I live in a part of California that is hot for what seems like 10 months out of the year! During summer it’s very common for it to be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. When fall rolls around, it’s more like a mild summer rather than an actual fall for us. I want to wear a chunky sweater while sipping on hot apple cider and enjoying the beautiful fall colors on the trees around me. So I set out to find fall in Southern California and guess what…I found it!! A cute town called Oak Glen, California which is located approximately 1 ½ hours from Los Angeles or about one hour from Palm Springs, California. My two sisters and I took my kids for the day and we had the best time!
Here are my 5StarTips for Oak Glen, California:
🌟 Visit More Than One Orchard/Farm
There is only one road that takes you into Oak Glen and all along the way are different farms, orchards, and villages that you can stop and explore. Each one has something different to offer its visitors. Throughout my tips, I will tell you about the two we stopped at during our fall day!
🌟 Keep An Eye Out For Fall Tasting Opportunities
One of our stops was Hudson’s Snow-Line Apples & Cider. Now, in all honesty, I stopped here because I saw on their website that they have wine tasting however there were a lot more things to taste! Olive oil, apples and cold apple cider!
Fun fact about the wine tasting – it’s free! They don’t use normal wine glasses. Instead, they use small, plastic taster cups. They have a variety of white, red and dessert wines. For those of you who don’t love wine, there are also 3 hard ciders and a Brandy to try! If you love what you try then buy a bottle…or 2 😉
When making your stops, be sure to ask around and see if they have any samples! It’s great to be able to try things before you buy!!
🌟 Visit the Animal Park
I absolutely love animals!! I want to pet any dog that walks by and snuggle any baby animal! When I saw that Oak Tree Village had an Animal Park I knew I was not going to miss that stop! They have goats, cows, llamas, pigs and many more! Some insider tips to know before visiting the Animal Park:
• Admission is $6 for guests 2 years and older. 2 and under are free! Make sure to get your hand stamped for all-day admission.
• Cash only at the entrance to the Animal Park. You can pay your admission using a card at the bakery or the General Store.
5StarTip🌟:
Pay at the General Store if using a card! The line for the bakery was wrapped around the building. The general store is at the bottom of the hill so pay right after you park.
• They have food you can buy to feed the animals. They sell the single cups at the entrance for $1 each. (Remember the entrance is cash only) You can also buy the single cups at the General Store for $1 or a bag of food for $5. The kids really enjoyed feeding the animals! I think I may have enjoyed it more than them lol
🌟 Pack a Lunch and Beverages
When we arrived at Hudson’s Snow-Line Apples & Cider, one of the first things I noticed was the beautiful picnic area! There was a huge tree that shaded half of the picnic area! They had lights strung for the night time and plenty of seating to enjoy a family and friends gathering. There was a large group there that had packed a picnic lunch which included champagne and beer! Definitely a great idea when wanting to cut costs on eating out!
5StarTip🌟:
Since you saved money by packing a lunch, make sure to buy their hot apple cider and warm apple cider donuts! There was a long line but it moved quickly and was definitely worth the wait!!
🌟 Oak Glen Preserve
You’ve had a great day indulging in all the tasty treats Oak Glen has to offer and now you’re ready to work off some of those calories! Oak Glen Preserve is a beautiful, family-friendly place to walk and explore the gorgeous nature of Oak Glen! Check their website to learn about their preserve and fun programs they have going on: The Wildlands Conservancy
5StarTip🌟:
If traveling to Oak Glen during the spring, make sure to visit the preserve to view their wildflowers! We may see each other there because it is definitely on my list of must-sees this next Spring!
Map & Directions:
Final Thoughts
While our day was only a snapshot of the fun that can be had at Oak Glen, I know that this a Southern California gem that you and the whole family can enjoy! We had a fabulous time during the fall and I look forward to returning to see what Oak Glen, California has to offer during the other seasons!
If you have visited, let us know in the comments about your visit!
Family Always5Startips🌟:
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Brittany was not compensated for this post by any of the companies she referred to. The opinions are her own as well as the pictures. This experience was paid for entirely by Brittany.
A bit about the author: Brittany James
Brittany James is married and has two beautiful children. She is also the Social Media Manager for Always5Star. Her passion for travel came from her mother, Always5Star (at least that is what I am going to take credit for 😉). She is beginning her journey to Always5Star travel and enjoys sharing her family, friends and couples travel tips as a mother of small children. She has more dimes than dollars, but enjoys researching ways to enjoy Always5Star travel on a budget.
About Pamela Rossi
I am passionate about travel and taking each moment and making it a five star experience. My goal is to create those experiences for YOU!
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