Although it may not immediately bring up images of orchards and apple trees, the glamorous city of Los Angeles has plenty of nearby locations for harvesting apples within a short drive. Orchards in the area have something special to offer during the apple-picking season, whether you’re a local or a visitor hoping to get into the fall spirit.
1. See Canyon Fruit Ranch
Address: 2345 See Canyon Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Though a bit of a trek from Los Angeles, See Canyon Fruit Ranch offers a wonderfully enchanting apple-picking experience. Apple lovers rave about this orchard, which is open daily from September through November. Its calm atmosphere is what makes it unique.
You’ll be surrounded by beautiful views of the Central Coast while you pick apples. There are many different kinds of apples available here, such as Pippin, Gala, Red Delicious, Fuji, Golden Delicious, and Red Gold, among others.
Don’t miss their sugar-free, freshly pressed cider, which is a favorite among guests. It’s a must-try, especially warmed up for a delicious hot cider in the winter months!
In addition to apples, the farm grows a variety of vegetables, including bell peppers, shishito peppers, heirloom tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, kale, and basil.
2. Willowbrook Apple Farm
Address: 12099 South Oak Glen Rd., Oak Glen, CA 92399
The scenic Willowbrook Apple Farm provides a respite from the bustling of Los Angeles. This modest family farm, which is conveniently close by, is open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during apple-picking season. You may fully experience the traditional apple-picking experience here. You can choose as many fresh, crisp Stayman Winesap apples as you want from their specialty.
It’s not just the apple-picking experience, though. By using a vintage cider press to make your own cider, you can embrace your inner cider aficionado. The farm also welcomes charming nights around a bonfire, where the main course is enduring memories and laughter. Enjoy their wine-tasting and s’more-making events, which are hosted every Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m., if you visit in September and October. It’s the ideal way to unwind following a day of exploring farms and collecting apples.
3. Stone Soup Farm & Heritage Orchard
Address: 12131 S. Oak Glen Rd., Oak Glen, CA 92399
Apple-picking at Stone Soup Farm & Heritage Orchard is a distinctive and engaging experience. You’ll receive apple bags upon arrival in early October, and before the harvesting starts, there will be an introduction session. After your apple-picking trip, you pay for what you choose, and your apples are weighed for purchase.
But apples aren’t the only thing to love here. For individuals who are interested in making their own apple juice, Stone Soup Farm offers cider pressing. Discover your inner frontiersman at their archery and tomahawk range, which is especially well-liked by families. The farm’s historic charm and the range of activities it provides make a visit here something the whole family will remember!
4. SLO Creek Farms
Address: 6455 Monte Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
SLO Creek Farms is a wonderful certified organic apple orchard run by a family, conveniently located near the intersection of San Luis Bay Dr. and HWY 101. This 44-acre organic haven features a 3-acre organic food garden in addition to 40 acres of organic apple trees. Everything you can find here is organic and of the greatest caliber, whether you’re choosing apples, vegetables, herbs, honey, or flowers.
Apple-picking season runs from September until the end of November, and the U-Pick apple stand, located in the Garden Area on Monte Rd., is the place to go. Picking fresh apples straight off the tree is a simple pleasure that our orchard provides families and friends with.
5. Snow-Line Orchard
Address: 39400 Oak Glen Rd., Yucaipa, CA
This landmark site sells fresh apples and cider from the end of August until the conclusion of apple season. An old chestnut tree, the historic packing barn, the quaint cider mill, and the lovely picnic areas provide the ideal setting for a family visit. The orchard offers a wide range of goods, such as hard cider, farm-made wine, handmade balsamic and oils, u-pick raspberries, cider mini-donuts, local honey, and unusual souvenirs.
6. Stone Pantry Orchard
Address: 11993 S. Oak Glen Rd., Yucaipa, CA 92399
You will be given a pickin’ pole and a bag when you arrive at Stone Pantry Orchard, so you can begin selecting your apples—which are priced per pound. Apart from that, you can purchase cider by the gallon or half-gallon and try your hand at pressing your own. This orchard provides more than just apples; you can also pick pears, blackberries, and pumpkins, and even take farm tours. Friendly personnel at Stone Pantry Orchards are always happy to answer questions regarding additional fruit alternatives or apple picking!
