Gopher Glen: A San Luis obispo fall must do activity (That you probably don’t know about).

When fall rolls around in San Luis Obispo County, there are a few places everyone thinks of: pumpkin patches, Avila Valley Barn, apple picking and maybe a trip out to wine country.

But tucked away along See Canyon Road is one of my favorite under-the-radar fall stops on the Central Coast: Gopher Glen Apple Farm.

If you’ve lived in San Luis Obispo for years and have never been, you’re definitely not alone. It’s easy to drive right past the turn for See Canyon without realizing that just a few miles down the road is a little apple farm that feels completely removed from the rest of SLO.

And fall is the perfect time to go.

A Hidden Fall Stop in See Canyon

Part of what makes Gopher Glen so special is getting there.

Once you turn onto See Canyon Road, the scenery quickly changes. The road winds beneath huge oak trees and through one of the prettiest little pockets of San Luis Obispo County. It feels more like a country drive than something just minutes from town and Avila Beach.

Eventually, you’ll come to Gopher Glen, a family apple farm that has been part of the Central Coast for more than 40 years.

It isn't a giant fall attraction or an elaborate pumpkin patch—and that's exactly the appeal.

It's simple, local and feels like one of those places you only know about because someone who lives here told you about it.

Come for the Apples

Obviously, you can't visit Gopher Glen without getting apples.

The farm grows dozens of different varieties throughout the season, including plenty you probably won't find at your normal grocery store. Depending on when you visit, the selection changes as different varieties ripen.

You might find familiar favorites like Gala, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Fuji and Granny Smith alongside much less common varieties like Caville Blanc, Red Yorking, Benton, and Sun Crisp.

One of the most fun parts is trying a variety you've never heard of before.

Just don't show up expecting traditional U-pick apple picking. The apples at Gopher Glen are harvested for you and available at the farm stand, so this is more about tasting, exploring and bringing home a bag (or several).

Don't Leave Without the Cider

If there is one thing I'd tell you not to skip, it's the fresh apple cider and apple cider popsicles.

Gopher Glen presses its cider in-house using a blend of more than a dozen organic apple varieties as they come into season. Because the varieties change throughout the season, the batches can change too.

Grab some to take home—or make it part of your fall tradition.

Make an Afternoon Out of It

Gopher Glen doesn't need to be an all-day activity.

That's actually why I love it.

Take the scenic drive through See Canyon, stop at the farm, wander around, try some apples, grab cider and enjoy being somewhere that feels a little slower than the rest of town.

You can easily pair it with Avila Beach, Avila Valley Barn or lunch somewhere nearby and turn it into a full fall afternoon.

And if you have family visiting from out of town, this is exactly the kind of place I'd take them. It feels distinctly Central Coast without feeling like a tourist attraction.

When to Visit Gopher Glen

Apple season begins in summer, but September through November is when I'd put Gopher Glen on your fall list. Different varieties become available throughout the season, so going more than once isn't a bad idea.

Availability can change quickly depending on what's being harvested, so if you're hoping for a specific apple variety, check Gopher Glen's current harvest information or call before making the drive.

Gopher Glen Apple Farm
2899 See Canyon Road
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Current posted hours:
Monday–Saturday: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM

Add This One to Your San Luis Obispo Fall Bucket List

There are plenty of big, well-known fall traditions around San Luis Obispo County.

Gopher Glen is different.

It's the winding drive beneath the oak trees. The tiny farm stand. The bags of apples you've never heard of. The fresh cider. And that feeling of discovering someplace that's been sitting practically in your backyard all along.

So if you're looking for something to do in San Luis Obispo this fall, skip the usual itinerary for an hour and take the drive down See Canyon Road.

Gopher Glen is one of those little Central Coast places that makes you remember just how lucky we are to live here.