Escapees September-October 2024

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apple, nut and fruit treats. Some shops feature jams, jellies, bakery items, candies and other goodies. Restau rants and snack shops round out the fun, and there’s also a campground available for RVs. Taste testing is the hallmark of the apple sales rooms throughout the orchards, and when you fi nally decide which variety to buy, store the apples in a cool, well-ven tilated place for a few days. Then, wrap each apple to be stored using a square of newspaper or a paper towel (don’t wrap it too tightly). Store in a cool, dark place in a single layer on ventilated shelves. Make sure the apples do not touch each other. Don’t store apples near pota toes because this will cause them to lose their fl avor. Properly stored apples will last several months, so yes, you can buy a bushel. When visiting Oak Glen, you should also take in some of the local history. An old schoolhouse has many displays and photos about the early days and the apple orchards that started Oak Glen’s claim to fame.

Buzzing along Interstate–10 in Southern California might make you yearn for a quick but fun getaway from the road. Perhaps you’d like to visit a nearby site where you can commune with nature, enjoy a huge slice of apple pie and pick berries, apples or pears. Maybe you prefer to shop for an antique or modern item! F or all this and more, head to Oak Glen, California. Take Interstate 10 to Beaumont, then exit at Beaumont Avenue and go north about 12 miles to Oak Glen, a four seasons area—something a bit rare in California! In autumn, Oak Glen hosts the majority of its visitors, so its roads can be crowded, but for good reason. Everything “apple” is available, from dozens of varieties of apples to cider, juice, apple pies, cobblers, dumplings, bread, donuts and popovers. Although autumn gets the

PHOTO BY STEVE CUKROV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

spotlight, most of these good ies, including the apples, are available all year. The kick-off to apple season is the raspberry season in mid-to-late August. Then, September of fi cially starts the apple season. The varieties often change throughout autumn, but the season runs through December. Also available in autumn are pears, quince, colorful Indian corn, pumpkins, walnuts, squash and chestnuts. Winter sees the fewest visitors, but Oak Glen can be a delight with its crisp temperatures and the occasional

Los Rios Rancho, in the same family since 1909, is also a fun place to visit. Howard Rivers purchased a homestead from the Wilshire family, long-time Oak Glen residents. Howard and his brother ran a produce business to supply many central Los Angeles hotels and grocers. In 1947, Howard’s nephew entered the family business, and the orchard became a landmark of the Oak Glen community. Regardless of the time of year you visit Oak Glen, you’ll enjoy fun, seasonal weather, a glimpse of history, and great eating! Don’t forget that dollop of ice cream on your slice of pie or some yummy melted cheese! Dr. Stephenie Slahor, Guest Contributor

dusting of snow that makes its winter scene more fun. Spring is popular with photographers and romantics for all the beauty of the apple and pear blossoms. April sees the annual apple blossom festival and gardens of homes and shops showing off pretty displays of daffo dils and lilacs. May hosts a mountain man rendezvous on Memorial Day weekend, June marks cherry season, and July sees the peach season and a chance to cool off at Oak Glen’s higher altitude of about 5,000 feet. There are also many shops that are open throughout the year. Most feature “homespun” crafts and decora tions, along with all the kitchenware needed to cook

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September/October 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine