September brings the much-anticipated Fall season, along with Mother Nature's gift of apple season! This is the time to prepare your taste buds for apple cider and caramel apples while not forgetting the delightful aroma and satisfying taste of a yummy apple pie! Not only do apples bring us these delicious, sweet treats to enjoy and savor, but apples are equally as good (if not better) for our health! Apples are rich in fiber and antioxidants! Adding an apple to a daily routine is even known to lower your risk of many chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer! But do you think that's all? Nope! Apples may also promote weight loss and improve gut and brain health! Okay, if that doesn't make you want to jump up, put on a burlap sack, and embrace your inner Johnny Appleseed, I don't know what will!
Below we have gathered some great spots you can go apple picking with your loved ones. So check them out, and enjoy this time while making some memories! Maybe even grab a picnic blanket on your way out so you can sit and savor that juice-dripping and satisfying crunch of an apple.
Julian Farm and Orchard, Julian, CA
Julian Farm and Orchard is a wonderful place to enjoy some family fun! They have apple-picking tours (Click here to book your tour) and a giant pumpkin patch! They also provide the opportunity to pick Raspberries, Strawberries, and Blackberries (subject to crop availability.) Would you want to enjoy a self-picked, beautiful, cheery bouquet of Sunflowers and Wildflowers? Yup, those are also available for your picking pleasure! If you're looking for a full day of fun, they also have a petting zoo, axe throwing, and rock-climbing wall! Whew! Now that sounds like one great day of fun for the whole family!
They are open from 10am-4pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Click here to find out more.
Willowbrook Apple Farm, Oak Glen, CA
Willowbrook Apple Farm is a beautiful and charming place to enjoy an annual family tradition. This is a small family ran orchard that was first planted in 1910! This makes their Stayman-Winesap apples over 100 years old! Here you will enjoy the memories of apple picking and cider pressing! Fun fact alert!... Did you know it takes 13 pounds of apples to press one half-gallon of cider? Wow, now that's a lot of apples, but I think we can all agree it's so worth it! They even have a mini donkey they invite you to visit and share one of your apples with!
This year they are set to open their apple picking fun, starting in October. Find out more by clicking here.
Riley's Apple Farm, Oak Glen, CA
Nestled in the apple-growing foothills of Oak Glen, Riley's Apple Farm has become a staple place to visit throughout the year with its seasonal festivities and events. Here you can come and enjoy the pleasures of apple picking with your fellow comrades, but they also offer pear, raspberry, strawberry, mulberry, and blackberry picking too! They even have an updated picking calendar to check out before you go! To view, click here.
With live bands, delicious baked goods, a dinner theatre, and historically themed overnight stays, you cannot take a look and not book it! Click here to learn more about the fun activities and events Riley's Farm provides.
Rainbow Orchards, Camino, CA
Home of the hot apple cider donut. Need I say more?! Located up north, they welcome you to come and enjoy their delicious and award-winning donuts and pies, but in addition to this, they also claim to grow the best apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, and blueberries you've ever tasted! They have wine tasting, a farmers market, and a picnic area. Starting in October, you'll be greeted by a host of scarecrows constructed by the Camino School 2nd graders participating in the Fields of Learning program! If the trip is a little too far for comfort, they have graciously provided you with a special treat from their kitchen to yours! Click here to get their Apple crisp recipe!
To find more information about Rainbow Orchards, please click here.