Apple Picking in California 2026: U-Pick Orchards & Festivals
June 7, 2026 · 9 min read
California grows apples from the fog-cooled hills of Sebastopol to the mountain village of Julian near San Diego — and every fall, dozens of farms open their gates for u-pick. Here's when the season peaks, which festivals are worth the trip, and where to find the best u-pick orchards across the state.
When is apple season in California?
Apple harvest runs from late August through November, with timing varying significantly by region and variety:
- Sebastopol / Sonoma County — Home of the Gravenstein, one of the earliest apples in the state. Gravenstein season peaks in August. The broader Sonoma apple harvest extends into October.
- Apple Hill / El Dorado County (Camino, Placerville) — California's most celebrated apple u-pick corridor. Farms open Labor Day weekend and stay busy through Thanksgiving. Dozens of ranches cluster along Carson Road and offer everything from u-pick to apple cider donuts.
- Oak Glen (San Bernardino County) — Southern California's apple town, tucked at 5,000 feet elevation east of Los Angeles. Season runs September through November — peak foliage and apple harvest overlap beautifully in October.
- Julian (San Diego County)— San Diego's apple country. Small orchards open for u-pick in September and October; the town is famous for its apple pie and draws crowds every fall weekend.
- Central Coast (Watsonville, San Luis Obispo) — Moderate temperatures keep harvest season long. Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville is one of the state's most established u-pick apple destinations.
Apple Hill farms in particular attract large weekend crowds from Sacramento and the Bay Area. Go on a weekday in September or early October for the best experience — the orchards are quieter and better stocked.
Apple festivals in California 2026
From a spring blossom parade to a full harvest season stretching into December, California's apple festivals run nearly year-round.
A spring tradition celebrating the moment Sonoma's orchards bloom. The parade is the centerpiece — one of the few apple festivals timed to blossoms rather than harvest. A good excuse to visit wine country in April when crowds are thin.
The Gravenstein is the oldest cultivated apple variety in California, and Sebastopol is its home. This two-day fair celebrates peak Gravenstein season with farm vendors, apple products, live music, and local food — a genuinely regional event rather than a generic fair.
A one-day Santa Cruz Mountains apple celebration at the Felton Farmers' Market. Local orchards bring freshly harvested varieties, and the event highlights small-scale growers from the coastal mountains.
Not a single festival but a full harvest season spanning nearly four months. More than 50 farms along the Apple Hill corridor open for u-pick, farm stands, cider pressing, and seasonal events. The season peaks in October — go on a weekday to avoid the worst of the Sacramento-area crowds.
A traditional county fair in the Anderson Valley, with an apple show that has been a centerpiece for decades. Judged apple displays, fresh-pressed cider, and a genuine agricultural fair atmosphere — plus some of the best Anderson Valley wine poured nearby.
Julian's apple harvest is a season-long draw rather than a single festival — from September through October the small mountain town fills with visitors for orchard u-pick, cider, and its legendary apple pie bakeries. Weekends get busy; come early or go midweek. One of Southern California's best fall outings.
A one-day harvest celebration in Humboldt County's Eel River Valley. Apple varieties grown in the cooler North Coast climate tend toward tart and complex — a different profile from the sweet-heavy Southern California harvest.
A small-town fall festival in the shadow of Mount Shasta. McCloud sits at elevation with crisp fall air — the festival pairs local apple harvest with the kind of autumn atmosphere that's hard to find in most of California.
A foothills apple festival at the gateway to Sequoia country. Local growers sell freshly harvested apples and cider; the event doubles as a community fair with crafts and local food vendors.
Riley's at Los Rios Rancho closes the Oak Glen harvest season with a Thanksgiving weekend apple butter festival. Old-fashioned apple butter making over an open fire, fall foliage at peak color, and the tail end of u-pick season.
U-pick apple farms by region
Sierra Foothills — Apple Hill & El Dorado County
The Apple Hill corridor along Carson Road in Camino is California's densest concentration of u-pick apple farms — more than 50 operations open each fall within a few miles of each other. Plan to visit multiple farms in a single day.
- Apple Ridge FarmsCamino
- Argyres OrchardCamino
- Berry Heaven (Rustic Dream Farmstead)Garden Valley
- Bolster's Hilltop RanchCamino
- Goyette's North Canyon RanchCamino
- Hangtown Kid U-Pick Apple OrchardCamino
- High Hill RanchCamino
- O'Halloran's Apple Trail RanchCamino
Most Apple Hill farms charge per bag or per pound. Bring exact change or check whether a farm accepts cards — many are cash-preferred.
