Your Favorite U-Pick Apple Farm in the Central Valley: McIntosh, Golden Delicious, Empire, and Mutsu Ready Now at The Orchard!

Are you searching for the best U-Pick apple picking farm in eastern Fresno County or around California's beautiful Central Valley? Look no further! Nestled in the mountains, between Auberry and Shaver Lake, CA, our family-owned orchard in Meadow Lakes is bursting with fresh, juicy apples this fall 2025 season. The crisp air of the Sierra Nevada foothills is calling: join us for a fun, affordable U-Pick experience starting tomorrow morning, September 18th (and throughout the weekend) from 9AM-3PM (we suggest between 9am-12pm for the highest sugar content in our apples, but we're open until 3pm - and if you can't make it until then, we won't turn you away)!

Whether you're a local from Clovis or Friant, or visiting from the broader Central Valley & beyond, we're thrilled to offer McIntosh and Golden Delicious apples at just $4.50 per pound (with more varieties available in the coming weeks). Grab your baskets for some family apple-picking and create lasting memories at your beautiful Meadow Lakes apple retreat!

Discover Family-Friendly U-Pick Apple Picking Every Week/end at The Orchard

For just $7 per apple picker (and $4.50 per pound of apples you pick), dive into the joy of our 'pick your own apples' with eight varieties of apples in the mountains, at our apple orchard in Meadow Lakes! Wander our rows of McIntosh and Golden Delicious trees (and many more!), perfect for apple picking, and connecting over the fall splendor. This entry fee supports replanting trees for next year and keeping our orchard healthy - ensuring more seasons of this delightful, bonding activity for families and friends.

Imagine the laughter as kids reach for that perfect apple, all while learning about sustainable farming in Fresno County's agricultural heritage. Our U-Pick apple farm is ideal for all ages, just a short drive from Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, blending the scenic vibes of the Sierra Nevada foothills with Central Valley's freshest produce. It's more than apple picking. it's about connecting with nature, and each other, in the best (and possibly only) dedicated apple farm in Fresno County! ;)

A Variety of Apples from Our Central Valley Orchard

We grow a rainbow of apples tailored to local preferences, soil & water conditions, and hearty varieties that thrive at 4,400 feet in elevation. From tart classics to sweet favorites, our varieties include McIntosh, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Empire, Ben Davis, Red Delicious, Cortland, and Arkansas Black. Prices are set based on regional, state, and federal crop demands, keeping things fair and accessible for everyone searching for fresh apples for sale in Fresno County.

Please note that all varieties are handpicked, fresh from our trees, and ORGANIC (six years and counting).

• McIntosh: Tart and juicy - ideal for fresh eating or pies, a top pick for U-Pick apples because of their versatility - Available NOW for U-pick, and for purchase in the Farm Store!

• Golden Delicious: Sweet and versatile, perfect for snacks, salads, or applesauce - Available NOW for U-pick, and for purchase in the Farm Store!

• Mutsu: A child of a Golden Delicious apple and an Indo, which contributes sweetness and a mild flavor, and adds tartness and a crisp texture, resulting in a distinctive juicy, spicy-sweet profile - possibly available this weekend - stay tuned!

• Empire: Empire apples deliver a vibrant sweet-tart flavor with a crisp, juicy bite, blending McIntosh’s zesty tang with Red Delicious’s mellow sweetness for a perfectly balanced, refreshing crunch - possibly available this weekend - stay tuned!

• Ben Davis: Mild heirloom for cooking, available in October

• Red Delicious: Iconic sweetness for lunchboxes, and the star of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves apple, available in October

• Cortland: Tart and browning-resistant for salads, perfect for Waldorf salads, available in October

• Arkansas Black: Rich, complex taste for foodies, lasts for months if kept in cold storage, available in November

  
  

Mix and match during your apple picking adventure at our orchard - our trees are loaded! Please come check with us in the Farm Store first, before picking, and we'll let you know which are the best apples to pick! We want you to go home happy and healthy. :)

Sip Fresh-Pressed Apple Juice: Autumn in a Bottle

We press surplus apples into pure, unfiltered apple cider from a Central Valley/Coastal farm - 1/2 gallon bottles for $18 when three+ varieties are ready. It's the taste of fall harvest events Sierra Nevada right at home! (More on a slight delay in our next post - stay tuned.)

Exciting Tests This Friday at Our Fresno Orchard!

Get ready for something thrilling this Friday - we're testing Mutsu and Empire apples that could revolutionize your cooking experience. :) This will also determine how quickly we can get fresh-squeezed apple juice! If they're ready, we'll get to it by the first weekend in October. We'll let you know on our instagram account (@meadowlakesorchard) when juice will be available - as well as the website, as soon as we know.

Why Choose Our Orchard in the Central Valley?

Apple picking isn't just an activity - it's a tradition! Amid the scenic Sierra Nevada mountains, our farm offers bonding moments, fresh air, and support for local agriculture. Your visits help sustain our trees for future outdoor fall activities and our small-family farm. Whether for pies, juice, or fun, we're your go-to for things to do with kids in the Central Valley and mountains across the Sierra's. Join us this weekend, or during the week (every day EXCEPT MONDAY), until the first snow (usually end of November).

With warm apple hugs,

The Orchard at Meadow Lakes Team