Orange Picking in La Verne

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LA VERNE - The Rusch family of Claremont have started an annual ritual - picking oranges.
To ring in the new year the Rusch's make plans to visit the La Verne Heritage Foundation's 1 1/2 acre ranch for their annual orange picking at Heritage Park.

"It is defiantly a family affair," said Deanna Rusch. "We're here at least three or four times before the end of the season."

For just $5 visitors can fill a plastic mesh orange bag with lemons, grapefruits and/or oranges from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday through the end of March.

The foundation has hosted its Saturday orange picking for about 18 years with the goal to preserve a slice of La Verne's past.

"We've got Washington navel oranges and Valencia oranges," said Betty Umland, La Verne Heritage Foundation member. "But the Valencia oranges are best for making orange juice."

See an orange that is too high to reach? No problem. Visitors can use an 10-foot adjustable fruit picker.

"But if you have someone who is tall they can be your picker," Umland said.

There are more than 40 citrus trees for visitors to pick from, but even if the picking is slim Rusch said it's still a place to visit.

She said her kids like to run around the ranch, play hide-n-seek and admire the old cars, trucks and old rusted machines which were used to harvest.

"As a family we're always trying to find something to do and this is a great experience for the kids because they're able to learn about nature," Rusch said. "It's a nice to be outside, get some exercise and it's something unique."

Visit the La Verne Heritage Foundation, which is also next door to a 100-year-old oak tree, at 5001 Via De Mansion, La Verne.
Information: (909)593-2862 or www.laverneheritage.org