It’s that time of the year again. The weather begins to change and the leaves turn a different shade—well, sort of. Here in L.A. in September and October, it mostly means that apples are ripe and ready for harvesting! A day full of apple picking, guzzling cider, and consuming the sweet fruit in every conceivable form is likely in store this fall. No need to go searching for the perfect place, because we’ve found the best places for apple picking around Los Angeles — where you can also grab some warm apple cider and donuts starting this October. So grab your basket, and head on over to one of these gorgeous orchards for a fun day of fruit picking!
Note: These are all working farms and U Pick availability may depend on weather and harvest conditions — contact them in advance to get the most up-to-date information.
1. Willowbrook Apple Farm
The Willowbrook Apple Farm invites you to come and press some fresh apple cider and take in a caramel apple to celebrate the fall! The farm offers U-pick apple picking and U-press apple cider every weekend in October.
🍎 U Pick schedule: After a soft opening on Sept. 15, Willowbrook shares new details about opening hours weekly. Reservations open up a week in advance with U Pick available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
📍 Location: 12099 S. Oak Glen Rd., Oak Glen, CA 92399
🌐 Learn more: Willowbrook Apple Farm website
2. Stone Soup Farm & Heritage Orchard
The Stone Soup Farm & Heritage Orchard hosts a farm tour and apple fair on three weekends in October. There will be plenty of activities available such as apple picking, cider pressing, and sampling. During the tour, you will have the chance to do candle dipping, as well as tomahawks and archery.
🍎 Apple fair schedule: October 12-13, 19-20, and 26-27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
📍 Location: 12131 S. Oak Glen Rd, in Oak Glen, CA. 92399
🌐 Learn more: Stone Soup Farm website
3. Snow-Line Orchard Farms
Join the fun at Snow-Line Orchard Farms, offering all of your favorite fall goodies such as mini cider donuts, apple cider slushies, and apple pies, making this a true fall experience you won’t want to miss out on. Bring out the whole family to enjoy the picnic grounds, surrounded by beautiful views of the mountains, historic buildings, and colorful foliage. They do not offer U Pick for apples, but you can pick your own raspberries depending on the harvest.
🍎 Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
📍 Location: 39400 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen, CA 92399
🌐 Learn more: Snow-Line Orchard website
4. Parrish Pioneer Ranch
This quaint little corner of the countryside is the quintessential farm life experience. Fall at Parrish Pioneer Ranch is a magical trip to simpler times, where you can enjoy axe-throwing, chug apple cider, stuff your face with spiced donuts, and browse a variety of jams, honey, and other natural products. There are plenty of apple varieties to pick, including some that you can only find in this region. Of course, you can sample apples in every conceivable form like apple butter and apple salsa.
🍎 Hours: Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
📍 Location: 38561 Oak Glen Road, Yucaipa, California 92399
🌐 Learn more: Parrish Pioneer Ranch website
5. The Original Riley’s Log Cabin and Apple Farm
This picturesque farm has been lovingly run by the farming couple Dennis and Sharon Riley for three decades now. But it’s not to be confused with others with a similar name — they’re considered the original Riley’s Log Cabin and Apple Farm. There are tons of fun activities including U-Pick and cider-making workshops. You can also pick up pumpkins, corn, chopped wood, and tall straw hats while you’re there.
🍎 Hours and U Pick: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekdays are open for exclusive sessions only, you can make an appointment by calling (909) 797-3292
📍 Location: 12201 S. Oak Glen Road, Yucaipa, CA 92399
🌐 Learn more: Riley’s Apple Farm website
6. Los Rios Rancho
More than simply U Pick, Los Rios Rancho presents a sort of autumnal gambit tidily laid out in an itinerary for your convenience. They recommend starting with a coffee at Wilshire’s Apple Shed before apple picking at one of four different locations, leaving time for a detour in the corn maze. Afternoon activities can include cider pressing, a nature trail walk, a miniature farm with animals, a wagon ride, and a hearty country lunch. A wholesome afternoon here should tide you over until strawberry season.
🍎 U Pick: Now through Thanksgiving weekend
📍 Location: 39611 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen, CA, 92399
🌐 Learn more: Los Rios Rancho website
7. Stone Pantry Orchard
Stone Pantry is open in Oak Glen for U Pick apples at $3.50 a pound, and U Press cider at $35 per gallon/$25 per half gallon. Choose from a colorful selection of Gravensteins, Crab apples, Golden Delicious apples, and Bartlett pears, plus more to come. They recently had to close briefly due to wildfires, so keep an eye on their Facebook for any further alerts.
🍎 U Pick: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Open by appointment for private groups on weekdays (call (909) 557-3447 to reserve).
📍 Location: 11993 Oak Glen Road, Yucaipa, CA 92399
🌐 Learn more: Stone Pantry Orchard on Facebook
8. Oak Tree Mountain
Oak Tree Mountain began as a small apple shed half a century ago, and it’s grown into a 14-acre theme park open year-round in Oak Glen. Although they don’t have U Pick, apple season is the ideal time to visit, because they’ll be churning out all the apple-based goodies you can imagine (including their famous 5lb mile-high apple pie). Greet some farm animals, enjoy some axe-throwing, and pick up some gifts at the artisan village on your way out.
🍎 Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
📍 Location: 38480 Oak Glen Rd, Oak Glen, CA 92399
🌐 Learn more: Oak Tree Mountain website
9. Mom’s Country Orchards
This country farm stand in Oak Glen is worth a visit if you make it up to the heart of apple country. They sell some of the region’s best local produce and preserves, including fresh apples, old-fashioned apple cider, specialty marmalades and nut butters, dessert toppings, syrups, honey, and so much more. While this is not a U-Pick orchard, it’s an essential stop if you’re in the area to visit nearby orchards like Los Rios Rancho and The Original Riley’s.
🍎 Hours: 10am-6pm daily
📍 Location: 38695 Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa, CA 92399
🌐 Learn more: Mom’s Country Orchards website
10. Julian Farm and Orchard
Julian Farm, a 25-acre farm and apple orchard, offers farm and pick-your-own experiences throughout the year, though it’s especially known for its apple picking season. What sets it apart from other orchards in the area is the wide range of activities that can fill an entire day, including a petting zoo, tractor-pulled hayrides, and even axe throwing.
🍎 U Pick schedule: It begins in September and requires a reservation for the apple tour in advance on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
📍 Location: 4381 Julian Hwy, Julian, CA 92036
🌐 Learn more: Willowbrook Apple Farm website
Edited by Jamie Ferrell and Sofía Delpueche.