Best Places for Strawberry Picking California– Strawberries! Little vibrant red bites of deliciousness, that give everyone the nostalgic taste of summer. Well known for pairing superbly with lashings of cream, strawberries are also heroes of the fruit world as they provide vitamins, fiber, and particularly high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols. Strawberries are a scrumptious and versatile sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free, low-calorie snack.
Strawberry picking season in California starts in April, although of course, as with any fruit, weather plays an important role in when these little gems will be ready for you to collect.
So, let’s take a look at the Best Places for Strawberry Picking in California.
Strawberry Picking in Northern California
R & R Fresh Farms
2310 Pescadero Creek Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060
At R & R Fresh Farms, “join us daily for u-pick harvesting of CCOF certified organic raspberries, blackberries, and olallieberries. We provide baskets to harvest in to and plastic bags to bring your berries home in.
Visit us inside the farm-stand before heading out in to the fields to pick up a basket and get details on the best areas for picking each day. We welcome large groups and encourage you to get the whole family involved, kids love getting their little hands dirty and it’s a great way to educate them on where their food comes from.
Support your local farms and join us this summer in the fields!”
They also have strawberries and pumpkins when in season.
Chan’s Strawberry Farm
7990 Balfour Rd, Brentwood, CA 94513
Chan’s Strawberry Farm in Brentwood – “My name is Chan K. Tern, and this is my farm. I’ve been a farmer for over 25 years! I enjoy seeing all the happy smiles on our customers! Hope everyone gets a chance to experience strawberry and blackberry picking! Have a great day!”
Berry Island Farms
10385 Watsonville Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020
Berry Island Farms – “Our U-pick farm is well known all over the San Francisco Bay Area! We grow the sweetest, best tasting berries. Our picking season starts in April and lasts all the way through November.
We are open for U-pick every Saturday from 9am to 1pm. We do not take reservations; first come first serve. Cash only. Closed toe shoes required. No pets allowed!
We grow a variety of different organic berries: strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, boysenberries, and olallieberries. Our heirloom strawberries are the sweetest, best tasting you will find! Nothing tastes better than straight from the vine.”
Blue House Farm
950 La Honda Rd, San Gregorio, CA 94074
At Blue House Farm, they “grow an incredible diversity of certified organic vegetables, fruits and cut flowers year-round, on over 70 acres in Pescadero and San Gregorio, California. Now in our sixteenth year, we proudly supply our farmers’ markets, Farmstand, U-pick, and wholesale accounts with some of the highest-quality produce available.”
There is a pumpkin patch in the fall.
Three Nunns Farm
550 Walnut Blvd, Brentwood, CA 94513
At Three Nunns Farm – “Once you arrive at our farm, please first check-in at our stand to receive all the information for your visit. We also have a variety of fresh produce, both u-pick and pre-picked, available for purchase. Depending on the time year, you’ll find strawberries. cherries, blueberries, pomegranates, cucumbers, watermelons, bell peppers, cantaloupes, peppers, garlic, pumpkins, as well as decorative corn stalks and olive branches.
Our farm has over 40 acres for exploring. We encourage children (and parents) to get as dirty as possible! We recommend wearing closed-toe shoes for your visit – and keeping a close eye on little ones.
Three Nunns Farm accepts cash or card and we have plenty of wagons and free parking!
Our 5-acre corn maze typically takes about 15-30 minutes to navigate! “You are here” Maps are posted in the maze for reference as you find your way. We also have our “Corn Trail” which takes about 5 minutes to navigate and is ideal for those looking for a more relaxed maze experience!”
Bacchini’s Fruit Tree
2010 Walnut Blvd, Brentwood, CA 94513
Bacchini’s Fruit Tree is a “family operated Picked and U-Pick fruit stand. We are located in beautiful Brentwood, California. Just 60 miles east of San Francisco. Growing premium quality fruits since 1945. Each year we are open during May & June to offer our fresh fruit, grown in our orchard!”
They have u-pick White Peaches, Kiowa Blackberries, Sweet Cherries, White Rainier cherries, Olallieberries, Pluots, Santa Rosa Plum, White Nectarines, Apricots, Loquats, Raw Honey and Walnuts.
Swanton Berry Farm
25 Swanton Rd, Davenport, CA 95017
Swanton Berry Farm was founded in 1983 by Jim Cochran. “At that time, no one had grown strawberries organically on a commercially successful basis. The general consensus in the industry said it couldn’t be done. Five years later, Swanton Berry Farm would become the first certified organic strawberry farm in California (CCOF).
Just as the process of organic certification formalizes Swanton Berry Farm’s commitment to a set of ethics in our farming practices, a Union contract similarly formalizes our commitment to the human side of the farming equation. The fundamental question that drives this duality is why treat your food with a set of standards but not those who plant and harvest that same food?
In 1998, Swanton Berry Farm became the first organic farm in America to sign a contract with the United Farm Workers, AFL-CIO.
