When the weather gets better, and the sun is shining a little more, heading out to a u-pick farm in the Central Coast is a great way to spend the day. These farms, located all around the central coast, can offer an abundance of fresh fruits, including berries and apples.
While heading to the farmers market is a great way to get local fresh produce, there is something about picking your crop with the family that makes it a little more special.
Always remember to double-check dates, opening times, and weather conditions before traveling.
These are a few of our favorite u-pick farms along the central coast that are perfect for harvesting produce that your kids might enjoy eating.
U-Pick in California: Fruit Picking Farms Near Me Along the Central Coast
U-Pick Farms in Carmel
Serendipity Farms
- Address: Carmel, CA
Serendipity Farms started selling their produce at the Monterey Farmers Market and their sunflowers at Whole Foods. From there, the local farm grew to what it is today, taking up over twenty acres of the Carmel Valley for families to come and enjoy. Today, they have over 50 varieties of organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers. You can head to the farm during various seasons to pick your own tomatoes or berries to bring home.
What to Pick and When
- May-October: Strawberries $2.50/pound
- July-October: Raspberries $3.00/basket
- August-November: Tomatoes Varieties $2/pound
- September-November: Pumpkins and Winter Squash $1/pound
Want more things to do in the area? Check the top wineries to visit in Carmel Valley.
U-Pick Farms in San Luis Obispo
Avila Valley Barn
- Address: San Luis Obispo, CA
Avila Valley Barn has it all. You can enjoy their u-pick season, ride ponies, experience Halloween activist during the season, and more. The farm always has something for you and your family to enjoy 365 days of the year.
Besides picking your own produce, you can have a great time at their sweet shop or chicken shake and smokehouse. There you can grab a delicious lunch after a day of picking fruit in California and having fun on a hayride. For picking information, you can head over to their website and sign up for their newsletter to learn more about their seasons and when you can head out to grab your favorite goodies.
What to Pick and When
- July-August: Peach picking
- July-October: Raspberry picking
- August-December: Apple picking
- September-November: Pumpkin picking
- July-November: Blackberries picking
- June-August: Apricot picking
SLO Creek Farms
- Address: San Luis Obispo, CA
SLO Creek Farms is an organic apple orchard that is family-owned. There are over 44-acres of apple orchards that your family can stroll and explore, plus 3-acres of organic vegetable garden that supplies that farm with herbs, honey, and flowers. The farms allow anyone to come over and enjoy apple picking with their friends and family.
What to Pick and When
- September-November: Apple picking
More great U-Pick Farms in San Luis Obispo CA
U-Pick Farms in Watsonville
Clearview Orchards
- Address: Watsonville, CA
Apple lovers will love heading out to Clearview Orchards in Watsonville to do their own apple picking. Besides apple picking, you can grab fresh apple juice, turnovers, and various produce, honey, and herbs. The orchards are perfect for stopping into because they’re only three miles from La Selva Beach, so once you’re done, you can enjoy a beautiful picnic by the ocean.
When heading out to Clearview Orchards, make sure to visit their website to ensure they’re open and not closed for the season. You also need to reserve tickets online for apple picking, and it’s only $5 per vehicle for an hour of apple picking.
What to Pick and When
- September-October: Apple picking
U-Pick Farms in Half Moon Bay
Andreotti Family Farms
- Address: Half Moon Bay, CA
Andreotti Family Farms began in 1926 and is still a thriving family farm today. They started by harvesting artichokes but grew to produce winter vegetables, sunflowers, and pumpkins. Their farm is primarily known for the gorgeous sunflower field, where you’re welcome to take photos as long as you’re respectful of the flowers and grounds.
This California fruit farm recommends tickets to pick your own sunflowers, but they also allow walks in if you happen to drive by and want to stop. If you want to skip picking the sunflowers and instead just take photos, you are still required to purchase a ticket into the sunflower field.
What to Pick and When
- September-November: Sunflower picking
U-Pick Farms in Pescadero
Coastways Ranch Inc
- Address: Pescadero, CA
Founded in 1983, Coastways Ranch was one of the first successful organic strawberry farms in the area. They are known for their delicious fruits, jams, and baked goods, which you can easily grab after a great picking session.
The ranch encourages everyone to wash their hands prior to picking the fruit and follow the signs to the designated u-pick fields.
What to Pick and When
- March: Strawberry picking $6/pound
- Winter: Kiwi picking
R and R Fresh Farms
- Address: Pescadero, CA
Berry lovers rejoice; this farm is for you. Head over to R and R Farms in Pescadero to roam the fields and have a great time picking some of your favorite berries. The farm offers u-pick for raspberries, blackberries, and olallieberries.
Stop into the farm stand before picking to get the low down on the best fields to hit and pick up your baskets. Besides berries, the farm sells duck and chicken eggs and is known for its fantastic rosemary crop.
What to Pick and When
- Berries: $4/pound
Spending the afternoon picking your own produce might feel a bit odd, but it is a great outdoor activity for the entire family. While fruit picking in California, your family can learn a little more about agriculture and the exciting process of growing their own food.