15 Best Farms for Strawberry Picking in the Bay Area 2024 [+ Map]

Do you want to go strawberry picking in the Bay Area?

Strawberry picking in the Bay Area is a wholesome and fun activity that is perfect for friends, couples, and families. 

We have you covered with where to pick strawberries and the best farms in the Bay Area where you can get your hands dirty and learn about the region’s agriculture.

Whether you plan to go strawberry picking in Half Moon Bay, the East Bay, or San Francisco, there are plenty of options nearby.

You will find everything you need below to plan an epic trip to pick your own strawberries from the best organic farm to what you need to pack for your trip.

Now let’s check out the best farms for strawberry picking in the Bay Area!

Strawberry Picking in the Bay Area

Did you know that 91% of US-produced strawberries come from California? 

And because the Bay Area has the perfect climate for all kinds of berries to thrive in, you’ll find many U Pick strawberry farms across Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties. 

Why visit just one organic strawberry farm when you can use this list of the Bay Area’s best pick-your-own berries for a perfect day of visiting multiple farms with friends or your family? 

1. Swanton Berry Farm (Davenport)

• Season: Strawberry season from April and May, Olallieberry u-picks in June/July, and Kiwi u-picks in November to January
• Hours: 8 am to 5 pm
• Fees: $8 per pound 
• Google Map | Website | Facebook | 831-889-0850

Founded in 1983 by Jim Cochran, Swanton Berry Farm was the first organic strawberry farm in California. 

Today, the farm is a prime spot for strawberry picking in Half Moon Bay. 

It remains a beloved producer of farm-fresh goods distributed to local farmers’ markets throughout the central and northern California coast. 

Swanton Berry Farm is open year-round, but u-picking is only available from April or May until around August. Visitors can buy already-packed strawberries or pick their own at the farm.

After the strawberry season, you can still enjoy the farm’s produce with their yummy jam, strawberry shortcake, and organic pies baked right on the property.

Kids can check out the vintage toys while the grown-ups can relax on the picnic tables and chairs.

Swanton Berry Farm takes cash, credit cards, and Apple pay.

• 🍓U-Pick Fruits: Strawberries, blackberries, olallieberries, loganberries, kiwis
• 💎Other Offerings: The farm sells baked goods, jams, hot strawberry-apple cider, strawberry lemonade, pumpkins (seasonal) 

Local Tip: After visiting this strawberry farm, stop by Shark Fin cove to see one of the unique beaches along the coast.

2. Coastways Ranch (Pescadero)

• Season: April-May
• Hours: 10 am to 5 pm, Friday to Sunday
• Fees: $5 per pound
• Google Map | Facebook | 650-879-0414

If you’re visiting Swanton Berry Farm, you can also visit their co-owned Coastways Ranch just down the road. 

Coastways Ranch, located in Pescadero, is one of the best stops when you’re driving along the scenic Highway 1. 

You can reach the farm by driving south from Half Moon Bay, then stopping just past Ano Nuevo State Park, and the farm’s entrance is on the left side.

During the organic strawberry picking season (from April to May), the farm operates only on the weekends. 

Many guests swear by the size of the strawberries here as they are supposedly bigger than the berries at their sister farm stand in Davenport. 

Call before visiting to ensure u-pick is available, as they adapt the open days to the amount of ripe fruit in the field. 

• 🍓U-Pick Fruits: Strawberries
• 💎Other Offerings: Artichokes, pumpkins, and kiwis

Local Tip: This U Pick strawberry farm is a great road trip stop from San Francisco.

3. R&R Fresh Farms (Pescadero)

• Season: May to August
• Hours: 10 am to 6 pm daily, except on Monday (they open at noon and close at six pm)
• Fees: $3 to $6 per pound
• Google Map | Instagram | Facebook | 650-954-0055

R&R Fresh Farms, also known as R&R Fresh Herbs, is an adorable small farm located in the coastal town of Pescadero. 

It offers a relaxing mountain view as the backdrop of the u-pick olallieberry, blueberry, and strawberry fields.

R&R Fresh Farms is known for producing the area’s best organic berries. 

Its strawberry field is a hit with young kids, but this farm is more famous for its olallieberries, which can be plentiful around mid-June. 

If available, make sure to try their freshly-based pies. They’re scrumptious!

R&R Fresh Farms update guests about which type of berry is currently available for u-picking, so make sure to call before visiting. 

R&R Fresh Farms keep a healthy number of hens and sell fresh chicken and duck eggs. 