The combination of organic farming practices with union labor is why Swanton Berry Farm is known for producing fruits, jams, and baked goods that are beyond compare. We are dedicated to doing things honorably, whether it’s how we grow our crops, or how we treat our workers. It’s a difference you can taste, come see for yourself.”
Gilroy U-Pick
10541 Korn Ln, Gilroy, CA 95020
Gilroy U-Pick is a “small family operated u-pick only farm located in beautiful Gilroy, California. We sell both u-pick and freshly picked fruits and vegetables. We are really proud of the fact that we do not use any spray of any kind organic or inorganic to grow our crops. Every year we kick off the Santa Clara county cherry season with our early ripening varieties around May 7 that is around 25 days ahead of bing cherries. We are open on mother’s day. Treat your mother or other loved one on mother’s day with nature’s gift of cherries.”
Here you can pick:
- Cherries
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Plums/Pluots
- Watermelons
- Cantaloupes
- Corn
- String beans
Gizdich Ranch
723 Lakeview Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076
Gizdich Ranch offer various u-pick fruits. “Pik-Yor-Self – Strawberries, Olallie berries, Boysenberries, and Apples are available in our Pik-Yor-Self program. Experience the most fun part of growing fruits, here at the Ranch! Combined with fresh air, sunshine and a little sweat, it’s a whole lot of fun for the kids and the entire family. Don’t forget your camera.
Call for our opening dates and prepare for a fun day of picking delicious fruit. Bring your own containers or let us provide boxes for a small fee.
When everyone’s ready for lunch, picnic behind our sales barn and let the kids play. Plan to see us soon!”
Cloverfield Organic Farm
501 La Paloma Rd, El Sobrante, CA 94803
Cloverfield Organic Farm “are the first certified organic farm in El Sobrante. We grow a wide variety of small amounts of fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and potted plants. We host weekly u-picks on Fri., Sat. and Sun. We offer different sizes to meet everyone’s needs. No need to call ahead, if the open sign is out, please drive on down and we will give you a tour and tell you what is ready for ‘the pickin’. Alternate u-picking times and farm visits can be arranged by calling ahead to Farmer Michael.
In May and June – Elderflowers, green wild plums, a few strawberries, mints (chocolate, apple, and strawberry-flavored), horseradish roots and leaves, Greek oregano, lemon balm, German thyme, Greek mountain tea flower stems, nopales pads, young grape leaves, rau ram, garlics, potatoes, green onions, chives, lettuce, beets, kale, marshmallow leaves, calendula flowers and seed heads, arugula, komatsuna, rosemary, sweetheart pink roses, catnip, epazote, lavender flowers, asparagus, chamomile, wormwood, purslane, bay leaves, borage leaves and flowers, dandelion greens, and rhubarb
Things that we expect to have available for u-picking in September include the following – Autumn berries, apples, Chilean guavas, Emeryville pink grapes, tomatoes, beets, sweet peppers, mild hot peppers, fiery hot red manzano peppers, rhubarb, squashes, a few figs, cucumbers, horseradish, lemon verbena, mints, and oregano.“
Strawberry Picking in Southern California
Carlsbad Strawberry Company
1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Carlsbad Strawberry Company is a family run Upick farm, just waiting to welcome you and yours to enjoy the strawberry picking season together.
Kenny’s Strawberry Farm
953 Rainbow Valley Blvd, Fallbrook, CA 92028
At Kenny’s Strawberry Farm they really encourage all the family to get out in the fresh air and pick some strawberries!
“Our farm has been growing strawberries for over 10 years. The berries love the weather at our farm in Rainbow, which tends to be more temperate and cool than the high desert climate in the nearby Temecula Valley.
We grow a variety of strawberry that is known for its vibrant red color and sweet flavor. What sets our strawberries apart is their sweetness and freshness. The berries that you get at our stands are picked at the peak of ripeness, making them more delicious than berries you get in stores. And the best way to get the freshest berries is to visit the farm and pick them!”
Be Wise Ranch – Strawberry Picking San Diego
20505 San Pasqual Rd, Escondido, CA 92025
Be Wise Ranch is a “certified organic farm that has been growing organic produce since 1977 in the Santa Fe Valley, just eight miles east of San Diego. Be Wise Ranch organic vegetables and fruits are known nationally for their delicious flavor and fresh, sun-ripened quality.
We offer a wide selection of CCOF certified organic fruit and vegetables for wholesale distribution throughout the country, including vine-ripe heirloom tomatoes, strawberries, squash, and greens. Situated in a coastal zone about eight miles from the ocean, Be Wise Ranch’s unique microclimate allows us to grow year-round, and to specialize in early and late season vegetables.”
Stehly Farms Organics
12630 Santa Catalina Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082
At Stehly Farms Organics, we strive to bring you the freshest most delicious produce we can grow. From Blackberries to Avocados, and from Onions to Oranges, we grow a large variety of items through each and every season.
