10 Best U-Pick Strawberry Picking Farms Near Carlsbad 2024

Picking strawberries in Carlsbad is fun. This fruit is widely celebrated in California, USA. Many U Pick Strawberry picking farms are near Carlsbad, close to the Pacific Ocean. The marine climate is perfect for growing berries here. People love to visit these strawberry-picking farms in Carlsbad during weekends in spring and early 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 ripped 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. 

Every farm has its official website and social media page. Check the update on these pages with information on the U-pick, the price of berries, and the weather conditions before planning a farm visit.

Strawberry Picking Farms near Carlsbad
Strawberry Picking Farms near Carlsbad

Cost of strawberries

Almost every farmland has social media pages and official websites. They update details about their seasonal harvests, background, and price of fruits and vegetables. 

The price for U-pick and pre-order strawberries are also provided on web pages. Interested people can check out these pages for accurate information. 

1. The Ecology Center – San Juan, California

The Ecology Center is a non-profit eco-education center for regenerative organic farming in San Juan. It’s almost half 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 center 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 organized daily. The availability and schedules are updated regularly on the center’s social media page. The community table here is the best way to enjoy fresh farm-grown food. 

The Ecology Center California
The Ecology Center California
  • Hours: Sunday- Saturday: 09:00 a.m.- 06:00 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 is a Rodriguez family-owned farmland in Escondido’s rolling hills. The place is just half an hour’s ride from Carlsbad. The farmland achieved CCOF certification in 1986. J.R. Organics 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 organized during the seasons. It’s included in CSA farm tours, the dates of which are given on the social media page of the farm. People can get the berry baskets from the entrance with $45 tickets. People can join the CSA box program for regular farm-fresh veggies and fruit supply. 

  • Hours: June 24th- 09:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
  • Contact: 760-453-4144
  • Nearby Attractions: Walnut Grove Park, Grape Day Park.

Address:  31030 Rodriguez Road, Escondido, CA, 92026

3. Mellano Farm Stand – Oceanside, CA

Mellano Farm stand is a very popular farmland and stand in Carlsbad. It’s just 18 minutes away from Carlsbad. People visit this place to pick berries, enjoy fresh food, and do different activities.

The owners organize live music shows, crafts, and other activities, like Spring flower field shows, pumpkin patch carving, 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. The owners provide daily updates on U-pick schedules and availability on the social media page of the farm. The U-pick dates are updated regularly with the price on the official social media site of the farm.  

  • Hours: Thursday- Sunday: 10:30 a.m.- 05:00 p.m., Monday- Wednesday: closed. 
  • 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 one of the furthest strawberry-picking farmland from Carlsbad. It’s almost a 7-hour ride from Carlsbad. Strawberry picking with a day tour is perfect for visiting the farm. Children can enjoy a holiday with farm animals, freshly made ice creams, and other beverages. The farm-fresh home-cooked meals and pickles are something to celebrate. 

The owners regularly update the strawberry picking dates and times on their social media pages. Besides strawberries, people love seasonal flower bouquets, dairy products, ketchup, sauces, fresh honey, heirloom tomatoes, onions, and watermelons. You can add up some other tourist spots to make a weekend tour for berries. 

  • 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. Different flowers and strawberries are grown on this land using organic farming. People can visit this place for a U-pick. 

This U-Pick 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.

South Coast Farms San Juan Capistrano
South Coast Farms San Juan Capistrano
  • 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. Nagata Brothers Farms Inc – Oceanside

Nagata Brothers farm is situated at Oceanside, a 16-minute ride from Carlsbad. The Nagata family has managed the farm for three generations.

Besides strawberries, they produce blueberries, assorted vegetables, and fruits around the year. The place is a 17-minute drive from Carlsbad. They are one of the major strawberry-picking farms in Carlsbad.

  • Phone: 760-966-2870
  • Nearby Attractions: Heritage Park, California Surf Museum, and Buddy Todd Park.

Address: 4617 N River Rd, Oceanside, CA 92057, United States

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7. Stehly Farms Organic – Valley Center, CA

Stehy Brothers Jerome and Noel Stehly have been growing different vegetables and fruits like strawberries using organic and sustainable agriculture processes for nearly twenty years. It’s one of the oldest strawberry picking farms in Carlsbad

A farm animal petting zoo, play zone, tractor ride, and many more fun activities are available on the farm. U-picking is organized during Strawberry harvesting season.

 Visitors can enjoy fresh farm food like fresh tacos and pizzas from the farm kitchen. CSA programs are also available in Stehly farms to encourage community farming. Stehly Farms is a 40-minute ride from the city of Carlsbad.

Stehly Farms Organic Valley Center
Stehly Farms Organic Valley Center
  • Entry fee: $15 per person
  • Hours: Every Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm
  • Phone: 760-742-1186
  • Nearby Attractions: People can visit the San Diego Zoo Safar Park. The place is close to Stehly Farms. A day well spent at the farm ends better with a trip to the safari park. 

Address: 12630 Santa Catalina Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082, United States

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8. 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” from 09:00 am to 06:00 pm. The farm is only a 5-6 minute drive from Carlsbad. The best part is the proximity to the ocean and the beach. 

Carlsbad Strawberry Company is a perfect gateway for family gatherings, office parties, and corporate events. They also organize field trips for schools, churches, and non-profitable companies. Visitors can grab food or buy souvenirs from the farm shop. 

  • Entry fee: $5 per person
  • Hours: Open Daily, 9 am – 6 pm
  • Phone: 760-603-9608
  • Nearby Attractions: The best tourist spots near this farm are the South Carlsbad State Beach Campground, Miniland, USA, and many more  

Address: 1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008

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9. 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. 

Kennys Strawberry Farm Fallbrook
Kennys Strawberry Farm Fallbrook
  • Hours: Open Friday to Sunday by reservation
  • Phone: 888-236-0101
  • Nearby Attractions: Though Kenny’s Farm is a perfect spot for a family outing during strawberry harvesting season, adding some nearby places to make it an ideal summer holiday, like the Pala Casino Spa Resort for relaxing weekends is best.

Address: 953 Rainbow Valley Blvd, Fallbrook, CA, 92028

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10. Be Wise Ranch – Escondido, California

Bill Brammer, the owner of this strawberry and vegetable farm, is famous for adopting sustainable farming methods even before they became popular worldwide. He produces CCOF-certified organic fruits and vegetables. Strawberries and heirloom tomatoes are major products of the farm. The farm also delivers fresh harvest nationwide. 

Bill Brammer has also introduced community farming and CSA programs on these farms. People from different communities can enroll here. The coastal weather of the region is perfect for sustainable farming here. The farmlands are a 27-minute ride from the city of Carlsbad. 

Be Wish Ranch Escondido Strawberry Picking
Be Wish Ranch Escondido Strawberry Picking
  • Hours: Monday – Friday from 7 am to 5 pm
  • Phone: 760-746-6006
  • Nearby Attractions: Visitors to Be Wise Ranch like the Ballon Safari here. It gives a beautiful top view of the ranch from high above. African tram rides are also great here. 

Address: Be Wise Ranch, 20505 San Pasqual Road, Escondido, CA 92025

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Find Strawberry Farms Near You

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

Strawberry picking is a widely celebrated activity in Carlsbad and throughout California. Some of the above farms are popular nationwide. Mentioned strawberry picking farms in Carlsbad are famous tourist spots for people looking for fresh harvests.

With the recent addition of CSA programs and community farming, more and more people are showing interest in farms. Strawberry farmers have shown farming can change their perspective toward nature. 

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