Craving a seasonal adventure? A short drive from the desert leads to an apple-picking paradise. Roughly 40 miles northwest of Palm Springs in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, Oak Glen is home to Southern California’s oldest and largest apple farm: Los Rios Rancho.
This farm’s story begins in 1906, when Howard L. Rivers, a Pasadena grower and shipper, bought more than 300 acres from the pioneering Wilshire family to expand his apple business. Little did he know, his would become the largest apple orchard in Southern California. Some of Rivers’ original trees still bear fruit.
In the 1950s, the ranch evolved from a wholesale operation into a tourist destination. A bakery, picnic areas, and cider press welcomed weekend visitors for a taste of the simple life. In 1996, The Wildlands Conservancy acquired the ranch to protect it from development, establishing Oak Glen Preserve and working to restore habitats, add trails, and introduce educational programming. Years later, the conservancy teamed with Devon and Shelli Riley, who now steward the ranch.
Los Rios Rancho grows more than 10,000 trees with 30 varieties of apples and is a community hub in Oak Glen. Seasonal events include an Apple Butter Festival (Nov. 28–30) and four-course farm-to-table dinners amid the orchards. Visit on a weekend for live music and horse-drawn wagon tours. For more information about Los Rios Rancho, go to losriosrancho.com.
8:30 a.m.
Wilshire’s Apple Shed
The Wilshire family settled in Oak Glen in 1871 on 3,000 acres and were pioneers in the farming community, continuing to till the land for generations until the mid-1980s. In 1945, the family opened Wilshire’s Apple Shed, the region’s first roadside market, where they sold their annual harvest by the bag. Today, Wilshire’s is part of Los Rios Rancho. It houses a café and mercantile, selling handcrafted gifts. Start the day here with a caramel apple latte, cold brew, or hot cider. They also serve hard cider and wood-fired pizza prepared in an outdoor oven. The ranch is about three minutes away.
Little Seedling Ranch features wagon rides and a petting zoo.
Steve Cukro via alamy
Apple picking in the preserve.
Photo by matt gush via getty images
9 a.m.
U-Pick Stand
Los Rios Rancho does not require reservations, and admission is free for those who just want to take in the scenery and walk the grounds. Activities such as wagon rides, cider pressing, and the corn maze are ticketed, and they charge for apple-picking by the pound (usually $3 to $6 per pound). Grab a bag at the U-Pick Stand, where a staff member will explain how to properly pluck an apple from the branch and point out which areas of the orchard are open that day. Wear closed-toe shoes; expect sticky fingers.
10:30 a.m.
Little Seedling Ranch
After picking apples, visit the property’s Little Seedling Ranch ($10 per person and open to ages 3 and up). The miniature farm offers animal encounters — kids can feed rabbits, goats, and sheep — as well as lawn games, a coloring station, a hay bale fort, and sluice box gold panning.
11 a.m.
Cider Pressing
On the north side of the farm you’ll find more produce, food vendors, and a fall favorite tradition: apple cider pressing. The farm provides the apples; you pay by the gallon based on how much cider you make ($35 per gallon). Rinse the apples, load them into the metal press, and turn the crank to squeeze out the juice. The process can be a little messy, but it’s a fun experience and yields the tastiest cider to take home.
Crowds gather at picnic tables for an alfresco lunch at Farm Kitchen.
Photo matt gush via getty images
12:30 p.m.
Farm Kitchen
Adjacent to the main parking lot and the Store Tent, Farm Kitchen is the go-to spot for a country-inspired lunch. Staff recommend the pulled pork sandwich marinated in apple cider; the barbecue chicken sandwich is just as tasty. Pair it with an apple cider slushy, a must even on a chilly day. You can warm up with a slice of gooey apple pie. A few steps from Farm Kitchen is Oak Glen Cider Co., where you can sample a flight of the ranch’s hard cider, pressed with a 1930s cider mill.
2 p.m.
Southern California Montane Botanic Garden
Walk off your lunch at The Wildlands Conservancy’s Southern California Montane Botanic Garden, home to hundreds of plant species. Interactive quizzes installed along garden pathways help kids learn about nature. If you’re up for a hike, the Oak Glen Preserve features a variety of scenic routes. The 2-mile Main Loop trail winds through shady forest and is suitable for families. For a more strenuous route to a panoramic overlook, the out-and-back Chaparral Vistas trail leads to Preservation Point, with postcard-perfect views of changing leaves; it’s 1.8 miles one way. Wear comfortable shoes and a hat; bring plenty of water.
4 p.m.
Wagon Ride
Wind down after wandering the garden and preserve with a horse-drawn wagon ride through the apple orchards. Offered only on weekends, wagon rides cost $10 per person; tickets are sold at the Little Seedling Kiosk. For a romantic alternative, you can also book an hour-and-a-half sunset ride on an 19th-century replica carriage, complete with hard cider and picnic-style appetizers ($180 with advance reservations required).
5 p.m.
Store Tent
Before heading down the mountain, stop by the Store Tent for sweets and souvenirs. Jams, jellies, apple butter, cider, and fresh apples are sold year-round.