7. Los Rios Rancho
Address: 39611 Oak Glen Rd., Oak Glen, CA 92399
Enjoy a wonderful apple-picking experience at Los Rios Rancho this season, which includes U-Pick apples and U-press cider. Usually, the season starts on Labor Day Weekend and lasts through Thanksgiving. Pick your own apples with bags given by the orchard, then pay for what you’ve chosen. The orchard also offers year-round locally grown apples in their country store.
In addition to apple picking, Los Rios Rancho provides tours of the orchards and the chance to take a ride in a wagon drawn by farm tractors or horses. Guided tours with fascinating historical information and insights into the farm’s operations are offered on some of these trips.
8. Apple Starr Orchards
Address: 1020 Julian Orchard Drive, Julian, CA 92036
The Apple Starr Orchards covers around 28 acres, of which 8 are planted with apples and pears. Every family member will have a great picking experience in this charming orchard. They only utilize certified organic ingredients, giving guests who are concerned about their health piece of mind.
Families are invited to bring strollers and wagons to make the apple-picking experience more convenient. A few red wagons are also available for small children. The picking bag costs $25 and holds one peck or twelve pounds. Each additional bag for a family is available for $15.
Granny, Jonagold, Roma, Arkansas Black, Red Delicious, and Wealthy are among the apple types that are readily available.
9. Volcan Valley Apple Farm
Address: 1284 Julian Orchards Dr., Julian, CA 92036
Mid-August marks the opening of Volcan Valley Apple Farm for apple picking; bags containing six to seven pounds of sweet apples are available for $12 per bag, which includes admission. The farm offers seven different apple varieties, all of which are easily identified by their green flags.
10. Julian Farm and Orchard
Address: 4444 State Hwy 78, Julian/Wynola CA 92036
Apple lovers are invited to enjoy apple-picking throughout the apple season, which usually begins in mid-September, at Julian Farm and Orchard. Their pumpkin patch opens in mid-September.
The farm store, called “The Farmer’s Wife,” sells a range of items with a country theme, including handmade candles, potpourri, goat’s milk soap, and vintage and farmhouse décor. In addition to apple picking, the orchard offers other activities like gem sluicing, gold panning, tomahawk throwing, train excursions down the mine tunnel, ax throwing, and local store shopping.
11. Knaus Apple Ranch
Address: 19042 Cherry Lane, Tehachapi, CA 93561
Bring your own boxes or bags to go apple picking at Knaus Apple Ranch. Take some time to peruse the store’s offerings, which include baked goods, jams & jellies, butter, apple chips, crafts, presents, and apple peelers, among many other things. It’s a one-stop shop for anything apple-related!
12. Parrish Pioneer Ranch
Address: 38561 Oak Glen Road, Yucaipa, CA 92399
Parrish Pioneer Ranch specializes in heritage and antique apples, like Gravenstein and Pink Pearl, that are no longer easily found in commercial markets, as well as apples specific to the area, like Vasquez and Parkdale Beauty. They sell a variety of apple-related goods at their farm store, such as cider, syrups, and apple butter.
Take advantage of the opportunity to eat at the Apple Dumplin restaurant while you’re at the ranch, where you can enjoy hearty farm fare. Open Friday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests have plenty of time to explore and take advantage of everything the ranch has to offer!
13. Riley’s Apple Farm
Address: 12261 South Oak Glen Rd., Oak Glenn, CA
Riley’s Apple Farm is a well-known apple destination as one of Oak Glen’s biggest orchards. This orchard boasts more than thirty apple types and trees that are over a century old, providing a wide variety of “heirloom” apples. In addition to apples, they cultivate pumpkins, pears, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and a small amount of peaches.
The farm is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Their website has the U-Pick schedule. The farm also offers a variety of exciting and instructive activities, such as the Colonial Farm Life Adventure, Gold Rush Adventure, Old Joe Homestead Tour, and Revolutionary War Adventure. With so much to offer, Riley’s Apple Farm ensures that the whole family will have a fun-filled and educational day!
