How about you? Labor Day weekend marks the official start of apple picking season in Southern California. From Red Delicious to Granny Smith, we know which apple orchards, including Volcan Valley Apple Farm, will have you reaping the best fruits of your labor. By VI Staff on December 31, 2019 - Updated. updated September 28, 2020. Julian is your other option in Southern California, but it’s twice as far for us. CDC information for travelers. Apple Orchards In Southern California Oak Glen– (38480 oak glen rd oak glen, ca 92399) If you are going to take your family anywhere to go apple picking then Oak Glen is worth the drive! Whether you want to turn your apples into a tasty fall dessert or incorporate them into a healthy dish for your autumn picnic, Southern California's best apple orchards beckon. Where to Go Apple Picking in Southern California. Around 30% of all California's apples are shipped off around the world, while the remaining 70% are consumed domestically, and the state puts a big focus on four main varieties: Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Fuji, and Gala. When I think about fall I can’t help but think of the beautiful reds and yellows of the changing leaves, and the thoughts of pumpkins and apples fill my mind. 10 Best U-Pick Apple Picking Orchards in Southern California 1. Get more stories delivered right to your email. When is the best time to visit an apple orchard in Southern California? Apple picking in Southern California is something that many visitors do not expect to find. Apple Farms in Oak Glen Riley’s Farm. It’s not just about picking apples, but about creating memories that will last a lifetime. Don't forget to try their apple cider and make sure to take home a jar or two of apple butter. Though Willowbrook Apple Farm has _technically_ only been open since 2004, the orchard on the property was planted over a century ago - so there’s still plenty of history here. Los Rios Rancho is regarded as “southern California’s largest Apple farm in operation since 1906.” Visiting families will find traditional farming techniques here as well as historic entertainment and lots of fun. And with more than 25,000 acres of Californian land dedicated to the growth of apples and countless apple orchards and farms just waiting to welcome you in, it's no wonder that apple picking is a hugely popular activity in California, in both the northern and southern parts of the state. This year is a little different as the fires in Southern California literally burned right up to our normal farm. Angela is the staff writer for Only in Your State - Southern California. As the fifth biggest producer and the second biggest exporter of apples in America, California is a major producer of the popular fruit, with the apple industry in the Golden State actually generating more than half a billion dollars each year. Many locales only accept cash and it makes transactions quicker and easier. What are the best farms to visit in fall in Southern California? Oak Glen – (38480 oak glen rd oak glen, ca 92399) If you are going to take your family anywhere to go apple picking then Oak Glen is worth the drive! Fruit, baked goods, wine, Christmas trees. Happy Picking! Some destinations offer farm tours only. There isn't too much else to do at this orchard in terms of activities, but you'll find clean bathrooms and picnic tables on-site to enjoy some quality time with your family, and the surrounding scenery is simply heavenly. Riley’s Apple Farm offers u-pick apples, berries … This week on the Farm (11/27-29. As well as being home to some of the biggest and most important cities in the United States, California also happens to be home to some of the best apple picking spots and farms in the nation too! This year, local farms have trees that are full of apples for your family to come and pick to bring home. 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You can also stop by at the store for a cup of coffee, a baked treat, a bottle of cider, some artisan oils, locally produced honey, and more, as well as enjoying a tour of the cider mill and packing shed. 39400 Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa, CA 92399, Phone: 909-256-0405, You are reading "Apple Picking in Southern California this Weekend" Back to Top or Restaurants near me, stuff to do near me It's apple season from September until November so make sure to get here early in the season so all the best apples aren't picked over. This beautiful orchard is the perfect place to go for apple picking in Northern California. Nearest romantic getaways today at night, places near me, local wedding venues, best small beach town, restaurants, outside, things to do with kids near me, staycation, beaches, resorts near me, how do I plan: Cincinnati, MD, OR Beaches, HI, Indoor Amusement Parks, Things to Do in Gatlinburg, WI, Orlando, Texas Beaches, Nearest romantic getaways today at night, places near me, local wedding venues, best small beach town, restaurants, outside, things to do with kids near me, staycation, beaches, resorts near me, how do I plan: Cincinnati, MD, OR Beaches, HI, Indoor Amusement Parks, Things to Do in Gatlinburg, WI, Orlando, Texas Beaches. Willowbrook Apple Farm. Some destinations offer farm tours only. Attractions Farms Oak Glen. Apple Star Orchard – (1020 Julian Orchards Dr, Julian, CA 92036) With over 1,000 trees Apple Star Orchard is a perfect place to explore fall with your family! We invite you to come experience u-pick apples and u-press apple cider this fall at Willowbrook Apple Farm and savor just how amazing our Stayman-Winesap apples … My family and I have visited Oak Glen on more than one occasion. If you’ve been around the blog for a few years you know apple picking is one of my favorite fall activities. