This place is great, parking was a little confusing and the signage telling visitors where to go could be more apparent. The Apple Pies are amazingly delicious. Everyone that worked there was very friendly and professional even with the big crowds they were still very nice and welcoming. read more

The best pie on the planet!!! Fresh, handmade, friendly ladies serving pie.. cute location, great picnic lunches, everything about this place is so nice. read more

Closes early on the weekends and has rude staff. We were leaving Watsonville and stopped by 5 min after it closes thought maybe I can take a look since I had never been to Gizdich, I asked a lady that worked there if it was closed and she was very rude for me asking the question. I didn't know as soon as you walk up that's was the entrance. Anyways customer service is important no matter the question or what mood you are iin. I was trying to support an old local shop but with rude owners or staff I won't come back. read more

Came here for their pies and possible strawberry picking but we weren't able to so we just bought pies in the little store and then got a slice with a side of ice cream to eat it in their outdoor area which is so pretty!! Everyone I know raves about how good their pies are but I was sad when it wasn't what I expected. I got their Very Berry Pie to go and a slice of their Strawberry Rhubarb pie with Olallie ice cream. Both were not flaky but rather soft & kind of soggy. Too overly sweet that I couldn't finish it and not much flavor to it. The ice cream was just ok as well. This place is not close to me so I wouldn't make the drive to come back again. read more

Gizdich Ranch - Bakeries Near Me - Watsonville, California

Highly recommend. Best pie all around. Tried multiple pies and Dutch apple is favorite read more

Gizdich Ranch - Bakeries Near Me - Watsonville, California

We made the mistake of coming on a Sunday afternoon. The line to get slices of pie was over an hour to get through. We had a super unfriendly person ring us up. When we asked what flavors were still left, she looked at us like we were stupid. Well, they have a big hanging sign that said Apple Pie-OUT. That was why we were there. SO, thanks Chica~not. We got 3 slices, Apricot, Apple with crumble and Apple with a crust. My husband loved the Apricot and Trad. Apple, he thought the crumble was too sweet. We will be back, but dang, customer service needs to improve big time! It was nice chatting with the other people that were waiting in line. read more

This is a review of the olallieberry 'u-pick' business (not the other businesses on their premises). Don't bother trying to pick olallieberries this year. We were bitterly disappointed last year when we saw the condition of the field. We went on the opening day expecting to find lots of berries, and it was obvious the field had already been thoroughly picked over. I expressed our disappointment to the field crew and they kind of shrugged it off without any explanation. After 25 years or more of a yearly family tradition to pick berries, I was willing to take into consideration the fact that the drought had affected many farmers and it was an anomaly. Imagine my surprise when we drove out there yesterday (opening day) and saw the same diseased and dying bushes! I walked into the field to see if there were any berries, and it was in terrible shape. The scarce berries were tasteless, sour little woody things. Not only was it very disappointing, but it was upsetting that Gizdich Ranch obviously does not care about the families who have made the trek to the ranch only to discover the dead fields. It seems their ulterior motive is to send people to go buy pies and other berries at their shops. There's no excuse for that dead mess of olallieberry bushes -- if you can't manage your fields better, rip them out and stop advertising 'u-pick.' All of the other surrounding berry fields in the Watsonville area were healthy and flourishing. read more

Went to Gizdich Ranch at noontime of a Tuesday. The pie was okay, the service was good, and the ambiance needed much renovating. The ranch is old and reminisce of 1940s-1960s, with dilapidated farm equipment spread about, and the picnic area had red tables and benches, a few guests eating lunches, a dusty photo op area with farmer bodies and a dog with holes to put your face through and snap a photo. Few people, maybe six were in the old farm pie shop deciding what pie or sandwiches to purchase were milling about. We purchased a Dutch Apple pie since the regular apple pies were sold out. Tables were organized waiting for guests. The knickknack shop was old with expensive items for sale, and the shop was empty of employees and shoppers. The antique shop was the best part of the ranch. We met the older woman in the antique shop, the wife of the son of the ranch. She told us stories about the ranch, how and when she met the son who had passed away about 15 years ago, how her two sons run the ranch for her. She also told us about her childhood growing up in Croatia and immigrating to the U.S., and eventually graduating from Watsonville high school on a Friday and marrying the son of Gizdich Ranch owner on the first Sunday after graduation. The thing about our pie is the apples were over cooked, giving the pie a mushy taste, as well as being way too sweet from the Dutch spices and coverings. Well, our trip from Monterey to Watsonville was worth the time. We had an excellent visit with the grandma, but probably would not go back since we'd seen enough. read more

