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 Oak Glen, nestled into the mountains east of Yucaipa and north of Beaumont, is the Inland Empire's answer to Julian – rich with caramel apples, apple pie, apple tarts and u-pick fruit and berries. Those who know Oak Glen likely know Riley's Farm – a working 19th-century farm and apple ranch that currently cultivates 10 varieties of apples; some of the trees were planted as early as 1877.
Apple picking season officially opens Labor Day weekend. Now that it's October and the shadows are longer and the nights are cooler, it's the perfect time to experience Riley's Farm in its autumn splendor.
When you arrive, whether you start at the Old Packing Shed or Colonial Chesterfield, the two main buildings, you'll step back into the 18th and 19th centuries. You are greeted by friendly, expert staff in period dress, running the General Store, demonstrating antique farm equipment, providing living-history workshops, performing Civil and Revolutionary War re-enactments, and teaching skills from the old days. There is an abundance of u-pick produce, which varies seasonally. As owner Jim Riley says, “The past is only a moment away.”
Fall festivities
Waiting until October is ideal, now that the trees have begun to change colors and the pumpkins are ripe for the picking. The staff at Riley's Farm will help you press your own cider, teach you to throw knives and tomahawks, learn archery or write with a quill and ink.
The most popular fall event, Sleepy Hollow!, has been extended this year to every Friday and Saturday night in October. Jim Riley describes it as a “Colonial Era party.”
“There are hay rides, live music, a square dance caller, apple bobbing, pie eating and pumpkin carving contests, among other activities,” says Riley. “The servers are dressed as characters from the story: Ichabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel and Brom Bones. And the highlight of the night is the ride of the Headless Horseman.”
Sounds like the perfect way to ring in the Halloween season. “Most families come earlier in the day to pick apples and pumpkins, and participate in all the other activities like pressing their own cider – and then stay for the dinner dance,” says Riley.
Picking berries
When I visited with my 12-year-old nephew, Connor, in early August, raspberry season had just begun, and the bushes were heavy with fruit. Blackberries were also available, but they were a little lean this year compared to the bumper crop of raspberries.
We went first to the General Store, which has authentic 18th- and 19th-century sundries, carved wooden toys and games, homemade gifts, and period hats and costumes. You purchase picking containers here. For berries, the baskets range from a pint to a gallon.
We opted for pints. When you pick apples or pears, you are sold a bag. The staff at Riley's Farm is emphatic that you use their containers, otherwise they have no control over the amount of fruit people pick. You may fill your baskets or bags to overflowing.
After we picked our raspberries, we saw a demonstration of the cider press. I couldn't believe it takes 100 apples to make a gallon of cider! You can pick and choose the varieties to customize your cider from sweet to tart, light to heavy.
Next, John came and taught us how to throw tomahawks. Connor was a natural; I kept heaving mine over the target. Families spread out picnics on the grass area; the mood was festive, relaxed and fun. We later did archery and quill and ink writing with Susan. I was impressed with how knowledgeable everyone was about historic traditions, methods and detail.
Riley's Farm is a requisite field trip for Inland Empire students, usually in the 5th grade. Other educational programs offered are the Revolutionary War Adventure, the Colonial Farm Life Adventure and the Civil War Adventure, which employ drama, role-playing and hands-on training of everything from cheese making to caramel apple dipping.
Riley’s Farm is well worth a visit. Treat your family to a trip back in time and a rare opportunity to experience the change of seasons and the “old ways” here in Southern California. H&O
Susan Belknapp of Riverside is a staff writer for Churm Media. She is a regular contributor to Southern California Home & Outdoor Magazine.
Annual events at Riley's Farm
Every year, Riley's Farm hosts several special events including: An Evening in the Colonies with Patrick Henry, the Blue Gray Ball, the Harvest Feast, Christmas in the Colonies, A Christmas Carol, Big Band Nights, Valentine's Celebration, St. Patrick's Ball and The Night Before Mother's Day, and Father's Day balls.
The themes are always played to the richest detail; the music is live and food is traditional homemade fare rated A+ by Elmer Dills.
Admission ranges from $29.95 to $32.95 for adults and $24.95 to $27.95 for children.
Riley's Farm is open Monday through Saturday. The address is 12261 S. Oak Glen Road. Event details, dates and tickets are available at rileysfarm.com.
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