Where to Go Apple Picking: Bay Area + Northern California Guide (2026)
Want fresh apples? It doesn’t get any fresher than straight from the tree. There are lots of local farms near San Francisco where you can pick your own apples.
Peak apple-picking season near the Bay Area is typically September and October. But don’t wait – many people who wait until later in the season are disappointed that many varieties have slim pickings. The following apple orchards offer U-Pick apples, with most offering free admission. You’ll pay for the apples you pick, of course.
Updated 9/10/26
Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch
The farm has not yet posted a 2026 U-Pick opening date. Its website says U-Pick typically runs September through early December, with apples priced at $2.50/lb. Check with the farm before visiting. Updated 9/11/26.
Sebastopol | Located in the rolling hills of Sonoma County, pack a picnic and head to a local, family-run farm focused on apples and pears. Their ranch has picnic tables and ample parking. In addition to apples, you can also take home some of their award-winning crisp apple cider. Their “U-pick” season is typically offered September through early December where you can harvest your own Gravenstein, Golden Delicious, and Roman Beauty apples. Pears are also available for U-Pick.
- Typically open 9am to 4pm, September to early December. Closed on Thursdays and Saturdays (however, the website also states Sundays. We think they are open on Sundays for U-Pick season). Check Facebook for season updates and exact dates. Times are subject to change for the 2026 season.
- Apples: Golden Delicious, Gravenstein and Roman Beauty apples – $2.50/lb.
- Cider: Gallon $12; ½ gallon $8; organic ½ gallon $10; quart $5; pint $3; organic pint $4
- Cash and cards accepted
Gizdich Ranch
Apple U-Pick opens Saturday, September 12, 2026, and will be open weekends only from 9am to 5pm. Check the U-Pick page or call (831) 722-1056 before heading out since weather and harvest conditions can change the schedule. Updated 9/11/26.
Watsonville | Bring the family to one of the most popular U-pick apple orchards in the Bay Area where you can pick your favorite fruit of the season right off the tree or vine and then picnic among the apple trees and the hills. Gizdich Ranch’s “Pik-Yor-Self” program has been a family tradition since 1965. Gizdich Ranch’s “Pik-Yor-Self” program allows you to seasonally harvest your own strawberries, Olallie berries, boysenberries, and apples. After picking, stop by the ranch’s pie shop and deli for one of its famous homemade pies, fresh-pressed apple juice, sandwiches and other treats. The ranch also has a Red Barn shop selling apples, jams, juice and other farm goodies.
- Opens Saturday, September 12, 2026; weekends only, 9am-5pm
- Apple U-Pick was $2.25/lb in fall 2025
- Payment: Credit and debit cards only at the U-pick locations; no cash
- Bring your own containers, or boxes are available for a small fee
- Apple picking season runs from mid-September for about 3-4 weeks
Gizdich Ranch
Cloverfield Organic Farm
U-Pick is open year-round, but availability changes with the seasons. In September 2026, apples and a variety of other fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers are available. Check their fruit ripening calendar to see what’s in season. Updated 9/11/26.
El Sobrante | East Bay’s Cloverfield Organic Farm is the first USDA-certified organic farm in El Sobrante. The tiny farm grows a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers and potted plants, including rhubarb, mint, peppers, squash, onions, beets, pluots, plums, apples, figs, tomatoes, grapes, garlic, honey and more. Above the vegetable patch, there’s a meadow that doubles as a picnic area and pasture for Magic Ben, their free-range horse, who also moonlights as a therapeutic horse. The farm sells its U-pick bounty by the “bunch.” A large farm basket filled with about six different things you pick fresh from the garden and orchard is $36, while a single pint basket (or bunch) of fruits, flowers, vegetables or herbs is $6. You can also browse the farm shed for dried herbs, garlic, seeds, raw honey and organic Black Point olive oil. Check their September 2026 update to see what’s currently available.
- Public U-Pick: Friday-Sunday, noon-5pm during Daylight Saving Time; 11am-4pm during the winter season.
- Pricing: $6 per pint basket or bunch; $36 for a large basket with about six different items.
- Parking: Free
- Reservations: Not required for regular public U-Pick; private tours and U-Pick experiences require reservations.
Swanton Pacific Ranch
The U-Pick Apple Orchard opens for the 2026 season on Friday, September 18, 2026 and will be open Fridays-Sundays until supplies last. Check the website before heading out for current picking availability. Updated 9/11/26.
Davenport (Santa Cruz County) | The gorgeous 3,200 acre Swanton Pacific Ranch rests among a lush redwood forest, riverine ecosystems and expansive coastal grassland overlooking the bay and the Pacific Ocean. Normally closed to the public, it’s owned and operated by Cal Poly as an educational and research facility focused on sustainable agriculture and natural-resource management. Each fall, the ranch opens its certified organic U-Pick apple orchard to the public. The 2-acre orchard produces 16 varieties of apples that ripen progressively throughout the fall, allowing for an extended picking season.
- 2026 U-Pick season: Opens Friday, September 18, 2026; Fridays-Sundays until supplies last
- Browse the Harvest Calendar to see what’s available, from early-season Gingergold, Red Gravenstein and Royal Gala to fall varieties including Fuji, Jonagold, Granny Smith, Golden Russet and Suntan.