Amazing ranch! Plenty of options for the apple picking. And the pies!!!! Soooo good! They have plenty of parking spots at the back. Such a nice feeling to visit read more

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We live an hour away from here but whenever we get the chance we always come to get their pies ( which Is multiple ) and their fresh apple juice because it is literally the best ! The workers and the owner are always so sweet and always talk to us and everyone whenever we come and it's always been a very welcoming and nice place. I would so recommend people to come here for their pies, fruits, and juice because it's all grown in the farm and freshly made and always taste so good read more

Gizdich Ranch - Bakeries Near Me - Watsonville, California

Stopped in on the way to the coast and man oh man the olalliberry pie is DELICIOUS!! Cant wait to go back and get a whole pie! The Apple cider slush is really good too! The owner was outside watering her flowers and came in to the antique store on site and talked to us and gave us some of the history about herself, her husband, family and the ranch. Very nice. Cant wait to go back read more

Came here early on a Saturday morning for some sweet pie :) Ambiance: quaint and very family friendly! Service: Very customer focused and time-sensitive. They make sure you are informed on the popular flavors and the pie cooking times. Pies: Olallie berry (5/5)-great by itself or with vanilla ice cream! Apple raspberry (4/5)- chunky but a bit too tart for my taste buds Overall, stop by and enjoy a slice of pie! Every flavor is good but definitely try the Olallie berry Ps. Plenty of space inside and outside for pictures and to sit down to eat. read more

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I've had a lot of pie and the pie from Gizdich is superior. You can actually taste the fresh fruit without it being too sweet. Love the Dutch apple, it's great warmed up! I have had it for breakfast The place is cute, a good spot to stop off on a bike ride for a quick bite and one of their picnic tables overlooking the orchard. read more

Gizdich Ranch - Orchard - Bakeries Near Me - Watsonville, California

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We had a GREAT TIME TODAY! A few tips before you head to the ranch.... Preorder your lunches from the deli (either before you get there or before you go out to pick) The lunches were nice but a bit pricey. It's a little confusing when you first arrive. We went on a week day and they were apparently "low staffed" so we checked in at the store (had to leave our ID or $20 as a deposit). Then we drove out the the orchard to pick. (You drive out there. Sooo if you have two adults keep the kids in their seats lol) Bring your own bags for the picking! They have buckets but are hard for Littles to carry. ALSO! The trees are the perfect height for all ages to pick from. My 3yo could reach apples NO PROBLEM! It would be nice if they had some signage in the orchard that said which apples were which. I am no apple expert lol and they didn't have staff out in the orchard on the weekday we went. For sure go visit. It's great. We will be back. Everyone was friendly and helpful. read more

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Absolutely the best apple pie you can have that isn't homemade. Their other pies are also exceptional - that crust! But that apple pie - it's on another level. read more

Omg so fun apple picking, dog friendly, delicious pies, beautiful weather, friendly people. There was a tiny pumpkin zone with hay bales and pumpkins. Beautiful apple pies still hot when we bought them and fresh to bring home. Plenty of parking. Clean porta potties!!?? Bring a bag or buy one. Bring a sun hat, the kids, the dog, such a fun day!! read more

Gizdich Ranch - Pies - Bakeries Near Me - Watsonville, California

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We had THE BEST time here doing the yu-pick, u-pick, we-pick! Everyone should pick Gizdich. Why: 1. So many berries! It was mid-June and the crop of Strawberries was overflowing. And these strawberries were akin to nectar of the Gods. You haven't had strawberries until you have tried them straight off the vine. SO SWEET. The olliberies and boysenberries were also delicious. They have little huts where you check in and get a basket or they will weigh yours if you bring one. Then you are on your way to fruit picking bliss! They charge per pound. 2. Little shop area across the street - OMG the fresh squeezed apple juice is drool-worthy. There is jam, caramels, teas, and other goodies. they also sell pies by the slice or the whole kahuna. 3. Easy peasy parking. There are separate lots for the little shop area and the u-pick....or you can be ratchet and park on the side of the road in the dirt like we did. There is a little. Plenty of picnic area to sit and eat also (across the street from u-pick near their little shop). What a great day! Remember your hat and sunscreen if it is hot, and get ready to scour the fields for your perfect berries. Great for family bonding, kids, and kids at heart (holla). Fill your basket...or your mouth. read more

Gizdich Ranch - Lool at that sunny day in the fields. - Bakeries Near Me - Watsonville, California

