U-Pick Apples in California
30 farms where you can pick your own apple.
Apple season in California runs September through November, peaking in October. The Apple Hill region in El Dorado County (Camino area) is the most famous destination, with dozens of farms opening for u-pick and farm stands starting Labor Day weekend. Oak Glen near Yucaipa is the SoCal equivalent, with a similar fall harvest feel. Popular varieties include Fuji, Gala, Gravenstein (Sonoma County, August), and heirloom varieties at boutique orchards. These 30 pick-your-own apple farmslet you harvest straight from the source — check the map for one near you, and a farm's own site for current hours before you go.
Apple Ridge Farms
U-pick · Aug–Nov
Camino · Daily 10 AM–4 PM (weather permitting, seasonal)
A classic Apple Hill orchard in Camino where families hand-pick crisp apples each fall.
Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch
U-pick · Sep–Nov
Sebastopol · U-pick season mid-September through October; off-season Mon–Wed & Fri 9 AM–4 PM
Family-run Sebastopol orchard where you pick Gravenstein, Golden Delicious, and Rome apples each fall.
Apples and Art Orchards
U-pick · Sep–Oct
Julian · Reservation required · Daily at 1 PM and 3 PM (group appointments only)
Pick all-natural, pesticide-free apples in a Julian mountain orchard, with a tour and cider tasting included.
Argyres Orchard
U-pick · Sep–Oct
Camino · Sat–Sun 10 AM–4 PM (late September until fruit is picked)
A classic Apple Hill orchard where you pick your own apples and Concord grapes from trees over 80 years old.
Avila Valley Barn
U-pick · May–Dec
San Luis Obispo · Daily 9 AM–5 PM (U-Pick); Main Stand daily 9 AM–6 PM
Mixed Berries
Apricots
Peaches
Nectarines
Olallieberries
RaspberriesA beloved Central Coast farm and roadside barn offering U-pick berries, peaches, apples, and pumpkins plus a petting zoo and bakery.
Berry Heaven (Rustic Dream Farmstead)
U-pick · May–Nov
Garden Valley · Organic · Tue–Sat 9 AM–7 PM (or dusk); Sun 10 AM–5 PM (farm stand Jun 1–Oct 15)
Blueberries
BlackberriesA Sierra Foothills U-pick farmstead with 11 blueberry varieties plus blackberries, raspberries, and apples from spring into fall.
Cal Poly Fruit and Crops Unit
U-pick · May–Oct
San Luis Obispo · Saturdays 9 AM–12 PM (seasonal, weather-dependent)
Mixed
BoysenberriesCal Poly's student-run orchard opens to the public for U-pick fruit and berries on weekends.
Chileno Valley Ranch
U-pick · Sep–Oct
Petaluma · Organic · Reservation required · Sundays only 9 AM–1 PM, September–October
Pick organically grown heirloom apples and pears on a historic 600-acre family beef ranch in Marin's Chileno Valley.
Crystal Bay Farm
U-pick · Apr–Oct
Watsonville · Organic · Wed & Sun 12 PM–5 PM
CCOF-organic Watsonville farm with U-pick strawberries and a heirloom-pumpkin patch.
EARTHseed Farm
U-pick · Jul–Nov
Sebastopol · Organic · Reservation required · Select Saturdays, July–November (advance reservation required)
PluotsOrganic Afro-Indigenous permaculture orchard near Sebastopol offering appointment-only U-pick apples, pears, persimmons and berries.
Farmer's Daughter Produce
U-pick · May–Aug
Brentwood · Daily 9 AM–6 PM
Family-run Brentwood orchard where you pick peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots all summer long.
Genesis Organic Farm
U-pick · May–Nov
Hanford · Organic · Reservation required · Mon 9 AM–7 PM · Tue–Wed 7 AM–4 PM · Thu 7 AM–7 PM · Fri–Sun 12 PM–4 PM
A small certified-organic family farm offering by-appointment U-pick of cherries, peaches, and more in California's Central Valley.
Gizdich Ranch
U-pick · May–Oct
Watsonville · Open daily 9 AM–5 PM (closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, and the day after Christmas)
A beloved Watsonville family farm where you can pick your own strawberries, olallieberries, boysenberries, and apples through summer and fall.
Goyette's North Canyon Ranch
U-pick · Sep–Oct
Camino · Weekends mid-September through end of October, 10 AM–5 PM
An Apple Hill ranch in Camino offering U-pick apples and pumpkins on fall weekends.
Hangtown Kid U-Pick Apple Orchard
U-pick · Aug–Dec
Camino · Fri–Sat 10 AM–4:30 PM, Sun Noon–4:30 PM; Mon–Thu by phone appointment
U-pick apples, pears, persimmons, and chestnuts in the heart of Apple Hill above Placerville.
Harris Orchards
U-pick · May–Jun
Ripon · In season (mid-May to ~November): 8:30am-6:30pm, last orchard entry 6pm; closed Wednesdays
A century-old family orchard in Ripon where you can pick sweet cherries by the bucket each May and June.
