Best Things to do in Oak Glen With Kids
Oak Glen is one of the best family day trips from Los Angeles or anywhere else in So Cal. When you want to trade freeways and city streets for apple orchards, mountain air, farm animals, and room for the kids to explore, Oak Glen is the place to be.
While Oak Glen is best known for apple picking in the fall, families can find much more to do here than simply filling a bag with apples. Some locations have playgrounds, animals, nature trails, food, games, and activities that can easily keep kids entertained for several hours.
If you’re visiting Oak Glen with kids, there are two places I personally prefer: Los Rios Rancho and Oak Tree Mountain (formerly known as The Village). They offer very different experiences, so families may even want to visit both.
There is also a lesser-known stop worth knowing about: the park at the Oak Glen School House, especially if your kids simply need a place to run around.
Here are my favorite places for kids in Oak Glen.
1. Los Rios Rancho: Best Overall Oak Glen Experience for Kids
If you’re bringing children to Oak Glen during apple season, Los Rios Rancho is my top recommendation.
Los Rios is Southern California’s largest operating apple farm and has been farming in Oak Glen since 1906. During the fall, it combines traditional apple picking with enough additional activities to turn your visit into an entire day.
Why Los Rios Rancho is so good for kids
Depending on the day and season, families can find activities such as:
- U-pick apples
- Little Seedling Ranch petting zoo and miniature farm
- Tractor rides
- Horse-drawn wagon rides on select days
- U-press apple cider
- Corn maze during the fall
- Pumpkin picking
- Nature trails
- Large grassy areas and parks
- Live entertainment on select weekends
- Farm food, barbecue, cider and baked treats
Activities can change from year to year, so always check what’s operating before making the drive.
Apple picking with kids at Los Rios
This is the big advantage Los Rios has over Oak Tree Mountain:
You can actually pick apples here.
Los Rios grows more than 30 varieties of traditional and heirloom apples, with different varieties becoming available throughout the season. Apples are offered both pre-picked and as U-pick when available.
For kids, there is something special about walking through an actual orchard, finding an apple and picking it directly from the tree.
Give yourself plenty of time
Los Rios is not a place I would plan to visit for 30 minutes.
During apple season, you can easily spend several hours here, especially if you want to:
- Pick apples
- Visit the animals
- Eat lunch
- Walk the property or hike on the nature trails
- Do the corn maze
- Press cider
- Take a wagon or tractor ride
Parent tip: Arrive early
Fall weekends can get extremely busy in Oak Glen.
If you’re coming from Los Angeles, Orange County or elsewhere in Southern California, I recommend making Oak Glen a morning trip rather than an afternoon trip.
You’ll generally have an easier time with parking, shorter lines and happier kids if you arrive before the largest crowds.
Parking is free.
And because U-pick availability depends on the crop, weather and how much fruit has already been picked, check the Los Rios website before your visit rather than assuming apples will be available. Los Rios specifically recommends checking in for current orchard information because different orchards open at different times.
2. Oak Tree Mountain: Best for Rides, Play and Family Entertainment
If Los Rios Rancho is the place I’d choose for the classic Oak Glen apple-picking experience, Oak Tree Mountain is the place I’d choose when entertaining the kids is the priority.
Oak Tree Mountain is essentially a small mountain village filled with restaurants, shops, treats and children’s activities spread across about 14 acres.
And there’s one important distinction to understand before visiting:
Oak Tree Mountain does not have U-pick apples
If your children are expecting to walk into an orchard and pick apples from the trees, go to Los Rios Rancho or another U-pick orchard first.
Think of Oak Tree Mountain as the entertainment stop.
In fact, that makes pairing the two locations a great option:
Pick apples at Los Rios Rancho → then head to Oak Tree Mountain for rides, food and play.
Things kids can do at Oak Tree Mountain
Oak Tree Mountain currently lists family attractions including:
- Mountain tubing slide
- Play Tree
- Little Oaks Speedway trike track
- Bubble Barn
- Petting zoo
- Gold and gem mining
- Outdoor games
- Inspiration Forest
- Live music on weekends
- Fishing and other seasonal activities
Some activities are free while others require separate tickets.
That’s actually something parents should know before arriving.
There is Free Fun – and Paid Fun
Some of the activities, such as the play tree and inspiration forest, are free. The mountain slide, petting zoo, and some of the other attractions are an additional cost. You can find the fees here. Also to note, parking is $5 on busy weekends.
Don’t skip the food
Another reason Oak Tree Mountain works well with kids is that it’s easy to combine entertainment with lunch or a treat.
You’ll find options including Apple Annie’s Restaurant & Bakery, along with other food stands and restaurants.
And if you’ve been seeing signs for Apple Annie’s while driving through Southern California, this is where you’ll find the famous Mile High Apple Pie.
For families, that means Oak Tree Mountain can work well as your afternoon stop:
- Let the kids play
- Have lunch
- Grab an apple treat
- Explore the shops
- Do one or two attractions
It’s a very different experience from walking through an orchard, but it’s one of the easiest places in Oak Glen to keep kids entertained.
Mountain Slide
Apple Annie’s Restaurant, home of the mile high apple pies
Walkway up to the activities
Gift shop area
Gold panning and axe throwing
Entrance to the animal area
Petting zoo
Cute Highland cow named Tootsie
Playground area
Photo op area next to the BBQ stand
3. Oak Glen School House Park: A Great Free Stop for Kids
One of Oak Glen’s easiest family stops is also one that visitors can overlook.
