Craving a taste of autumn? Here are 4 of the best places to pick apples in SLO County
Autumn is finally here.
Sweater weather may be a few weeks away, but fall activities are already in full swing in San Luis Obispo County.
Leaves are starting to change colors, pumpkins are appearing on porches and apples are ready to harvest.
Now is the perfect time to traipse through an orchard with friends and family members selecting ripe apples for baking pies, crisps and cakes — or eating straight off the tree.
SLO County has a number of places perfect for an apple picking outing.
Here are some of our favorite spots to enjoy the season on the Central Coast.
SLO Creek Farms
Location: 6455 Monte Road, San Luis Obispo
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Monday
Phone: 702-245-3135
Website: slocreekfarms.com
Located just off Highway 101 in southern San Luis Obispo, SLO Creek Farms is a 14-acre certified organic apple orchard where folks can grab red and green fruit right off the trees.
The family-owned farm also has U-pick flowers, pumpkins, herbs and vegetables, as well as locally made hard cider and apple brandy.
Apple picking season is expected to continue through mid-November, SLO Creek Farms said. Visitors can harvest apples anytime during opening hours and the farm provides baskets.
Jack Creek Farms
Location: 5000 West Highway 46, Templeton
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday to Sunday
Phone: 805-239-1915
Website: jackcreekfarms.com
Jack Creek Farms is a small fifth-generation family farm near Paso Robles off Highway 46 West.
The farm’s first U-pick apples of the season started ripening in mid-August, according to its Facebook page.
Jack Creek Farms offers eight varieties of apples, including Gala, Fuji, and Golden Delicious. Apple picking will be open through at least mid-October, the farm said.
Visitors to the farm will find not only apples, but also pumpkins and vegetables available for purchase.
A store on site sells pre-packaged goods grown on the farm.
Avila Valley Barn
Location: 560 Avila Beach Drive, San Luis Obispo
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Apple picking ends Tuesday, Oct. 1
Phone: 805-595-2816
Website: avilavalleybarn.com
Avila Valley Barn has a whole host of autumn activities for visitors looking for their fall fix.
The farm features pumpkin patches, tractor rides, a hay maze, sunflower fields and apple picking.
Gala and Empire apples were in season as of late September. Visitors can take a tractor ride or walk down a dirt road to get to the orchard. All produce is priced per pound or per stem.
Tuesday is the last day to pick apples at the farm before the season ends.
However, Avila Valley Barn will offer many apple treats and drinks after that date. You can snack on a caramel apple, sip an apple cider ice cream float, stop by the hard cider bar or take home a fresh-baked apple pie.
Gopher Glen Apple Farm
Location: 2899 See Canyon Road, San Luis Obispo
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Phone: 805-595-2646
Website: gopherglen.com
If you’re heading to Avila Valley Barn for some fall fun, make sure to make a stop at its sister operation, Gopher Glen Apple Farm in See Canyon.
Gopher Glen was founded more than 40 years ago by John DeVincenzo, who also founded Avila Valley Barn.
According to the farm’s website, DeVincenzo had a special interest in apples, even creating his own unique varieties.
While visitors can’t hand-pick their own fruit at the farm, they can choose from around a dozen varieties of apples freshly harvested from local orchards.
The farm stand also sells edible and decorative squash, fresh-pressed cider and hard cider, Gopher Glen Apple Farm said.
The apple season lasts through late October, with some varieties available in November and December.
