Oak Glen: Apple picking in the Catskills of the West

Apple crisp and ice cream in Oak Glen (Photo: Phoebe Chuason)

When autumn is on the horizon, it conjures up visions of New England – leaves changing, apple harvests, pumpkins and jacket weather – fall stuff. As a native Southern Californian, I have always wished I lived in a city with real seasons. Luckily, my travels have allowed me to experience such places here and there – most recently in Oak Glen, just an hour from the desert!

Check out up-to-date crop reports and event listings from the Oak Glen Apple Growers Association at oakglen.net.

I start the morning driving west on Interstate 10 – a few miles after Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, I exit on North Highland Springs Avenue between Banning and Beaumont. I am headed to the Highland Springs Ranch & Inn just a few miles up the road, where you can feel the history as soon as you get out of the car. The property was known as San Gorgonio Rancho in the early 1800s and later became an important stagecoach stop before evolving into a health resort – it was even developed into a Catskills of the West from the late 1940s to early 1980s. The thousands of acres are home to apricot orchards, centuries-old olive groves and 123 Farm, Southern California’s largest certified organic lavender farm. 

Not to missed are the Organic Galleries, open on Saturdays. Set into a row of bungalows, each has its own design and features handmade organic products from the resort and local companies: candles, yarn, lemonade, lavender and more. There is even an oak tree said to be more than 1,100 years old on the property. This place is really a classic find! It’s a good little side trip on the way to Oak Glen Road, which climbs up into the mountains. Before you know it, you’re surrounded by fruit farms and ranches, some of which have been around for more than 100 years.

My first stop is Riley’s Farm, where, to my surprise, all of the employees are dressed in colonial clothing and there is a large colonial-style house and barn that look like a tiny version of Williamsburg. I make my way to general store to purchase a basket and a bag for “u-pick” apples. In addition to the fruit, the farm also puts on several history-themed adventures, spanning the Gold Rush to the Civil and Revolutionary wars. In October, the resident theater company hosts a dinner event themed around “The Legend of Sleeping Hollow.”

Continuing north, my next stop is Los Rios Rancho – another “u-pick” spot – at the top of the hill. Both sides of the highway are covered in apples, pears and pumpkins for the picking. I am here for some lunch and park up at the store front. The café, open seven days a week, offers barbecue cooked over apple wood – go figure! Today, I’m feeling my usual: eating a bunch apple stuff – after all, when in Rome! The special today is a grilled cheese sandwich with muenster, sliced apples and bacon. It is amazing, perfect, better than expected – not to mention the homemade chili and “hand” apple pie I get to-go. There is a nice little gift shop full of jams, jellies and the like, and I’m told several events and group activities – from hayrides to farm tours – are available throughout the year.

Also located on the Los Rios Rancho property is The Wildlands Conservancy Oak Glen Preserve. Here, there are several hiking trails through oak and pine forests, as well as a botanical garden. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., there are more than 2,000 acres to explore.

Just past Los Rios Rancho, the next stop is one of my favorites – look for a small sign and winding driveway to Snow-Line Orchard and its CIDER DONUTS! Just keep following the signs as you wind around apple orchards for a few minutes – soon you’ll happen upon an old red barn and parking next to some picnic tables. I’m here for the donuts, and they make them fresh all day in small batches. With a pour of apple cider (yes, their own), the batter is placed into a small donut fryer before the confections are served with sugar and cinnamon. Snow-Line is one of the oldest orchards around, and to my surprise, the winery tasting room is also now open. They make all their vino on-site, as well as hard cider.

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