Willowbrook Apple Farm

If you want an intimate apple-picking experience, this quaint family-owned apple farm is just the place if you are looking to explore an orchard at your own pace. There are over six varieties of apples on their fruit trees including the ever-so-juicy Honeycrisps and their staple, Stayman Winesaps—they have just the right amount of sweet and tart to excite your taste buds. The grounds provide a perfect backdrop for the littles to run around freely and for families to enjoy the rest of the day picnic-style feasting in their baskets full of fresh delights. If you want to add to your treats, their country store sells unique fruit concoctions such as berry preserves and jalapeño raspberry jam!

Beyond apple-picking, the kids can make their own apple cider with a hand-crank cider press and meet new friends with the farm animals like Flopsy the bunny and Delilah the mini-pig. If you are up for making this a whole-day adventure, in the late afternoon you can join the popular Wine Tasting and S’mores event while sipping a glass of crafted wine and munching on gooey-licious s’mores around a campfire. Reservations for this special event are required so RSVP on their website to secure your spot.

Insider Tip: During peak season, lines to enter the farm can get long in the afternoons. Arrive early to avoid extensive wait times. If you visit during Oct., they have a mini-pumpkin patch where you can make your visit a truly “fall” trip. 

Hours: Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. excluding special event hours.

12099 South Oak Glen Rd.
Oak Glen
Online: willowbrookapplefarm.com

Riley’s at Los Rios Rancho

For a grander-style farm outing, this Oak Glen apple picking ranch has over 150 acres of land-growing berries, apples, pumpkins, and chestnuts throughout the year. This orchard offers over 32 varieties of heirloom apples u-pick (or pre-bagged) and a special festival for their signature Gravenstein apples early in the harvest season. But apple-picking is just the beginning of the many engaging activities the whole family can participate in! Your little explorers will love traversing the corn mazes, petting the adorable farm animals in the little seedling ranch, and hopping on the wagon and tractor rides to get a better view of the ranch. 

In between all the adventure-seeking, you can take a break and listen to live music while sipping on the flavorful cider you pressed earlier. If you are looking to supplement your fruit gatherings, there are several places to purchase seasonal goodies on the ranch including their delectable roasted corn and endless varieties of fruit jams and preserves. You certainly won’t have any issue finding a comfy, secluded picnic spot to break up your day and relish in all the produce you’ve picked. This orchard truly offers a little fun for everyone!

Insider Tip: There are several farms in the area with the name “Riley” so check beforehand to make sure you are going to your correct destination. Depending on the time of the harvest season, you can coordinate your visit during one of their lively events like the Apple Butter Festival during Thanksgiving weekend where you can make your own decadent butter or their weekend Frontier Tours (reservations required) where you can learn about 19th century farm life all while dipping your own candle and while the kids create their own frontier toys.  

Hours: Aug.-Nov.; Open daily; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

39611 S. Oak Glen Rd.
Yucaipa
Online: losriosrancho.com/

Stone Soup Farm & Heritage Orchard

This stunning micro-farm is nestled within an intimate 3-acre property containing 130-year-old heirloom apple orchards. What makes this apple farm near Los Angeles so unique is its commitment to sustainable organic harvesting practices rooted in a deep connection to the ecosystem fostering a ripe environment for growing fruit trees, flowers and plants. To embark on any apple picking, you are required to participate in a 10-minute tour on the history of the farm where they also explain the proper way to pick the apples from the tree to protect the integrity of the trees. The grounds of this orchard are absolutely breathtaking and worthy of a visit to roam the Stayman-Winesap trees and treasure the flavors of these heirloom apples.

The cost of admission to the Autumn Apple Fair includes not only apple-picking privileges, but also access to horseshoe and tomahawk games, an interactive children’s garden, and a walk through their seasonally-themed gardens with plenty of colorful photo ops. For an additional cost, families can press their own cider, pan for brilliant gemstones and embrace their inner-artist at the autumn-inspired craft table.

Insider Tip: Among the reasons to visit this orchard is that it is still not as popular as the other larger farms. This equates to less crowds and a more laid-back rural ambience. Purchase one of their Farm to Picnic packages to immerse yourself in the natural setting and savor the local ingredients with your family. 

Hours: Weekends only; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

12131 S. Oak Glen Rd.
Oak Glen
Online: stonesoupfarmca.com

Stone Pantry Orchard

For a more low-key but still entertaining time for the whole family, this Oak Glen apple orchard gives you all you need to gather your fruit in a peaceful autumnal setting. Established in 1887, the beauty of this farm is that you can pick fruit to your heart’s desire in an orchard that doesn’t have too many crowds. This makes it an ideal location to get more of that intimate, rural vibe for your family to spend the day galavanting in the fields at your leisure. 

Beyond apple picking, you can also spend time pressing your own cider by the half gallon or gallon to then enjoy the fruits of your labor while taking a stroll through the charming farmland. They also offer farm tours so you and your little farmers can learn all about rustic life. 