Sierra Foothills — Nevada & Butte County
North of Apple Hill, Grass Valley and Paradise sit in the broader Sierra Foothills apple belt — a longer drive but fewer crowds.
- Linda Grace's PlaceGrass Valley
- Noble OrchardsParadise
Southern California — Oak Glen & Julian
Oak Glen (near Yucaipa) and Julian (near San Diego) are the two anchors of Southern California apple country. Both sit at elevation, giving them the chilly nights apples need to color and sweeten properly.
- Apple Starr OrchardJulian
- Apples and Art OrchardsJulian
- Julian Farm and OrchardJulian
- Los Rios RanchoOak Glen
- Riley's FarmOak Glen
- Stone Soup Farm & Heritage OrchardOak Glen
- Volcan Valley Apple FarmJulian
- Willowbrook Apple FarmOak Glen
Bay Area — Sebastopol & Sonoma County
Sebastopol's apple heritage is tied to the Gravenstein, a variety that thrives in the cool coastal fog. The season here is earlier than most — mid-August through September — and the farms are a reasonable day trip from San Francisco.
- Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff RanchSebastopol
- Chileno Valley RanchPetaluma
- EARTHseed FarmSebastopol
Central Coast — Watsonville & San Luis Obispo
- Avila Valley BarnSan Luis Obispo
- Cal Poly Fruit and Crops UnitSan Luis Obispo
- Gizdich RanchWatsonville
- SLO Creek FarmsSan Luis Obispo
Cal Poly's Fruit and Crops Unit is a working teaching farm — call ahead to confirm public u-pick availability before visiting.
Central Valley
- Genesis Organic FarmHanford
- Harris OrchardsRipon
- The Urban Edge FarmBrentwood
North Coast
- SRJC Shone FarmForestville
Shone Farm is a Santa Rosa Junior College teaching farm — call ahead to confirm public u-pick apple availability before making the drive.
Tips for u-pick apple visits
- Go on a weekday. Apple Hill and Oak Glen are genuinely packed on October weekends — traffic, parking, and sold-out u-pick are all real problems. A Tuesday or Wednesday visit is a different experience entirely.
- Ask about the varieties available. Most farms grow several types — early-season Gravensteins and Galas give way to Fujis, Braeburns, Jonagolds, and Honeycrisps in October. The variety determines flavor, texture, and what they're best for.
- Bring layers, especially at elevation. Apple Hill sits at 2,500 feet, Oak Glen at 5,000. October mornings can be genuinely cold even when valley temperatures are mild.
- Twist, don't pull. A ripe apple releases cleanly when you cup it and give a gentle twist upward. Yanking damages the spur and can take next year's fruit with it — most farms will tell you this on arrival.
- Store unwashed in the crisper. Apples last weeks in the refrigerator. Keep them separate from other produce — apples release ethylene gas and will speed up ripening of anything nearby.
- Check farm websites before you go. U-pick availability changes week to week based on weather and what's ripe. Most farms post current conditions on their website or Instagram.
Frequently asked questions
When is apple picking season in California?
Apple picking season runs from late August through November, depending on region and variety. Gravensteins in Sebastopol peak in August. Apple Hill in El Dorado County opens Labor Day weekend and stays open through Christmas. Oak Glen and Julian peak in October.
Where is Apple Hill in California?
Apple Hill is a cluster of farms along Carson Road near Camino in El Dorado County, about 50 miles east of Sacramento in the Sierra Foothills. It's the largest and most visited apple u-pick corridor in the state, with over 50 participating farms. High Hill Ranch and Bolster's Hilltop Ranch are two well-known stops.
Where can I pick apples near Los Angeles?
Los Rios Rancho and Riley's Farm in Oak Glen (San Bernardino County) are the closest u-pick apple farms to LA — about 75 miles east. Julian in San Diego County is another option, about 60 miles from central San Diego.
Are there apple picking farms near San Francisco?
Yes — Sebastopol in Sonoma County (about 60 miles north) has several u-pick apple farms, including Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch. Apple Hill in El Dorado County is about 130 miles northeast of San Francisco and draws significant Bay Area traffic each fall.
What apple varieties can I pick in California?
Variety depends heavily on farm and region. Gravensteins are the signature variety in Sebastopol — early season, tart, not widely grown elsewhere. Apple Hill farms commonly grow Fuji, Gala, Braeburn, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious. Julian and Oak Glen farms often carry heirloom varieties alongside the standards. Ask each farm what's currently ripe.
Is there an apple festival in Julian, CA?
Julian retired its old two-day Apple Days festival in favor of a season-long Julian Apple Season celebration running September through October — bakeries, farm stands, harvest events, and orchard u-pick across the whole fall. There's no single festival weekend to plan around; any fall weekend works.
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