Planning a Day Trip to Oak Glen
If you are planning a day trip to Oak Glen during apple season, you will have a better experience if you plan ahead due to the crowds that show up on weekends. It is impossible to visit every place there in one day, so scoping out what the different farms have to offer will help your visit to be great!
One thing to keep in mind is that most of the farms close by 4 or 5 pm, be sure to check out the individual websites (linked below) for information. The other thing to keep in mind is that the weekends can be CROWDED so my best advice is to A) visit on a Friday if at all possible or B) get yourself up early and get to OG by 9 am. Otherwise you risk parking far away and going for some long walks!
Visiting during the “off season” (December-August)? Check out these links for activities happening during other times of the year:
Read on for planning a single day trip to Oak Glen!
Apple Farms in Oak Glen
Assuming that most people come for one of the apple farms, you will want to pick a farm that has the activities you are looking for. While all of the farms have bagged apples for sale, not all of them have a U-Pick orchard. Planning ahead will ensure that you don’t waste your precious time looking for something that a farm may not offer!
This list is by no means exhaustive, but just a quick outline of what each farm has to offer. Please note that there are different types of dining offered at each farm, check out this post for a detailed look at what kind of food you will find at each.
Solano Orchard – U-pick apples, cider, hard cider, cider slushies, food trucks on weekends
Parrish Pioneer Ranch – Haus Bistro restaurant and Bier Garten, antiques, shopping, gifts, wine tasting, fresh apples for purchase (no U-pick), grassy picnic area
Oak Tree Mountain – multiple activities with a general admission fee: petting zoo, inspiration forest, panning for gold, playground, axe throwing, aviary, face painting, balloon animals; for additional fee: mountain slide. There are numerous dining options, shops, photo ops, live music, farmer’s market across the street. There is a parking fee during peak season – check the website before visiting. There is not an actual apple orchard here but there are apples for purchase.
Snow-Line Orchard – features a winery/cidery, farm store with apples & gifts for purchase, beautiful picnic grounds, and famous mini cider donuts.
Los Rios Rancho – Please note that Los Rios spans BOTH sides of the road (a north side and a south side). The south side has the farm store, farm kitchen, nature trails, horse-drawn wagon tours, and petting zoo area. The north side has U-pick apples, cider pressing, tractor rides, corn maze, and food vendors. Parking is free.
Stone Soup Farm – This farm offers U-Pick apples along with other private events (including picnics) by reservation only.
Riley’s Farm – Take a trip back in time at Riley’s Farm. Daytime activities during apple season include U-pick apples, a mercantile, and a colonial style restaurant and BBQ. In addition, they have many dinner theater shows and living history events. Please note that Riley’s is closed on Sundays.
Nature Walks or Outdoor Play in Oak Glen (Free)
Los Rios Rancho (south side) is home to the Oak Glen conservancy, featuring nature trails (both long an short for all abilities). There is a neat park at the Oak Glen Schoolhouse and Museum that is a fun stop for kids as well.
Suggested Oak Glen Itineraries
Start Your Morning at Snow-Line
One of the best ways to begin your Oak Glen day is with fresh cider donuts from Snow-Line Orchard, and it’s worth arriving early since they open at 9:00 AM.
After grabbing donuts and cider:
- Visit one of the nearby farms or orchards
- Plan to enjoy lunch at the farm you’re visiting
- Spend the afternoon exploring another orchard, taking a nature walk at Los Rios Rancho, or stopping by Mom’s Country Kitchen for homemade treats and fresh apples
Planning a Day at Oak Tree Mountain?
If Oak Tree Mountain is your main destination, I recommend heading there first thing in the morning.
You can start your day with breakfast at Apple Annie’s Restaurant & Bakery, which opens at 8:00 AM.
Once inside Oak Tree Mountain:
- Plan to stay for several hours
- Explore all the attractions before leaving the park
- Expect crowds later in the day, especially on weekends and during peak season
There is easily enough to do there for a full-day trip, so keep an eye on the time if you hope to visit additional stops around Oak Glen afterward.
Looking for a Quieter Oak Glen Experience?
If you prefer a more relaxed and less crowded visit, consider starting at Wilshire’s Apple Shed for:
- Coffee and pastries
- Pizza
- Local gifts and decor from their mercantile
From there, continue over the mountain toward:
- Parrish Pioneer Ranch for antiques, fresh apples, and wine tasting
- Solano’s Orchard for U-pick apples and hard cider
This route offers a slower-paced, scenic side of Oak Glen that many visitors miss.
Can You Bring a Dog to Oak Glen?
In a word, yes. Unless you want to visit a U-Pick orchard, then they are not allowed. Check out this post for my best tips for visiting Oak Glen with your dog.
Hi. I am interested in vending at the events in Oak Glen. My name is Barbara Taylor and I make resin jewelry and accessories. I also sell women’s fashion accessories such as purses, wallets, phone and wallet lanyards, cross body lanyards, sling backs, warm and cozy socks, sunglasses, and bookmarks.
If you know who I may contact regarding vending in Oak Glen, I would really appreciate the information. Thank you.
Barbara Taylor
modernradiancestudio@gmail.com
Hi Barbara, here is the correct information for you to apply to be a vendor:
https://www.wherestheevent.com/oak-glen-farmers-market-fallapp (fall market)
https://www.wherestheevent.com/ogfmwinterapp (winter market)
or you can email here: wherestheevent1@gmail.com OR oakglenfarmersmarket@gmail.com
Phone number: 909-892-8757
Hope that helps:)