• 🍓U-Pick Fruits: olallieberries, blackberries, and strawberries
• 💎Other Offerings: jams, jellies, fruit butter, honey, herbs, eggs, vegetables, and succulents

Local Tip: If you’re visiting this farm with kids, consider stopping by Pescadero beach for a picnic and you can even check out some tidepools. 

4. Blue House Farm (San Gregorio)

• Season: April to October, closed in the winter
• Hours: Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm or until they sell out.
• Fees: $7 per pound
• Google Map | Website | Facebook | info@bluehousefarm.com

The Blue House Farm is a 5-acre certified organic farm established in 2005 by first-generation farmer Ryan Casey. 

This farm is busy year-round, and when the berry season is over, it continues selling many fresh vegetables at its farmstand and various markets nearby. 

Anyone looking for flowers for their rustic wedding should check out Blue House Farm’s flower garden.

The farm grows 3 acres of sunflowers, dahlias, delphinium, and other bulbs and annuals from May through October. 

Of course, the u-pick is still the star of the farm. Their fresh strawberries are sweet and addicting. 

If you visit during the season, you must try one of Blue House Farm’s berry popsicles. 

• 🍓U-Pick Fruits: Albion and San Andres strawberries
• 💎Other Offerings: pumpkin patch, organically-grown veggies, fruit, flowers, dry beans, and preserve

Local Tip: After picking up your fruits, visit San Gregorio State Beach, one of the beautiful beaches along the California coast, for a picnic. 

5. Three Nunns Farm (Brentwood)

• Season: Strawberries (Mid-May to April), Cherries and Peaches (May to June), Apricots and nectarines (June to August), Melons, Pumpkins, and tomatoes (September to October)
• Hours: 9 am to 6 pm daily
• Fees: $4 to $8 per pound, Reservations are required for group visits or field trips.
• Google Map | Website | Facebook | 925-550-0870 

If you’re after a memorable strawberry and cherry picking experience, you have to visit Three Nunns Farm.

The story of Three Nunns Farm began over 100 years ago with George Nunn, who first built this family farm.

Today, the farm is run by third, fourth, and fifth-generation Nunn family members, most notably the three Nunn siblings Jake, Sam & Hailey. 

Three Nunns Farm produces high-quality fruits and vegetables year-round, with pumpkins in the fall, strawberries and cherries in the spring, and peaches in the summer.

Kids will love Three Nunns Farm for the u-picking programs and fun activities like tractor rides and corn mazes.

Three Nunns Farm accepts cash or card and sells their produce by the pound.

• 🍓U-Pick Fruits: strawberries, cherries, blueberries, peaches, and pumpkins
• 💎Other Offerings: watermelons, pomegranates, cucumbers, cantaloupes, bell peppers, garlic

6. Berry Best Family Farm (Brentwood)

• Season: From May to June
• Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily
• Fees: $3.50 per pound with a 2-pound minimum, entrance fee of $1/person, cash only
• Google Map | Website | Facebook | Instagram | 209-323-9364

Berry Best Family Farm is one of the best strawberry picking farms in the Bay Area. 

They take pride in their annual harvest of sweet strawberries, boysenberries, olallieberries, and blackberries. 

They also grow various vegetables, figs, peaches, plums, apricots, and more throughout the year that also can be purchased at their farmstand. 

Berry Best Family Farm is known for its medium-sized, super-sweet, and juicy strawberries, which they claim to be the sweetest in the county. 

When berries are in season, you can visit to pick your own strawberries on set days that they release on their social media pages. 

If you just want to stop by, you can purchase pre-picked strawberries from their farm stand seven days a week from 9 am to 5 pm. 

If you’re visiting to u-pick strawberries, bring your bucket if you don’t want to pay for a box.

• 🍓U-Pick Fruits: Strawberries
• 💎Other Offerings: Pre-picked boysenberries,  olallieberries, blueberries, and corn are also available

7. Bacchini’s Fruit Tree (Brentwood)

• Season: May to June
• Hours: U-pick is open from 9 am to 4 pm daily when the fruit is in season. They sometimes close on Mondays after a busy weekend of picking, so check their socials or give them a call. 
• Fees: Only pay for what you pick ($8 to $10 per pound). Accepts cash and cards
• Google Map | Website | Facebook | 925-634-3645 

Bacchini’s Fruit Tree is a family-operated Picked and U-Pick fruit stand that has been providing deliciously fresh fruit since 1945. 

Located in Brentwood, about 60 miles from San Francisco, Bacchini’s Fruit Tree is popular for offering all the seasonal fruits of California in one place. 