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My little toddlers love strawberries and I wanted them to experience picking them on their own. Gizdich Ranch was the perfect place to do it. The strawberries were plentiful and sweet-they had a floral taste to them. They have a pie shop(that also serves homemade ice cream), family friendly shaded picnic area, and a separate gift store with various items. I loved the drive from San Jose to the ranch. It was a short (50min) drive up the mountains and through a beautiful forest. The strawberry field is separate from the pie shop and picnic area. 55 Peckham will bring you to the pie shop and picnic area. To get to the strawberry field, drive through past the pie shop, turn left, go all the way to stop sign then turn right. Turn left at Lakeview rd. Field will be to your left. Just follow the signs. The parking lot at the pie shop is pretty small. If you come during a busy time, you can easily park elsewhere past the pie shop on the dirt road. Parking at the strawberry field is plentiful and free. There is no fee for picking. You only pay for what you pick $1.99/lb. They lend you buckets and when you check out, you can buy a carton for $1.50. I would suggest bringing your own containers. If you or your kids want to eat strawberries right away, I would suggest bringing water for rinsing. They have a jug of drinking water on site, but it was nearly empty when I got to it. Next time, I'll pick strawberries after I visit the pie shop instead of before so that the strawberries don't have to lay around in the hot car dehydrating. When strawberry picking, there's a noticeable difference between the extra ripe ones and the not so ripe ones so working hard to pick the most red ones will pay off. Don't forget your hat and sunscreen. Also checking their website or calling their business for picking dates and details is very useful. At the pie shop, we ordered an Apple berry pie. This pie was dense and loaded with fresh fruit. Most importantly, it had lots of delicious buttery crust. Some out the sugars caramelized on top making the whole pie experience heavenly. It's was fresh and not so sweet. If you're looking for more sweetness, top it off with ice cream. If you're unsure of what to order, ask for samples!! We also ordered strawberry ice cream. They gave a generous scoop and it was flavorful and fresh. Yuuummy!! My little ones had a blast enjoying their ice cream at the picnic area. There were hay bales to climb, a tractor you can sit on, sand box and even toys. P.s. To get the most out of your fresh strawberries, definitely look up how to care for them. Only wash them before eating and freeze when fresh of you know you can't finish them in time. We had a blast at Gizdich Ranch. Thanks!!! read more

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Great atmosphere, friendly staff. A lovely quiet place to enjoy some delicious pie and some family time read more

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Delicious sandwiches, great pies & relaxing in the sun. Can't ask for anything more :) oh! and doggo friendly ;)

Love the pie, apple dumplings and jam! Amazing place to take the kids for dessert! Pick your own fruit and have the littles, help make fun stuff later read more

A family tradition, since 1975 and almost nothing has changed, except the prices to pick olallieberries. We used to pay $9.99 and fill up the trunk of our station wagon. Now it is $3.95 a pound i believe. Pick a row, and either purchase a flat or fill your own containers. There are only a few weeks in June that this sweet, tart berry is in season. Right now, ( late June) there is option of Olalliberry u- pick daily but strawberries are only available to pick on weekends. I think because it is the start of the season and because the pandemic kept us away last year, the berries are plentiful enough that one can pick a lot in a short period of time (beware of the thorns) We always stay for the amazing pie and picnic sandwiches. It was such fun to see little kids running around playing on the tractors and in the picnic area. Our teenagers had such a good time.. They even agreed to taking pictures with us.The sweet little shop inside has some unique items for sale. read more

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Fun filled little trip to pick your own strawberries or stuff your face with pie while enjoying the sunshine. The pie was phenomenal and the apple slushee was the perfect thing for a hot day. We walked around a bit and sat at one of the picnic benches outside to enjoy our pie a la mode and the view of the grounds. This place didn't receive 5 stars only for a small reasons. There was no merchandise (shirts) to purchase in anything other than youth sizes. The bakery counter staff seemed indifferent about life and everyone in line (maybe a bad day) and they did not have the one item I came there for in season (the apple dumpling). I was unaware of that at the time but that was my fault for not realizing. I will be back for that this fall and we will see if the resting changes. read more

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Sad for pie orders. I wanted to order pies for my friends and family. They limit how many and what type of pies you can order. Can I order 13 of the same type of pie that you are selling? "No." Why the hell even do orders then? Ok I'll just stick to drive up and take what I can get because that's all you can do. Stupid is what stupid does mama always says. read more

