About a month ago one of my friends told me about how she almost moved to Oak Glen, CA. I told her that I had never heard of it (we’re new here). She explained that Oak Glen is the heart of Southern California’s scenic apple growing country. There are about ten orchards where people can go for apple picking, dining, museums, hay rides, cider, and cute gift shops. We were excited to check it out. We couldn’t wait to see the fall activities in SoCal!
On Sunday we drove about an hour to Oak Glen and were so surprised to see how mobbed it was! All along Oak Glen Road cars were parked on the curb and parking lots were full. We passed a couple open spaces, thinking we’d just keep driving along to see what there was at the end of the road. I’m glad we did, because that’s where we found Moms Country Orchards. Away from the crowds down the road, so there was no problem parking. I had packed a lunch, so the picnic table in the shade of some apple trees was a welcome bonus.
When we walked in this cute shop we were excited to learn that all of their apples are grown without pesticides! All the varieties of apples were arranged in bags and bushels (and some Oak Glen varieties are grown no where else!) There were jams, relishes, cider, and other fruits. The store staff walked around with little curved paring knives, offering sweet apple slices.
I started talking to Alison Law, who happens to be the owner (I promise you I didn’t plan this!). Her family has been in Oak Glen since 1931 when her father bought land from a homesteader. He started with just 60 apple trees, and now they have around 1200! In the 1940s her mom and dad were the first Oak Glen orchard to put an apple stand along the road, the first to build a cider mill, and the first to open a restaurant (in 1953).
For baking Alison recommends their Rome Beauty. I was amused to see she was quoted in the LA Times, saying “Red Delicious is the most overrated apple in the world” (she definitely had some strong opinions when I talked to her!) We bought half a bushel to make apple pie recipe.
We brought our apples (and persimmons) to the table outside, ate our picnic lunch, and just enjoyed the warm sunshine. We didn’t try going to any of the activities in town, but we’ll return during the week when it’s not so crowded!
♥, Kelly
P.S. Speaking of apple varieties, check out the new book Apples of Uncommon Character: Heirlooms, Modern Classics, and Little-Known Wonders by Rowan Jacobsen. He was recently interviewed on Vermont Public radio. You can listen online. (He isn’t a fan of Red Delicious either!)
Amanda says
WOW! This all looks and sounds so perfect! I recently went apple picking at a local orchard near me, it was absolutely perfect and the apples were better then any i had ever had!
Barbara says
Just wanted to thank you so much for the book recommendation. Apples are my 13 yr old son’s favorite food and he loves to read. Thank you! We just went to an apple orchard in Brooks, OR and he couldn’t stop smiling!
deidre says
We love oak Glen, during the week is totally the best time. We got on the Riley apple farms emailing list and they send updates when different varieties are ready, we picked since apples there even in July!