Are you looking for the best apple picking in California? Oak Glen apple picking is a popular fall activity if you’re looking for outdoor activities in Southern California. It’s an easy day trip from San Diego as it’s only 2 hours away and about 1.5 hours from Los Angeles. If you need a little nature travel trip for the fall head to Oak Glen.
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Where is Oak Glen, CA?
Oak Glen, California is a mountain town 15 miles east of San Bernardino. It’s known for its many U-pick apple orchards. If you’re looking for nature places to visit add Oak Glen to your list and enjoy a day outside. It’s a popular day trip from Los Angeles in the fall as it’s one of the go-to spots for apple picking in Southern California and is only about 1.5 hours away. If you’re looking for apple picking in Los Angeles, Oak Glen is the closest you’ll get.
Oak Glen Apple Picking Season
When is the best time to go to Oak Glen? Apple season usually starts around Labor Day Weekend in September. There are different apple varieties that will ripen at different points in time from mid-September to late-October. Most Oak Glen apple orchards remain open for apple picking until the end of October.
TIP: Apple picking Oak Glen starts in mid-September and it’s best to go around that time until early to mid-October. Some of the smaller Oak Glen apple orchards can get over-picked so check their websites or Instagram handles if you have your heart set on a particular orchard.
Oak Glen Weather
Fall in Southern California is still pretty warm and Oak Glen is no exception. However, because it sits at an elevation of 4,734 feet it is cooler in temperature than the surrounding cities below. If you’re visiting on a day trip from LA the weather won’t be that much different. Prepare for the hot sun by wearing a hat and apply sunscreen. The breeze will be cooler so it does feel much nicer than the cities at a lower elevation.
Apple Picking Oak Glen
Ready for apple picking in Oak Glen? many of the orchards offer u-pick apples along with other fruits. Below is a list of some of the best Oak Glen apple orchards.
Stone Pantry Orchard
- U-Pick apples, pears, blackberries, and pumpkin
- U-press cider (press your own cider by the gallon and 1/2 gallon)
Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am – 5 pm
U-Pick Open On Weekends, Labor Day to Thanksgiving
Stone Soup Farm
$5 admission for everyone 5 years and older
- U-pick apples (begins the first weekend in September), $3.50/lb
- Tomahawk practice & archery
- Seasonal Gardens
- U-pick pumpkins
- Pressed cider
- Food
- Farm shop
- “Rascal’s Ranch” children’s play area
- Kid’s crafts
- Gemstones and mineral panning
Saturday and Sundays, September – November, 10 am – 4 pm
Willow Brook Apple Farm
- U-Pick apples, berries (berries are usually gone by October so go early in the season)
- U-press cider (press your own cider by the 1/2 gallon)
- Wine, caramel apples, full-service BBQ, and meet and greets with our animals
Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am – 4 pm
Other Things to Do in Oak Glen
Eat Oak Glen Apple Treats at Snow-Line Orchard
Apple treats are one of the best things to do in Oak Glen. Another thing you should try in Oak Glen is apple cider. Many of the orchards sell apple cider already bottled or you can press your own. Snow-Line offers a bit of everything when it comes to apple trees and is known for its fresh hot mini apple cider donuts. The line will be long but it’s well worth the wait and does move along quickly. After you order your donuts, pie, or float wander the store for more apple goodies!
Snow-Line Orchard also serves wine (some of which they bottle on-site) and hard cider. They’re open from 9 am – 5 pm every day but if you’re heading specifically for apple picking most of the orchards are only open on the weekends and a couple close on Sunday so check details before heading out.
- fresh hot mini apple cider donuts
- raspberry picking (not sure if it’s in season)
- cider
- wine
open every day, 9 am – 5 pm
Eat Some Food at an Oak Glen Restaurant
Apple Annies Restaurant
known for their 5-lb mile-high pie
open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, 8 am – 7 pm
Oak Glen Steakhouse and Saloon
serving steaks, burgers, pizza, and more
open Thursday – Sunday 12 pm – 8 pm
Oak Glen Events
Oak Glen Apple Butter Festival
The big event in Oak Glen is the Apple Butter Festival. This usually happens in late-November/ early December. This tradition dates back to the 16th century when European farmers would gather their year’s end harvest and boil it down to preserve for the winter. Read more about the Oak Glen Apple Butter Festival here.
Other Things to Do Nearby
Live Oak Canyon Farm – Pumpkin Patch
Live Oak Canyon Farm is not in Oak Glen but close by (about 25 mins away) in Redlands. It’s off the 10 freeway so it makes for a fun added stop!
Attractions included with admission:
- Flower Garden walkthrough
- Corn Maze
- Pumpkin Houses
- Chicken Show
- Tractor Pulled Hay Ride
- U-Pick Pumpkin Fields
- Hay Castle
- Fall themed photo-op spots
- Farmer’s Market
- Magic Shows – (Sat & Sun only)
Monday – Friday from 4 pm – 9 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 9 pm
Plan Your Trip to Oak Glen
Check out RentalCars.com for affordable rental cars.
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Oak Glen apple picking makes for a fun outdoor travel activity for the fall season. If you want to extend your trip to include other stops in California check out my Joshua Tree guide, it’s just over an hour away. Enjoy a day out of apple picking from some of the best Oak Glen apple orchards.
Follow more of my adventures on Instagram and be sure to check out my Instagram Reel featuring Oak Glen.
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