Yes, they are known for their apple juice and pies, but did you know they have amazing sandwiches? I'm a bit of a sandwich snob, it's one of my favorite foods and all, and this was one of the best I have ever eaten. Maybe even THE best. Everything about it was perfect. (The one I got was turkey with jack cheese and all the toppings on a dutch crunch roll) There's a large indoor area to eat in, but I ate outside because it's nice out there. It is a bit out of the way, but if you're close by or picking up one of their famous pies, I strongly recommend trying out one of their sandwiches as well! read more

We've had these pies before when a relative comes to visit for coffee and brings a pie for dessert. We've enjoyed the double berry dutch apple pie so we decided to stop into the ranch and pick up a pie. So, we walkout with not one, but two pies. Yes, plural two pies. We purchased the cherry pie and the ollalie berry pie, which is a berry that is local to the Gilroy area and walked out with a half gallon of fresh pressed apple cider (OMG). The pies were really good. We were able to enjoy these tasty treats over a few days and I will need to go back when the fruit picking season is open again. You can purchase slices of pie to enjoy at the ranch along with a side of ice cream if you don't want to commit to a whole pie. This gives you the chance to try different pies if you're ok with sharing with your friends/family. Would be great if the Ranch offers an option to purchase half a pie as a way to give you chance to try different ones. Sort of a variety pack. Yeah, that would great. read more

Gizdich Ranch - Rack of pies - Bakeries Near Me - Watsonville, California

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We were sitting outside enjoying the pies and watching the kiddos play in the sandbox and on the seesaw when Nita came out and started yelling at the kids to get off the toys. Nita was going off about people always on her property and kids always playing with her toys. She continued yelling at the kids and demanded they get off the seesaw and stop playing with the toys. Maybe it's time Nita close the ranch to the public. read more

We came all the way from Sacramento for the apple pie and it tasted like about a pound of salt was in it. Could not even eat two bites it was so salty. Worst thing iv ever had. read more

Been coming here off and on for decades. Always consistent and always good. Noce little pake/playground in back yard for little ones 5ys or less. Nice pie selection but the u-pick is the real reason we come. Fun for young and old and fields of many different fruit. Today we picked some olallieberries (variety of blackberry) which was end of season so only got a few. Made a little bit of delicious jam though. Had the Strawberry Pie, delicious but could use whipping cream or vanilla ice cream for over the top experience. read more

Gizdich Ranch - Seasonal Strawberry Pie (top) - Bakeries Near Me - Watsonville, California

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Our family came here on a Sunday for strawberry picking and pie (you need to drive 3 mins between both locations). Pros- Great outdoor fun for young kids. My 3 yr old loved being able to participate since the fruit was ground level vs up in a tree At the pie shop, there was a small sandbox and toy cars for young kids Strawberries taste so good Olallieberry and Dutch apple pies were delicious. Strawberry rhubarb was sweet and tart, which isn't for everyone but my husband liked it since he likes tart flavors Lots of parking at strawberry patch. Good amount of outdoor seating and space to relax while eating by the pie shop. You can bring your dog, just not into the rows of strawberry plants. Cons- If you are looking for top notch customer service, look somewhere else. The owner is very ornery and irritable. She stood in the middle of the small, crowded parking lot of the pie/gift shop, trying to direct drivers but actually blocked the traffic flow as she was in the way of all the moving cars. Since she was so unaware of her surroundings, she scolded customers when she tried to direct them into a parking space and they couldn't move. When a customer tried to help her stay safe by politely informing her of the cars backing out and almost hitting her, she snapped at them, in front of their family. The staff at the strawberry patch and pie shop weren't really invested in customer service either. They were not motivated to help, responding slowly in soft voices with short yes or no answers, not really explaining anything. The parking lot wasn't safe. A family's car window was broken into, glass falling onto the kid car seats. Pies run out quickly. We got there at 11am and they were out of 3 types of pies already. We also tried the cherry pie but it lacked flavor. There were only 3 restrooms and since it was crowded, there was almost always a line. The deli was also really slow and ordering the picnic lunch of sandwich, chips and drink resulted in a 20+ min wait for the food. This was at 2pm. The parking lot of the strawberry patch was on dirt/unpaved ground so, it was super bumpy to drive through. One poor customer's sport car front tire got stuck in a spot and needed to find someone who could tug him out. No shade in the strawberry patch, so it could get really hot for the elderly and younger children. Make sure you bring hats, water and sunscreen. If you're looking for cheap strawberries, you'll prob find better deals at the grocery store, it was $3.65/lb here when we came. But if you are looking for that outdoor, fruit picking experience and don't mind the price, this is a good place. read more

