The Best Orchards and Apple Picking Spots in California
One of the most memorable and heartwarming parts of the fall is gathering apples from your local orchard, taking them home, and whipping up your favorite recipe. Many of the locations below feature markets, festivals, tours, and other events during apple season. You'll be able to spend plenty of time with your family, making precious memories while gathering everyone's favorite fall fruit! Here are the best apple orchards in California.
Snow-Line Orchard, Oak Glen, CA
This family-owned orchard is located in Oak Glen and is home to a farm, winery, and cidery. Snow-Line Orchard is surrounded by majestic mountains and is at its height of beauty during the fall months, with the colorful fall foliage painted against the canvas of the blue sky. You can purchase fresh apples in the market, and they have you-pick raspberries, famous mini cider doughnuts, local honey, wine made on-premise, several types of cider, and other special gifts.
Goyette’s North Canyon Ranch, Camino, CA
Imagine packing a picnic lunch and eating it under a sprawling pine tree in the middle of an apple orchard. You can do just that at Goyette's North Canyon Ranch in Camino. You can also pick blueberries, pumpkins, sunflowers, and Indian corn in season. What a great family experience this makes!
Chileno Valley Ranch, Petaluma, CA
Chileno Valley Ranch in Petaluma is a grass-fed beef ranch offering u-pick options mainly in September and October for organic apples like Orin, Pinova, Molly's Delicious, and Jonathan's Pride. The ranch’s beginning goes back to the mid-1800s and was restored in 1993, when 400 apple trees were planted along with 200 rose bushes. Visiting children are welcome to see the farm animals, pet the sheep and cows, and feed the pigs. The ranch's apples can also be purchased at local farmers markets and fruit stands.
Larsen Apple Barn, Camino, CA
Owned by the Larsen family since the 1860s, Larsen’s Apple Barn is home to some of the best apples around. Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Fugi, and Honeycrisp are just a few of the varieties grown here, and visitors can also purchase pies, turnovers, dumplings, and other yummy baked goods. Other u-pick fruits include peaches, nectarines, pears, and grapes.
Serendipity Farms, Aromas, CA
Serendipity Farms has organic food done right. The farm, located in Aromas, sells certified organic produce and flowers and has been open since 2001. Known for excellent produce and friendly people, Serendipity Farms goes beyond the ordinary and creates fun on the farm with picking events.
Jack Creek Farms, Templeton, CA
Jack Creek Farms in Templeton is home to nearly 600 different kinds of fruit trees, most of them old-fashioned heirloom varieties. Make sure to come visit this year for their u-pick apple season. Ask them about the best ways to use their apples; they regularly share time-tested family recipes for desserts like apple crisp.
Riley’s Apple Farm, Yucaipa, CA
This cozy three-acre farm is home for you-pick and pre-picked apples, berries, and pumpkins. Also available on the farm are tours for groups, and you can even design your tour from the list of activities like apple cider pressing, a popular favorite, corn husk doll making, corn grinding, Johnny Cake baking, and more. This is sure to be a family favorite.
Willowbrook Apple Farm, Yucaipa, CA
Typically open the first week in September, Willowbrook Apple Farm in Yucaipa offers the chance to press your own apple cider, eat fresh, made-on-the-premises caramel apples, choose something from the family store, or make friends with one of the farm's animals. This 100-year-old apple orchard is still producing the same great quality and delicious apples it did years ago. The drive to the farm affords one of the most scenic views in the area.
O’Halloran’s Apple Trail Ranch, Camino, CA
O’Halloran’s Apple Trail Ranch has activities for the entire family. Located in Camino, you'll find the best you-pick apples, and then come back in December for late-season fruits like pumpkins and Christmas trees. Always welcoming and kid-friendly, the staff will help you get started and are very good at making you feel right at home.