So if you’re looking for blackberries, apricots, white peaches, cherries, nectarines, and more, you can’t go wrong with this farm.

The price of Bacchini’s Fruit Tree’s produce is higher than supermarket prices, but you’re paying for top-notch quality fruit that you can pick at the peak of ripeness.

• 🍓U-Pick Fruits: cherries, peaches, and walnuts
• 💎Other Offerings: plouts, loquats, Kiowa blackberries, raw honey (by preorder)

8. Berry Island Farms (Gilroy)

• Season: April to October
• Hours: Weekends from 9 am to 1 pm (during fruit season), offseason the farm is open Saturdays. Double-check the schedule on Facebook; they post updates there.
• Fees: $5 per pound, cash only
• Google Map | Website | Facebook | 831-710-7407

Berry Island Farms is a small family-run farm with a selection of berries for a u-pick harvest during the late spring and early summer. 

This is the place to go if you’re a fan of blackberries since the farm has some of the largest and juiciest blackberries throughout the Bay Area.

The farm has a range of containers (1-pound and other sizes) for visitors, making it easy to separate between berries and keep them from bruising.  

If they are selling their famous habanero salsa, buy a jar or two, or you will miss out on one of their best products. 

If you can’t visit in person, Berry Island Farms also sells its products online. 

• 🍓U-Pick Fruits: strawberries, raspberries, boysenberries, and blackberries 
• 💎Other Offerings: fresh tomatoes, peppers, root vegetables, cabbages, summer/winter squash, and local honey

9. Gilroy U-Pick (Gilroy)

• Season: April to July
• Hours: Call for accurate hours
• Fees: $7.99 per pound, cash, walk-in and mini-tour reservations available
• Google Map | Website | (408) 607-1417

Gilroy U-Pick is a small, family-operated farm located in the heart of Gilroy’s farming community. 

The farm offers u-pick during the season and other freshly-picked fruits and vegetables throughout the summer. 

Owners of GilroyUpick are true to their mission of producing no-spray fruits or veggies. 

They’re also legends in the local scene for giving personal, VIP-style mini-tours to visitors.  

If you’re looking for a spot to bring your mom on Mother’s Day, GilroyUpick makes this event extra special. 

When you visit for strawberry and cherry picking, try the farm’s unique pluerries (an interspecific cross between sweet cherries and plums). 

Note that Gilroy U-Pick has no bathroom on the premises and parking is limited.

• 🍓U-Pick Fruits: cherries, strawberries, blackberries, pluerries
• 💎Other Offerings: plums/pluots, watermelons, cantaloupes, string beans, corn, and other vegetables

10. Gizdich Ranch (Watsonville)

• Season: The strawberry season is from May to July
• Hours: The pie shop and deli are open every day from 9 am to 5 pm; check the schedule for u-pick or call since weather conditions could affect u-pick opening hours in the summer.
• Fees: Varies by season 
• Google Map | Website | Facebook | 831-722-1056

The Gizdich Ranch is located deep in Watsonville’s apple country, but their pie shop is worth the trip on its own.

It has been a landmark attraction on the picturesque Peckham Road since Croatian immigrant Vincent John Gizdich purchased the farm in 1937. 

Today, the farm has expanded to over 50 acres dedicated to growing the best-tasting fruits. 

The Pick-Your-Self program at Gizdich Ranch began in 1965 and continues to be a favorite summer activity for locals and tourists alike. 

Unlike other farms that close shop after the strawberry season, Gizdich Ranch still attracts thousands of people to their pie shop (opened in 1980). 

They originally baked only apple and berry pies. Now they have over 16 different types of pies and baked goods options, including fruit pastries, apple dumplings, strawberry shortcakes, and other goodies made from the farm’s produce. 

• 🍓U-Pick Fruits: strawberries, boysenberries, olallieberries, and apples
• 💎Other Offerings: frozen pies, pastries, sandwiches, and desserts available for dine-in and takeout

11. Live Earth Farm (Watsonville)

• Season: Strawberries (starts mid-June), blackberries (September), tomatoes (mid-August), apples and pumpkins (October)
• Hours: U-pick is open weekends from 10 am to 3 pm during fruit season, the Farm Stand is open from late May to October. Check here for Farmer’s market schedules.
• Fees: $3 to $5 per pound
• Google Map | Website | Facebook | 831-763-2448

Established as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm in 1995, Live Earth Farm is a perfect destination for field trips, farm education, and a family day of learning about farming fruits and vegetables.

