Strawberries! Little vibrant red bites of deliciousness, that give everyone the nostalgic taste of summer. Well known for pairing with whip cream on top of Angel’s food cake, 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 Los Angeles is approximately March through to July, although of course, as with any fruit, weather plays an important role in when these little gems will be ready for you to collect.
As always, check with the individual family friendly farm before you visit. So, let’s take a look at the Best Places for Strawberry Picking in Los Angeles and the surrounding area including Orange County, Ventura, the Inland Empire and San Diego.
Best Strawberry Picking Tips For Families
- Sprint and summer on the farm can get hot, so come prepared with hats, sunscreen and water for everyone – and plan to limit your picking time if it’s really hot.
- Berry picking can get messy, so dress in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
- If you plan to pick more than one container of fruit, bring something to carry the containers in (such as a plastic bag)
- Most of these farms are working farm with dirt and terrain not suited to a stroller (like very narrow rows for picking)
- Bring along some hand sanitizer for post-picking clean up
- Take breaks with younger children. It can take up to two hours to pick and fill a few containers of strawberries.
- Bring a lunch or snack to enjoy on the farm after going strawberry picking.
Strawberry Picking in Los Angeles
Underwood Family Farms – Somis & Moorpark
Parking and entrance to Underwood Farms Somas and Underwood Family Farms Moorpark is free. The farm provides 1 and 2 pound containers for picking at no cost to you. Berries are priced by the pound and subject to availability and may change at any time. Cash and credit cards are accepted.
Call ahead to confirm what is available for picking before heading out to the farm. The berry trail for U-pick berries is open seasonally, usually April through September depending on crop availability.
Portable potties are available. No dogs or outside animals are allowed on the farm. See here for the Somis crop calendar and Moorpark crop calendar.
Strawberry Picking in Orange County
South Coast Farms, San Juan Capistrano
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 their fields to your table.
Here is where the magic happens! South Coast Farms is located at Tree of Life Nursery at 33201 Ortega Hwy San Juan Capistrano 92675. This is where they grow all of their fresh, pesticide-free produce. At this location, you can participate in their Strawberry U-Pick. All of the produce they grow here is delivered daily to their Dana Point Farm Stand.
There is no admission fee for going strawberry picking. To find out when they have u-pick strawberries, you need to follow them on Instagram. That’s where they post all the available times during strawberry season.
Tanaka Farms, Irvine
Tanaka Farms is famous for their delicious, sweet and juicy strawberries! Take a wagon ride around the farm which starts in mid-March through June. Learn about their farming methods and this history of the family farm from your friendly tour guide. You will see and learn how fruits and vegetables grow.
The wagon ride includes a stop to pick a seasonal vegetable and then the last 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, you can visit their Barnyard Educational Exhibit where you can meet and interact with their barn animals.
Monday – Friday: Tours depart at 9:30am, 11am, 1pm, and 2:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: Tours depart at 9:30am, 10am, 10:30am, 11am, 11:30am, 12pm, 12:30pm, 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, and 2:30pm
The Ecology Center, San Juan Capistrano
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. Free from chemical fertilizers and pesticides, families can feel at ease knowing that the strawberries are safe for little ones to enjoy straight from the vine.
Admission:
Tickets required for all adults and children two and up
- Thursdays and Fridays – $7 per person
- Saturdays and Sundays – $9 per person
Strawberries:
- Pay by the pound for strawberries picked from the farm
When:
March 30 through April 30, 2023 or while strawberries last
Thursdays-Sundays, 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Strawberry Picking in the Inland Empire
Riley’s at Los Rios Rancho, Oak Glen
Pleasantly situated in the scenic agricultural community of Oak Glen, Los Rios Rancho is Southern California’s largest Apple Farm in operation since 1906. They specialize in historic entertainment and traditional farming using their agricultural heritage as a backdrop for their many public events and living history field trips. Venture up the mountain and join them year round for our slow cooked meats, fresh baked goods, artisan crafts, mountainous nature trails, seasonal fruit picking, and Farm festivals.
Join in the summer fun and pick your own fresh organically grown strawberries. Their mountain scape strawberry fields are an escape from the heat of the valley and a wonderful way to celebrate the changing season. You can follow them on Facebook to find out their regularly scheduled strawberry picking dates and times.
Strawberry Picking in San Diego
Kenny’s Strawberry Farm, Fallbrook
From February to July, Kenny’s Strawberry Farm grows the most amazing berries.
The farm has been growing strawberries for over 10 years. The berries love the weather at the farm in Fallbrook, which tends to be more temperate and cool than the high desert climate in the nearby Temecula Valley.
They grow a variety of strawberry that is known for its vibrant red color and sweet flavor. What sets their strawberries apart is their sweetness and freshness. The berries that you get at their stands are picked at the peak of ripeness, making them more delicious than berries you get in stores. But the best way to get the freshest berries is to visit the farm and pick them for yourself!
Carlsbad Strawberry Company, Carlsbad
Carlsbad Strawberry Company’s family run strawberry fields are located in beautiful and sunny Carlsbad, right off the 5 freeway. Their 25 acres of farm land has been cultivated by their family now for 4 generations and their expertise shows.
If you want to visit a strawberry farm, and try some delicious strawberries, then you need to come visit Carlsbad Strawberry Company – you won’t be disappointed. Their fields are great for family outings, dates, field trips, team bonding, and so much more. They also have a wonderful display of sunflowers for visitors to enjoy.
Julian Farm and Orchard, Santa Ysabel
Julian Farm and Orchard in Santa Isabel is excited to share their beautiful 25-acre sustainable farm with you. As an agritourism destination, they offer a hands-on experience that is fun for all ages year-round. Our guests experience a working farm without all the work.
They offers u-pick, school tours, farm activities and more! Other experiences during the year include tractor-pulled hayrides, rock climbing wall, axe throwing, picnic areas, hammocks, a gift shop, face painting, crafts, entertainment, and various food and beverage options.
Strawberry picking takes place June, July and August. Don’t forget to also check out their apple picking schedule and u-pick sunflowers in the fall.
Mellano Farm Stand, Oceanside
Mellano Farm Stand in Oceanside kicks off its u-pick strawberry with a special event featuring food, live music, vendors and chance to take pictures in their beautiful ranunculus field for photos. They are open 10:30 am – 5:00 pm Thursday – Sunday for the season. There is no entrance feee. U-pick buckets are $10. Tractor rides are $5.
Strawberry Picking in Ventura
Terry Berries, Ventura
Terry Berries began in 2003 as an offshoot of Terry Farms, Inc. The Terry Family has been farming in Ventura County for over 125 years ever since Joe Terry left Portugal to farm in 1890. They grow lovely strawberries during the growing season.
Sign up for their newsletter to read the latest news about special events at the farm, promos and fun recipes you can try at home!
Happy Field Tripping!
Jilleen