Apple-picking is in full swing. Make reservations and check websites before you head out.
Early fall is the perfect time for apple picking with children in the Bay Area. I mean, the ONLY time. Looking for a place to get your hands on a bushel of apples? Always double-check with the farm in question before you pack up your hungry posse of children. Apples might grow on trees, but when they’re gone, they’re gone.
When planning your day be sure to bring snacks, water bottles, sunscreen, sun hats, grocery totes, and a wagon if you have one.
Bay Area Apple Orchards
Apple picking in the Bay Area reaches its peak in September and October. Here are a few fun ideas for your farm-visiting and apple picking sorted by approximate drive distance from Oakland:
EARTHseed Farm, Sebastopol –
U-pick by reservation Saturdays only. Apples are ripe for picking. EARTHseed Farm offers U-Pick apples starting in July 2024, by reservation only. This 14-acre solar-powered organic farm and orchard is operated and rooted in Afro-Indigenous permaculture principles and built on a long legacy of traditions of people of African descent. New appointments are released Monday prior to weekend U-Pick days. Each group of four pays a $35 entry fee for a 60-minute visit. Bring reusable containers to take home your fruit, including smaller baskets or Tupperware for your berries! They also have baskets for sale in the farm store. The small town of Graton is just down the road where you can visit the cute and quirky Willow Wood Cafe. [Read all about EARTHseed and its furry pigs]
Distance from Oakland: about 1 hour, 15 minutes depending on traffic.
Cost: $35 per group of 4 for a 60 minute visit; Blackberries: charged per basket – $8/basket for 2 people. Apples: $4/lb; Asian Pears (in store): $6/lb. children age 3 and under are free
Website >>
Chileno Valley Ranch, Petaluma
The Apple U-Pick Season will likely open soon, and will probably be Sundays only. Reservations will be available two weeks in advance throughout the season. Tours will be self-led. An added attraction is 16 chicks and 7 guinea hens, in addition to the friendly older hens. Plus they will be selling honey, lavender, and Veronica’s baked goods. Check their Facebook page for updates. Read about our past visit here >
Distance from Oakland: About one hour drive depending on traffic.
Cost: Last year, the entry fee was $10 per family; Apples and Pears were $2 per pound. Cash or credit ok.
Website >>
Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch, Sebastopol
Opening weekend for 2024 will likely be in September, and picking continues through October. You’ll need to check with them for up-to-date days and times since things are always changing with apple ripeness and availability. Their trees produce Gravenstein, Golden Delicious, and Rome apples. Apple-A-Day is open four-five days a week, 9 am-4 pm, and closed on Thursday, Saturday (maybe Sunday). They also process and sell yummy fresh apple juice. Read all about our visit here>
Distance from Oakland: about a 90-minute drive depending on traffic.
Cost: Last year the price was $2.50 per pound with no other fees.
Website >>
Apple Hill, Placerville
Apple Hill is a collaboration of several apple growers in the Placerville area. Several farms have apple picking while others have hayrides, pony rides, gold panning, or other family activities. Opening weekends for each farm vary (late August early September 2024 is a good bet though), so check the specific U-Pick farm information. Visit the Apple Hill website to read summaries of the farms and plan your trip.
Some farms and wineries are taking reservations for visits and U-Pick activities or may have additional measures in place for their busiest weekends in October. As you make your plans to visit, we recommend that you check member websites, and social media, or call ahead for any last-minute details to ensure a fun and successful experience. Some are better known for adult or pet activities. Denver Dan’s, open September 1, has u pick, a bake shop, apple crisp sundaes, and kids’ activities.
Distance from Oakland: about two hours depending on traffic.
Cost: Varies by farm
Website >>
Gizdich Ranch, Watsonville
Apple picking for 2024 will begin in September, no reservations are required. The different varietals available are Pippin, Fuji, Red, and Golden Delicious. They also serve apple slush and homemade pies and ice cream. Check the details before you visit. {Make a weekend of it by camping at Mount Madonna State Park}
Distance from Oakland: about two hours depending on traffic.
Cost: Varies
Website >>
Luz De Valle, Aptos
Their U-Pick season usually starts on Labor Day and features tasty Galas. This family farm supplies Martinelli’s famous apple juice and ciders with their delectable apples, so you know they must be good. These are followed by the Fujis which begin to ripen the first week of October. Check their website for specific dates and times.
Distance From Oakland: about two hours depending on traffic.
Cost: Varies
Website >>
Clearview Orchards, Watsonville
The opening day for 2024 is in running through October. This Organic Apple Orchard has Fuji, Gala, Honey Crisp, and Mutsu apples ready to pick through October, every Saturday/Sunday from 9:30 am to 4 pm. Double-check hours and dates online before you go. A reservation is required for parking and entry. The $7 reserved ticket is good for one family-sized vehicle and an hour of apple picking for up to 8 people. Apples picked are an additional cost. The orchards are in a beautiful terraced setting overlooking the valley of Watsonville and only three miles from the ocean and La Selva beach. And don’t forget to try their famous fresh-baked apple turnovers! Check their Facebook for updates>
Distance from Oakland: about 1 hour, 45 minutes depending on traffic.
Cost: Varies
Website >>
Farms and Ranches that might have apples:
Cloverfield Organic Farm, El Sobrante
A small bio-intensive urban farm with U-Pick offerings throughout the year. Apple U-Pick happens “in the fall” according to their friendly farmers, so best to plan on going in late September and October. Wear sturdy shoes and bring your clippers (if you have them). They have onsite free parking. Read more about our visit there here.
Distance From Oakland: About 20 minutes
Cost: Varies
Website >>
Smith Family Farms, Brentwood
A close-ish option, Smith Family Farms, is super fun for kids with wide-open spaces and many different varieties of fruits and veggies. They have a little bit of everything including pre-picked apples from Sebastopol at the stand through October. As for U-Pick, they should have persimmons and pomegranates by mid-late September. Check them out on Facebook for current details on U-pick. Read our review here.
Distance from Oakland: about 45 minutes depending on traffic.
Cost: Varies
Website>>
Parent tips before you head out on your apple-picking adventure:
- Double- or triple-check with the farm in question.
- Pack up snacks or a hearty lunch. Bring water bottles.
- Slather on sunscreen and wear hats.
- Bring grocery totes and a wagon if you have one!
- Hand sanitizer is a good idea as well.
Have fun out there and save me a slice of your apple pie! Oh, and if baking a pie isn’t for you, definitely check out Mom’s Apple Pie in Sebastopol. You can still say “Mom” made it.
