U-Pick Berry Farms to Enjoy this Summer

There’s nothing like a delicious berry fresh from the field. Well, on second thought, eating a delicious strawberry while standing in the field where they grow on a farm right in our own backyard might be better. Sounds pretty perfect, right?

Well, you can do that! There are farms on the Peninsula where you can pick your own fruits and vegetables. They’re called “u-pick” farms and, for a nominal fee, you can harvest your own produce. It’s a blast and an activity the whole family can enjoy.

Berry season changes from year to year based on the weather, so please make sure to check each farm’s website or call in case of closures due to holidays and weather (or this year a global pandemic). It’s time to get pickin’! Here are three u-pick berry farms for you and your family to visit this summer:

R&R Fresh Farms – Pescadero

R&R Fresh Farms grows four acres of u-pick olallieberries, blackberries and raspberries and offers an assortment of products in their farmstand. The farm is owned and operated by Jose Ramirez, one of the only first-generation Mexican-American farm business owners on the coast. Jose is currently leasing his 25-acre farm from POST. His organic olallieberries will be in season starting June 15, with blackberries and strawberries running into September.

Hours: 7 days a week during berry season, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Find directions here.

Blue House Farm – San Gregorio

Blue House Farm has a u-pick strawberry patch in the summer (pumpkins in the fall) and a variety of produce available in their farmstand. The farm is owned and operated by Ryan Casey, who currently leases 74 acres from POST near San Gregorio. They grow all the fruits, veggies, flowers and herbs they sell. They’ll have u-pick organic strawberries available from May through September and organic pumpkins in October. The farm stand is also open and will be all season.

Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Find directions here.

Webb Ranch – Portola Valley

Webb Ranch, located in Portola Valley just off the 280, is a family-owned and operated farm in the heart of Silicon Valley. They offer locally grown organic produce, horse boarding and riding lessons as well as a u-pick pumpkin patch in the fall,  a “Santa’s Village” with Christmas trees in the winter, and u-pick berries in the summer. Starting in June, they’ll offer certified organic blackberries, olallieberries, boysenberries and marionberries running into July or August.

Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Days/hours subject to change depending on availability.)
Find directions here.

Excited about these local farms? Then you’ll be excited to learn more about our Farmland Futures Initiative which aims to triple the number of protected farms on the San Mateo Coast. Learn more about this work here.