High Hill Ranch
U-pick · Aug–Dec
Placerville · Daily 9 AM–5 PM, mid-August through December 24
The largest, most-visited Apple Hill farm, with U-pick apples, a pumpkin patch, bakery, and family attractions.
Julian Farm and Orchard
U-pick · Sep–Oct
Julian · Fri–Sun 10 AM–4 PM (seasonal, September–November)
A 25-acre family farm in the Julian mountains offering apple-orchard tours, U-pick pumpkins, flowers, and berries.
Linda Grace's Place
U-pick · Jun–Oct
Grass Valley · Reservation required · Weekends; hours vary by crop — call ahead to confirm
A small Nevada County U-pick farm with summer berries and stone fruit through fall apples and pumpkins.
Live Earth Farm
U-pick · Jun–Sep
Watsonville · Organic · Weekends only, Sat & Sun 10 AM–3 PM (mid-May through late October)
Reservation-based organic U-pick of strawberries and dry-farmed tomatoes at a longtime Watsonville family farm.
Los Rios Rancho
U-pick · Sep–Nov
Oak Glen · Mon–Tue, Thu–Sun 10 AM–5 PM (closed Wed; hours subject to change for weather)
Historic Oak Glen ranch where you can pick from 35+ apple varieties each fall, plus pumpkins and berries.
Noble Orchards
U-pick · Jan–Dec
Paradise · Sun–Fri 7 AM–1 PM (farm stand; Sat at Chico Farmers Market)
Butte County's last apple orchard, family-run since 1921, where you can pick from over a dozen heirloom and modern apple varieties.
O'Halloran's Apple Trail Ranch
U-pick · Aug–Dec
Camino · Mon–Fri 10 AM–4:30 PM, Sat–Sun 9 AM–4:30 PM (season: late Aug through mid-Dec)
Family-run Apple Hill ranch since 1968 where you can pick 16 apple varieties, pears, and pumpkins.
Riley's Farm
U-pick · Apr–Nov
Oak Glen · Reservation required · Thu–Sat 10 AM–4 PM
A historic Oak Glen apple orchard offering pick-your-own apples, berries, stone fruit and pumpkins.
SLO Creek Farms
U-pick · Aug–Dec
San Luis Obispo · Organic · Closed for the 2025 season; reopening September 2026
Pick your own organic apples across eight varieties at this scenic certified-organic San Luis Obispo orchard.
SRJC Shone Farm
U-pick · Sep–Oct
Forestville · Organic · Fridays 10 AM–2 PM (U-pick events)
Santa Rosa Junior College's 365-acre teaching farm opens its fields for U-pick pumpkins and apples each fall.
Stone Soup Farm & Heritage Orchard
U-pick · Jun–Oct
Oak Glen · Organic · Reservation required · Seasonal events only; Open Farm Days Sat–Sun 10 AM–4 PM (dates vary); check website for current schedule
A regenerative micro-farm in Oak Glen where you can pick heirloom apples from a 130-year-old heritage orchard.
The Urban Edge Farm
U-pick · Apr–Oct
Brentwood · Organic · Tue–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM, Sat 9 AM–5 PM, Sun 9 AM–4 PM
A 34-acre family-run organic farm in Brentwood with U-pick orchards, flowers, and a year-round farm store.
Volcan Valley Apple Farm
U-pick · Aug–Oct
Julian · Fri–Mon 9 AM–4:30 PM (late August through mid-October, weather and crop permitting)
Julian's largest U-pick orchard, with 7,000+ trellis-grown trees in seven apple varieties.
Willowbrook Apple Farm
U-pick · Oct–Nov
Oak Glen · Sat-Sun 10am-4pm
A century-old family orchard in Oak Glen where you can pick heirloom apples, press your own cider, and gather berries each fall.
Apple Picking in California 2026: U-Pick Orchards by Region
California's best apple picking runs from Apple Hill in the Sierra Foothills to Oak Glen near LA. Here's where to go by region and tips for getting the most out of apple season.
Frequently asked
- When is apple season in California?
- Apple season in California runs September through November, peaking in October. The Apple Hill region in El Dorado County (Camino area) is the most famous destination, with dozens of farms opening for u-pick and farm stands starting Labor Day weekend. Oak Glen near Yucaipa is the SoCal equivalent, with a similar fall harvest feel. Popular varieties include Fuji, Gala, Gravenstein (Sonoma County, August), and heirloom varieties at boutique orchards. U-pick windows follow the same season — check each farm's listing for exact 2026 dates.
- Where can you pick your own apple near you in California?
- Gather Grove lists pick-your-own apple farms across California with their crops, season, and location. Use the map and filters to find one near you.
- Do U-pick apple farms require a reservation?
- Some do and some don't — each farm's page notes whether a reservation is required. Seasons and hours shift with the weather, so it's always worth checking the farm's own site before you go.