These 6 Northern California farms let you pick your own strawberries, cherries and more
Northern California’s valley of cherries, strawberries and blueberries are ripe for picking.
You can get the full summer orchard experience and pick your own fruits at these farms near the Sacramento area.
American River Cherry Company
Opening day to pick cherries at the American River Cherry Company is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 5. According to the company website, due to the weather, the orchard’s cherry crop is smaller this time around.
At this farm you’ll find a variety of bing, rainer, regina, early burlat and burgundy pearl cherries, as well as berries — boysenberries, raspberries, blueberries.
U-pick cherries are $3.75 per pound. People over 12 years old must also pay a $5 cover charge.
More fruit, such as figs and kiwis, will be available later in August to November. Call ahead to see what’s available.
Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday, closed Saturday
Place: 2240 Dias Dr., Placerville
Contact: (530) 748-9957
Pacific Star Gardens
Strawberries at Pacific Star Gardens are ripe and ready to be picked. Since April, the garden has been welcoming people to pick strawberries. All you need to do is grab a bucket, follow signs around the orchard, pick your berries, weigh them and pay.
The strawberries are $5 per pound, according to the company’s Facebook page. Blackberries will also be available for U-pick in the summer.
Time: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday
Place: 20872 County Road 99, Woodland
Contact: (530) 666-7308
Harris Orchards
Cherry picking season for Harris Orchards opened last Saturday. You can have your choice of rainers, bing and brooks cherries at the farm. You can also call ahead to see what other produce is ripe for picking.
Time: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. everyday
Place: 18600 N Ripon Road, Ripon
Contact: (209) 599-3991
Granny May’s Strawberry Farm
At Granny May’s Strawberry Farm, prices for U-pick strawberries are per admission. People 17 and older are $15 and children 4 to 16 years old are $9. Kids 3 and younger are free but they won’t get a bucket to pick strawberries.
In July, the farm also offers thornless blackberry for picking.
You’ll need to reserve a spot online before heading to the fields.
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday
Place: 7246 Auburn Folsom Rd, Granite Bay
Contact: (916) 300-9291
Daisy Creek Farms
A variety of berries are ready for picking at Daisy Creek Farms. Currently, strawberries and blueberries are available.
Later in May, you can find raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, marionberries and loganberries. And in the summer and fall, the farm offers other fruits for U-pick, including peaches, nectarines, zucchini, grapes and apples.
Entry is $7 per person and $5 for children under 10. Strawberries are $5 a pound and blueberries are $7 a pound after picking.
After gathering your berries, you can also pet and feed chickens, play farm games and take some gardening classes.
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Appointments only on weekdays.
Place: 13440 Alabama Rd., Galt
Contact: (209) 730-0670
John Podesta Farms
The cherries at John Podesta Farms are slowly ripening. You can sign up for text updates about when you can come pick them. You can also call the farm to get the latest information via the voicemail.
According to the website, there will be a limited supply of cherries due to the weather and they can’t guarantee availability of the fruit.
The U-pick cherries are $2 per pound and you should bring your own buckets.
Time: Call the farm for more information.
Place: 9206 Hildreth Lane, Stockton
Contact: (209) 662-5578
Have one we should add to the list? Kindly email utilityteam@sacbee.com.
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