Fall in California isn’t just about coastal fog and vineyard harvests—it’s apple season too! From the cool highlands of Julian to the rolling hills of Oak Glen, California’s apple country comes alive with the sweet scent of ripening fruit and fresh-pressed cider. These family-owned orchards offer more than just apples; they provide a taste of rural tradition in America’s most populous state.
I’ve spent years exploring these hidden gems, watching families fill baskets with Granny Smiths and Pink Ladies while sipping warm cider on crisp autumn mornings. Here are the ten orchards that capture the essence of California’s apple heritage.
1. Riley’s At Apple Hill Farm
Nestled in the Sierra foothills, Riley’s reigns as Apple Hill’s crown jewel. Their century-old trees produce over 25 varieties that ripen from August through November.
Farm-fresh cider flows daily from their historic press—I’ve watched mesmerized as apples transform into golden liquid within minutes. The bakery’s apple doughnuts, still warm from the fryer, pair perfectly with a cup of their signature hot spiced cider.
Families return generation after generation for their autumn festival weekends featuring live bluegrass music among the orchards.
2. Julian Pie Company Orchard
Southern California’s mountain town of Julian transforms each September when its heritage orchards burst with Gravenstein and Arkansas Black apples. The Julian Pie Company doesn’t just bake—they grow.
Walking through their orchard last fall, I discovered why their pies taste so exceptional. The high elevation (4,000 feet) creates perfect growing conditions for intensely flavored fruit.
Their small-batch cider operation uses traditional rack-and-cloth methods, producing a complex, tannic brew that’s worth the winding drive up the mountain.
3. Gizdich Ranch
Family-owned since 1937, Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville balances commercial production with old-world charm. Their Fuji and Gala orchards stretch across rolling coastal hills, benefiting from cool Pacific breezes.
The antique press room operates seasonally, allowing visitors to watch fresh-pressed cider being made. Children particularly love their tractor-pulled orchard tours where each stop includes a different apple variety to sample.
Their annual Antique Apple Tasting event showcases forgotten varieties like Winter Banana and White Winter Pearmain that once dominated California orchards.
4. Oak Glen Preserve
Tucked into San Bernardino’s mountains, Oak Glen Preserve combines conservation with agriculture. Their heirloom orchard contains over 200 rare apple varieties, many rescued from extinction.
The botanical gardens surrounding the orchard showcase native plants that support pollinators essential for apple production. During harvest, master gardeners lead workshops on grafting and sustainable orchard practices.
Their small-batch cider program experiments with wild fermentation techniques, producing complex, terroir-driven beverages that have earned recognition from slow food advocates across California.
5. Rainbow Orchards
Morning fog rolling off the American River creates the perfect microclimate for Rainbow Orchards’ exceptional fruit. Their 40-acre farm in Camino specializes in late-season varieties that develop intense flavor through cool nights.
The fourth-generation family still uses their great-grandfather’s cider recipe, pressing fresh daily during harvest season. Their apple cider donuts have achieved legendary status—I’ve seen people line up for an hour before they open.
Kids delight in their petting zoo while parents appreciate the farm’s commitment to integrated pest management and sustainable growing practices.
6. Clearview Orchards
Organic certification isn’t easy, but Clearview Orchards in Watsonville has maintained theirs for decades. Their smaller operation focuses on quality over quantity, growing just six varieties to perfection.
Owners Patti and Gary personally lead weekend tours explaining their commitment to soil health. The coastal influence creates ideal growing conditions—cool summers and mild winters allow their apples to develop slowly and fully.
Last harvest, I watched as they pressed a special batch of single-variety Mutsu cider, its complex flavor reflecting both terroir and their careful stewardship of the land.
7. Apple Hill Ranch
High in El Dorado County sits Apple Hill Ranch, where six generations have tended the same trees. Their historic barn houses one of California’s oldest working cider presses, still operated by water power from the adjacent stream.
Visiting during harvest feels like stepping back in time—horse-drawn wagons transport apple bins while workers sort by hand. Their signature Gravenstein cider carries notes of honey and spice unique to their microclimate.
The family maintains extensive herb gardens interspersed with apple rows, creating biodiversity that strengthens the orchard ecosystem.
8. Chileno Valley Ranch
West Marin’s rolling pastures hide this gem where heritage cattle graze beneath century-old apple trees. Chileno Valley Ranch embodies the integration of livestock and orchard farming traditions.
Their restoration project has saved dozens of pre-1900 apple varieties once common in Northern California. During fall weekends, visitors can pick apples while learning about holistic ranch management that benefits both animals and fruit trees.
Their unpasteurized cider, available only on-site, carries complexity from the diverse varieties—I detected notes ranging from tropical fruit to caramel during my last tasting.
9. Philo Apple Farm
Anderson Valley’s wine country credentials sometimes overshadow its apple heritage, but Philo Apple Farm keeps traditions alive. Former French Laundry gardeners tend this culinary-focused orchard where apples are grown for flavor above all else.
Their small cooking school uses the orchard as its pantry, teaching visitors how apples complement everything from pork to cheese. The farm’s cider program experiments with wine techniques—barrel aging, wild fermentation—creating complex beverages.
Staying in their farmhouse cottages during harvest offers an immersive experience, with morning mist rising through the trees as pickers gather fruit for the day’s pressing.
10. Snow-Line Orchard
Snow-Line’s historic charm centers around Southern California’s oldest cidery, operating since 1898. Their restored press room showcases equipment that’s processed apples for over a century.
Raspberry patches and chestnut groves border the apple orchards, creating a diverse farm ecosystem. During harvest weekends, their mini-donut machine produces apple-cinnamon treats while musicians play under ancient trees.
My favorite discovery was their raspberry-apple cider blend—a refreshing twist that captures both summer and fall flavors in one glass, showcasing their integrated approach to fruit farming.