8 Best U-Pick Strawberry Picking Farms Near Carlsbad 2025
Searching for the best U-pick strawberry picking farms near Carlsbad? This coastal California gem offers sun-soaked fields, ripe strawberries, and family-friendly fun. From local organic farms to scenic berry patches, Carlsbad and nearby areas are perfect for hands-on harvesting, fresh produce, and weekend adventures. Whether you’re after farm tours, seasonal events, or juicy strawberries straight from the vine, these local spots deliver a sweet slice of summer.
The farms have enlisted many fun activities to transform this into a better experience, like petting the farm animals, tractor rides, and playgrounds. Also, most farms have kitchens to serve farm-to-table meals.
Best Season for Strawberry Picking in Carlsbad, CA
Raw Strawberries are ripe during the spring and early summertime. In Carlsbad and the nearby areas, strawberry season is marked as the months from March to July. U-picking is subject to the availability of berries and weather conditions.
Carlsbad Strawberry Company offers u-pick strawberries daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also enjoy the corn maze and lavender fields.
8 Best Strawberry Picking Farms Near Carlsbad
1. The Ecology Center – San Juan, California
The Ecology Centre is a non-profit eco-education centre for regenerative organic farming in San Juan. It’s almost an hour’s ride from Carlsbad. The 28-acre farmland is on a famous historic agricultural property, aiming to grow, eat, and make peace.
The place supports community farming, children’s activities, Farmer training programs, culinary training courses, after-school activities, and many more.
The centre also donates food for noble causes. It’s the only certified regenerative organic farm near Carlsbad. U-picks for strawberries and other fruits and vegetables are organised daily. The community table here is the best way to enjoy fresh farm-grown food.
- Entry Fees: $12 per person. Children older than 2 require a ticket.
- Hours: Sunday- Saturday: 09:00 a.m.- 01:00 p.m.
- Contact: 949-443-4223
- Nearby Attractions: Historic Town Center Park, Los Rios Street Historic District.
- Address: 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
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2. J.R Organic Farms – Escondido, CA
J.R. Organic Farms has been a Rodriguez family-owned farmland in Escondido’s rolling hills since 1950. The place is just half an hour’s ride from Carlsbad. The farmland achieved CCOF certification in 1986.
The farm is one of the top producers of vegetables and seasonal fruits in all the farmer markets of nearby cities. The owners use the best fertilizers and the latest organic farming processes.
U-pick of fresh and juicy strawberries, zucchini, cantaloupes, and watermelons is organised during the season. People can join the CSA box program for regular farm-fresh veggies and fruit supply. The box is available for delivery throughout San Diego, Orange, and Riverside Counties.
- Entry Fees: Adults $50, Ages 6 to 15 $25, Ages 3 to 5 $10
- Hours: June 1st – 09:00 a.m.- 01:00 p.m.
- Contact: 760-453-4144
- Nearby Attractions: Walnut Grove Park, Grape Day Park.
- Address: 31030 Rodriguez Road, Escondido, CA, 92026
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3. Mellano Farm Stand – Oceanside, CA
Mellano Farm stand is a popular farmland and is 18 minutes away from Carlsbad. People visit this place to pick berries, enjoy fresh food, and do different activities. This year, the blueberries and strawberries U-pick combo charges are $20.
The owners organize live music shows, crafts, and other activities, like Spring flower field shows, pumpkin patch carving, and future farmer training, etc. Kids enjoy the tractor rides, unicorn photoshoots in the flower fields, and other activities.
Saturday, the magical Unicorn photoshoots are organized on the flower beds. You need to pre-book for the photo session. They offer weekly bounty boxes with fresh products. Dogs are allowed on a leash in the patio area of the farm. Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome on the farm patio.
- Hours: 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. by appointment.
- Contact: 760-517-8383
- Nearby Attractions: Legoland California, California Surf Museum.
- Address: 5714 North River Road, Oceanside, CA 92057
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4. Granny May’s Strawberry Farm – Granite Bay, CA
Granny May’s Strawberry Farm is 7 hours away from Carlsbad. Strawberry picking with a day tour is perfect for visiting the farm. Reservations are needed before visiting the farmland for U-picking. Children can enjoy a holiday with farm animals, freshly made ice cream, and other beverages. The farm-fresh home-cooked meals and pickles are something to celebrate.
Besides strawberries, people love seasonal flower bouquets, dairy products, ketchup, sauces, fresh honey, heirloom tomatoes, onions, and watermelons. Visitors can also order pre-picked produce. In Granny May’s Strawberry Farm, pets aren’t allowed.
- Entry Fees: Adult $17, Child $9. Children under three are free.
- Hours: Saturday- Thursday: 09:00 a.m.- 05:00 p.m., Friday: 09:00 a.m.- 06:00 p.m.