Navel Oranges, Valencia Oranges, Blood Oranges, Cara Cara Navel Oranges, Gold Nugget Tangerines, Satsuma Tangerines, Bearss Limes, Sweet Limes, Eureka Lemons, Meyer Lemons, Ruby Grapefruit, and Cocktail Grapefruit round out our citrus portfolio.
Consistently delivered the day after harvest, our spring and summer months fill our trucks and your bellies with the freshest Blueberries, Strawberries and Blackberries! And we can’t forget about our Dragonfruit which comes in in the late summer and stretches through fall!”
Stehly Farms run upick strawberries and blackberries. In the fall they have a pumpkin patch and petting zoo. They also sell their own organic honey.
Julian Farm and Orchard
4381 Julian Hwy, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070
Julian Farm and Orchard is “located just an hour east of San Diego in the Wynola neighborhood of Julian.
Our 25-acre sustainable farm includes sprawling apple orchards and lush agriculture making us a truly unique destination for all visitors. The petting zoo area offers an up-close encounter with the friendly animals who call the farm their home. Our welcoming staff loves to see each guest who visits and ensures a safe and memorable experience for all.
Other experiences during the year include tractor-pulled hayrides, axe throwing, picnic areas, hammocks, a gift shop and various food and beverage options.
Our schedule includes U-Pick Daffodils during March and April; U-Pick Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries and Sunflowers during June, July and August; with U-Pick apples and our famous Pumpkin Patch during September and October of each year.”
Underwood Family Farms
3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021
Underwood Family Farms – You may know about us because of our super fresh, locally grown, California produce, but did you know that we do much more than just grow fruits and vegetables?
We have two locations for you to visit, one in Somis and one in Moorpark as well as our many Farmers’ Markets throughout Ventura and LA Counties. Birthday Parties at the Farm, Pick -Your-Own Produce, Educational School Tours, Specialty Gifts & Products, Fruit & Vegetable Gift Baskets, not to mention our Springtime, Fall Harvest and Christmas on the Farm are just some of the things that make us who we are.
Check their website to see when you can go strawberry, raspberry, blackberry or blueberry picking. In the fall there is a Gigantic Pumpkin Patch, Pick Your Own and 5 Themed Weekends of Live Entertainment & Family Fun. At Christmas you can visit with Santa and choose your own Christmas tree.
They also have a seasonal petting zoo. They grow Sweetpeas in the Spring.
South Coast Farms U-Pick
33201 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Started in 1996 by Farmer George, South Coast Farms is a “family farm dedicated to growing and purveying farm fresh strawberries and other fine foods from our fields to your tables. Enjoy our two Orange County Locations for our fresh vegetable and fruit Farmstand in Dana Point, and for our strawberry picking U-Pick in San Juan Capistrano.
Here is where the magic happens! Our farm is located at Tree of Life Nursery at 33201 Ortega Hwy San Juan Capistrano 92675. This is where we grow all of our fresh, pesticide-free produce. At this location, you can participate in our Strawberry U-Pick. All of the produce we grow here is delivered daily to our Dana Point Farm Stand.”
Tanaka Farms
5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
At Tanaka Farms you can join them “for a Strawberry Picking Tour daily! (reservations required!)
Tanaka Farms is famous for our delicious, sweet, and juicy strawberries! Take a wagon ride around the farm. Learn about the farming methods and history of our farm from your friendly tour guide. You will see how fruits and vegetables grow! Make one stop to pick a seasonal vegetable*, and then the last stop on this tour is in the strawberry patch where you can pick and eat strawberries! Everyone will take home a one-pound basket of strawberries! After the tour, visit the Barnyard Educational Exhibit where you can meet and interact with our barnyard friends.”
They also have Blackberry Picking, Melon Tours from June-September, Sunflowers, a U-Pick Pumpkin Patch in October, and a Festival of Lights & Christmas Trees in December.
Kenny’s Strawberry Farm
953 Rainbow Valley Blvd, Fallbrook, CA 92028
At Kenny’s Strawberry Farm they really encourage all the family to get out in the fresh air and pick some strawberries!
“Our farm has been growing strawberries for over 10 years. The berries love the weather at our farm in Rainbow, which tends to be more temperate and cool than the high desert climate in the nearby Temecula Valley.
We grow a variety of strawberry that is known for its vibrant red color and sweet flavor. What sets our strawberries apart is their sweetness and freshness. The berries that you get at our stands are picked at the peak of ripeness, making them more delicious than berries you get in stores. And the best way to get the freshest berries is to visit the farm and pick them!”
Carlsbad Strawberry Company
1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Carlsbad Strawberry Company is a family run Upick farm, just waiting to welcome you and yours to enjoy the strawberry picking season together.
See our huge post on Strawberry Picking as well as a big list of fruit picking farms in California.