At last, Cherry season is here! On the other side of Mt. Diablio, in the valleys of the East Bay, you’ll find Brentwood – a town rich in farming history home to dozens of farm stands, pre-pick farms, and u-pick farms, attracting both visitors and locals alike.
When it comes to cherries, usually the picking seasons are from Mid to late May, that said, this is all dependent on the growing seasons and the year – sometimes you can find them growing from as late as July!
If you’re looking for the perfect way to spend your summer, then there is nothing better than strolling under a canopy of cherry trees and picking your own sweet treats.
So, what are you waiting for?! Get reading to hop in the car and drive to one of these cherry locations we have listed below.
With this in mind, this guide will explore all the best cherry-picking locations in the Bay Area.
For a fun-filled day, you can’t go wrong with Cherry Time. Here, you can enjoy cherry-picking from the beginning until the farm is sold out (usually the second weekend in June).
The farm itself is owned and operated by the Bloomfield family – offering both pre-picked and u-pick cherries.
In addition to this, they also offer local honey produced on their farm.
Offering seven different varieties of cherries, Pease Ranch is another farm you need to add to your travel itinerary.
Here, there is ample parking – so you don’t have to worry about arriving early! – and plenty of shade to stay protected while picking your cherries.
Plus, unlike some other farms, credit cards are accepted here. However, just keep in mind that there is a $20 minimum purchase.
You can spend the whole day here thanks to a small picnic area where you can stop and enjoy a bite – replenishing your hunger and thirst for more picking!
Whether you take a picnic or enjoy your harvest, it is a great spot to stop and relax after a busy morning.
Tucked away from the larger farms along the main roads of the orchard trail, you’ll find the smaller Maggiore’s Cherry Ranch. You will love this farm thanks to the fewer crowds.
The precise address for this farm can be somewhat confusing since they tend to rotate orchids depending on the trees that have been reserved for commercial picking.
Therefore, before arriving, it is suggested that you phone ahead. Likewise, you can keep an eye on signage along the roads, too.
When looking at Yelp reviews, a common theme is confusion when it comes to location. However, when you do find the farm, it is certainly worth it.
Baccahini’s Fruit Tree is a family-owned and operated u-pick and picket fruit stand. It is located in the heart of Brentwood, California – 60 miles east of San Francisco.
Since 1945, they have been growing premium-quality fruits and vegetables. Each year, they are open between May and June – providing the freshest fruit grown in their very own orchard.
In addition to cherries, you’ll also find white peaches, white rainier cherries, Kiowa blackberries, pluots, olallieberries, white nectarines, Santa Rosa plums, loquats, apricots, walnuts, and raw honey.
With over 30 years of experience, you’re sure to be provided with the best cherry-picking conditions at Mike’s U-pick Cherries.
Here, you can enjoy everything that comes with the U-pick season while meeting a diverse array of people while doing so.
On your adventure, make sure to stop and say hello to your farmer – they are the ones growing these cherries for you after all!
For over 30 years, Mike’s U-pick has been selling delicious stone fruits at their orchards. If you’re unfamiliar with ‘stone fruit’ it refers to fruits with a large pit in the middle – like cherries!
At the Payne Avenue orchard, the only fruit you’ll find is cherries. That said, there are tons of varieties, some of which include White Rainiers, Coral Champagnes (Corals), and Lapins.
At Airaya U-Pick Farm, you’re offered the chance to pick everything from yellow peaches, white peaches, yellow and white nectarines, apricots, Asian pears, and, of course, cherries.
Gilroy U-pick is a family-owned and operated u-pick farm tucked away in the beautiful valets of Gilroy, California.
Here, you can find both u-pick and freshly picked vegetables and fruits. One factor that the farm takes particular pride in is the fact that they don’t use spray – regardless of whether or not they are organic – on their crops.
Every year around May the 7th, the farm kicks off its Santa Clara cherry season with the first ripening cherries – this is 25 days before they introduce their bing cherries.
In addition to this, they are even open on mother’s day – it is the perfect time to take your mother on a trip to enjoy one of nature’s most delicious treats.
In addition to cherries, you can also pick strawberries, plums/pluots, blackberries, cantaloupes, watermelons, string beans, and corn.
Final Thoughts
With Spring in the air, there is no better time to get your harvest of cherries than now. Plus, thanks to this guide, you’re sure to find the best ones in the Bay Area.
Whether you’re making some baked goods or juices, or simply eating them on their own – there is no beating the deliciously sweet yet tart taste of cherries.
Hi, my name is Amelia Haslehurt and I am a food blogger. As you can guess, I am passionate about what I eat, but what is most important to me when reviewing is high quality, fresh, organic, delicious ingredients.
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