Apple Picking and Autumn Fun Near Riverside - A Guide to Oak Glen, California
last updated: October 2026
In my opinion, nothing says “fall in Southern California” more than paying $$ to swelter as you do the work of picking apples off a tree that would be cheaper to buy at the store, lol.
In all seriousness, despite the heat and high prices, we love visiting Oak Glen every fall! Here’s all the info on apple picking in Oak Glen - it’s less than an hour from Riverside, and one of our favorite fall traditions!
About Oak Glen
Oak Glen is a little mountain town at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, just past Redlands/Yucaipa/Beaumont area, towards Forest Falls. It’s just high enough in elevation that it’s a little cooler in temperature, they sometimes get snow, and they have good conditions for growing apples… but the drive is quite easy and shorter than going to Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear (virtually no mountain roads!)
We love visiting Oak Glen year-round for hikes and snow days, but they’re most famous (and busiest) in the fall during apple picking season!
Oak Glen is the closest place to Riverside for families to pick apples, and people drive all the way from Los Angeles, Orange County, and across the Inland Empire to visit Oak Glen. (When we lived in Pasadena, we made a day trip!)
Tips for Visiting Oak Glen with Kids
We have a hilarious snapshot from our first autumn visit to Oak Glen. I was hoping for a sweet little fall photo of my two little girls in the pumpkin patch. Instead I got a picture of my toddler pouting, chin in hands, and the baby crying. If that doesn’t define “seasonal outings with kids,” I’m not sure what does! (They both love that picture now - and we got some smiling ones too).
Here are a few tips for visiting Oak Glen with your family… but know that even if your children cry or pout or things go wrong, you might reminisce about it someday!
Weekends will likely get VERY crowded. Oak Glen can get really crowded in the fall (or on snow days), and it can be especially hard to find parking if you go on a weekend day, mid-day. Your children will likely enjoy it more if there are shorter lines and you don’t have to circle for parking for half an hour. Potentially better times to go:
Go on a weekday if possible. Weekdays are generally less crowded (but some locations will be closed). Try Los Rios Rancho or Snowline Orchard
Wait till November. November may bring nice crisp temperatures and tend not to be as crowded as October, especially if you’re going more for the vibes and less for the actual apples (which could run out by November, but sometimes don’t).
Go early. On our most recent visit, we were in Oak Glen by about 9am on a Saturday and it was perfect. We grabbed coffee, found parking at a few apple orchards and walked around before it got too busy. As we left at noon, I was really thankful we weren’t trying to get a parking spot. (Keep in mind that on weekdays or in winter/spring/summer, some locations won’t be open that early. Try the Schoolhouse Playground or Oak Glen Preserve for two areas that open earlier in the day.)
Wear layers and comfortable shoes. On a hot day in Riverside, it will still be hot in Oak Glen. But, on a cool day in Riverside, it can be actually cold in Oak Glen (it does sometimes snow there). I’d say it’s usually around 5-20 degrees cooler. Wear a short-sleeve shirt and bring a hat and light jacket, and you’ll be ready for fluctuating temperatures. Don’t forget comfortable shoes for walking around!
Be prepared for heat - it can still be very warm in September and October. Bring plenty of water, hats, and sunscreen.
Don’t miss the Children’s Forest at Oak Glen Preserve or the Oak Glen Schoolhouse playground for a free, potentially quieter spot. If you can get a parking spot near the Schoolhouse playground or the Children’s Forest at Oak Glen Preserve, those can both be more chill, kid-friendly areas to explore. For the Children’s Forest, don’t go to the Oak Glen Preserve botanic garden at the top of the hill (the one with the pond and apple trees). Instead, slowly drive down the hill (it’s a dirt road) and park at the bottom if there’s space. There are some little nature walks, plus a big downed tree (log) that my kids love to climb on.
Driving can be a little tricky, but not too bad. As someone who is afraid of heights and gets motion sick, I’m usually fine going to Oak Glen. It’s nothing like the drive to Big Bear. The last couple minutes into Oak Glen have a bit of curvy roads, and you may find yourself driving on narrow and/or dirt roads for a bit. (The road to Snow Line Orchard is my least favorite because it’s quite narrow).
Pay attention to road conditions, especially if it’s rained recently. Oak Glen has unfortunately had some wildfires in recent years, making mud an issue after rain. Check online ahead of time to be sure roads are open.
What to Bring:
picnic blanket
hats
water (we bring a jug like this in the trunk to refill our reusable water bottles, since there aren’t great refill places).
jackets (though it may be hot, even in the mountains).
snacks/lunch if you can - Food is available, but there may be long lines, so bring snacks/lunch too if you can.
cash if you have it (some places prefer this, but most accept card)
You can go to Oak Glen for free if you pack a picnic and just walk around the orchards, or you can spend lots of money on U-pick, wagon rides, food, and other activities. There’s something for every budget… set one before you go!
Apple picking is fun, but not a necessity, and not even offered at some locations. There is usually plenty to do (stroll around, cider tasting, photo ops, animals to see, even if we don’t do U pick.
Apple Farms, Orchards, and other Kid-Friendly Activities in Oak Glen
I’ve tried to be thorough, but info may change. Sometimes these areas are affected by wildfires or storms, so it’s a good idea to call ahead or check social media to be sure places are open or if you want to be sure U pick apples are available. (and please let me know if you have any suggested corrections to the info below).
Not sponsored or gifted - just my honest information.
One of my family’s favorite places to visit in Oak Glen (but it does get very crowded on weekends.) They have lots of activities and it’s very pleasant to walk around, especially if you go to Oak Glen Preserve next door (see below).
Activities:
U-pick Apples, berries, and Veggies
Gift shop
food for sale: Tri-tip sandwiches, BBQ, cold beverages, dessert, and more.
