An Apple A Day
  

Just one mile north of Solvang, there’s gold. That’s Golden Delicious, as in delicious apples. You’ll find them, along with Gala, Red Delicious, Fuji and Granny Smith at Apple Lane Orchards, owned and operated by Ted and Peggy Lane and their children Kari and Jim. The Lane’s home is surrounded by their pesticide-free apple trees. The whole family works year-round to care for the trees on their six-acre ranch. In the early fall they also sell apples at a stand on Alamo Pintado, or you can pick your own.

“We have families that come back year after year to pick apples,” says Peggy Lane, who also conducts tours for schools and other groups interested in learning more about how apples grow. She explains, “Apples ripen when Mother Nature says so.” The Lanes don’t mess with Mother Nature. They wait until the time is right, and you can be sure these are the sweetest apples you can find. Treat yourself to a visit—it just might keep the doctor away!