Berkeley Parents Network: Pick-it-Yourself Farms

Berkeley Parents Network

Pick-it-Yourself Farms

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > What/Where to Buy > Food Shopping & Purchase > Pick-it-Yourself Farms

Where to go apple picking with a toddler?
U-Pick Apple Farm
Organic Strawberries in Bulk
U-Pick Strawberries & Other Berries
Fruit picking with a toddler
You Pick Orchards?
Organic Pick-it-Yourself
U-Pick pumpkin farms
related page: Visiting a Farm

Where to go apple picking with a toddler?

Oct 2006

Does anyone know of a place to go apple picking with a toddler? We live in Berkeley but would be willing to do some driving. Thanks so much! - Deb

Greetings, With a toddler it might be good not to head too far away, especially since the actual apple-picking part of the day will be short (unless you are in the market for a ton of apples....) We go to Brentwood, north of Livermore on Vasco Road. It's relatively close by and a pretty drive once you get on Vasco Road (but beware of speed traps). Enjoy! farm girl

On a recent vacation to Cazadero, my mom and I wanted to take my 3-year-old daughter apple-picking. I called a few places listed in the Sonoma Farm Trails guide and ended up choosing Gabriel Farm, an organic farm near Sebastapol. It was definitely the highlight of the vacation for my daughter. You have to make an appointment and you are expected to spend a certain amount ($20, I think, which isn't hard to do at $2/lb. for apples). We spent about $50 on apples, asian pears, juice and preserves. It was so worth it! One of the owners, Torrey, gave us a tour of the farm and his new solar panels (my mom loved this part), and told us how to pick the apples. He probably spent a good 45 minutes walking around and talking with us. Then he left us on our own to do the picking. We were also allowed to pick a few grapes and berries to taste. My daughter talks about this trip constantly, a month or so later, and was so proud to eat the apples and take them to school to show her friends. She can't wait to go back! Check out their website at http://www.farmtrails.org/gabriel/ You can also visit Torrey at the Berkeley Farmers Market. He is great. You can search for other upick farms on the Sonoma Farm Trails website. Have fun! Noel

make a day of it to Santa Cruz and environs and try http://www.gizdich-ranch.com We decided to just buy already picked apples rather than pick- yourself, but liked the place and the apples are YUMMY! spreading the apple butter!

Funny you should ask! We just made plans to go pick apples next week at the organic Gabriel Farm in Sebastopol. See http://www.gabrielfarm.com/index_files/Visiting.htm for more info (page sometimes takes a while to load). You can email them (torrey[at]gabrielfarm.com) to set up a time to come visit. JP

Try the Old Apple Orchard in Pinole. When my sons were younger our playgroup went every fall. It's small, enclosed, and has lots of trees with low branches accessible to toddlers lizengan

U-Pick Apple Farm

Sept 2004

Every year, my little family and I try to find a U-pick Farm where we can pick apples, and every year so far we have struck out. We've either missed apple picking season, like last year when we drove all the way out to Brentwood only to find that the farm closed down several weeks prior, or can't find one where you can pick the apples. I would love some recommendations from folks who have done apple picking- where you went, how much it costs, and if you felt like it was an appropriate family activity (we have a 5 year old). Also, have we already missed aplle picking season again? We would also welcome some suggestions for places to go where we could purchase a box of already picked fresh apples. Thanks for your recommendations! Jessica

Check out http://www.harvest4you.com/

This is a list of u-pick growers in Brentwood, including phone numbers, addresses, hours, and crops grown. It's always a good idea to call before you go so you're not disappointed :)

Another great place to pick apples is Sebastopol, for their famous Gravensteins! Yum! I know the number of growers has declined in recent years but also check out http://www.pickyourown.org/CA.htm for a listing of growers by county.

And your 5 year old will LOVE IT! My then 3-year-old thought it was the best thing! Bring your camera.
Christina

I don't know of a U-Pick-It apple farm, but I do know a great place to get a box of fresh apples. Walker Apples, 10955 Upp Road, Sebastopol, Phone: 707-823-4310. Open: Aug 1-Nov 15 Daily 10-5. It is a real working apple farm, not very scenic but they have lots of different varieties, you can sample them all and get a box of some of everything you like. We always combine it with a trip to our favorite pumpkin patch (which is pick it yourself) nearby -- sorry, every year we find it but I have no idea how to direct someone else there -- and a visit to Screamin' Mimi's ice cream in downtown Sebastapol.
Looking forward to this year's trip

Apple Hill has all the apples (both u-pick and pre-picked) and apple stuff you could ever want. It's about 2-2 1/2 hours from the Bay Area, about 40 miles east of Sacramento off of Highway 50. See http://www.applehill.com/
Patty

If you are willing to drive about an hour and a half there is a great little pick it yourself farm called the Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville. They are super nice, they like kids!! and they have a cafe with terrific pie availible. We go there several times a year when visiting in the area. They also do strawberry picking in the summer. I believe apple season goes to the end of September, but if you miss it they usually have pre-picked fruit for sale as well as fresh apple juice. http://www.gizdichranch.com/
Natalie