- Contact: 916-300-9291
- Nearby Attractions: Quarry Park Adventure, Olympus Pointe Sculpture Park.
- Address: 7246 Auburn Folsom Rd, Granite Bay, CA 95746
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5. South Coast Farms – San Juan, Capistrano, CA
Farmer George started this farm at the Tree of Life Nursery in San Juan Capistrano. Using organic farming, different flowers and strawberries are grown on this land. People can visit this place for a U-pick.
This farm stands in Dana Point Farm Stand, where fresh harvests are sold daily. People can join this farm’s CSA program to participate in community farming. The farm is only a 37-minute drive from Carlsbad. Their up-pick is temporarily closed.
- Hours: Wednesday-Saturday from 10 am to 4:30 pm
- Phone: 949-661-9381
- Nearby Attractions: Mission San Juan Capistrano museums, chapels, and gardens
- Address: South Coast Farms U-Pick, 33201 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, United States.
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6. Stehly Farms Organic – Valley Center, CA
Stehly Brothers Jerome and Noel have operated Stehly Farms Organic for 20 years. They use organic and sustainable agriculture methods to grow vegetables and fruits. It’s one of the oldest strawberry-picking farms in Carlsbad. This year, strawberry-picking starts from Saturday, May 17th 2025.
Tractor rides, picnics at the beautiful farm, and many more fun activities are available. U-picking is organised during the Strawberry harvesting season.CSA programs are also available in Stehly Farms to encourage community farming. Stehly Farms is a 40-minute ride from the city of Carlsbad. They also deliver firewood all across San Diego. In Stehly Organics Farm, Pets are allowed in the picnic area; however, they are not allowed in the strawberry fields.
- Entry fee: $15 per person
- Hours: Every Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm
- Phone: 760-742-1186
- Nearby Attractions: San Diego Zoo, Wilderness Gardens Preserve
- Address: 12630 Santa Catalina Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082, United States
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7. Carlsbad Strawberry Company – Carlsbad, CA
As the name suggests, this is one of the leading strawberry farms in Carlsbad and neighboring towns like San Diego. The farm is situated by the side of the Interstate 5 freeway and is open for “you pick strawberries”. Carlsbad Strawberry Company has already started, strawberry picking program.
The farm is only a 5-6 minute drive from Carlsbad. The farm is near a beach, making it a perfect day out opportunity. Carlsbad Strawberry Company is a perfect gateway for family gatherings, office parties, and corporate events. They organize field trips for schools, churches, and non-profit organizations.
Visitors can grab food or buy souvenirs from the farm shop. They have sheep, goats, and rabbits for petting and feeding. Tractor rides and bounce land are perfect for children. They have food stands in Del Mar and Flower Fields with freshly picked strawberries.
- Entry fee: $17 per person with a bucket, $10 per person without a bucket
- Hours: Open Daily, 9 am – 5 pm
- Phone: 760-603-9608
- Nearby Attractions: The Lego Movie World, Carlsbad Ranch
- Address: 1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
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8. Kenny’s Strawberry Farm – Fallbrook, California
Visit Kenny’s Strawberry Farm for different types of strawberries in Carlsbad. This decade-old farm is situated in Rainbow, near the famous Temecula Valley, near Carlsbad. The place is a 33-minute ride from the city.
This strawberry-picking farm in Carlsbad has also tied up with local small business owners. Visitors can buy locally sourced gift products from the farm shop. The farm kitchen is the place to enjoy fresh strawberry desserts. They have two strawberry stands in Murrieta and Wildomar.
- Entry Fees: Free
- Hours: Open Friday to Sunday by reservation
- Phone: 888-236-0101
- Nearby Attractions: Santa Margarita County Preserve, Live Oak County Park
- Address: 953 Rainbow Valley Blvd, Fallbrook, CA, 92028
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Find Strawberry Farms Near You
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Tips for Strawberry picking
- Visitors should wear hats and comfortable summer dresses and use sunscreens. Strawberry picking seasons are generally hot and humid.
- You have to walk through the strawberry ranches for a U-pick. It’s better to wear comfortable shoes for muddy fields and hot weather.
- Bring your bottle of water.
- Farms generally provide U-pick baskets. Before visiting a farm, it’s better to confirm that. Otherwise, you can bring a basket.
- Guardians or parents must accompany their children and encourage them to follow the farm’s rules.
- Eating berries directly from the plants is prohibited in strawberry ranches. Enjoy the berries after you have paid for them and washed them properly. Every farm has its picnic area. Visitors can enjoy their berries there.
- Carry enough cash or cheques to buy as many berries as you wish.
Conclusion
The strawberry mentioned above picking farms in Carlsbad are famous tourist spots for people looking to harvest fresh.
Every farm has its official website and social media page. Before planning a farm visit, check these pages for updates on the U-pick, berry prices, and weather conditions.
