Best Apple Picking Near Los Angeles
(credit: Riley's Farm)
Southern California is known for its verdant growing conditions, making for a variety of succulent products. Especially endowed in the fall, ripened apples pack a punch while serving as a healthy treat. So, with that in mind, why not head out and pick some bushels yourself? Within under a two-hour drive from downtown Los Angeles in both Oak Glen and Yucaipa, visitors from the big city will find their way into the countryside and the chance to enjoy foraging for the best of the bunch to take home. That said, following are five of the best farms from which to select the apples of your own eye. Enjoy!
Related: See our previous roundup of LA's Best Apple Picking
(credit: MICHAEL URBAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Willowbrook Apple Farm
12099 S. Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, CA 92399
(909) 797-9484
www.willowbrookapple.com
This century-old apple orchard run by the Swanson family gives you the chance soak up the countryside in an ambiance that comes right out of "Little House on the Prairie" — babbling brook, barn and all. Once on the premises, you'll get the opportunity to choose Stayman Winesap apples as well as make your own cider the old-fashioned way by using an antique press. You'll also learn that it takes 20 pounds of apples to make a gallon of cider.
Photos: Fun Fall Activities
(credit: Miguel Villagran/Getty Images)
Los Rios Rancho
39611 Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, CA 92399
(909) 797-1005
www.losriosranch.com
This farm's motto is "where history is made every day," and although what that history is depends on who is making it and how, visitors will at least have the chance to conjure up more than a few memories while picking apples from this active outpost that also offers activities for the entire family. Along with choosing from amongst a variety of about two dozen kinds of apples, guests will also have access to hay rides and the chance to learn some of the crafts that were part of life in the Old West, like tin smithing, candle making and leather crafting. As for your apple-oriented foray, there's a tour that includes taking in the farm's 1906 barn where you'll pack apples on the line as you work alongside Johnny Appleseed and then walk with this iconic characters through the lovely orchards of Los Rios Rancho.
Related: Best Lemonade In Los Angeles
(credit: Riley's Farm Fort)
Riley's Farm Fort Crossing
12261 S. Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, CA 92399
(909) 790-TIME (8463)
www.rileysfarm.com
Some 100 varieties from trees that have aged up to 100 years are waiting at Riley's Farm. However, the specialization here is reserved for this grower's heirloom apples. The 2013 crop on offer features the best in Royal Galas and Gravensteins, all ready to be plucked from the trees after checking in at the Barn General Store on the premises to get instructions on how to do so. After your outing, be sure to head over to the on-farm bakery for a fresh, double-crust apple pie or a crumb-crust apple pie to go with your apple bounty. Not looking for something sweet? Try the out-of-this-world chicken pot pie, ready and waiting after placing your order the day before you head out for your outing at Riley's.
(Credit: David A. Hornberger/Thinkstock)
Parrish Pioneer Ranch
38561 Oak Glen Road
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 797-1753
www.parrishranch.com
A clear choice for apple picking not far from Los Angeles is Parrish Pioneer Ranch, offering these fruity delights since 1867. By way of background, it took four mules and a wooden wagon for Enoch Kidder Parrish to buy these fine acres, 160 in all. By working the earth, he came up with what is now the premier spot to pick from Rome Beauty Trees that take over the sprawling premises. Also on offer at the farm store is apple butter, syrups and, of course, cider. While there, be sure to book a table at the Apple Dumplin restaurant on the site for some hearty farm fare unrivaled in the City of Angels.
(credit: Snow-Line Orchard)
Snow-Line Orchard
39400 Oak Glen Road
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 797-3415
www.snow-line.com
Apples galore are available at this expansive Yucaipa outpost, but you may have to leave the actual picking to the management. Still, there are plenty of varieties from which to choose, from MacIntosh, Mutsu and Red Delicious to Northern Spy, Winter Banana and Pippin. Indeed, this is only a small selection of the crispy fruit on hand and ready to grab at Snow-Line. Imbibe along with an array of apple cider, a traditional fall drink that has been reinvented by being mixed with raspberries and cherries also grown on the premises. Not interested? Regular apple cider is on offer too, as are mini-donuts that some say are to die for.
Los Angeles freelance travel writer Jane Lasky, contributes to publications such as Travel + Leisure, Vogue and Esquire. Her weekly sojourning column ran in 40 newspapers for 20 years. Jane is anything but an accidental tourist. Check out her articles on Examiner.com.