Insider Tip: Pick more than just apples at this orchard! You can gather pears, blackberries, and pumpkins. They also have the freshest organic ingredients for the ultimate autumn dessert, such as a fruit tart.

Hours: Open on weekends; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. from Labor Day to the Thanksgiving holiday. You can call the orchard if you would like to coordinate a visit during the week.

11993 S. Oak Glen Rd.
Yucaipa
Online: stonepantryorchard.com

Parrish Pioneer Ranch

Since its inception in 1866, this orchard has gradually developed its vast 160-acre farmland to an Oak Glen destination filled with a large variety of apples and historic landmarks honoring the history of the region. Although there is no apple-picking on site, they offer apples pre-bagged with over 18 varieties of apples which will make your taste buds dance with joy! Their on-site restaurant, store, and bakery are worth the trip alone to taste your way through all the ranch has in store for its visitors. From gourmet chocolates, apple butter, to wine tasting for adults, you will be grateful you took a food tour of this extraordinary ranch. You can break up your treat tasting by perusing their antique shop and toy store to find something to commemorate your visit.

Insider Tip: Some of the apples grown are unique to this area including the Parkdale Beauty and the Vazquez—named after the Parrish foreman, Juan Vazquez, who developed this varietal on this ranch. And if you arrive earlier in the season you can taste the Arkansas Black apples which frequently sell out because of their crisp and fruity flavors. 

Hours: Fri.-Sun.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Check their website for hours of operation for both eateries and stores on site.

38561 Oak Glen Rd.
Yucaipa
Online: parrishranch.com

Oak Tree Mountain (formerly known as Oak Tree Village)

Skip apple-picking all together and make the drive to taste the best 5 lb apple pie in town! Or do the trip just for this one-stop-shop of autumnal food galore with hot dogs, BBQ, shaved ice and a whole bakery full of so many sweets your eyes (and tummy!) will thank you for visiting this foodie paradise. Much of their seating is outdoors so you can enjoy the benefits of dining al fresco while listening to live music. There are plenty of activities to burn off all you’ve consumed which involve fun for the whole family. Catch a trout fish, participate in axe therapy, or sign up to be part of their monthly corn hole tournament. You will definitely feel like you’ve been part of a traditional fall festival at this village!

Insider Tip: Later in the season, you can plan to visit when there is snow so your munchkins can build a snowman and go sledding. Even though you can't pick apples at this location, you can make a quick trip to indulge in their hand-dipped caramel apples at their Candy Store. It will be worth the pit stop!

Hours: Wed.-Sun.; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with store and restaurant hours varying—check the website for updated hours of operation. 

38480 Oak Glen Rd.
Oak Glen
Online: oaktreemountain.com

Good to Know Before You Go

What to Know: Since there are acres and acres of open space, take your picnic blanket, sunscreen, sun hats, and any snacks to keep everyone from feeling hangry. Although you can purchase snacks at the orchards, the wait times can get long so having snack options will help avoid any meltdowns. Apple picking can make you thirsty so take lots of water with you to stay hydrated. Bring cash—especially useful when visiting the smaller farms. The weather and fruit availability can vary so check beforehand when planning your trip to visit to avoid disappointment.

What to Wear: It can be hot while picking apples but gets dramatically cooler in the afternoon so dress comfortably and bring a jacket for when the temperature dips. Most orchards recommend everyone wear close-toed shoes. Keep in mind, masks may be required so pack them just in case.

Make it a Day Trip: You can make your trip a whole-day adventure by having your meals at Oak Glen and then heading home by the end of the day. Pack the jammies for the kids and if you’re lucky they’ll sleep on the drive home! If you want to avoid driving back on the same day, find a local accommodation to break up your trip. If your family still has the energy, you can have a relaxing evening at the Highlight Springs Resort to join their Lavender Market Nights and feast on an artisan meal among the lavender fields and twinkling lights.

Make it a Weekend Trip: If time permits, make this a weekend getaway by heading to Palm Springs just 45 minutes away. Pick apples in the morning then spend the later half of your day splashing in an Airbnb pool.

A Longer Apple Picking Getaway: For longer jaunts that might require an overnight or weekend stay, check out these apple-picking farms.

San Luis Obispo: A little over 3 hours away from DTLA, head up the coast to these farms listed below where you sample fresh honey, pick pails of apples and down gallons of cider.

SLO Creek Farms
6455 Monte Rd.
San Luis Obispo
Online: slocreekfarms.com

See Canyon Fruit Ranch | The Apple Stand
2345 See Canyon Road
San Luis Obispo
Online: seecanyonfruitranch.com

Julien: If you don't mind a slightly longer drive, head south to Julian, our favorite little mountain town in San Diego County, just 150 miles south of LA and is filled with u-pick apple farms, apple pies, and farm tours. Check out our guide to having a perfect weekend in Julian.

You Picked it, Now Make it: Now that you have bushels of apples, check out these recipes to make some drool-worthy apple concoctions.