You know what pairs perfectly with the start of California apple season? A flaky, tender hand pie filled with apple pie filling served oceanside at a historic bungalow made famous by a Tom Cruise movie. That’s right—we’re talking about HIGH-Pie at the Top Gun House in Oceanside, California.

An Iconic Slice of California: HIGH-Pie Meets Harvest Season 🍏🏋️

During a recent visit with the California GROWN Creators, we got the full HIGH-Pie experience: think warm buttery crusts, tender sweet-tart apple fillings, and a serious dose of nostalgia. It was the kind of food moment that sticks with you. And thus, we came home inspired by nonstop cravings that fueled the inspiration to recreate this easy homemade apple pie filling and to share it with you.

At the same time, California apple season is officially here! This recipe is our love letter to apple season in the Golden State: fresh apples, warm spices, and all the cozy pie-filling potential in the world.

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California Apples: A Golden State Tradition In Season Now

Let’s get one thing straight—California is more than just wine and citrus. We’re also a major player in the apple game. In fact:

• California is the 5th largest producer of apples in the U.S.
• We’re the 2nd largest exporter of apples nationally.
• Our orchards grow four major apple varieties: Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Cripps Pink.
• Apple season in California runs from July through October.

And while the Pacific Northwest gets a lot of apple buzz, Northern California shines with microclimates that produce apples with incredible flavor, crunch, and character.

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The Filling That Brings It All Together 🥧

Whether you’re reliving a bite from HIGH-Pie or baking your first crisp of the season, this easy apple pie filling is sweet-tart, cinnamon-spiced, and deeply apple-forward. It uses a combo of Granny Smith and Fuji apples to strike that perfect balance of bold and bright, but you could use any baking apples that you love or happen to have on hand.

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Why We’re Obsessed With This Homemade Apple Pie Filling

Because it’s more than just pie filling. It’s your:

• Go-to for apple hand pies (like the ones at HIGH-Pie).
• Star player in a quick and easy apple crisp.
• Easy topping for pancakes, waffles, or vanilla ice cream.
• Sunday brunch upgrade folded into yogurt or oatmeal.
• A cozy treat eaten straight from the fridge. No shame.

And when you’ve got an abundance of apples, this recipe is just the thing to help you use them all. It keeps in the fridge for 5 days and freezes beautifully for future apple dessert emergencies.

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Explore California’s Apple Country 🌿

Want to pick your own apples for this filling or sip cider under the trees? Or maybe you want to meet an apple farmer? Check out the top spots to get your apple-pickin’ fix:

🍏 Apple Ridge Farms – Placerville

Fill your baskets with crisp apples, then stay for the fall views and small-town charm.

🍏 High Hill Ranch – Apple Hill

Known for its apple donuts, cider, and endless orchard photo ops.

🍏 Gizdich Ranch – Watsonville

A family-owned classic with a cult following for their apple pies.

🍏 Gowan’s Heirloom Cider – Philo

Enjoy small-batch heirloom cider in a laid-back orchard tasting room.

🍏 Julian, California – San Diego County

This mountain town is famous for fall color, U-pick orchards, and old-school apple pie.

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The Trip that Inspired the Recipe: Oceanside’s Top Gun House – Home of Fruit-Filled HIGH-Pie

If you’ve ever dreamed of standing where Maverick once stood — salty breeze in the air, sun glinting off the Pacific — this spot in Oceanside, California, is calling your name. Yep, we’re talking about the iconic Top Gun House, but with a fresh, flaky twist. These days, it’s not just a film landmark; it’s also the home of HIGH-Pie, a coastal cottage serving up nostalgic CA GROWN fruit-filled hand pies that are equal parts delicious and nostalgic.

And spoiler alert? They’re really good too.

First things first.
The Top Gun House, a bright-blue 1887 Queen Anne cottage, famously appeared as Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood’s home in the original Top Gun movie. After years of preservation efforts and one seriously cool relocation to the Mission Pacific Hotel property, the house now draws fans from around the globe — and rewards them with the BEST fruit-filled hand pies.

HIGH-Pie: Small in Size, Huge on Flavor

So, what makes HIGH-Pie a must-stop on the agritourism trail through San Diego County? It’s more than just movie memorabilia and sweet decor. High-Pie is rooted in local ingredients and a commitment to showcasing the best of California’s fruit.

Each pie is deep-fried to crispy perfection, then filled with seasonal, real-deal fruit from California farms. There’s no gloopy canned filling or mystery goo here — we’re talking honest-to-goodness, tree- and vine-ripened fruit from the fields and orchards of the Golden State.

A Few Standouts on the Menu:

• Apple Hand Pie: Made with tart, juicy CA GROWN apples — crisp, bright, and perfectly spiced.
• Blueberry Hand Pie: Bursting with plump, sweet-tart California blueberries — a tiny fruit with powerhouse flavor.
• Lemon Hand Pie: A sunny punch of citrus from CA GROWN lemons, nestled in a golden crust. (Hello, tangy perfection.)

Gluten-free? No problem.
HIGH-Pie offers gluten-free versions of all their fruit-filled flavors, so everyone — no matter their dietary needs — can experience that warm, flaky, CA GROWN goodness. Same bold fruit. Same crave-worthy texture. No gluten in sight.

Bonus: Do what we did and grab a pie flight so that you can sample multiple flavors at a time. That way you can fully experience a bite of every flavor that your heart desires.

Come for the Movie Nostalgia, Stay for the Pie

The Top Gun House may have drawn you in, but trust us — it’s the pie that’ll keep you coming back. HIGH-Pie is more than a novelty; it’s a celebration of CA GROWN fruit, local pride, and the sweet reward of exploring something a little unexpected.

So next time you’re cruising the coast and craving something nostalgic, head to Oceanside, grab a hand pie, and take a bite of one of San Diego County’s sweetest agritourism success stories. Oh, and before you leave, take a spin on the bike out front to channel that Maverick spirit you came here to find.

Can’t Make It to Oceanside? Bring HIGH-Pie Home 🍏🥧

If a road trip to HIGH-Pie at the Top Gun House isn’t in the cards right now, don’t sweat it—we’ve got the next best thing. Our easy homemade apple pie filling was inspired by our visit to the iconic Oceanside cottage-turned-hand-pie-haven. It’s packed with tender, cinnamon-spiced California apples and cozy vibes reminiscent of the real thing. Whether you bake up some hand pies, spoon it over vanilla ice cream, or tuck it into a warm, flaky crust, this filling is your ticket to a little slice of HIGH-Pie magic—no boarding pass required.

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SAVE THIS CA GROWN SPOTIFY PLAYLIST FOR YOUR NEXT BAKING SESSION:

Show Us Your Pie!

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Let’s celebrate apple season the best way we know how—with warm spices, golden crusts, and tender apples in every bite.