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. 

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, prices, and availability 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.

Spring & Summer Organic U-Pick Fruit in the Bay Area

Dwelley Family Farms, Brentwood — Cherries 
2 Locations: 2475 Concord Avenue (Suzuki) and 1454 Walnut Boulevard (TKs Ranch)
Brentwood, CA 94513
Opens: mid May

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, and cherries cost $5.50 per pound, with a $5 per person entry fee. 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
25 Swanton Road, Davenport CA, 95017
Opens: late April 

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. More information: (831) 889-0850 or www.swantonberryfarm.com

Boring Farm, Sebastopol — Raspberries
4200 Canfield Road, Sebastopol CA 95472
Opens: June–September 

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; $7.50 per car parking fee. More information: theboringfarm.com. Read about our visit to Boring Farm.

Duckworth Family Farm, Sebastopol — Blueberries
2950 Canfield Road, Sebastopol CA 95472
Opens: June 

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. More information: www.duckworthfarmblueberries.com. Read about our visit to Duckworth Farm.

EARTHseed Farm, Sebastopol — Plums, Pluots & Blackberries
3175 Sullivan Road, Sebastopol
Opens: July–August

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 entry fee good for groups of up to 6. They do an apple u-pick in the fall. More information: www.earthseedfarm.org or (707) 829-0617.

Urban Edge Farm, Brentwood — Stone fruit
2017 Walnut Boulevard, Brentwood, CA 94513
Opens: Late May through Summer

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. More information: theurbanedgefarm.com

Fall & Winter Organic U-Pick Fruit in the Bay Area

Chileno Valley Ranch, Petaluma — Apples
5105 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma 94952
Opens: Late summer and into fall

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. More information: www.chilenovalley.com or (707) 765-6664. Read about our visit to Chileno Valley Ranch.

EARTHseed Farm, Sebastopol — Apples
3175 Sullivan Road, Sebastopol
Opens: summer and fall

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. More information: www.earthseedfarm.org or (707) 829-0617.

Ratzlaff Apple-a-Day Ranch, Sebastopol
13128 Occidental Road, Sebastopol CA 95472
Opens: September through early December

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 certified organic but it's a great u-pick experience and they use environmentally friendly growing methods. More information: appleadayranch.com or (707) 823-0538