Olives and California go together like sand and surf, and in Ontario guests are treated to a working olive-packing facility experience like no other. Spanish missionaries planted the first olive trees in Mission San Diego de Alcala in the mid-1700s, and the trees quickly took to their new soil. Olives on a California dinner table quickly became a tradition, and C.C. Graber continues that tradition by curing his own barrels—and opening the entire experience to the public.
Olives are Ontario’s oldest industry. Graber Olives have been a landmark since 1894, featuring olives ripened on the tree for a rich flavor. Harvest time is October-December, but you can visit year-round and peruse the gift shop, take a tour and indulge in one of the state’s most beloved delicacies.
Olive You!
From olive oil to a variety of gift baskets and of course “just olives,” the gift shop is the perfect place to choose a treasure to bring home. You can also shop online for favorites like the California Classic Box, which comes with two tins of olives, smoked almonds, whole roasted almonds, pimiento-stuffed Spanish olives, a jar of apple butter, a jar of cucumber slices and pectin candy.
Go nutty, sweet or all of the above. Apricots and dates, including medjool varieties, are the perfect decadent dessert. Try cherries, or pair your dried fruits with salty almonds. No visit to Ontario is complete without swinging by Graber’s.
