Oak Glen, California in the Fall: Apple Picking and Delicious Treats

Since my sister-in-law first took us to Oak Glen, we’ve made it a yearly tradition to head there each fall. We love indulging in all the yummy fall treats, catching the start of the fall foliage, and diving into apple-picking at Los Rios Rancho and Riley’s Farm. No trip is complete without grabbing goodies from Mom’s Country store and stopping for some apple cider donuts from Snow Line Orchards. There’s so much to do within a 5-mile stretch of Oak Glen.

Weekends in Oak Glen are lively, with families enjoying the fresh air and scenic beauty—a welcome change from Los Angeles. Apple picking is a top thing to do during the fall in Oak Glen, with five of its many orchards offering you the chance to pick your own. While this guide focuses on the fall, Oak Glen is lovely year-round, with activities like berry picking, wine tasting, and festivals.

Our first stop is Mom’s Country Orchards whenever we drive into Oak Glen. You’ll love how charming the store is. As soon as you walk in, the aroma hits you—it always smells like something delicious is baking. They offer a variety of homemade jams, fresh-baked sweet bread, fresh-pressed apple cider, hand-dipped caramel apples, and other goodies. We always leave with a few treats and stock up for fall and winter.

On our last visit, I snagged their apple blueberry raisin bread, which was delicious. I also tried an apple cider ice pop, refreshing on a hot autumn day in Southern California.

While Mom’s does not offer apple picking, it does have a great selection of apples from their farm in its produce section.

If you’re curious about any products, ask. The staff is helpful, friendly, and happy to let you sample their most popular jams.

Three words: Apple Cider Donuts.

A road trip to Snow Line Orchard in Oak Glen, California, is a must for their freshly made, on-the-spot mini apple cider donuts. Trust me, they’re worth the drive. These donuts melt in your mouth—light, airy, and sweetened to perfection. If you’re eager, you might finish one in just a bite.

While there, pick up some apple cider or wine to enjoy with your donuts. Find a cozy spot near their ancient chestnut tree in one of the picnic areas and savor the moment.

If you visit on a weekend during the fall, be prepared for a long line, but don’t worry—it moves quickly, and the wait is always worth it. Although the donuts are available year-round, they’re typically only served on weekends during the off-season.

Raspberry picking is available at this orchard when they are in season.

Wilshire’s Apple Shed is a charming coffeehouse in Oak Glen that serves great coffee and even better pizza. Its cozy porch views, specialty coffee drinks, and homemade baked goods make it a fantastic spot for lunch or an early dinner. Their pizzas, cooked in a wood-burning oven, are a highlight, especially the Bees Knees Pizza, made with high-quality, fresh ingredients.

Don’t miss the hard apple cider from Glen Oak Cider Co., which pairs perfectly with any of their pizzas. If you’re not in the mood for cider, the ginger strawberry fizz is a tasty, non-alcoholic, refreshing option.

Whether you opt for hard cider and pizza or just coffee and apple pie, you can enjoy it all on their welcoming porch or at one of the picnic tables around the property.

Enjoy the Fun at Oak Tree Village and Apple Annie’s 1/4 Mile High Pie

Oak Tree Village, now known as Oak Tree Mountain, is a 14-acre family fun destination where families can enjoy various activities with their kids over the weekend. It is FREE to enter, but some activities have minor costs.

• multiple artisan shops
• food stands
• live music
• petting zoo
• train ride
• ax throwing

Here, you’ll also find one of the area’s most popular dining spots, Apple Annie’s, famous for its quarter-mile-high apple pie. The menu features traditional diner-style food, perfect for a hearty meal.

Apple Picking in Oak Glen

One of the top things to do in Oak Glen, California, is to go apple picking from August to November. As soon as the apple-picking season kicks off, Angelinos flock to Oak Glen. They return at the season’s end to celebrate the beloved Apple Butter Festival.

There are several orchards where you can go apple picking, but in this post, we highlight a few.

Los Rios Rancho, a family-owned mountain farm, covers over 100 acres and features a variety of crops, including apples, raspberries, corn, strawberries, chestnuts, and pumpkins. You can even pick sunflowers in their field when they bloom.

Here are some of the fun activities available:

• Kid Crafts
• Wagon & Tractor Rides
• Corn Maze
• Live Music
• Petting Zoo

Although the farm is free to enter, you must buy a ticket book to participate in these activities.

🍎 Willowbrook Apple Farm

Willowbrook Farms, a century-old Stayman-Winesap apple farm, spans over 300 acres. Owned and operated by the Driscoll family since 2018, the farm offers public apple picking from September to late October or until the apples are gone. Even if the apples run out, the fall festivities and stores remain open, offering cider and other seasonal treats.

The farm features wine tasting and s’mores on select days in October—a perfect pairing. Making reservations is highly recommended.

Stone Pantry Orchard, a 130-year-old farm, only opens its gates for apple picking on weekends. Blackberry and pear picking are also available during the season. What sets this orchard apart is its focus strictly on fruit picking. You can also press your own cider, sold in half-gallons, which is delicious.

There are no gift shops or additional festivities—just pure, simple fruit-picking fun.