Take your pick of apple farms

You can always “pick” apples from a bin at the grocery store, but have you ever plucked one from a tree? Here are some California orchards where you’ll find apples and apple products.

Los Rios Rancho

Yucaipa This 10,000-tree apple farm, family owned since 1906, is one of the largest in Southern California. Gravensteins and Galas come first, then Red Delicious, Rome and other varieties. Picking continues through the end of October. Weekend visitors can take a horse-drawn wagon ride and make their own cider. Info: U-pick available now; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $3 a pound for most apples, $5 a pound for rare varieties; losriosrancho .com.

Snow-Line Orchard

Yucaipa Snow-Line doesn’t have a you-pick service, but it does sell plenty of apple-related goodies, apple butters, jams and jellies, and sauces and salsas. Visitors 21 and older can sample apple wines and hard ciders. Info: Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; snowlineorchard.com.

Gizdich Ranch

Watsonville Bring your own container to fill with Fuji, Newtown Pippins and red and golden Delicious apples. The familyrun farm sells picnic lunches for $7.60, but you can also bring your own feast. On your way out, stop by the shop for pies, whole or by the slice. Info: Pik-Yor-Self open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily the first or second week in September. Check the website for opening date and prices; giz dich-ranch.com.

Denver Dan’s Apple Patch

Camino When you and your children are done picking apples at this orchard east of Placerville (you’ll find 30 varieties), stop by the bake shop for Denver Dan’s specialty — apple crisp — or pies, turnovers, cookies and muffins, plus lunch items and frozen desserts. After that, kids can feed the animals, ride ponies or take baking lessons. Info: You-Pick is now open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. $1.75 a pound.; denverdansapple patch.com.