If you are looking to get out of town, but want to conserve gas money, now is a great time of year to take a day trip to Tehachapi. Just 40 miles from Bakersfield, our neighbor to the southeast calls itself the “Land of Four Seasons” and one of the best seasons to visit is autumn. The apples are ripe, the weather is mild, the air is fresh and the leaves are just starting to turn their fall colors.

On Saturday, Oct. 10, my family caravaned with friends up Highway 58. Our original plan was to go apple picking, but our itinerary blossomed as we researched all the things to do in Tehachapi. Our list included breakfast at a café along the way, visits to a couple of apple orchards, a stop at an organic farm and a finish at a winery.

And would you believe, we did all of this in a leisurely paced eight hours with two infants in tow?

Keene Café

30256 Woodford-Tehachapi Road

From Highway 58, take exit 139 and turn left, going under the highway. Then turn right on Woodford-Tehachapi Road.

We left Bakersfield at about 10:15 a.m. and arrived at the Keene Café hungry for breakfast. Good thing they’re known for their generous portions. There were a couple of Harleys parked out front – I imagine this is a popular stop for day-tripping bikers as well. Our breakfasts were hearty and affordable at about $7 to $10 a plate. Between us we had eggs, potatoes, biscuits, gravy, pancakes and bacon. This was just the fuel we needed to last us the day.

We quickly decided that we didn’t need to actually pick the apples off the branches. While there are three you-pick orchards in Tehachapi, the two we visited already do the work for you. You can pick up an apple orchard map at each stop, or download and print one from www.tehachapiagandarts.com. The map shows seven apple orchards open to the public. Below are directions to the two we visited. Please note, the second orchard we visited is now closed for the season.

Pulford Appletree Orchard

19440 Highline Road

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends, call 822-5021 for availability

www.pulfordappletreeorchard.com

From Highway 58, take exit 148 for Tehachapi/CA-202 and turn right at West Tehachapi Boulevard. Continue on Tucker Road and turn right at Highline Road.

First we stopped at Pulford Appletree Orchard, which I had heard of because they sponsor the apple pie contest at the Kern County Fair. The nine-acre orchard, owned by Becky and John Pulford for the past 18 years, boasts 13 varieties of apples. Since each variety ripens at a different time, we were treated to tastes of the six available that day: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Melrose, Braeburn, Jonagold and Empire. In fact, we bought two Jonagolds from the very last box. It was the first time we’d tried that variety and its sweet, pear-like flavor begged us to take a couple home.

We bought a one-peck bag for $15, a half-and-half blend of Braeburn and Empire to make applesauce and apple pie filling at home. The two varieties have a mix of sweet and tart flavors that are great for baking. We also bought a small pumpkin from the pumpkin patch for our baby boy, who had grabbed onto it while sitting for a photo and didn’t want to let go.

Becky Pulford explained that this season has been far better than last year’s, when much of the crop was damaged by a late freeze in April 2008. A good season lasts from mid-September to mid-November, she said, and she expected to remain open to the public on weekends through the beginning of November.

“We have a regular crop this year,” she said. “By October 24, we’ll have Winesap, Rome, Gold Blush and Fujis.”

RB Family Orchard

1437 Casey Drive

Now closed for the 2009 season, although appointments can be made by calling 822-5969

www.rborchard.com

From Pulford’s, go east on Highline Road toward Tucker Road. Take the third left onto Apache Street. Take the first left onto Robin Lane. Continue on Casey Drive.

By the time we arrived at RB Family Orchard, we were thirsty and our stomachs had made a little room for a homemade treat. We were in luck – RB presses its own apple cider on site, and a batch of mini-apple pies were about to come out of the oven. We relaxed at a picnic table and fed the babies. Then it was our turn.

