You can't make a trip up 128 without stopping here. Please, just do yourself a favor and stop for a half gallon of cider. Even if you don't like apples or apple juice, the raw cider will change your mind. We made the mistake of buying our cider at the Philo Apple Farm just up the street the first time we came up, and after tasting the stuff from Gowan's, there's just no comparison. To be fair, Philo Apple Farm pasteurizes theirs because they sell it at farmer's markets and such, but the taste is altered significantly once heated, and lacks the crisp freshness of raw cider. Keep in mind that they also sell it frozen, and it travels remarkably well. We bought a frozen gallon, and it made the trip back home to San Carlos in July 4th traffic, and still had a frozen block of ice in it after 2 days of thawing in the fridge. Their frozen pies are good as well, although they use a shortening crust instead of lard + butter, which makes for a harder, less flaky product. The cider isn't cheap at around $5.75 for a half gallon, and $10.50 ($10.75, maybe? - can't remember, exactly), but it's the highest quality stuff you can buy, and if you've ever tried to make your own juice, you'll know that it takes an awful lot of apples. To me, it's a special treat that we get a few times a year, and it's totally worth it. Bathrooms are relatively clean, and they have a real toilet and sink, so you're not squatting over a vat of mysterious, smelly blue liquid. I've read other reviews about surly service, but we've only ever been greeted by the most pleasant, sweet people. This place is a mandatory stop for us on our way to Mendocino or Ft. Bragg, and as long as they're making cider, we'll continue to buy it. read more

It should be a crime to drive through on 128 without stopping at this amazing farm stand. A CRIME. Fantastic produce, sometimes they have fresh eggs, and of course, that apple cider. Just stop, it's worth it. read more

Best hot apple cider I've ever had. Great fresh eggs too. Any of these negative reviews you see are just stuck up people that should go to the nearest grocery store chain instead of writing less than 5 star for these local farmers selling delicious stuff with all odds against them. read more

Great fruit stand for a quick break. Seemed to have a few varieties of apples to choose from, the cider is delicious, and the frozen cider pop a perfect treat on a hot day. And open on Labor Day! read more

Couldn't believe this place was open even in January, when the outdoor temps were about the same as a refrigerator. We picked up a few fine looking Red Delicious and Fuji apples for $1.50 a lb as well as a small cup of cider. Not too shabby for the dead of winter. The dried sweet apples we had were also pretty decent, although the texture was a bit inconsistent (some were chewy, others were crunchy). read more

Here with my dear Lea to buy all sorts of fruits - blackberries for her pie, plums and peaches to enjoy, and some salad greens and tomatoes. The cold apple cider, fresh pressed, was sublime, and just the thing on a hot day. read more

Five stars for the apple cider and blackberry jam we purchased here. My husband is not a fan of apple anything and practically drank my share! We've been savoring the jam which is just as delicious. Gowan's Oak Tree is a good pit stop along Highway 128 with a produce stand you can easily spot before you've passed it. Stretch your legs, use the restroom and then check out the produce, jams, cider, etc. read more

Gowan's Oak Tree has been here as long as I can remember and I've been driving to Mendocino on 128 for about 45 years. Their apple cider and applesauce are wonderful, but I stop for the apples and whatever else is in season. It was here I first discovered Sierra Beauties, fall's answer to Gravensteins. We stopped by yesterday on the way home from Mendocino. Because the weather has been so weird this year I was surprised to find Gravensteins, much, much better ones that I last found at Monterey Market, which were past the point I like them and ended up in the compost. I buy produce by smell: the more I smell it the sweeter it is. But I like Gravensteins tart and green so they shouldn't smell at all. These had no smell had just a trace of red. I know they will be good. We bought some corn for dinner and some Yukon Gold potatoes to have on hand. They had yellow wax beans, Blue Lake beans and purple ones, as well as several varieties of squash. They had peaches and other stone fruit but we have plenty at home and didn't buy any. They had Honeycrisp apples, the only ones Alan and I both like. He likes the sweeter apples like Fujis and I like tart ones. The young woman behind the counter gave us each a taste. It was more tilted toward the sweet than balanced the way I like them, but Alan was pleased so we bought 3. I'll have my Gravensteins. They have bathrooms that are small, old, clean and do the trick. They're up a small step and are not wheelchair accessible. read more

It was wonderful meeting the owner/farmer, so much knowledge about his products. Delicious apple cider, amazing green diamond grapes - the most delicious grapes I have ever had. So wished it was not a plane ride home so that we could have stocked up on his fantastic variety of produce. read more

Great juice and very pleasant location. I met the owner once at the Fair right there in town and he is delightful. But his staff at this stand is the most uncommunicative, unfriendly bunch I have ever seen in retail. No "thank-yous" ever~ just a look that drifts off and you see their backs and this refers to ALL of them, really. We drive by twice a month and have named the place " THE SULLEN APPLE MONGERS". I really have to agree with the reviewers Marilyn and JW. These folks are miserable! So ' I don't give a d**n ' I don't write this in this tone much! Dave read more

The cider pop was delicious, but the people working there couldn't be more miserable. They made us feel like we were inconveniencing them by wanting to buy something. The fruit that was there was under ripe and over priced. So stick with only the cider in my opinion read more

Best apple cider in the world. All the other fall stuff is cool - they had rides through the orchards, buying apples and enjoying the nicest time of year in Northern California are all good - but I make the drive for the cider. read more