Aside from being at the forefront of organic farming education, Live Earth Farm also sells a weekly box of organic produce similar to subscription boxes. 

The only downside is that they only have drop sites for Santa Cruz, Monterey, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties.

The best part is that you can just visit Live Earth Farm and experience picking your own fruit and vegetables from one of the best Bay Area farms.

• 🍓U-Pick Fruits: Strawberries, blackberries, apples and pumpkins 
• 💎Other Offerings: seasonal vegetables and preserves

12. Cloverfield Organic Farm (El Sobrante)

• Season: Year-round
• Hours: U-pick visitors are welcome on Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm
• Fees: $8 per pound; accept cash, cards, PayPal & Venmo
• Google Map | Website | Facebook | 510-253-8859

If you’re looking for a place to go berry picking in San Francisco, check out Cloverfield Organic Farm, as it is the closest option on this list to the city. 

Cloverfield Organic Farm has weekly u-picks on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in the afternoon. 

No reservations are needed if you are visiting with a small group.

If the open sign is out, the owners will welcome you with a mini tour of their certified organic farm and an opportunity to pick your own fruits and vegetables. 

Call the farmer to schedule your visit for bigger groups and arrange a picnic or a chance to hang out with Magic Ben, the horse. 

Aside from u-picks, visitors could also check out the farm’s nursery and plant organic edibles with the in-house farmer. 

• 🍓U-Pick Fruits: plums, citruses, cherries, wild berries
• 💎Other Offerings: kale, herbs, squash, edible flowers, branded merch

13. Webb Ranch (Portola Valley)

• Season: June to July
• Hours: 9 am to 6 pm
• Fees: $8 per pound
• Google Map | Website | Facebook | 650-854-6334

This is the only farm on this list without strawberries, but if you’re open to trying other berries, you should visit Webb Ranch in Portola Valley.

Webb Ranch is a 100-year-old ranch with a horse riding program and an organic blackberry u-pick farm. 

Aside from the u-picking season, people also visit Webb Ranch for its pumpkin patch in October and its vibrant Santa’s Village, which opens on Thanksgiving and lasts for several weeks.

• 🍓U-Pick Fruits: blackberries, boysenberries, olallieberries, and marionberries
• 💎Other Offerings: horse-riding camp for kids, organic compost, and other produce such as bush berries, tomatoes, stone fruits, sweet corn, pumpkins

More Bay Area Berry Picking Farms

• JSM Organics (Royal Oaks) – Website | Facebook
• Dwelley Family Farms (Oakley) – Facebook

Strawberry Picking Bay Area Map

Strawberry Picking Season in the Bay Area

What season is strawberry season in California?

The strawberry season in California is slightly different in Northern and Southern California. 

Northern California (Santa Carla, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and other areas) harvest strawberries from April to July. 

While the strawberry picking season in Southern California (Los Angeles, San Diego, Oxnard, etc.) is from January until May.

Be aware of this schedule and check with the farms if you plan to do some strawberry picking in San Jose or other bay area farming areas.

What month is best for strawberry picking?

U pick strawberries in the Bay Area begins its season in April and extends throughout July. 

These late spring or early summer months produce the best-tasting strawberry varieties. 

Locals know it’s time to start strawberry picking when the Bay Area starts to warm up for the season.

Bay Area Strawberry Picking: What you need to know

Once you’ve picked the farm to visit, here’s what you need to know about entrance fees, cost of u-pick berries, parking, and other amenities: 

• COST: Strawberry u-picking is charged by the pound, ranging from $4 to $10 per pound. Some farms have a nominal entrance fee and a required purchase of 2 pounds of strawberries per person. 

• PARKING: Most farms do not charge for parking. You also wouldn’t have trouble finding a spot, even with crowds in most cases. 

• ON-SITE AMENITIES: Some farms have in-house cafes where you can sample their baked goods and drinks.

Other farms partner with food trucks or host events during the berry-picking season. 

Almost all the farms have public bathrooms, but a few don’t so call before you arrive. 

What to Bring for Strawberry Picking in the Bay Area

1. BRING CASH

Bring cash when you visit any farm. Some might accept credit cards, but bringing some cash with you is always a safe bet. 

Farms also have other items available for sale, including homemade strawberry jams to other farm-fresh goods like honey, eggs, or herbs you might also like buying. 

After all, purchasing products is the best way to support these amazing local farmers.

2. SUNSCREEN

Your entire stay at the farm will most likely be under the sun, so make sure to lather up with plenty of this sunscreen before visiting the farm. 

