Farms & the Apple Trail
Apple farms up See Canyon, U-pick orchards, and fresh cider at the Avila Valley Barn.
Buy this print
- Where
- See Canyon Road and Avila Beach Drive
- Apple season
- About September to December
- U-pick
- SLO Creek Farms (apples); Avila Valley Barn (flowers, pumpkins)
- Open year-round
- Avila Valley Barn
Just inland from the beach, See Canyon has an ideal climate for growing apples. Every fall the farms along See Canyon Road open their stands and offer tastings. Together they're known as the Avila Apple Trail, which starts at the Avila Valley Barn on Avila Beach Drive and runs up the canyon.
The farms
Avila Valley Barn
The farm at the south end of the canyon sells fresh fruit and vegetables, with a bakery, gift shop and candy store. U-pick crops change with the season. In fall 2026, the farm listed U-pick flowers and pumpkins, with the pumpkin patch open daily. The Chicken Shack and Smokehouse serve barbecue and fried chicken.
560 Avila Beach Dr · avilavalleybarn.com · More on our Avila Valley Barn page
See Canyon Fruit Ranch
A family apple ranch that sells many apple varieties from its barn.
2345 See Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo
Le Mieux Family Orchard
An orchard making apple champagne and hard cider.
2885 See Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo
Gopher Glen
An organic apple farm with many varieties to sample before you buy, plus fresh-pressed cider, dried apple snacks and baked goods. Dog and kid friendly.
2899 See Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo · gopherglen.com
Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards
A family winery in the canyon that makes some wines blended with apple juice. More on Wine Tasting.
1947 See Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo · kelseywine.com
SLO Creek Farms
An organic U-pick apple orchard in San Luis Obispo, with varieties including Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Empire, Gala and Granny Smith. Call ahead to check picking days.
6455 Monte Rd, San Luis Obispo · slocreekfarms.com
When to go
Apple season on the trail runs from about September to December, and some farms start selling in August. In October you also get the Avila Valley Barn's pumpkin patch. Farm stand hours are seasonal and change often, so check before you drive up. The Avila Valley Barn is open all year.
Getting there
From Avila Beach, follow Avila Beach Drive inland to the Avila Valley Barn, then turn up See Canyon Road for the rest of the farms. It's a country road lined with sycamores and apple ranches, so take it slow and enjoy the drive. SLO Creek Farms is on Monte Road in San Luis Obispo, so map it separately.
Also worth a stop
The Secret Garden at Sycamore Mineral Springs, on the Bob Jones Trail, sells produce from the resort's two-acre chef's garden at its Harvest Stand. See Restaurants for more about the Secret Garden.
Local tips
- Taste before you buy at Gopher Glen, which offers samples of its many apple varieties.
- Bring a cooler so your apples and cider stay cold on the drive home.
- Go on a weekday in October if you can, since fall weekends at the Avila Valley Barn are busy.
- Picked varieties change week to week, so call ahead if you want a specific apple.
Frequently asked questions
When is apple season in See Canyon?
Farm listings put apple season at about September through December. Some farms start selling in August.
Can you pick your own apples near Avila Beach?
SLO Creek Farms on Monte Road runs a U-pick apple orchard. Call ahead, since picking days change.
Is the Avila Valley Barn open all year?
Yes. The Avila Valley Barn is open year-round, with U-pick crops changing by season.
Where can I get apple cider near Avila?
Gopher Glen sells fresh-pressed cider, the Avila Valley Barn has fresh pressed cider and hard cider, and Le Mieux Family Orchard makes apple champagne and hard cider.
