At the base of Wilshire Peak in Oak Glen, with sweeping views of the San Gorgonio Mountain Range, sits this farm and event space where families can embark on a carriage ride, attend outdoor film screenings and pick their own produce. Wander through rows of strawberry and raspberry bushes during the summer, then head back for apples in the late summer and early fall, plus pumpkins through November and chestnuts until December.
If you thought L.A.’s farmers’ markets were bountiful, just wait until you check out the best U-pick farms in and around Los Angeles. From strawberry picking in the summer months to apple picking in autumn (we can already smell the homemade pies), these local farms have all the makings of a great day trip for the whole family to enjoy. Plus, if you’re looking for the perfect pumpkin patch in October, you can’t go wrong with a trip to one of these spots (the corn mazes always add to the fun, too).
Imagine strolling down rows of plush orchards, picking your own fresh fruit and vegetables straight off the vine, then bringing the produce home for a true farm-to-table meal. At any one of these U-pick farms, guests of all ages can grab a basket, learn how to find the ripest produce and get picking—perhaps, even tasting along the way.
Other than berries and traditional apples, the seasonal produce spans heirloom tomatoes, corn, eggplant, blackeyed peas, bell peppers, cabbage, artichoke, squash and fresh herbs. Be sure to check each farm’s website for an updated list of what crops are ripe and ready for picking; differences in seasonal temperatures and precipitation levels from year to year can have a major impact on what’s available to harvest.
While you’re there, look out for the many kid-friendly activities often offered at the properties, including a tractor-drawn wagon ride through the orchards, horseback riding around the farm, educational farm tours, a petting zoo and haystacks for climbing. The activities are just as bountiful as the baskets you leave with.
