Support Swanton Pacific Ranch

To provide Cal Poly students, faculty, staff and the public with a unique interdisciplinary environment in which to foster the Learn by Doing philosophy by providing educational experiences on a working ranch, supporting diversified agriculture and forest resources while maintaining the integrity of ranch operations.

  —Our Mission

Cal Poly Swanton Pacific Ranch's Organic U-Pick Apple Orchard

Crops - upick

The U-Pick Apple Orchard is now open for the 2024 season!

Stop by between dawn and dusk to pick some apples and help support Swanton Pacific Ranch's U-pick orchard.

To be added to our email list for future events and upcoming apple alerts, input your email below.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR EMAIL FORM

 

Posted September 5th, 2024
     

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Driving Directions:

The Apple Orchard is located on the west side of Swanton Road across from 480 Swanton Road (a couple miles north of the 125 Swanton Road address).

Following Swanton Road from the South, it is 4.5 miles from the Highway 1 intersection and 3 miles from 125 Swanton Road. The orchard will be on your left; watch for the parking sign.

Following Swanton Road from the North, it is 2.3 miles from the Highway 1. The orchard will be on your right; watch for the parking sign.

We look forward to seeing you!

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Phone: (831) 458-5410

 


The Organic Apple Orchard is open seasonally to the public, Cal Poly alumni, and grade-school groups.

Certified annually by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and yielding five tons of apples per year, the ranch's 2-acre orchard produces a diverse array of apples for many uses. The 16 distinct varieties ripen progressively throughout the fall allowing for an extended picking season. Grade-school groups are encouraged to arrange visits to the U-Pick where children receive an overview of ecological processes in organic farming before they set out to collect apples.

Early Season

Gingergold Apples

GINGERGOLD

Crisp texture with a sweet yet mildly tart taste. Great for salads.

Harvest: late August early September

Holstein Apples

HOLSTEIN

Tart, yet vibrant flavors making it great for desserts and juicing.

Harvest: September

Lodi Apples

LODI

Crisp and juicy with a balance of acid and sugar. Good for baking and storing. (these have been picked already for CalPoly use)

Harvest: August

Red Delicious Apples

RED DELICIOUS

Sweet and juicy; great for salads and use in decorations.

Harvest: September

Red Gravenstein Apples

RED GRAVENSTEIN

Very crisp and juicy; a favorite cooking apple.

Harvest: August

Royal Gala Apples

ROYAL GALA

Wonderful dessert apple with a nice blend of sweetness and tartness. Crisp texture and rich in flavor.

Harvest: September

Sali Red Delicious Apples

SALI RED DELICIOUS

Sweet and juicy with a beautiful deep red color.

Harvest: September

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Mid Season

Cox Orange Pippin Apples

COX ORANGE PIPPIN

Rich and crisp. Great for desserts.

Harvest: September - October

Fugi Apples

FUJI

Sweet and flavorful with a very crisp texture; excellent for storing.

Harvest: September - October

Jonagold Apples

JONAGOLD

Superb flavor, crisp, juicy, sub acid, an all-purpose apple that's great for pies and freezing.

Harvest: September - October

Newton Pippin Apples

NEWTON PIPPIN

A crisp texture, juicy and slightly tart, making it great for cooking and baking.

Harvest: October

Snow (Femeuse) Apples

SNOW (FAMEUSE)

Tender in texture with a spicy, refreshing flavor, making it good for desserts and cooking.

Harvest: September - October

 

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Late Season

Golden Russet Apples

GOLDEN RUSSET

Very sweet and crisp. Great for salads, sauces and pies.

Harvest: October

Granny Smith Apples

GRANNY SMITH

Tart and crisp with excellent flavor.

Harvest: October

Suntan Apples

SUNTAN

Dessert apple with a rich, sweet flavor and pineapple-like acidity. Very aromatic.

Harvest: October - November

Yellow Newton Pippin Apples

YELLOW NEWTON PIPPIN

Firm, crisp, and slightly tart.Good for salads and baking.

Harvest: October

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