Paradise Apple Orchards and Noble Orchards

On the Paradise Ridge, apples are part of the town’s story. The Town of Paradise says Ridge growers of apples, prunes and pears used the railroad, and its fall festival celebrates the harvest. One orchard, Noble Orchards, is still open to visitors per CA Grown.

Checked November 1, 2026

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• 1904rail service established, per the Town
• 1888 or 1889harvest festival first held, per the Town (it gives both)
• 1921Noble Orchards founded, per CA Grown
• ~2,000 ftelevation of the orchard, per CA Grown

• Fruit on the Ridge
• Noble Orchards
• Johnny Appleseed Days
• Before You Go: Check These
• Questions People Ask

Fruit on The Ridge

The Town of Paradise says, in its community history, “Growers of apples, prunes and pears on the Ridge utilized the railroad to speed their product to market,” and that rail service was established in 1904. The page does not use the word “orchards.” See Paradise Ridge history and Paradise and the Ridge.

Noble Orchards

CA Grown (a state agricultural program) reports:

• Founded in 1921 by Perry Noble. It first grew walnuts and switched to apples after a devastating frost in 1931.
• On the Ridge in Paradise at about 2,000 feet, with apples including Pink Lady, Fuji, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious and the heirloom Black Twig. Apple season runs late August through March; peaches and nectarines come in summer.
• It describes Noble as the only remaining apple orchard in Butte County.
• It says the 2018 Camp Fire destroyed nearly all of the orchard’s buildings, including cold storage, while almost all of the apple trees survived, and that the family then held U-pick events that drew thousands of visitors.
• Visiting: U-pick September through March; a retail area sells fruit by the pound or bushel; a farm stand on Pentz Road in Paradise (Sunday through Friday); and the Chico Certified Farmers’ Market on Saturdays and Mondays. CA Grown suggests closed-toe shoes and calling ahead for hours.

Johnny Appleseed Days

The Town of Paradise describes a two-day fall festival the first weekend of October, with about 1,000 apple pies baked by residents and Chamber members. Our Johnny Appleseed Days page has the current dates and the 1888 versus 1889 question.

Questions People Ask

Can I pick apples in Paradise?

CA Grown says Noble Orchards runs U-pick from September through March. Check with the orchard first.

When is Johnny Appleseed Days?

The first weekend of October, per the Town. See our festival page for the current dates.

Did Paradise grow other fruit?

The Town says growers on the Ridge shipped apples, prunes and pears by rail.

More in Agriculture

• Agriculture Home
• Rice Country
• Richvale
• Rice and Wildlife
• Almond Country
• Walnuts, Prunes and Other Crops
• Paradise Apple Orchards
• Rancho Chico Farming History
• Chico State University Farm
• Farmers Markets and Farm Stands
• Farm Year Calendar

Sources

1. Town of Paradise, community history: https://www.paradiseca.gov/community (checked November 1, 2026)
2. Town of Paradise, Johnny Appleseed Days: https://www.paradiseca.gov/community/page/johnny-appleseed-days (checked November 1, 2026)
3. CA Grown, Noble Orchards: https://californiagrown.org/blog/noble-orchards/ (checked November 1, 2026)