Nature Trails & Botanical Gardens
Little Seedling Ranch (Petting Zoo and miniature Farm)
tractor rides
U-Press cider making
pumpkin patch
corn maze
weekends only: Horse Drawn Wagon Tours and Live Musical Entertainment
Cost:
free admission and parking, no reservations required
Little Seedlings Ranch (petting zoo and other activities) - $10/person
Wagon Rides $10/person
U-pick apples $3-6/pound
Corn Maze $13/person
Open daily 9am - 5pm in autumn (“Northside” area with U-pick apples, tractor rides, and more is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in November)
Location: 39611 Oak Glen Road
For more info, they have some super helpful guides online:
We love this nature area located right next door to Los Rios Rancho. There are two sections - The “top section” - up at the top, there is a parking lot near Los Rios Rancho gift shop. Go through the “Botanic Garden” archway for a walking path, trails that go along apple orchards and through a little grove of redwoods and sequoia trees, along a nature center, and out by the big pond/dock (be mindful of your kids here - the water is 10+ ft deep by the dock.)
The bottom “Children’s Forest” section gets overlooked by many families. Don’t park in the botanic garden lot, but instead continue onward and slowly drive down the hill (it’s a dirt road) and park at the bottom if there’s space. There are some little nature walks (including one with info displays on local animals), space for a picnic, plus a big downed tree (log) that my kids love to climb on.
Cost: free parking and admission
Hours:
8 am to 4:30 pm (November – March)
8 am to 5:30 pm (April – October)
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Location: 39611 Oak Glen Rd (right next to Los Rios Rancho)
For more info: Oak Glen Preserve web site
Oak Glen Schoolhouse Museum and Playground
The playground is the main draw here - I’ve never been to the museum personally.
Cost: free parking and admission
Hours:
Park grounds open daylight hours only
Museum Hours:
Saturday and Sunday 12 NOON to 4PM
September, October and November - Wednesday – Sunday 12 NOON to 4PM
Closed for the month of December
closed in rain or snow
Location: 11911 S. Oak Glen Road
For more info: web site with hours and more info
Oak Tree Mountain (and Apple Annie’s)
This is a shopping center with restaurants and activities. They have a big slide that always looks really fun (we’ve never been!)
Cost: free parking and admission, some activities cost money
Hours: hours vary by location, Apple Annie’s restaurant is open daily 9am-5pm in autumn, some other attractions open weekdays only
Location: 38480 Oak Glen Road
For more info: Oak Tree Mountain web site
Stone Soup Farm + Heritage Orchard
This smaller heritage farm focuses on regenerative practices and offers special guided activities plus a few “open farm” days each autumn. As far as I know, they don’t offer actual “apple picking,” but they do have lots of other festive hands-on activities.
They’re only open on select dates (mostly weekends):
Family Farm Day Homeschool Tours - $25/person - apple tasting, cider pressing, nature craft, candle dipping
September 11, 2026
October 16, 2026
November 13, 2026
Apple Fair - $25/person - apple tasting, cider pressing workshop, tomahawk toss, children’s garden:
October 3-4, 2026 - 10am to 4pm
October 10-11, 2026 - 10am to 4pm
Open Farm Days - no reservations, no admission fee. Activities (some cost money) - autumn watercolor experience, U-press apple cider, children’s garden, gemstone panning, caramel apple dipping, farm shop
SEPTEMBER 26th & 27th - 10am to 4pm
OCTOBER 17th, 18th, 24th & 25th - 10am to 4pm
NOVEMBER 7th, 8th, 21st & 22nd - 10am to 4pm
Apple Butter Social:
November 14-15, 2026
Location: 12131 S. Oak Glen Road
No U-pick apples
For more info:
Instagram: @stonesoupfarm_oakglen
web site: Stone Soup Farm
They’re famous for their mini apple cider donuts and other treats - expect a line, and eat them while they’re hot!
Cost: free parking and admission
Hours: daily 9am-5pm
No U-pick apples (raspberries only, seasonally)
Location: 39400 Oak Glen Road (I’ve never loved the narrow road leading onto their property, but I brave it for the donuts!)
For more info:
Instagram: @snowlineorchard
Colonial America-themed farm with historic reenactments and shows, along with U-pick apples, pumpkins, and other farm activities.
Cost: free admission for general activities, sometimes they have ticketed history activities or events
Hours/season: Open most Tuesdays - Saturdays from 10am-4pm, but activity hours vary so check their calendar for the specific day you want to visit. Closed Sundays.
Location: 12261 Oak Glen Rd
Quieter apple farm with apples for sale (no U-pick). You may be able to catch a glimpse of their farm animals!
Cost: free admission and parking, apples for sale
Hours/season: Friday, Saturday, and Sundays 9am - 5pm
Location: 38561 Oak Glen Rd
For more info:
Instagram: @parrishranch
Willowbrook Apple Farm
Small apple farm with an AirBnB on site! They’ve always been a smaller farm with just a few open days, and they have very limited information online, but you can check their Instagram here for more info.
This small U-pick orchard is a sweet little farm. Unfortunately, for 2026 their U-pick is already done, but they’re open for cider-pressing still.
Cost: free admission and parking
Hours/season: Saturday and Sundays 10am - 5pm from Labor Day to Thanksgiving
Location: 38561 Oak Glen Rd
For more info:
Instagram: @stonepantryorchard
Other Places to Explore around Oak Glen:
In Oak Glen:
Mom’s Country Orchard - jams and jellies
GreenSpot Farms in Mentone
123 Farms
Yucaipa Regional Park
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Hi - I'm Kelly! I'm a mom of four kids here in Riverside, and I created Riverside Fun Kids to help local families find fun, simple, and affordable things to do in our city.
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