Los Angeles Apple Picking: 6 Best Apple Orchards Near LA

Los Angeles apple picking… Are you looking to go apple picking in Los Angeles? Or near Los Angeles?

One of the best things to do in the fall is apple picking. Once September and October come around, we think of fall foliage, crisp cool air, comfort foods, everything pumpkin, and when we can go apple picking.

A whole day of fun can be planned around u-pick apple orchards. There are not just apples, there is a whole slew of family activities in these orchards. And all the tasty treats that come with the apple season like pressed cider, apple pie, the smell of cinnamon sugar, and spices.. ahh, you get my drift.

Anytime we go apple picking, it reminds me of my Uncle’s farm. He used to have apple trees. The best was picking the apple right off the tree and taking that first juicy bite. Of course, please refrain from biting the apples until you have paid for them at the orchards.

Those are the best memories to create when you go apple picking.

If you thought apple picking in Los Angeles didn’t exist (like I did for many years), it does and doesn’t. You just have to travel just outside of the city.

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Is there Apple picking in Los Angeles?

The big question…

The truth is there are no apple-picking spots within Los Angeles county, but there are apple orchards right outside of Los Angeles county. Most of the apple orchards are located in San Bernadino County. Just about an hour’s drive (or a little more), you’ll pick your own apples to bake that apple pie with.

It’s nice to take a city break to a destination like Oak Glen. Immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery, and surround yourself with mother nature and fresh air.

And you can go as far as Julian, California, for apple picking. At that point, we’d recommend making it a stayover in Julian.

Los Angeles Apple Picking

Where can you go for “Los Angeles apple picking”? Here are some apple orchards near Los Angeles where u-pick apples are available, and you can enjoy a day of fun.

1. Willowbrook Apple Farm

U-pick apples and U-press apple cider are available at Willowbrook Apple Farm. This 100-year-old family farm is delightful and charming, featuring more than just apple picking. There is wine tasting, a small petting zoo, delicious homemade jams, caramel apples, and more.

Apple picking season starts at the beginning of September until the apples run out.

During the fall season, Willowbrook Apple Farm has wine tasting and smores by a bonfire – reservations are required.

Willowbrook Apple Farm | 12099 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen | Google Map It

2. Los Rios Rancho

If there is one place that has it all during apple season in Oak Glen, it’s Los Rios Rancho. They do have different u-pick fruit seasons available. Once apple season is in full swing, you can plan a day there.

It does get busy, especially on the weekends. Start the day early by picking apples and allow a couple of hours. Then enjoy other fall festivities that may be taking place on the farm… live music, kids crafts, wagon tours, a corn maze, and more.

• Bags and boxes are provided for u-pick.
• There are four parking locations to choose from.

Los Rios Rancho | 39611 Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa | Google Map It

3. Stone Pantry Orchard

Stone Pantry Orchard is a small rustic orchard in Oak Glen with u-pick apples and u-press cider available on the weekends starting from Labor Day.

For weekday apple picking, you can make an appointment with Stone Pantry Orchard.

Stone Pantry Orchard | 11993 South, Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa | Google Map It

4. Stone Soup Farm and Heritage Orchard

You’ll find Stone Soup Farm and Heritage Orchard between Stone Pantry and Riley’s Apple Farm. A 3-acre family micro-farm with 130-year-old heirloom apple orchards. They also have berry patches and flower fields.

U-pick apple season starts in October with a $5 pp admission to their Apple Fair and $3.75 per pound on picked apples. The apple fair includes a few family games and activities.

Stone Soup Farm | 12131 Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa | Google Map It

5. Riley’s Farm

Riley’s Farm has over 760 acres of apples and berries and 30 varieties of apples, old heirloom apples. The scenery is beautiful, with plenty of grass for the kids to run around. Pictured above is the Hawks Head, their restaurant where you can order a few things like chicken pot pie and slices of their pies.

This farm also packs plenty of American history. Reminiscent of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.

A reader tells me that the Sleepy Hallow dinner event this time of year is a ton of fun. The tickets were sold out, but keeping this in mind as a future activity. You can check out their events here.

U-pick apples are available at $3.50 per pound starting in September.

Riley’s Farm | 12261 Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa | Google Map it

6. SLO Creek Farms

SLO Creek Farms is a 44-acre farm is located in San Luis Obispo. About a 3-hour drive from Los Angeles, depending on where in LA. So it’s a tad farther from all the others nearby for Los Angeles apple, but worth the trip.

You pick your own apples from rows and rows of trees at their orchard. They advertise them as organic apples. They open every day of the week from September to November.

They have hard apple cider and apple brandy tastings available during apple season. You can also purchase bottles at their farm’s market stand.

SLO Creek Farms | 6455 Monte Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 | Google Map it

Other places to pick up apples:

You can also stop by a few spots in the Oak Glen area to purchase apples and other delicious treats. The apples come from their apple orchards, they just do not have u-pick apples available.

• Snow-Line Orchards
• Mom’s Country Store
• Wilshire’s Apple Shed
• Parrish Pioneer Ranch

Apple picking tips

1. Plan your Los Angeles apple picking trip earlier in the season than later. You don’t want to get there and discover that all the apples have already been picked.

2. Start your day early. And if the apple farm is open during the weekday, go then and avoid the weekend crowd.

3. Wear appropriate shoes. Closed toe-covered is best.

4. Wear sunscreen. You’ll thank me later.

5. Bring a hat to shield your face from the sun. This is LA, and even in the fall, the sun is out at full force.

6. Bring water or make sure the farm will have drinks for sale so you can stay hydrated.

7. Most of farms provide you with bags. However, you can bring a reusable bag just in case.

8. Don’t let the apples you picked go to waste. Bake something! This is our favorite apple pie recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen.

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