Updated for 2023
Who wants to go strawberry picking? Have you ever wanted to pick your own fruit, fresh from the farm? Is there any other family activity that’s as fun — and delicious? Not to mention educational, since you can help your kids learn about where their food comes from.
These hard-working family farms, near Los Angeles, and all over Southern California, offer the chance to go strawberry picking (or any other fruit in season), and enjoy seeing your food in its natural state. Sometimes called “U-Pick,” the idea is you and your family will do a bit of work and get to eat all the fresh fruit you gather.
In Los Angeles we are lucky to be able to pick fruit all year long, within just a couple hours’ drive. The time to pick strawberries is in the spring. You pick cherries in the early summer, and apple picking happens in the fall. But there are also blueberries, apricots, plums, and pumpkins, too — just to name a few others. Plus there are all the vegetables!
Have you been searching for Strawberry Picking Near Me in SoCal? We’ve got you covered! Find a U-Pick Farm Near Me on this awesome Google Map.
You’ll Find:
- Child-Friendly Farms in Los Angeles County
- Strawberry Picking in San Diego
- Ventura County Family Farms
- U-Pick Farms in San Bernardino County
- Berry Picking Farms in Orange County
- Riverside County Child-Friendly Farms
- Berry Picking in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties
Related: Cherry Picking Los Angeles
Pick Your Own Fruit: Locally Grown and Farm Fresh
We’ve got a great big list of farms to take kids where you can pick your own fruits and vegetables. You can find U-Pick Farms in LA County, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and even San Diego County.
And if you’d rather not pick your own, most of these farms have terrific farm stands, some with drive-through, so you can get fresh fruit and veggies direct from the farm, whether you get your hands dirty or not.
Things to Know Before You Go
Wherever you go to pick, and whatever fruit you choose, we hope you and your family have a great time!
Looking for U-Pick farms all over California? Check out this great website.
Fruit in Season
When is strawberry season, and when can we pick cherries or oranges? Here’s a list of all the fruit seasons in SoCal:
- Strawberries are grown year-round, but many people think the peak season is from April-July.
- Citrus, like lemons and tangerines, are usually in season from February to October.
- Cherries can usually be picked in May and June.
- Blueberry season usually starts in May and lasts into August.
- Apple picking season usually begins in late September and lasts into November.
U-Pick Farms — Ventura County
The Store at McGrath Family Farm
1012 W. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93010
888-707-6513
Fruits they grow: Strawberries, as well as other fruits and vegetables. This non-profit farm is BIPOC-owned and dedicated to helping the community.
Underwood Family Farms
2 locations
Underwood: Moorpark Farm Center
3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, CA 93021
805-529-3690
[email protected]
Fruits they grow: Strawberries, as well as many other fruits and vegetables, although not all of them are available for U-Pick. They’re known for having seasonal festivals perfect for families. Always check with them before heading out, just in case.
Underwood: Somis Farm Center
5696 E. Los Angeles Ave, Somis, CA 93066
(805) 386-4660
[email protected]
Fruits they grow: Strawberries, as well as many other fruits and vegetables, although not all of them are available for U-Pick.
In the fall, try our list of Farms for Apple Picking, many of which are located in San Bernardino County.
Pick Your Own Fruit — San Bernardino County
Los Rios Rancho
39611 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen, CA, 92399
(909) 797-1005
[email protected]
Fruits they grow: Strawberries, apples, and more berries.
Berry Picking Farms — Orange County
Tanaka Farms
5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine, California 92612
949-653-2100
[email protected]
Fruits they grow: Strawberries, as well as many other vegetables – and pumpkins. This child-friendly farm is also known for seasonal festivals. Please check with them regarding ticket sales and the availability of fruit before you go.
South Coast Farms
33201 Ortega Hwy San Juan Capistrano 92675
949-661-9381
[email protected]
Fruits they grow: Strawberries and other vegetables. Open for U-Pick during strawberry season.
The Ecology Center
32701 Alipaz St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
The Ecology Center, San Juan Capistrano’s 28-acre farm and education center, is hosting its annual Strawberry U-Pick interactive farm experience beginning Thursday, March 30, 2023. Embrace the colorful abundance of spring with the only Regenerative Organic Certified™ strawberries available in Southern California, open to the public Thursdays through Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. With the purchase of a ticket, U-pick guests will embark on a self-guided exploration of the farm with three stops along the way, each touching upon the theme, “Somos Campesinos” (“we are farmers”). After the educational tour, guests are encouraged to venture into the fields and fill their baskets with fresh strawberries which can be purchased by the pound. Tickets required for all adults and children two and up Thursdays and Fridays – $7 per person, Saturdays and Sundays – $9 per person.
Strawberry Picking — San Diego County
Carlsbad Strawberry Company
1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-603-9608
[email protected]
Fruits they grow: Strawberries and flowers.
Julian Farm and Orchard
4444 State Hwy 78 Julian/Wynola CA 92036
951-313-0166
[email protected]
Fruits they grow: Strawberries and pumpkins.
Kenny’s Strawberry Farm
953 Rainbow Valley Blvd, Fallbrook, CA 92028
(888) 236-0101
[email protected]
Fruits they grow: Strawberries.
U-Pick Strawberries in the Central Coast
Blueberries Ole!
3665 Dominion Road, Santa Maria, California 93454
(805) 260-0497
[email protected]
Don’t be fooled by the name: This farm may be known for blueberries (obviously), but they also grow blackberries, strawberries, flowers, and tomatoes — all available for Pick Your Own.
Related: Where to Pick Blueberries
Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Picking
Q: Is Strawberry Picking a good family activity?
A: Yes, you can pick strawberries with your kids and you’ll all have fun.
Q: When is strawberry picking season?
A: Strawberry picking season varies by location and climate, but generally it occurs in the late spring and early summer months. In North America, strawberry picking season typically runs from late May to early July, although this can vary by region.
Q: What should I wear for strawberry picking?
A: It’s best to wear comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty, as well as closed-toe shoes. You may also want to wear a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
Q: What should I bring when picking strawberries?
A: You’ll want to bring a container to hold your strawberries, such as a basket or a plastic container with a lid. You may also want to bring water and snacks, as well as cash to pay for the strawberries.
Q: How do I know which strawberries to pick?
A: Look for strawberries that are fully red and plump. Avoid strawberries that are unripe or overripe. You can also gently squeeze the strawberry to see if it’s ripe – it should be slightly soft to the touch.
Q: Can I eat the strawberries while picking?
A: It’s generally okay to eat a few strawberries while picking, but be sure to ask the farmer or staff at the farm if it’s allowed. They may have specific rules about eating while picking.
Q: Can I bring my pet with me to pick strawberries?
A: It’s best to check with the farm beforehand, as some may not allow pets due to health and safety concerns.
Q: Can I bring my own containers to pick strawberries?
A: It’s best to check with the farm beforehand, as some may have specific rules about the types of containers that are allowed. They may also provide containers for you to use.
Q: How much do strawberries cost when picking your own?
A: The cost of strawberries can vary depending on the location and the farm. You can expect to pay by weight or by the container. Prices may also vary depending on the ripeness and quality of the strawberries.
Q: How long do picked strawberries last?
A: Picked strawberries will typically last for a few days in the refrigerator. It’s best to eat them as soon as possible for the freshest flavor. You can also freeze strawberries for longer storage.
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