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! During fall weekends, families will enjoy wagon and hayrides, a petting zoo, corn maze, and more. Some of the apple varieties you can find here include Golden Russet, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Arkasnas Black, Winesap, Stayman Winesap, Rome Beauty, and even 'Mystery Apples' that have their own special flavors. Make a day trip to one of these five farms this fall where you can buy fresh apples (and even pick your own! Clearview Orchards. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. Located primarily in the cooler climates of Oak Glen and Julian, CA, here are six great orchards all within a day’s drive of LA. Apple Picking Tips Go early in the season and call ahead to confirm that apples are still available for picking. Yucaipa, CA At Willowbrook … Situated up in San Bernardino County in the popular apple growing city of Yucaipa, Riley's Farm is one of the very best rated and most beloved apple picking locations in all of Southern California. While COVID 19 has caused some disruptions over the past few months, Most Oak Glen businesses are open for Apple Picking, Berries, Take Out Food, Groceries, Cider, Apples, Pies, Baked Goods and Other Various Activities. Oak Glen apple picking is a popular fall activity if you’re looking for outdoor activities in Southern California. Though Southern California will always be known for its fields of citrus fruit, there are a few small pockets of excellent apple orchards in the region. A few of the best farms to visit include Tanaka Farms, Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch, and Johnson Brothers Pumpkin Patch to name a few. This apple orchard has been running since the early 1980s and has been fully organic since 1996, so the quality of the apples at this location is second to none. 12099 Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa, CA 92399, Phone: 909-797-9484, You are reading "Apple Picking in Southern California" Back to Top Here are our top picks! Sebastopol, CA 95472 Here are our top picks! A few of the best apple picking orchards to check out in Southern California include Willowbrook Apple Farm, Snow-Line Orchard, Riley’s Farm, Los Rios Rancho, and Apple Starr Orchard. Long weekend getaways with friends near you, weather, best small towns, what should I do in for couples, cheap, with friends, nearby beach, fun things to do near me today: Poconos, NY, TN, MI, OC, All Inclusive, Family weekend getaways, NJ, NC, VA, TX, OH, Long weekend getaways with friends near you, weather, best small towns, what should I do in for couples, cheap, with friends, nearby beach, fun things to do near me today: Poconos, NY, TN, MI, OC, All Inclusive, Family weekend getaways, NJ, NC, VA, TX. There's a really friendly vibe around this apple picking location and you definitely won't want to leave after spending some time here. Read on for all the juicy details on where to go apple picking in Julian. Before you leave, don’t forget to stop off for some tasty treats at the farm restaurant and bakery. You'll find many different berries, peaches, pears, flowers, pumpkins, and more at this location throughout the year too, and you can even press your own apple cider if you visit on a Saturday. A Guide To Apple Picking In SoCal Enjoy the crisp fall weather and stunning foliage of Southern California by taking a trip to the region's U-pick farms for fresh apples. Photo courtesy of Apple Starr Orchard. Not only is this an orchard but it's also a winery. It was planted back in the 1800s and it's still producing crisp and juicy apples today. San Bernardino County is a great place to pick some apples, with the local hills and unique micro-climates of this area helping to contribute towards the strong growth of various varieties of apple. The grownups can sample wine will the little ones sip on apple cider. For those of you who are in disbelief, California does have an apple season and if you don’t want to settle for just picking apples out of the bin at the grocery store, then you can go straight to the source at any one of the many farms to visit in fall in Southern California. They have row after row of apple trees ready for picking, but make sure to get here early in the season so you get the best pick in the orchard. Educational apple, pumpkin, & berry farm with Living History tours & field trips. 1. What are some of your other favorite fall activities you enjoy in SoCal? California's pick your own farms and orchards for fruit, vegetables, pumpkins and more. Photo: Erica aulds. Unlike many other states around America that feature short apple picking seasons from September through to November, California can boast of quite a long apple picking season that starts in July and can run all the way through to December, depending on the weather for the year. Insider tip, they are only open on the weekend and it does get very busy. And don't forget the donuts, as a trip to Snow-line orchard isn't complete without eating a fresh apple cider donut. Read on to learn about the best apple picking spots in Southern California, complete with contact info for each location and detailed overviews of the various apple varieties and additional features you can find at each orchard. The apple trees on Willowbrook Apple Farm were planted in 1910 and have been lovingly cared for by generations of family farmers. Those three little words…so good, so worth the line you may wait in to get them. Since each area of the country will have different temperatures throughout the year, it’s best to know when the right time to go apple picking in Southern California is. This year, local farms have trees that are full of apples for your family to come and pick to bring home. 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