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Apple Picking Tips at Local Southern California U-Pick Orchards

Local Farms For You To Go Apple Picking With the Kids

By Informational Post September 5, 2021

Apple picking is super fun and a great outdoor activity . Here are some of my favorite places to visit to go apple picking with the kids.


LOCAL & NEARBY PLACES TO GO APPLE PICKING

The Painted Pony ( SOLD OUT ) 

  • 15315 Santa Paula Ojai Rd, Santa Paula, CA 93060
  • (805) 525-9820
  • The Farm is Open by Appointment Only for groups reservations.
  • We went last year and LOVED it , you can pick up apples and then feed the animals. 
SLO Creek Farms
  • 6455 Monte Rd. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 San Luis Obispo County 
  • Phone: (702) 245-3135 
  • Hours 11am-5pm 7 days a week (September to End of November)
  • We now have a u-pick for the public to come and enjoy with their friends and family. Be sure to stop by and grab a few delicious apples. See you soon! Apples: Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Empire, Gala,Granny Smith
  • Website: www.slocreekfarms.com
Jack Creek Farms 

5000 Highway 46, West Templeton, CA 93465 Near Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County

Formerly Riley's Apple  Farm NOW Stone Soup Farms and Heritage Orchard

  • 12131 S. Oak Glen Rd. Oak Glen / Yucaipa, CA 92399 San Bernadino County 
  • Phone (951) 458-5382
  • Open Tuesday thru Friday BY RESERVATION/ Weekends 10am to 4pm
  • Apples: Spartan, Glen Seedling, Braeburn, and McIntosh apples
  • Website: https://www.stonesoupfarmca.com/u-pick-apples

Knaus Apple Ranch 

Willowbrook Apple Farm

  • 12099 Oak Glen Rd, Oak Glen, CA 92399
  • Our apple picking season (FALL) begins in October and runs based on the crop, so it’s always TBD how long we will be selling apples. There are many other adventures to explore, and we know you will enjoy visiting Oak Glen anytime!
  • They also have apple cider 
  • Website: Willowbrook Apple Farm | Southern California Apple Farm

Los Rios Rancho

  • 39611 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen, CA, 92399
  • Is open for apple picking. They have so many others activity at the farm! 
  • They also have apple cider 
  • Website: Los Rios Rancho

5 TIPS FOR WHEN YOU GO APPLE PICKING

1. Teach your kids to search out the best apples.

Show your kids how to look at and handle the apples before picking to make sure they pick ones that are ripe and bruise- and bug-free. Colors, of course, can vary based on the apple species, so talk to the people who run your local orchard about what to look for in the apples that are grown there. Some orchards will even have resources on their websites.

2. Teach your kids to handle the apples gently after picking!

Now that they know how to spot the best apples, don't let the kids ruin them by treating them roughly once they're in their grasp! Tossing or throwing them into the basket will bruise apples and make their shelf life shorter.

3. Make it educational.

Take your kids to talk with the local orchard owner or farmer. They are experts about their orchards and growing apples. You can learn a lot from them!

4. Don't wash the apples until you're ready to eat them.

Often rough handing, washing, and scrubbing can quicken the time until the apples go bad, so wait until you're ready to eat or cook them to wash them.

5. Experiment!

There are so many ways to enjoy apples! Encourage your kids to find different recipes ... you can help them make pies and desserts, butter, or applesauce ... the list is endless! 

Check the Apple Varieties Guide from http://pickyourown.org/CA.htm to find out the best uses for your types of apples.