Once the fall season is in motion, we suggest that you take the time to explore the Bay area. If you enjoy farm fresh food and want to experience some nature, then apple orchards should be on your list of things to do. Come along as we explore these apple orchards around San Francisco for delicious fruits and a whole lotta fun!

1. Smith Family Farms - Brentwood

Smith Family is ideal for kids because of the activities and size of the farm. Expect apples, of course, as well as many other fruits and vegetables. If you want a U-pick farm experience, they have that here, too!

2. Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch - Sebastopol

Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch is where you can expect to find a good array of Gravenstein, Golden Delicious, and Rome apples and freshly-made apple cider as well. It is open several days a week during apple season, but be sure to check the website for the most updated schedule. It is definitely one of the most popular apple orchards around San Francisco.

3. Chileno Valley Ranch - Petaluma

Chileno Valley Ranch gives you the opportunity to do "organic" apple picking, which ties right into the Bay Area landscape of fresh farm-to-table living.

4. Gabriel Farm - Sebastopol

Gabriel Farm (which is also known as EARTHseed Farm + Permaculture Center) offers apples, persimmons, raspberries, and more. And you can generally visit the farm to pick your own fruits until well into the autumn season in November.

5. Clearview Orchards - Watsonville

Clearview Orchards is generally open for apple picking from about mid-September until Halloween. In addition to offering a wide array of organic apples that will surely satisfy, visitors will also enjoy Fuji apple cider and other products.

6. Swanton Pacific Ranch - Davenport

Swanton Ranch offers some 16 varieties of apples to pick in their two-acre orchard. This is a kid-friendly and awesome spot that is worth the drive if you're looking for delicious apple picking near San Francisco!

We're sure that if you were to do a search for “apple picking near me,” one of these spots would most certainly pop up at the top of the list!

Have you been to any of these apple orchards? If so, which ones were your favorites? Let us know in the comments section below. And share this story too. If you're curious about other cool stuff around the Bay area then check out The Hike That Takes You To Not One, But TWO Beautiful Waterfalls.

If you’d like to explore hikes around any of these apple orchards, you can find some great trails by going to the AllTrails website.

If you’re still in the mood for more California adventures, take a look at this video: