Also consider Trovita if juicing is wanted. Valencia is the top juicing orange in the country I believe, but Trovita is harder to find in stores.

Trovita juice turns sour for me, just like Navels do. This is the fourth year in a row I've tested the theory that they can be used for juicing: Fail.

You might consider it anyway. In my climate, it's no where near the sweet flavor of Navels, but it is good. I think it's supposedly a consistent (decent) flavor among both good and marginal climates.

Thanks for all the great information everyone! I had no idea about the limonin. Sounds like Valencia would be the best choice so far. I think I may even plant two tree's really close to each other, one Valencia and one Washington Navel or Cara Cara, to get the best of both worlds!

In which case, may I suggest a Cara Cara instead of Washington Navel? Because I like them better and they also contain Lycopene that is good for you :) And go for the Valencia, you will get a good fruit where you are at.

A Valencia and a Washington Navel side by side would be tremendous. In San Diego, the Navel fruit is ripe right now. Valencia don't go ripe until late spring. So with those two trees, you can almost have ripe fruit year round.

Both of those trees should do great in San Diego.

If you are space constrained, you can plant both the Valencia and Washinton Navel in the same hole and they will grow together as one big tree with characteristics of both.... If you're bold and have additional room, consider a Late Lane Navel and Summer Navel so that you can harvest oranges nearly all year long! Either Clausen or Atkins Nursery in North County have a huge selection of those citrus varieties right now. Dan

I am planning a citrus orange orchard and like juicing oranges. Thinking 4 trees. Live in coastal san Diego. Would like fruit year round. 2 valencia trees for sure and then 1 cara cara and 1 washington navel? Look to your advise.

Padma: I had a Valencia orange tree at my last house that had oranges on it most of the year. We juiced a good bit of them and they tasted pretty good. I have a mature navel orange at my current place that has been putting out big navel oranges for the last 3-4 months. If those are your favorite varieties then go with them as most stuff will grow here in San Diego. If you haven't tried them hit up a local farmers market like the one in Hillcrest on Sundays and try some locally grown ones.

If you're near the coast then blood oranges may not color up well anyways. However, if you're inland where the nights get into the 40's then it's a different story. I would go Washington navel and a Valencia.