55 Peckham Road
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 722-2458
gizdich-ranch.com
Description
Gizdich Ranch got its start in 1937, when Croatian-born Vincent Gizdich began planting tomatoes near an apple orchard. These days, berries and apples are the name of the game, but it’s still a family affair at this friendly spot in farm-packed Watsonville.
Visitors come to Gizdich for fruit picking and delicious homemade pies and juices, but they stay for the cheery, communal atmosphere, marked by the apple trees (most planted in 1919) that line the entrance road, the rolling hills, white picket fences, and the Gizdich family, who is often on hand to greet guests.
Fruit picking is open in summer (for berries) and fall (for apples), but you can visit the farm year round (open daily, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.). Come take a self-guided tour, then stay for a picnic—bring your own or pick up some tasty morsels at the farm’s bakery and deli. In fall, guests can also watch apples being pressed into delicious fresh juices.
There’s a sweet country antiques shop, packed with homemade and vintage country trinkets, plus an array of beautiful gift baskets. And then there are the pies. Oh, the pies.Gizdich sells 13 types of fruit pies, all lovingly homemade and melt-in-your-mouth scrumptious. (The bakery turns out some 5,000 pies around the holidays, so be sure to call ahead and reserve the type of your choice.)
Read about more Bay Bay Area farms.
Directions
It’s best to drive to Gizdich Ranch. Check out Zimride to set up a carpool with folks going your way.