This place has been part of our lives for 20+ years, every time we go Hiway 128 to the North Coast. If it were just based on the produce, it would be a 5. The apple cider is truly wonderful, as are the pies and walnuts. The stone fruit can be a little hit-or-miss. There is a little clean bathroom free for anyone to use (not in the store) and a very cute little picnic area. But the drawback is really the staff. The word that comes to mind is "resentful". As we continue our drive, we have a game in that we try to guess how they could remain in a job they find so distasteful (our current fav is that they are family, and this is their 'chore'). I could detail the ways in which they exude hostility, but others have already done that. There is a twinkle of good news, though. On our last trip (Nov 7 & 9 '14) there was a noticeable change, at least with the young lady waiting on us. She actually met our eyes as we approached, answered our questions, and as we left wished us a 'pleasant rest of your trip'. Wow! We actually felt welcome. Gowans, whoever she is, keep her and have her train the rest of the staff!! UPDATE: July 2016. Stopped on the way to the coast for July 4th and a large family gathering there. Picked up 2 frozen apple pies. Before, they had been terrific, huge recognizable slices, densely packed, just sweet enough. Well. My guests couldn't even eat it. It was total mush; there was a hint of flavor so you knew it must have begun with apples. It was not sweet. After hearing my build up of it, all were mystified by it's horrid state. The topic of the remainder of the weekend was: How could it have gotten so bad? Consensus at the end: was was a previous year's pie, intended for diabetics (no sweetness), with had probably originated with end of the season/discarded apples, probably of mediocre quality!! Comeon, Gowans, you can do better!! read more

Best apple cider I've ever had and great staff. I also recommend their apple pies as well.

I LOVE the apple cider from this place. I stop here every time I'm on my way to Mendocino and will continue to do so. Whenever my boyfriend and I pick up a gallon, it doesn't last more than 3 days. read more

This is a rather understated building for apples. We bought an apple pie for home. It was one of the best pies I have ever had. If you like apple pie do stop there. They have sweet and tart dried apples as well. read more

Amazing fruit and apple juice. If you want either of those things, stop by on your way through.

Great apple cider. The apple variety is awesome. The staff is friendly and helpful. Can't wait to go back.

When we bought a place in Mendocino in 1998, our neighbors gave us some advice. Get your chocolate at Papa Bear's and your apples at Gowan's. Best advice I have ever received. I look forward to seeing what their 300 acres of orchard has for us every Fall. read more

Love love love this place. Excellent apple pies. Staff is very nice. Going to pumpkin patch is a real treat.

I rate this place 5 stars because of the food. We stopped here for the first time in March, after never stopping for the last 12 years coming up to the North Coast. After a delightful chat with who I assume is the owner, i walked away with dried apples (yum) and the BEST strawberry jam I have had since I was a kid. Just like Grandma used to make. Not too much sugar, just the right amount of it. I could actually taste the fruit, it wasn't sickly sweet and I enjoyed it on my toasted waffle just now. Thanks for bringing up great memories of my Grandma. :) As far as service, like I said, this was our first time here. I assume the older man waiting on us was the owner, I'm not sure why. He gave us a taste of an apple, which was yummy. We chatted about gardens, acreage and how often we come up that way. He was so nice and polite!! I guess we will see how our trip in a few months serves us and we will rate it again. And if you want good jam..... read more

This is ALWAYS a stop for us on visits to AV. The produce is farm fresh,the cider is a favorite of the whole family. Great stop that is right on Hwy128 . We also usually take home their apples, Serria beauties, which we can't get in Wa. St. read more

The fruit, especially the plums, are amazing! The apple cider tasted like seawater when I tried it this time, but I've liked it in the past. But definitely stop by for the fresh fruit! read more

Apple cider is the best ever. Lots of other good seasonal produce. I took an extra four hours to stop by Gowan's Oak Tree on my way from the Bay Area to Seattle, and it's absolutely worth it. My parents have been stopping there since the 1950s and I'm glad to say very little has changed. read more

These five stars are on behalf of the fact that these folks grow The Best Golden Delicious apples I have ever tasted. I will never forget as a kid when staying at my uncle's cabin just north of Ft Bragg he would bring in a lug of these apples and they would fill the whole cabin with that wonderful scent that only a tree ripened golden can make. Crispy crunchy juicy wonderfully delicious. The best. Oh, and a little trick to making that apple taste even better? Continue on about a mile west to Navarro Vineyards (a wonderful destination too because of their JUICES and beautiful and romantic setting) and get a bottle of their Gevertztraminer cold pressed grape juice and intermittently sip the grape juice in between bites of apple... oh my! So so good! So. Bottom line is you have not had nor will have a golden delicious apple until you have a Gowans' golden. Gowans' Goldens forever! -Gary read more

Great fruit and veggies, great service and friendly folks. Best Apple Cider ever!!! If you are even close to Gowan's I suggest you stop!

My wife and I looked forward to stopping at Gowens Oak Tree especially for apples. We asked for a sample. The young lady went to the cold room to retrieve an apple. The apple was crisp and worth buying, so we proceeded to load up from boxes on display. Later when we ate the apples we had purchased, we discovered we had been taken. The Gravenstein and Golden were pithy and soft, nothing like the sample. read more