You can search Sonoma County at http://www.farmtrails.org/. There are several U-pick apple farms listed. If you find a good one, please post a recommendation on BPN!
David

Organic Strawberries in Bulk

April 2004

I would like to buy reasonably priced organic strawberries in bulk in season for strawberry jam and for freezing. Any recommendations of specific farms in the delta (or elsewhere) with great strawberries and good prices would be appreciated. Laura

Our CSA, Eatwell Farm invites people to come pick organic strawberries at their farm. Give them a call. http://www.eatwell.com/ Sarah

When we make strawberry jam we go first to an organic strawberry farm, Swanton Berry Farm, located on the coast north of Santa Cruz. It's mostly ''pick yourself'' but they sometimes sell large flats too. Delicious! See http://www.swantonberry.com/ . Elizabeth

Swanton Berry Farm close to Davenport has wonderful organic strawberries. They'll pick them Saturday morning and deliver them to the Farmer's Mkt for you. They have a website for ordering. I honestly don't know how the prices compare, but the flavor and quality are excellent. Burr

U-Pick Strawberries & Other Berries

April 2003

Where can we go to have a fabulous berry-picking experience? Looking for a short day trip -- wondering where a couple of kids and their parents can pick strawberries in particular but other berries, too. We checked the website and already know about Brentwood but haven't found u-pick berry places there. Someone also told us to look around in Sonoma County, but a Google search isn't turning up much info. Do you have any great tips for specific places to go? Thanks! Brenda

Here's a place that was recommended to me by a friend. Go to the main site and click on Summerfield Berry Farm. http://www.applehill.com/site/guides.html Elaine

I just spoke with the folks at Phipps Ranch in Pescadero, about 90 minutes from Berkeley, off Hwy. 1 (near Half Moon Bay). Sounds like the perfect pickin' place. Strawberries should be ready mid-May and they are open 7 days a week. Check out http://www.phippscountry.com/berries.htm Have fun! Sooz

Check out Brentwood--between Antioch and Livermore. Here's a good link to a website detailing all their farms selling pre- picked and u-pick produce: http://www.harvest4u.com/

I've picked strawberries at some of the farms in the past but the list on harvest4u.com just shows strawberries that are pre- picked. I would just call a few of the farms and see if they're selling u-pick strawberries. And if you're into boysenberries a number of farms offer u-pick boysenberries. Such a fun thing to do with your kids! Christina

A very nice place to pick olallieberries (they are like huge blackberries) is CoastWays Ranch, which is on highway 1 south of Half Moon Bay. If you know where the elepahnt seal preserve is at Ano Neuvo, it's practically right across the street from there. Really nice picking with a view of the ocean. Their website: http://www.well.com/user/dmsml/coastways/index.html Ginger

Fruit picking with a toddler

April 2003

Can people recommend local places to take a now 18 month old fruit picking this summer? I guess we're looking for a ''U-Pick'' that's a reasonable driving distance from Berkeley -- picking that's not too thorny or high for a little one (strawberries?) -- organic or clean would be a plus. Thanks for any suggestions.

Check out Brentwood--between Antioch and Livermore. Here's a good link to a website detailing all their farms selling pre- picked and u-pick produce: http://www.harvest4u.com/ Christina

We've been to Ardenwood Farm in Fremont and had a wonderful time. Last fall we picked indian corn to decorate the house and popcorn to eat. We are still popping it and loving it. Our son had a blast.

The farm is historic and organic. As different crops mature, they have picking sessions. In addition, they have a lot of historic activities that are fun for the whole family. their focus is on family education, so they accomodate all ages very well. They have lovely picnic areas and good facilities for diaper changing, etc.

The farm is located right at the corner of 880 and the turn-off for the Dumbarton Bridge. Check out their website.

http://www.fremont.gov/Recreation/ArdenwoodPark/default.htm Karen

You Pick Orchards?

Does anyone know of any You Pick Orchards around here? Thanks!

I go to Brentwood to pick. You can get a map from them by writing to Harvest Time, P.O. Box O, Brentwood, CA 94513
Dawn

Here's a website that lists u-pick farms, farm stands, farmers markets, and other farmer-direct produce in California: http://www.caff.org/farmfresh/ Charis

Check out the UPICK farmers' website: www.harvest4u.com Dashka

This looked like a great place to go in Brentwood, but not organic. You could call and ask about pesticide use: www.brentwoodfruit.com

Organic Pick-it-Yourself

I have a very special childhood memory of me and my family fruit picking at Brentwood in the summer. We use to eat the fruits straight off the tree. We never waited to wash them first. That was before we all became aware of harmful pesticides and other agriculture chemicals. Now that I am an adult, I try to be more earth concious and organic. Can I share my childhood experience with my kids? Is there a place I can take my children fruit picking? Does such a place exist? Nory

Here are some organic farm sites I found on the web for brentwood. You could call and find out if they do U-Pick or who does.

http://www.knollorganics.com/

http://www.froghollow.com/index.html
This next site is for certified organic farmers and provides you with a list of organic farms doing u-pick anywhere in US: http://www.ccof.org/cgi-priv/findafarmer.cgi

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