Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville, California is where we encountered our first olallieberries. Olallieberries (or olallies as they’re frequently called) are a type of hybrid berry that is a cross between the black logan berry and a youngberry.

 

Fresh Olallieberries on the Vine at Gizdich Ranch in Watsonvill, California
I Love You Berry Much – Fresh Olallieberries Reach for the Sun at Gizdich Ranch

 

Tangy and sweet, olallieberries make the perfect pie baking berry. The high season for picking olallieberries in Watsonville is June. Making the trek out to Santa Clara or Santa Cruz county to taste the berries makes for a fun afternoon and it helps support local farmers.

 

Juicy Red Strawberries in a Carton at Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville, California
Berry Lovely – Gizdich Ranch Strawberries on Display in Watsonville

 

Gizdich Ranch was founded by Vincent John Gizdich and has been around since the 1930s. On the 70 acre ranch you can opt to pick your own apples, berries and even pumpkins depending on what season it is.

 

Tons of Berry Plants at Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville, California
Jamming Out – Rows of Berries at Gizdich Ranch in Santa Cruz County

 

If you’re less of the hard working type and more of the serious eating type, Gizdich Ranch offers more than nine different kinds of tasty pies you can snag by the slice or as whole pies. As it turns out, every day is Pi Day at Gizdich Ranch.

 

A sign at Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville, California Reads, "Home of the Famous Eata Nita Pie."
Nita Gizdich’s Name is Synonymous with Delicious Homemade Pies

 

Apple, apple olallie, apple raspberry, blackberry, boysenberry, cherry, double berry, dutch apple, raspberry, very berry and, of course, olallieberry pies are offered throughout the year.

 

Two Olallieberry Pies Fresh Out of the Oven in Boxes on a Table at Gizdich Ranch
I Only Have Pies for You – A Pair of Freshly Baked Olallieberry Pies from Gizdich Ranch

 

Seasonal flavors like apricot, pumpkin, strawberry and strawberry rhubarb can be spotted on the menu during certain times of the year.

 

Homemade Pies Sit on Trays and Countertops in the Gizdich Ranch Kitchen
Pie for Now – Homemade Pies in the Gizdich Ranch Kitchen

 

Sugarless apple, sugarless olallie and lemon meringue pies can be ordered ahead of time with advance notice.

 

A Line of Customers at the Gizdich Ranch Pie Shop Wait for their Pies
Worth the Wait – The Line at Gizdich Ranch’s Pie Shop Often Winds its Way Through the Building

 

Other specialties like apple dumplings and puff pastries are made daily in Gizdich Ranch’s little pastry shop.

 

A Slice of Olallieberry Pie à la Mode Sits on a Plate at Gizdich Ranch
A Taste of the Sweet Life – A Slice of Olallieberry Pie à la Mode at Gizdich Ranch in Santa Cruz County

 

If you opt for a single slice, Gizdich Ranch does offer an à la mode option. The ice cream served at Gizdich Ranch comes from Polar Bear Ice Cream out of Santa Cruz, California. In addition to traditional vanilla ice cream, Gizdich Ranch’s crew also serve up scoops of Polar Bear’s olallie and strawberry ice creams.

 

Cartons of Fresh Pressed Apple Juice on a Fridge Shelf at Gizdich Ranch
Main Squeeze – Fresh Pressed Apple Juice at Gizdich Ranch

 

When apple season is in full swing, Gizdich Ranch is a happening place to be. Thankfully you can score their refreshing apple juice all year long.

 

An Apple Slush Drink at Gizdich Ranch
Now This is the Kind of Slush We Don’t Mind Dealing with – An Apple Slush at Gizdich Ranch

 

Olallies aren’t the only unique thing you’ll spy on Gizdich Ranch’s menu. Gizdich Ranch also makes an incredible apple slush that’s made with their fresh pressed apple juice and crushed ice.

 

A Sign at Gizdich Ranch Reads, "Apples 'n Spice Make Everything Nice"
True That

 

Gizdich Ranch also has apple and olallie popsicles that are only $1.70 a pop making them the perfect sweet treat for kids on a hot summer weekend.

 

Gizdich Ranch Mugs on Display in the Store
Strengthen Your Core at Gizdich Ranch

 

The ranch also has a small little gift shop if you’re in need of recipe books or pie baking gear, but obviously the berries and the pies are the real main attraction.

 

"Pie Shop" is Painted in White Letters on the Side of a Barn at Gizdich Ranch
If You Were Looking for a Sign to Head Out to Gizdich Ranch, This is it

 

Olallie picking season will officially end June 25th, but blackberries and raspberries are usually in full swing mid June through July. If you’re aching to pick your own olallieberries, you best head out to Gizdich Ranch this weekend. Apple season will begin really ramping up come September. Thankfully you can always snag a (slice of) pie, or an apple slush, anytime of the year at the ranch.

 

A Sign at Gizdich Ranch Reads, "Gizdich Ranch Pie Shop & Deli Inside"
Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville, California

 

Gizdich Ranch
55 Peckham Road
Watsonville, California 95076
Hours: Every Day 9:00am to 5:00pm
Phone: (831) 722-1056
Pricing (All in USD): Pie Slices $3.85 to $4.35, À La Mode Add $2.85 to $3.95, Whole Pies $12.05 to $14.55, Puff Pastry $2.80, Apple Dumpling $4.05, Coffee, Milk and Tea $1.40, Apple Slush $2.20, Slush Float $3.45, Juice Pop $1.70