Near the Oak Glen School House Museum is an outdoor park area that can be a useful break between orchards and attractions.
This isn’t an elaborate fall attraction. That’s actually part of its appeal.
Sometimes kids don’t need another ticketed activity.
They just need somewhere to run.
What you’ll find at the School House park
The park includes:
- Open play space
- Room for kids to run around
- Fenced dog park
- Tennis courts
- Pickleball courts
- Clean bathrooms
- Shaded picnic tables
- Parking can be limited – you’ll have better luck in the evenings after the crowds have thinned.
If you want to use the courts, bring your own equipment.
Why families should know about it
The park is especially useful if:
- You’ve been sitting in traffic
- You’re waiting between activities
- The kids need a break from lines
- You packed food and want some downtime
- Younger kids simply need to burn off some energy
Oak Glen can be very busy during apple season, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to cram attraction after attraction into your visit.
You don’t have to.
Giving kids half an hour to run around can sometimes be the thing that saves the rest of the day.
Los Rios Rancho vs. Oak Tree Mountain With Kids
If you only have time for one, here’s the easiest way to decide.
Choose Los Rios Rancho if your priority is:
- U-pick apples
- A traditional farm experience
- Animals
- Nature
- Tractor or wagon rides
- Corn maze
- Pumpkin picking
- Spending several hours in one location
Best overall choice for a first family trip to Oak Glen.
Choose Oak Tree Mountain if your priority is:
- Playgrounds
- Rides and activities
- Food
- Shopping
- Petting zoo
- Treats
- Keeping energetic kids entertained
Best choice when the kids care more about playing than picking apples.
Or do both
For families making a day trip to Oak Glen, my favorite option is to experience both.
A simple itinerary could look like:
- Morning: Los Rios Rancho
- Pick apples and explore the farm
- Lunch: Los Rios Farm Kitchen
- Afternoon: Oak Tree Mountain
- After the farms close (most close around 5): Oak Glen School House park if the kids still have energy
- Bonus Tip: Pop next door to Wilshire’s Apple Shed for some delicious wood-fired pizza for dinner before heading for home.
That gives your kids both sides of Oak Glen – the traditional orchard experience and the more entertainment-focused side of town.
Don’t feel like driving home after all of that? Check out this post for places to stay in and near Oak Glen.
Tips for Visiting Oak Glen With Kids
A little planning can make a big difference, especially during fall weekends.
Before you leave home
- Check U-pick availability. Apples ripen at different times, and orchards can sell out.
- Check activity schedules. Some attractions operate only on weekends or during apple season.
- Bring water.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Use closed-toe shoes if you plan to pick fruit or participate in farm activities.
- Bring layers. Oak Glen’s mountain weather can feel very different from the valleys of So Cal.
- Consider a carrier for very young children. Orchard terrain isn’t always ideal for strollers.
- Set an activity budget before visiting Oak Tree Mountain.
Is Oak Glen Worth Visiting With Kids?
Absolutely.
Oak Glen is one of those rare Southern California destinations where a relatively short drive can feel like you’ve gone somewhere completely different.
And you don’t have to make the day complicated.
If this is your family’s first trip, I’d keep it simple:
Start at Los Rios Rancho for apple picking and the farm experience. Then head to Oak Tree Mountain for food, treats and activities.
If the kids need a little more room to run – or everyone needs a break from the busy attractions – stop by the park at the Oak Glen School House.
That’s a pretty great Oak Glen day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Oak Glen With Kids
What is the best place in Oak Glen for kids?
Los Rios Rancho is my top overall recommendation, especially during apple season. Children can experience U-pick apples along with farm activities, animals, seasonal attractions and plenty of outdoor space.
Where can kids pick apples in Oak Glen?
My 2026 Apple Picking Guide has a list of all of the farms that offer U-Pick.
Can you pick apples at Oak Tree Mountain?
No. Oak Tree Mountain is not a U-pick apple orchard. Visit it for children’s activities, food, shopping, treats and family entertainment instead.
Is Oak Glen good for toddlers?
Yes. In fact, toddlers may enjoy the animals, playgrounds, tractor rides and open spaces more than the actual apple picking. Los Rios Rancho and Oak Tree Mountain are particularly good choices for families with younger children.
How far is Oak Glen from Los Angeles?
Oak Glen is commonly promoted as roughly a 90-minute trip from Los Angeles, although Southern California traffic can make the actual drive considerably longer. Oak Tree Mountain itself describes the destination as less than 90 minutes from Los Angeles and Orange County.
What is the best time to visit Oak Glen with kids?
Fall is the most popular season because of apple picking and harvest activities. If you’re visiting on a fall weekend, arriving early in the day is usually the best strategy. If possible, try to come up on a Friday as opposed to a Saturday or Sunday.
Should we visit Los Rios Rancho or Oak Tree Mountain?
If your kids want to pick apples and have a more traditional farm experience, choose Los Rios Rancho.
If they mainly want rides, playgrounds, animals and entertainment, choose Oak Tree Mountain.
If you have enough time, visit both.
Check out some other helpful tips for visiting Oak Glen:
Where to Stay in and Near Oak Glen