You may experience some of the famous Bay Area fog during your visit, but you will most likely spend the day under the sun. 

3. SUN HAT

Sunscreen might not be enough, especially if you are scheduled to pick strawberries in the heat of the summer. 

Wear a sun hat to keep the sun out of your face while picking fruit. 

4. BUCKET OR BASKET

Some farms sell buckets, while others charge for plastic bags. To save money, check the farm to see if you can bring your own bucket. Using your basket or bucket is also eco-friendly.

Some farms require that you use their containers for the purpose of weighing the fruit accurately.

5. ICE CHEST

If the You Pick Strawberry Farm you decide to visit is far from your home, pack an ice chest or cooler with you. 

The ice chest can serve as your strawberry storage so that the fruits of your labor don’t bake in the car if you make a second stop at a farm.

Practical Tips for Strawberry Picking in the Bay Area

1. Red means ripe

Unlike bananas and other fruits that still ripen after harvest, berries don’t ripen after they’ve been picked.

Fortunately, it’s super easy to find ripe strawberries. Just skip the yellow and green ones, and look for red strawberries.

2. Go early

You’d be surprised how busy farms can be, especially during strawberry season. 

If you want to pick strawberries, go to the farm early, as it will have fewer crowds as soon as the farm opens its gates. 

Note that some farms only allow a limited amount of berries to harvest daily. Getting to the farm early also means you will enjoy first dibs on the ripest fruit. 

3. Call to check in case reservations are needed

Some farms may require visitors to make reservations to ensure their strawberries are spread out to guests. 

Check the farm websites for reservation forms and fill them out. If there’s no online reservation, simply call the farm and ask about reservations.

4. Dress appropriately

When visiting any farm, wear closed-toe shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty as you will be walking in the soil-covered rows between the strawberry plants.

You should also wear comfortable clothes as you will need to be able to squat down to pick the berries. 

Strawberry farms in the Bay Area can get a little chilly in the early morning and windy in the afternoon, so bring a layer just in case. 

5. Dogs are not allowed on the fields

Most farms do not allow dogs to go fruit picking with you as people eat the strawberries right from the plants, and our four-legged friends are not the most hygienic. 

Dogs LOVE strawberries but are also unaware of where they step, and they can damage the crops.

6. Be respectful of the property

Farm owners and crew are friendly and welcoming to guests. 

There aren’t too many rules to follow, but basic etiquette dictates limiting your sampling of berries while on the field. If you touch a piece of fruit, take it. Also, don’t smoke while in the fields.

FAQs: Berry Picking Bay Area

What month is strawberry picking in California?

Northern California strawberry farms harvest from April to July, with the peak falling between May and June. 

Southern and Central California’s strawberry picking season starts in January until September, but peak season falls between April and June. 

How much is the entrance fee at a strawberry farm?

The entrance fees for a strawberry farm can range from as low as $2 to $10, depending on whether the admission includes the fruit.

Many strawberry farms charge a nominal fee to enter, but each visitor must buy a set amount of berries, usually around two pounds.

Be prepared to spend between $5 to $30 per visitor, usually including the entrance fee and two buckets. 

Is it better to pick strawberries in the morning or afternoon?

The best time of day to pick strawberries is in the afternoon, during the warmest portion of the day.

This is when strawberries are their tastiest and juiciest and are best consumed as soon as possible.

Strawberries bruise easily, so if you plan to store them for a day or so, harvest them when they are still cool in the mornings. 

What city in California grows the most strawberries?

Oxnard, California, is the most popular strawberry farming city, and this growing region is known as the Strawberry Capital of the World.  

Oxnard’s location offers the ideal strawberry-growing conditions with its coastal climate and early Spring, which provides a long growing season.

Where can I pick strawberries in the Bay Area?

The top area for picking strawberries in the Bay Area are Brentwood, Half Moon Bay, and Watsonville. 

The majority of the u-pick strawberry farms are located in these farming communities.

Fruit picking in the Bay Area not only includes strawberries, but you can also pick cherries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, olallieberries, and boysenberries.

Wrap-Up: Strawberry Picking in the Bay Area

Now that you know everything you need to know to plan a day of strawberry picking in the Bay Area, all you have to do is pack your sunscreen, a sun hat, and your favorite bucket before hitting the road.

With so many options of where to go strawberry picking, maybe consider selecting a few options and making a full-day adventure.

Gather your family and friends and have a fun day immersing yourselves in this unique opportunity to connect with your local farms and farmers.