There is nothing better on a sunny, crisp fall day than chugging cold, freshly pressed apple cider. The “apple pies” were a little on the dry side and, with a sugary crumble topping, qualify more as a crisp than a pie. But for just $3, the warm, sweet goodie was satisfyingly shareable and a great mid-day snack.

Armed with apples in our cars and bellies, we were ready to leave the orchards behind and visit some other Tehachapi sweet spots. As we drove away from RBs, we passed several people pecking and hunting among the trees next door at Kolesars’ Apples, filling boxes with their finds. If you want that you-pick experience, be sure to stop there on Casey Drive.

Tangleweed Farm

21192 Old Town Road

Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays, call 822-8806

http://tangleweedfarm.com

From RB Family Orchard, turn right at Highline Road from Apache Street. Take the second right onto Tucker Road and turn left at CA-202 W/Valley Boulevard. Turn right at Woodford-Tehachapi Road and turn left at Old Town Road.

This was my second time visiting Tangleweed Farm and I am just in love with this place. Owner Laurie Thorpe started many years ago with a simple home-school garden project for her children. Today, she and her husband John operate the small farm, which specializes in greens, berries, flowers and seasonal vegetables. They also sell specialty items such as goat cheese, grass-fed beef, infused vinegars and gifts.

By the time we arrived at the farm, at about 3 p.m., they had sold out of their greens for the day.

“My regulars are here when I open and they pretty much cleaned me out today,” Laurie Thorpe said.

The grounds are great for strolling among the rows of berry bushes, drying lavender, nearly naked pumpkin patch and browning peony foliage. In the spring around Mother’s Day, the peonies are in full bloom, Thorpe said.

My son was particularly taken by the differently shaped and colored gourds on the bench outside the cashier stand. He pounded them, hugged them, tasted them and talked to them in the baby babble language only he understands. At one point, when he took a seat on the ground, I realized it was the first time he’d played in dirt in his 11 months of life.

We fed the babies under the giant oak trees and looked up to study their gnarled branchwork. What a perfect afternoon so far, we remarked. Now, who’s thirsty for wine?

Souza Family Vineyard

26689 Cummings Valley Road

Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, call 822-9233

www.souzafamilyvineyard.com

From Tangleweed Farm, go west on Old Town Road and turn right at CA-202 W/Valley Blvd. Turn right at Cummings Valley Road and continue straight when the road seems to dead-end at a dirt road. The vineyard is a little more than a half-mile up the dirt road on the right.

It was the start of the “golden hour” when we pulled up at the tasting room, about 4:45 p.m., and the sun was slowly sinking toward the rows of grape vines to the west of the building. Patty Souza, who planted the vineyard with her husband Bob and the help from a lot of friends, welcomed us and told us about their wines.

The Primitivo Zinfandel grapes are grown and harvested on site, then taken to a partner winery for crushing, aging and bottling under the label “Tehachapi Wine & Cattle Co.” Patty Souza proudly announces their 2005 won a silver medal in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition in 2008, and their 2006 won a bronze in the same competition earlier this year.

We bought two rounds of tastings to share among the four of us for $8 each. We also purchased a cheese and fruit platter to share for $12. As our host brought out each bottle of wine, we snacked and enjoyed the spectacular view from the outdoor patio. The babies also relaxed in their strollers – tired after the long day.

Each round of tasting included five wines and we had the chance to try not only the Souza’s 2006 and 2007 Primitivo Zinfandels, but also a variety of wines from Antelope Valley – a region whose wines we had not yet experienced. We may have to plan a day trip a little further away from Bakersfield for that wine tasting excursion – and also consider a babysitter.

The sun had made its final descent into the evening by the time we headed back down the mountain toward home. The drive back to Bakersfield was quick and reminded us that Tehachapi is right next door and waiting for the next time we need to get out of town for a short respite.

Maybe we’ll go again next weekend. The Fujis will be ripe and ready.

For ideas of what to do with all those apples, read this related Bakersfield Express story by Michelle Beck, our “In Season Now” columnist.