Sticky hands and sweet little mouths dripping with berry juices mean summer is almost here, and berry picking screams summer like none other! Pack up the car, have a picnic, and take a short road trip to let the kids roam wild in the fields—the strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and more are waiting for you.
Berry Picking in Brentwood
Bacchini’s Fruit Tree—Brentwood
Head 60 miles east from San Francisco to Brentwood where you can find Bacchini’s Fruit Tree, a fruit stand and u-pick farm that has been open since 1945. Cherry picking is currently going on (see below). Blackberry and olallieberry picking typically starts in late May, or try your hand at picking delicious apricots and loquats.
2010 Walnut Blvd., Brentwood, CA
Online: bacchinisfarm.com
Nunn Better U-Pick Cherries
This spot has two locations so check which one is open before you head over. No reservations needed.
5500 Balfour Rd.
Brentwood CA
2777 Sellers Ave,
Brentwood CA
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-7 p.m. until cherries run out
Online: nunnbetterfarms.com
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Pease Ranch—Brentwood
Also in Brentwood is Pease Ranch where you can find berry picking and cherries as well. Pease Ranch is exclusively u-pick (no farm stand) and offers blackberries, loganberries, boysenberries, and olallieberries. You may even see some chickens or a tortoise roaming the grounds. Cash only.
Hours: Wed.-Sun. opens at 8 a.m. until fruit runs out. Call before heading over to check availability (925)634-4646
25175 Marsh Creek Rd., Brentwood, CA
Online: peaseranch.com
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G & S Farm—Brentwood
G & S Farms offers a great cherry-picking experience for families. Bring your own bag and a step stool to reach the higher-up cherries. Cherries are $3.50/lbs. They also sell pre-picked string beans and corn later in the summer.
2490 Chestnut Street
Brentwood, CA
Online: gsfarms.net
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Farmer's Daughter Produce Stand and U-Pick
This location has specialized in stone fruit for over 40 years!
23151 Marsh Creek Road
Brentwood, CA
Online: farmersdaughterproduce.com
Berry Picking on the Peninsula
Blue House Farm—San Gregorio
Located between Half Moon Bay and Pescadero is this lovely u-pick farm that offers a farmstand and strawberry picking on the honor system (see below for current update). Don't forget to come back in the fall to snag your pumpkins!
950 La Honda Rd., San Gregorio, CA
Online: bluehousefarm.com
Follow their Instagram for updates.
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Swanton Berry Farm—Davenport
Swanton Berry Farm has a great farm stand where you can buy pies, chocolate-covered strawberries, and other treats. Strawberries are available to pick in June (see update below) and later on in the summer you can also pick olallieberries, blackberries, and tayberries. Payment is by cash or check only.
Hours: daily, 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
25 Swanton Rd., Davenport, CA
Online: swantonberryfarm.com
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Webb Ranch—Portola Valley
Located in Portola Valley, Webb Ranch will be opening in mid-June for raspberry and blackberry picking by appointment only. There is a $4/person entrance fee (unless you are four and under or 65+ in which case you get in free), and fruit is $6.50/lb. to take home. Bonus: all berries are CCOF organic!
2720 Alpine Rd., Portola Valley, CA
Online: webbranchinc.com
South Bay Berry Picking
Berry Island Farm—Gilroy
This small organic u-pick farm offers blackberries, strawberries and ollalieberries for picking, along with veggies depending on the season. They also sell honey and homemade salsa. They are usually open on Saturdays and Sundays but follow their Facebook page as they often close on Sundays after a busy Saturday. You must wear closed-toe shoes to enter the u-pick, cash only.
10385 Watsonville Rd.
Gilroy, CA
Online: berryislandfarms.com
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Borello Family Farms U-Pick Cherries—Morgan Hill
This spot right off 101 in Morgan Hill is open for cherry-picking until they run out. They have Rainier, Coral Champagne, and Bing cherries for picking at $6.25/lb. for u-pick cherries and $7.25/lb. for pre-picked.
Morgan Hill and Gilroy, CA
Online: upickorchards.com
Lazy K Ranch Cherry U-Pick—Gilroy
This Gilroy spot has organic cherries fresh for picking. BYO container and check their website for opening day information. They offer three varieties of dark red cherries for picking—Bings, Brooks, and Vans. $5/pound.
3465 Susie Lane, Gilroy, California
Online: gilroycherries.com
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Live Earth Farm—Watsonville
This Watsonville farm offers u-pick opportunities when its fields have an abundance of product (they mostly grow to supply their CSA and farmer's market customers). May brings strawberry picking and in June, blackberries. Reservations required.
1275 Green Valley Rd., Watsonville, CA
Online: liveearthfarm.net
Gizdich Ranch—Watsonville
Drive south to Watsonville where the berries are a-plenty! Gizdich Ranch has ample parking right by the berries—perfect for the littles who don’t want to walk too far to the fruit. Check the website for the opening days for olallieberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Arrive early in the morning for the biggest selection and bring your own containers for picking. Before you head home, check out the bake shop where they offer a dozen pie options (go a la mode, of course), berry popsicles, and even sandwiches for those looking to lunch at the indoor or outdoor picnic tables. Don't forget to come back in the fall for apple picking!
Hours: daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (see update below)
55 Peckham Rd., Watsonville, CA
Online: gizdich-ranch.com
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Crystal Bay Farm—Watsonville
This organic farm is perfect for berry picking in conjunction with a beach trip—it's located just around the corner from scenic Sunset State Beach. Head to Crystal Bay Farm for sweet strawberries ($5/lb.) in the spring and raspberries in June or July ($7/lb.). There is a $2/person entrance fee.
Hours: Wednesdays and weekends, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (see update below)
40 Zils Rd., Watsonville, CA
Online: crystalbayfarm.com
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JSM Organics—Royal Oaks
JSM Organics is a certified organic farm located in the beautiful rolling hills of Royal Oaks/Aromas, California in Monterey County. The JSM team is dedicated to producing the highest quality strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, vegetables, and cut flowers—all of which are organics. Reservations required.
Online: jsmorganics.com
Sonoma County Berry Picking
Duckworth Family Farm—Sebastopol
Blueberry picking is in season in June at this Sebastopol family farm. Certified organic blueberries are sweet, juicy and low to the ground so perfect for little pickers. Blueberries picking early in the day last longer so come first thing in the morning. The farm also has chickens, sheep, cows and horses. You can often snag some fresh blueberry ice cream after a day of picking!
Hours: Fri.-Sun., 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
2950 Canfield Rd., Sebastopol, CA
Online: duckworthfarmblueberries.com
Farther Afield
Dell'Osso Family Farm—Lathrop
Making its debut this year to the cherry u-pick horizon, this family farm planted its coal and bing cherry orchards five years ago and is in its very first season for 2022. Be sure to check out the farm's other produce and pick up cherry jam and a pie to go!
501 Manthey Rd
Lathrop, CA
Online: cherriesonthefarm.com
Editor’s note: The availability of berries can vary from week to week. Check the website or call before you head out to ensure there is enough pickable produce. Try to arrive first thing in the morning when the temps are low and the berries are most plentiful.
Additional reporting by Kate Loweth
