Chileno Valley Ranch

We had a fabulous experience apple picking. Booking was easy (but competative). Upon signing up for the email list; do what it says. Set a reminder for when booking opens. At the time it says, take 35 seconds to book it online. They are in demand and reservations book up within 15 minutes. Its not a hard thing to do, just be logistical.

Upon arriving. Parking was easy with a volunteer guiding us. We picked almost 10 pounds of apples, bought local beef and honey and enjoyed the gorgeous backdrop of western marin's rolling hills.

They have a portapotty and plenty of volunteers to help guide you. If you want a tour, thats great, if not go at your pace.

My advice: bring a backpack, bucket, collapsible cooler and water. Its only an hour or so dont pack a lunch. And enjoy your afternoon, we thoroughly did;)

This is a perfect farm to spend a day with grandchildren picking apples , enjoying the cows , sheep & surrounding . People who are working there are very nice & helpful . We will go back next year to enjoy again this pl e

Friendly staff for apple picking. Apples are good. The trees are short so it's easy for littles to pick the apples.

Pulled in here in 2016 to pick some apples with my kids. Before being let onto the orchard we were forced to sit through the owner's self-righteous and depressing lecture about how they saved the ranch. ---- I respect what you do but my 5 y/o and I could care less about your story. It's hot and admittedly, we're just here for your apples.

Fast forward a few years, thought I'd try the place again. Maybe their trees have matured a little and they've realized their target audience is families with kids. Now they have an online reservation system. Okay, let's try it. Wait, it's Sept of '22 and you still have a mask mandate in effect?? Outdoors?? Oh well, I guess that's not that pathological. Reservations opened this Monday morning at 9 AM. Monday morning at 9 AM... I get it now. This place is for people who don't have to work an actual job. I logged on at 11 AM, my soonest break. Completely sold out! Sheesh, I better stick to Oliver's.

I've came here for apple picking the past two years after discovering they have u-pick season. As far as I know it was the nearest place to do so. Love fun fall activities and have been pleased to add this to the list!

The journey out here on the less busy backroads is relaxing and the views at certain points are just stellar looking out over the hills. Their grounds are lovely, especially the garden areas you pass by on the way in which are full & beautiful. During scheduled u-pick days they usually offer farm tours where you can also see more animals & learn about what they do. Also they sometimes press some apple juice & the kids can help - then enjoy a little cup! You can sign up for their mailing list to be notified or just check online for schedules, what will be available & make reservations (which are much recommended, and provide a discount on admission).

Onto the apples! They grow many varieties in their orchard, although depending on when you go, with how much are left, ready for picking, etc. you may not get many choices. They're on the smaller side, but full of flavor. I quite enjoyed the varieties I've gotten thus far. Also an issue and something you'll just have to be careful of is the yellow jackets. They try to do what they can, but just be mindful!

Aside from the apples (all $2/lb.) they typically sell their grass fed ground beef and a few other local goods from nearby places such as eggs, cheese & olive oil. It can get fairly busy but the owners & volunteers have been nothing but nice both times I've visited. I'll be back next year!

I can't say enough good things about Chileno Valley Ranch and Sally and Mike. We had our wedding here this past weekend and it was the most beautiful day of our lives. When we stumbled upon the ranch last year we knew it was a special place.

Over the course of the year we visited Mike and Sally on numerous occasions and even volunteered at one of their u-pick apple weekends, each time we visited we grew more and more in love with the farm. Mike and Sally have dedicated their whole lives to the preservation and education of their ranch and animals and you can see and feel that love and effort throughout the property.

Chileno Valley Ranch is not just any regular wedding venue, it is a place that holds true spirit and warms your heart and soul. We held a wedding of 105 people, our ceremony was on the hill overlooking the fields, with a cocktail reception in the orchard followed by a barn dinner reception. Guests are still raving about the venue and the entire experience - we couldn't be more thrilled and couldn't have picked a better place to start our forever at.

The place is pretty ok.. the volunteers who were there are really nice. But the biggest disappointment was the owner. The place doesn't allow dogs and the owner lady yelled at me for having my dog in the PARKING LOT!! Their dogs were roaming free. Some people working there said she doesn't like dogs. I am definitely not going back.

Husband picked up our beef Saturday May30,2020. Just cooked a New York bone in,it is Delicious.
Thank You
Mike & Gale

We brought our two kiddos to the ranch for their U-Pick. It was our first time apple picking and it was just lovely. Mike greeted us at the parking lot with a warm welcome, then directed us down the hill to the farmhouse area. There we were able to sample several varieties of the apples in the orchard.

Before we got started, we were treated to a tour of the farm - we walked through the beautiful garden Sally has lovingly nurtured filled with flowers, fruit and vegetables. Then we visited the chickens and the kids even got to go into the coop and meet the cute little junior chicks and see where the eggs are laid. We ended the tour with a chance for the kids to feed the sheep - they all had a blast. And this was before we even started picking apples.

They have so many interesting apple varieties that you won't find in the supermarket. They point you in the right direction so you know which ones are ripe and ready to pick. Just be sure not to take a bit in the orchard because that may attract wasps and yellow jackets. Afterwards you can try your hand at the apple press and maybe even taste some fresh cider. They also had local friends offering olive oil, farm fresh eggs, and cheese for sale. So fun!

We will definitely be back. Thank you Sally, Mike and your family and friends for your hospitality!

Awesome, so cool for apple picking. Kid loved it here, also was cool that we were able to feed the sheep, chickens and make apple juice. Go early so that they animals are hungry. Awesome, place awesome scenery. Good for kids.