U-Pick Organic Fruit in the Bay Area

Who doesn't love heading out the farm to pick your own sweet ripe fruit? It's one of our favorite things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area at almost any time of year, and it's such a fun (and delicious) way for kids and families to learn where their favorite foods come from. Plus, fresh picked fruit tastes so much better than what you get at the supermarket. Try a fresh cherry right off the tree, for example, and you'll know the difference right away!

We've put together this guide to our favorite pick-your-own experiences in the Bay Area, with a focus on organically grown fruit — strawberries, cherries, and blueberries are all on the Environmental Working Group's "Dirty Dozen" list of produce that you should always buy organic. Note that opening days and hours as well as prices can vary and are often subject to change without notice due to the weather and other factors; make sure you check to make sure the farm is open before you go.

Year-Round U-Pick Fruit in the Bay Area

Cloverfield Organic Farm, El Sobrante

This four-acre certified organic farm in the East Bay is open all year for u-pick. Pick seasonal fruits and veggies, from citrus and avocados to strawberries and peaches. You can see what's ripe and ready for picking on their website. Cloverfield Organic Farm is open Friday–Sunday from noon–5 pm. Keep in mind this is small farm and they may get picked out of some varieties. Cash, cards, and EBT accepted. Don't forget to say hi to Magic Ben the Horse. Location: 501 La Paloma Rd, El Sobrante, CA 94803. More information: www.cloverfieldfarm.us or (510) 253-8859

Spring & Summer U-Pick Fruit in the Bay Area — Berries & Stone Fruit

Dwelley Family Farms, Brentwood — Cherries

Dwelley Family Farms' TKs Ranch and Suzuki orchards are the only u-pick cherry orchards in Brentwood that are certified organic. They are generally open Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 am to 4 pm starting in mid-May (the 2023 tentative opening date is Saturday, May 20 for the Suzuki location only), and cherries cost $5.50 per pound, with a $5 per person entry fee. Location: 2475 Concord Avenue (Suzuki) or 1454 Walnut Boulevard (TKs Ranch) opens May 27, Brentwood CA 94513. More information: www.dwelleyfarms.com or (925) 634-6508. Read about our visit to Dwelley Family Farms for cherry u-pick.

Swanton Berry Farm, Davenport — Strawberries

Swanton Berry Farm was the first organic strawberry farm in California, starting back in the 1980s. U-pick certified organic strawberries cost $8 per pound. No reservations are required. Their farmstand offers organic baked goods like pies, scones, and cookies, jams, drinks, and strawberries, of course. U-pick season usually begins in April or May, depending on the weather. Check their website for u-pick schedule. Location: 25 Swanton Road, Davenport CA, 95017. More information: (831) 889-0850 or www.swantonberryfarm.com

Boring Farm, Sebastopol — Raspberries

Ripe red raspberries are the attraction at Boring Farm in Sebastopol. The raspberry varieties here are thornless and easy for little fingers to pick. U-pick season runs from June to September or early October. Bring a picnic and relax by the lake after a day of picking. Organic raspberries cost $11.99 per pound and you can also buy raspberry lemonade and raspberry popsicles (both highly recommended, BTW). Advance reservations required for Saturday u-pick days. Location: 4200 Canfield Road, Sebastopol CA 95472. More information: theboringfarm.com. Read about our visit to Boring Farm.

Duckworth Family Farm, Sebastopol — Blueberries

Duckworth Family Farm in Sebastopol offers u-pick blueberries on Saturdays starting in June and lasting until the berries run out. This is a great u-pick experience for families because blueberries are really easy for everyone to pick and there are farm animals to visit and tractors to sit on. Did we mention there's homemade blueberry ice cream for sale, too? Organic blueberries cost $5.99 per pound and advance reservations are required; there's also a $5 per car parking fee. Location: 2950 Canfield Road, Sebastopol CA 95472. More information: www.duckworthfarmblueberries.com. Read about our visit to Duckworth Farm.

EARTHseed Farm, Sebastopol — Plums, Pluots & Blackberries

EARTHseed Farm offers u-pick plums, pluots, blackberries, raspberries, and early-season apples in July and August. U-pick is offered on selected Saturdays in summer and fall. Advance reservations are required and u-pick day reservations generally open the Tuesday before the Saturday they take place. Non-refundable $25 entry fee good for groups of up to 6. They do an apple u-pick in the fall. Location: 3175 Sullivan Road, Sebastopol. More information: www.earthseedfarm.org or (707) 829-0617.

Urban Edge Farm, Brentwood — Stone fruit

Urban Edge Farm in Brentwood offers certified organic u-pick apricots and peaches, as well as cherry tomatoes and flowers. They have a fantastic farm store, too. U-pick for peaches and apricots usually starts in late May and runs through the summer. They offer pomegranate and persimmon u-pick in the fall, too. 2017 Walnut Boulevard, Brentwood, CA 94513. More information: theurbanedgefarm.com

Fall & Winter U-Pick Fruit in the Bay Area — Apples & More

Chileno Valley Ranch, Petaluma — Apples

Chileno Valley Ranch grows organic apples with varieties like Zesta, Orin, Pinova, Molly's Delicious, and Jonathan's Pride. U-pick takes place on Sundays in September from 9 am to 3 pm. Apples and pears cost $2 per pound. There's a $10 per car parking fee when you register in advance; $12 without a reservation. You can also take a farm tour and buy eggs and other farm products. Location: 5105 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma 94952. More information: www.chilenovalley.com or (707) 765-6664. Read about our visit to Chileno Valley Ranch.

EARTHseed Farm, Sebastopol — Apples

EARTHseed Farm grow a variety of organic apples including Gravenstein, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Gala, Rome Beauty, Fuji, and McIntosh. Asian pears are available for sale in the farm store. U-pick is offered on selected Saturdays in summer and fall. Advance reservations required; u-pick day reservations generally open the Tuesday before the Saturday they take place. Non-refundable $25 entry fee good for groups of up to 6. Location: 3175 Sullivan Road, Sebastopol. More information: www.earthseedfarm.org or (707) 829-0617.

Ratzlaff Apple-a-Day Ranch, Sebastopol

Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch in Sebastopol grows Gravenstein, Golden Delicious, and Rome apples. U-pick is usually offered from September through early December and no reservations are required. During u-pick season, they're open Sunday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm; closed Thursdays and Saturdays. They also make award-winning fresh apple juice. They're not all organic but it's a great u-pick experience and they use environmentally friendly growing methods. Location: 13128 Occidental Road, Sebastopol CA 95472. More information: appleadayranch.com or (707) 823-0538