years. As you drive through the quiet countryside to Gizdich Ranch, you will notice quaint Victorian houses with gingerbread porches, old-fashioned windmills,  and little red barns.  It almost feels like you have traveled back in time to a place where people churn butter, make quilts and drive to church every Sunday in a horse and buggy.    It’s just that cute.

No matter the season, Gizdich has something good in store.  In the spring and summer you can pick strawberries, olallieberries, and boysenberries, and in the fall, apples (or you can purchase them already picked).  Gizdich is especially famous for their freshly baked pies. You can buy pie by the slice or an entire pie. You can even get a scoop of ice cream with your pie. Or, you may prefer a homemade apple dumpling drowning in a to-die-for caramel sauce.  They also carry homemade jams, fresh pressed apple juice and other yummies, doodads, and gimcrackery.  The apple juice is often sold out for good reason, it is delicious!  If you are wondering about what to serve for dessert at Thanksgiving, you can pre-order pies here.  Gizdich sells around 6,000 pies this time of year! 

While the produce at Gizdich is not certified organic, they use many techniques, including applying beneficial insects and organic sprays, to avoid the use of pesticides.  I snagged some heirloom Pippins (grown by George Washington on his estate in Virginia) and they were super crisp, sweet and tasty.  Pippins are just one of 17 apple varieties available at Gizdich.

One of the most popular flavors for jam and pie is ollalieberry.  If you are from the midwest, like me, you have probably never heard of ollalieberry.   Olallies are a cross between blackberries and red raspberries and let me tell you, they are heavenly!  

If you are hankering for something more substantial to eat, Gizdich’s has a deli that serves picnic lunches including sandwiches, chips, cookies, an apple, and a drink.  There are picnic tables and benches where you can sit down and enjoy your goodies.  There is also an antique shop on the premises which was closed when we were there.

Hours: They are open every day from 9 am to 5 pm

Helpful Hints:  

• Weekday mornings are the quietest, by afternoon the school buses are arriving and you will be standing in lines or dodging the kiddos 
• If you are picking berries, bring your own take-home containers; Gizdich provides containers for picking only, there is a fee charged for boxes to take berries home in  
• If you will be outside during hot and sunny weather, bring sunscreen and a hat
• It can be dusty here with dirt roads
• Credit cards are accepted as well as cash
• Signs can be a bit confusing, we ended up at the pick your own orchard and had to continue further around the corner to the actual farm and store.
• You can place phone orders before you arrive
• Ample parking is available

Contact: Call 831-722-2458 or visit their website Orchard

Thank you for visiting my blog!  Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and a very lovely autumn!