A Fall Day Trip To Oak Glen
Sometimes you just need a change of scenery — a little escape from the ocean air and palm trees to breathe in crisp mountain air instead. Two weekends ago, I decided to hit the road and head up to Oak Glen, a charming mountain town known for its apple orchards, cider tastings, and cozy fall vibes.
Only about a two-hour drive from Dana Point, this easy trip winds you through scenic roads before opening up to a totally different world; one filled with apple trees, pumpkins, and roadside farms that look straight out of a postcard. The air feels crisper, the trees are different, the land is sprinkled with native and wild flowers and the views up towards the mountains are stunning.
First Stop: Apple Picking & Scenic Walks
You can’t go to Oak Glen without buying some of the local apples. Our first stop was Riley’s at Los Rios Rancho, where you can stroll through the orchards, pick your own apples, and sip fresh-pressed hard cider right on site. We opted not to pick our own apples (but if you choose to do so, I would definitely do it here), as we wanted to make the most of our time there for the day, so settled on some beautiful and delicious Granny Smith apples (my fave) to throw in the cooler. My apples lasted for two weeks and were the perfect snacking size with a sweet and tart flavor. We perused their gift store and checked out the farm animals at their petting zoo before heading right next door to The Wildlands Conservancy, one of my favorite parts of the trip.
The Wildlands Conservancy is a beautiful nature preserve that was purchased back in the day to save the orchards from a potential housing development. With easy walking trails, open meadows, a mini Sequoia forest (hello, majestic trees), lakeside views and stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains it was a wonderful way to slow down, enjoy the air and native wildflowers while strolling the paths that wind in and out the various habitats found here. The leaves were just staring to turn on some of the trees so I’d imagine in a few more weeks there should be some nice color popping through the trees.
Wilshire’s Apple Shed
Next up was Wilshire’s Apple Shed, another one of my favorite stops of the day. Set against a backdrop of rolling hills and situated in a cute little cottage structure, this spot offers hard cider tastings and pizza with a charming view. We settled on some Adirondack chairs while sampling a few different blends, such as their traditional apple, cranberry and raspberry — each one perfectly crisp, slightly tart, and made right there in Oak Glen.
To go along with the cider, we shared a homemade pizza and salad fresh from their wood-fired oven. The pizza had a nice smoky crust, and the salad was loaded with greens and veggies — the kind of simple, satisfying meal that makes everything taste even better when you’re sitting outside soaking up the mountain views.
Apple Cider Donuts & Fresh Cider
You can’t go to Oak Glen without tasting the donuts, so a stop at Snow-Line Orchard was a must. Here you can once again stroll the grounds, pick your own apples and sip fresh-pressed cider. Snow-Line is known for their mini cider donuts, made using their very own blend of apple cider. When you arrive, the air is filled with the scent of those donuts — soft, cinnamon-sugary, slightly crisp on the edges — and yes, they taste even better with a cup of cider in hand. There’s something so nostalgic about it all: the crunch of leaves underfoot, the buzz of families filling baskets with apples, and that first bite of a donut while watching the mountain breeze shake through the trees.
The Perfect Little Getaway
On the way back down, we stopped at Oak Tree Mountain for a quick stroll around some of the outdoor stands and then decided to do a last-minute dinner in downtown Redlands (a great way to skip traffic and stroll their historic main street). If you’re craving a taste of fall, Oak Glen is the perfect day trip from Dana Point. Back home, I may have swapped my sweater for flip-flops again, but I’m already thinking about my next trip. Make it a yearly tradition if you haven’t already and enjoy a sweet, crunchy and oh so delicious taste of fall.
