Spring is in the air and for many backyard gardeners the growing season is only just beginning, however there are many places to find farms and fields where you can harvest your own flowers, cherries, seasonal veggies and strawberries now.
Enjoy a day getting close to the soil and experience what it’s like to harvest your own food and learning how it is grown.
Remember the rules of u-pick etiquette as you fill your u-pick containers, no eating in the fields, you must purchase your harvest before eating and tread carefully, don’t step on plants or “hop” over rows.
To enjoy a successful u-pick adventure wear comfortable clothing, bring water, sunscreen and wear a hat. Be sure to check with each farm for exact dates and prices.
Underwood Family Farms
3370 Sunset Valley Rd., Moorpark 93021
Info underwoodfamilyfarms.com
Established for more than 45 years this farm offers a bonanza of u-pick fresh veggies and a variety of spring flowers including snapdragons, sunflowers, sweet peas and wild flowers. Enjoy a tractor-pulled wagon ride, as well.
U-pick prices are well below what you would pay at any grocery store.
Underwood Family Farms has a second location in Somis, 5696 E. Los Angeles Ave., Somis 93066. It offers pick-your-own blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, tangerines and figs in season.
Carlsbad Strawberry Company,
1050 Cannon Rd., Carlsbad 92008
Info www.carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com
Pick your own strawberries, then walk the sunflower maze at this family-owned and run Carlsbad farm. This 25-acre farm, right off the I-5, has been cultivated by the same family for 4 generations.
Kenny’s Strawberry Farm
953 Rainbow Valley Blvd., Fallbrook, 92028
Info kennysstrawberryfarm.com
They grow sweet, hearty strawberries in these family-friendly fields in east San Diego County. Open to u-pick by reservation only. Visit the website for details.
South Coast Farms
33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano 92675
Info southcoastfarms.com
South Coast Farms offers u-pick strawberries on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Use Tree of Life Nursery Entrance then follow signs to parking and fields.
For updates follow them on Instagram/Facebook @southcoastfarms.
Tanaka Farms, Irvine
5380 3/4 University Dr., Irvine 92612
427 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa 92626
Info www.tanakafarms.com
Combine berry and veggie picking and a wagon ride where this farm’s u-pick arrangement includes a ride around the farm, with stops to pick a seasonal veggie, including zucchini, kale, or onions, as well as a bucket of strawberries. Visit the farm’s Hana Field for u-pick lavender. Hana Field is at the Costa Mesa location. The farm has had a successful early strawberry season, check for Facebook updates on current crop availability.
Villa del Sol Sweet Cherry Farm
6989 Elizabeth Lake Rd., Leona Valley 93551
Pick from five varieties of sweet cherries, Bing, Rainier, Early Burlat, Brooks and Tulare, at this 25-acre orchard with more than 3,000 trees located off the Antelope Valley Freeway, about 30 minutes from the Santa Clarita Valley. While you’re there, pick up a jar of the farm’s raw honey. Cherry season runs from May to June, visit the website to check when the 2026 season will open.
Leona Valley Cherry Growers Association
Info www.cherriesupic.com/orchards.html
A number of u-pick cherry orchards operate in the Leona Valley during cherry season which usually begins in late May or early June. In addition to Villa del Sol other orchards include:
Full Moon Cherries
39734 87th St. W, Leona Valley CA 93551
Rolling Thunder U-Pick Cherry Ranch
10254 Leona Ave., Leona Valley, 93551
Temecula Berry Company
39700 Cantrell Rd., Temecula 92591
Info temeculaberryco.com
The Inland Empire town may be mostly known for its wine grapes, but this family farm is all about the blueberries. Blueberries are considered one of nature’s superfoods. Buy a small, medium, or large container, then fill it to your heart’s content. Blueberry season is expected to begin in late May. Sign up for the farm’s Berry Bulletin to get the scoop on opening dates.
Gizdich Ranch
55 Peckham Rd. , Watsonville 95076
Info www.gizdich-ranch.com/u-pick
At Gizdich Ranch you can pick your favorite fruit of the season right off the tree or vine; then, picnic among the apple trees and the hills. Everyone is welcome to visit the working farm, year round, at no cost.
Expected u-pick opening dates:
Strawberries – Mid-May
Olallie Berries – Mid-June
Boysenberries – July
Apples – September
The farm is open daily year round except for holidays. U-pick is open weekends only in season, call (831) 722-1056 to learn exact opening dates.
Riverdance Farms
12230 Livingston Cressey Rd., Livingston 95334
The Riverdance Farm u-pick season opening 23rd Annual Pick and Gather Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31. This Central Valley family-run farm, located on the Merced River, about 25 miles south of Modesto, offers u-pick organic cherries, blueberries and apricots in the spring. The summer season offers mixed fruit, blackberries and elderberries and apples, fall season features almonds, pecans, walnuts, herbs, pomegranates and persimmons.
The California Peony Company
10703 S State Highway 3, Callahan 96014
Info www.californiapeonycompany.com
If you have a passion for peonies you might want to travel to Siskiyou County, during May to visit California’s largest peony farm. Situated on 10+ acres in the Trinity Alps, it features more than 30 varieties, including herbaceous and Itoh peonies. The farm opens for tours, u-pick and fresh-cut stem sales, weekends in May. Visit the website for exact dates and times.
