Autumn is drawing nearer, and some of our favorite seasonal foods will soon be ripe for the pickin’! 2025 apple season peaks in the Bay Area in September and October, so many local orchards will soon open their doors for “U Pick,” when people can visit and pick their own apples. Before heading out the door, consider calling ahead for the latest info about current restrictions, wildfire risks, hours, and more. Much like our local pumpkin patches, these are all working farms which may be subject to changing schedules.
1. Chileno Valley Ranch
This Petaluma ranch grows varieties including Orin, Pinova, Candy Crisp, and Jonagold, but over 20 varieties are growing throughout the season. You can also join a farm tour or take home some organic grass-fed beef and other products including honey, jam, cheese, free-range eggs, and more.
🍎 U Pick schedule: 2025 U-Pick opens Sept. 15, 2025. Open Sundays from 9am-1pm in September and October. New slots open for reservations about two weeks in advance, but at the end of September they’ll open slots for the entirety of October. Admission is $10 per family and apples cost $2 per pound.
☎️ Contact: Join the newsletter for updates about U Pick reservations, or call (707) 765-6664
🌐 Learn more: Chileno Valley Ranch website
📍 Location: Petaluma • 5105 Chileno Valley Rd, Petaluma, CA 94952
2. Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch
Apple-A-Day has Roman Beauties and Golden Delicious available in addition to popcorn, apple bread, cider, and more treats.
🍎 U Pick schedule: U-Pick is opening soon and typically lasts from September to early December, with 2025 hours TBA. Apples are $2.50 per pound with no reservations required, and picnic tables are first come, first served.
☎️ Contact: Call (707) 823-0538 or email ratzlaffranch@hotmail.com
🌐 Learn more: Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch website
📍 Location: Sebastopol • 13128 Occidental Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472
3. EarthSeed Farm
This Black-owned and solar-powered organic farm has several apple varieties to choose from, including Golden Delicious, Gala, Braeburn, Fuji, and Rome.
🍎 U Pick schedule: Saturdays August-November from 10am-1pm (subject to change) by appointment, slots open up to reserve on the Monday beforehand. There is a non-refundable entry fee of $40 per group of up to 4 people.
☎️ Contact: Via website form, call (707) 829-0617, or email info@earthseedfarm.org.
🌐 Learn more: EarthSeed Farm website
📍 Location: Sebastopol • 3175 Sullivan Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472
4. Gizdich Ranch
This charming ranch south of Santa Cruz offers a variety of U Pick opportunities throughout the year including strawberries, olallie berries, and boysenberries. Apple selection includes Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Pippin, and Fuji. Their pie shop is also a must – you can enjoy pie by the slice or take one home freshly baked.
🍎 U Pick schedule: U Pick opens in September, daily from 9am-5pm. Call in advance for details as weather conditions frequently change U-Pick availability.
☎️ Contact: Call (831) 722-1056
🌐 Learn more: Gizdich Ranch website
📍 Location: Watsonville • 55 Peckham Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076
5. Clearview Orchards
Clearview Orchards grows organic Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, and Mutsu apples. They also sell fresh apple juice, local honey, lavender goods, apple butter, and their famous “apple popsicles.”
🍎 U Pick schedule: Sept. 13-Oct. 19, 2025, available on weekends with a reservation on their website. A $7 ticket covers 1 vehicle and an hour of apple picking for up to 8 people.
☎️ Contact: Email info@clearvieworchards.com or message them on Facebook
🌐 Learn more: Clearview Orchards website
📍 Location: Watsonville • 646 Trabing Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076
6. Live Earth Farm
Live Earth Farm has a variety of produce available for U-Pick, including apples, strawberries, blackberries, and tomatoes. The more produce you pick, the more of a discount you’ll get.
🍎 U Pick schedule: Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-3pm, in October 2025.
☎️ Contact: Call (831) 763-2448 or email taylor@liveearthfarm.net.
🌐 Learn more: Live Earth Farm website
📍 Location: Watsonville • 1275 Green Valley Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076
7. Lucky You Orchards
Get a real-life apple harvest experience at this organic Ripon farm run by the Chinchiolo family. Guests can enjoy a free tractor ride on their way to pick crisp Fuji apples, and Lucky You Orchards will even pass along some recipe recommendations. This year, they’re offering fresh pressed apple juice.
🍎 U Pick schedule: U Pick is now open for 2025 with apple picking available on weekends from 9am-3pm, no reservation needed. Apples are $2.99 a pound and picnicking was welcome.
☎️ Contact: Email visit@luckyyouorchards.com or call (209) 404-6078
🌐 Learn more: Lucky You Orchards website
📍 Location: Ripon • 21611 Carrolton Rd, Ripon, CA 95366
8. Cloverfield Organic Farm
Cloverfield is a USDA-certified, regenerative organic farm across the bay with a ton of U-Pick variety that goes far beyond apples. Most of their apple varieties will be ripe in September and October, but you’ll also find a nice range of seasonal produce including figs, pomegranates, passionfruit, pears, and persimmons.
🍎 U Pick schedule: Friday-Sunday from 12-5pm
☎️ Contact: Email cloverfield@gmail.com or call (510) 253-8859
🌐 Learn more: Cloverfield Organic Farm
📍 Location: El Sobrante • 501 La Paloma Rd, El Sobrante, CA 94803
9. Swanton Pacific Ranch
Cal Poly runs this ranch down in Davenport just a bit off of Highway 1. You can visit their two-acre organic apple orchard for U Pick and enjoy a little day trip down the coast while you’re at it. With sixteen varieties of apples to choose from, the U Pick season lasts all the way through the fall, and always has something new to offer.
🍎 U Pick schedule: TBA for 2025
☎️ Contact: Call (831) 458-5410
🌐 Learn more: Swanton Pacific Ranch
📍 Location: Across the street from 480 Swanton Road, Davenport, CA 95017
Bonus: Apple Hill Region
This is not one apple orchard, but rather an entire region in the Sierra Nevada Foothills with dozens of farms that are part of the Apple Hill Growers Association. If you’re willing to drive a little further, it’s a great place to check out for everything from U Pick apples, to pumpkin patches, Christmas tree farms, wineries, B&Bs, and more. The area is historically affected by wildfires, so call beforehand or check the respective orchard’s social media for updates.
Want to enjoy fresh apples but can’t make it to the orchard? Consider visiting a farmer’s market!