We religiously get their pies or our family brings it to us whenever they visit. They sell their pies at local places but getting it directly from them and enjoying Is the best!! You can't go wrong with their Dutch or regular apple pie as well as their mixed berries. I haven't tried anything else other than those three. We also order their frozen pies so we have them available whenever we crave it. It's easy to bake and the house smells sooo good!! read more

Amazing experience! We arrived just before the cut-off time for picking strawberries, then enjoyed some ice cream and pies afterwards. Great summer outing! read more

Gizdich Ranch - Freshly-picked strawberry! - Bakeries Near Me - Watsonville, California

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this place have amazing apples ! Yummy hunny . Amazing pies ! It's a small place so there's not much to do but buy apples and a pie . They have an area where you can bring lunch and have a quiet picnic . The only complaint I have is the parking . It's pretty crazy . read more

Super nice employees. Scenic and cozy ranch. Delicious fruit pies - what more do you need? Stopped by after a trip to Watsonville. Ordered two sandwiches - picnic style. Kind of expensive, but very fresh tasting. The french bread on my turkey sandwich was so soft and chewy - I wanted to literally just have bread. Ordered a slice of pie with ice cream - ice cream is not the fanciest, just came out of a giant tub but tasted good on top of a piping hot slice of berry and apple pie. Crust is my favorite. Apple juice was a bit too sweet but they provide water so you can water it down to your preference, but otherwise was really fresh and delicious. Would definitely suggest stopping by just for pie and food - you don't even have to pick fruit to be able to enjoy this orchard. read more

They were already out of their puff pastry by noon on a Sunday!! So come early if you want to give those a try. This time around I tried a slice of: -Boysenberry: Super tart, but the crust was delicious. Tastes better a la mode for sure. I would rather get the ollallieberry or blackberry over this though. -Double Berry Dutch Apple (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=LZH0KnkCw0nsgG-0lJMrrA&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg): Too sweet for my liking, but again, the crust was delicious and I liked the crumb topping. I'll have to try this one again. Overall, there are delicious fresh baked pies to be found here! read more

Gizdich Ranch - Double Berry Dutch Apple - Bakeries Near Me - Watsonville, California

Such a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area! Went here with my boyfriend on a Friday around noon to find very little crowds, which was nice because we barely had to wait in any lines. The ranch was super easy to navigate, even though you had to drive your car to the picking fields. There were helpful signs everywhere that told you where to go and what you need to know. Service is very friendly and helpful as well. Started our day with picnic lunches from the deli, which was very simple and tasty! You can customize your own, but don't expect a sandwich with all the frills. The picnic lunch comes with a sandwich, bag of chips, cookie, small cup of fruit, and a drink. GET THE APPLE SLUSH!! I seriously couldn't get enough of it. It was icy, sweet, crisp, and so refreshing. The drive to the strawberry picking fields is less than 2 minutes, and if you follow the directions and signs, you'll have no problem finding it. There was only one or two other groups picking strawberries by the time we got there, which made for some very nice photos! We picked three little buckets full of strawberries for only about ~$8! We decided to finish the day off with some dessert, so we went back to the main ranch for a slice of pie and another apple slush. I was super excited to try the pie after hearing so many good things, but was slightly disappointed with the slice of cherry that I got. It was gelatinous despite being warmed up, the crust was soggy, and it was super tiny for $4. Next time, I'll be sure to get apple! read more

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Gizdich Ranch have excellent pies and apple juice! Always go by when in the area! The have a cute little store too!

We went strawberry picking and we had a good time, and the strawberries were pretty sweet. The service was good, and the people were very friendly. Overall, this ranch is a good place to go to for picking strawberries and getting some pie. read more

Insanely delicious pie served all over Monterey and Santa Cruz county. If you get a chance scoop on up, they are worth every penny.I'm curious to try other things but I never get past the pies. read more

Love their pies and their strawberries. I have come here before self picking but those days of me picking fruit for fun have come and gone. I got a big flat of strawberries here as a reward for driving so long to get here over the Independence Day weekend. The pie availability is always in flux when coming here. I wanted to get an apple and strawberry pie but they only had country apple and mixed berries. So word of advice: don't be dead set on a pie when coming here. Ask what they have and be prepared to adjust. They also sell apple cider here too. It's the middle of winter now and I hope that by the time strawberry season comes around, I'll be ready to fuel up the car and head back down to Gizdich for another restocking road trip. read more