- Orchard location: Swanton Road, across from 480 Swanton Road, a few miles north of the ranch’s main 125 Swanton Road address.
- Apple prices: Check with the farm for current 2026 pricing (apples were $2.50/lb. in 2023)
Shone Farm
U-Pick apples are available Fridays, 10am-2pm, with the 2026 season currently scheduled through September 18. Admission and parking are free, and no reservation is required. Updated 9/11/26.
Forestville | Get a taste of farm life at Santa Rosa Junior College’s 365-acre teaching farm, where students learn hands-on sustainable agriculture. The farm opens its fields for seasonal U-Pick, with apples, berries, vegetables and flowers available at different times of year. In September, U-Pick apples are $3/lb, with free admission and parking.
- 2026 U-Pick: Fridays, 10am-2pm; September 11 and 18
- Apples: $3/lb
- Admission: Free
- Parking: Free
- Reservations: Not required
Sweet Water Farms
Open Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-4pm, through October. The 2026 season opened Sept. 5. Check current apple availability before heading out, as varieties ripen throughout the season. Updated 9/11/26.
Watsonville | This family-run U-Pick orchard offers a laid-back fall outing with apples, pumpkins, beautiful orchard and garden views, and plenty of room for kids to explore. Admission is free; U-Pick apples are $4/lb.
- 2026 U-Pick: Saturdays-Sundays, 10am-4pm, through October
- Admission: Free; pay for what you pick
- Apples: U-Pick apples are $4/lb.
- Also available: Pumpkins and seasonal garden/farm offerings
- Address: 848 Buena Vista Drive, Watsonville
- Check the farm’s social media or website before visiting for current apple availability
Apple Hill
Greater Placerville (50 miles east of Sacramento) | If you’re up for a little road trip to a countryside getaway, drive along Highway 50 between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe to a bountiful Gold Country with 50 locales featuring fruit orchards, roadside stands, ranches, breweries, tree farms, wineries and even a spa. It’s an especially popular destination in fall, when apples, pumpkins and other seasonal crops are ready for picking. Check out their Harvest Calendar to find out what’s in season and review their 2026 Apple Hill Growers map. You can also check apple varieties by farm or download their dedicated app for updated info on every ranch plus food, lodging, events and more. Updated 9/11/26.
- Harris Family Farm – Pollock Pines, CA – This 150-plus-year-old, seven-generation family farm offers seasonal U-Pick apples, berries, flowers and pumpkins, plus a bake shop, fresh apple cider, picnic area, nature trail and farm animals. Open Thursday-Sunday during the main season, 9am-4:30pm. Apple U-Pick is typically available September-October.
- O’Halloran’s Apple Trail Ranch – Camino, CA – Pick your own apples from 16 varieties at this 30-acre family farm, which also offers pears, berries, flowers, pumpkins, a nature trail, picnic area and farm goods. The 2026 season runs Aug. 28-Dec. 13, with the ranch open daily from 9am-5pm.
- Smokey Ridge Farm – Placerville – Pick from 17 apple varieties, with chestnuts and flowers also available seasonally. The family-friendly ranch also offers wine and hard cider. Open Aug. 22-Dec. 6, Fridays-Sundays, 9am-5pm, with U-Pick apple availability varying as different varieties ripen.
- Bonus pick: Pine-O-Mine Ranch – Placerville, CA – A family-friendly Apple Hill stop with U-Pick apples, pumpkins, a petting farm, tractor rides, live music and food, plus beer and hard cider. Apple picking runs Aug. 29-Dec. 13, 2026, seven days a week until the trees are empty. U-Pick requires a $5 entry ticket per person, with apples priced separately by weight. No reservation is required. The ranch is open Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 9am-7pm and Sunday 9am-6pm.
Find more Apple Hill You-Pick farms. Always check with individual farms before heading out since U-Pick availability varies by crop and harvest conditions.
More U-Pick Farms
Always contact the farm first to make sure they are open and that your desired crop is available.
- 24 Carrot Farm – Placerville – Flowers, tomatoes, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, pumpkins
- Bluestone Meadow – Placerville – Lavender
- Rainbow Camino Ridge – Camino – Blueberries
Apple varieties and picking dates vary throughout the season, so check with individual farms before heading out.
The Apple Hill region typically extends the apple picking season throughout October where you can harvest Fuji, Granny Smith, and Pink Ladies. Check out Sactown Mag’s Ultimate Guide to Apple Hill for more info and tips.
Find a pick-your-own farm near you.
Lucky You Orchards
Not offering U-Pick in 2026 due to an unusually light apple crop. The fourth-generation organic family farm plans to return with U-Pick in fall 2027. They are still selling apple juice and fresh produce at Bay Area farmers markets. – Updated 9/11/26
U-Pick is typically open from Labor Day weekend through the second weekend in November, every Saturday and Sunday (plus Labor Day Monday) from 9am to 3pm.
Ripon (San Joaquin County, northwest of Modesto, about 80 miles east of San Francisco)| Lucky You Orchards is a 100+ year old 4th generation organic family farm. Get a real life harvest experience and walk away with the bounty of the season including Organic Early Fujis. Guests of all ages can enjoy a free scenic tractor ride and fresh picked organic apples for $2.99/lb. Admission to the orchards is free; relax among the trees, munch on delicious organic apples and take a scenic tractor ride all while learning how California Apples are grown on this working farm.
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