When is the best time to do the Brentwood Loop?

Mid-May through mid-June is peak — that's cherry season, the loop's signature crop. For peaches and other stone fruit with smaller crowds, July is excellent. Strawberries run April through June, and there's a fall encore in October with pumpkins at G&S Farms.

How far is Brentwood from San Francisco?

About 55 miles east — roughly an hour's drive via Highway 4, at the edge of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. From Sacramento it's about 60 miles south.

Do Brentwood u-pick farms require reservations?

Most don't — you pay by the pound for what you pick. Creswell Family Farms requires reservations, and G&S Farms releases booking slots on social media during cherry season. Every farm's page on Gather Grove notes its policy.

How many farms can I visit in one day?

Three or four comfortably. The farms sit within a 15-mile loop, so driving time is minimal — your limit is picking time and how much fruit your cooler holds.

Is the Brentwood Loop good for kids?

Very. Diablo Cherries grows low-pruned trees specifically so kids can reach the fruit, Bacchini's offers ladder-free picking, and the distances between farms are short enough that nobody melts down in the car.

When is the best time to do the Brentwood Loop?

Mid-May through mid-June is peak — that's cherry season, the loop's signature crop. For peaches and other stone fruit with smaller crowds, July is excellent. Strawberries run April through June, and there's a fall encore in October with pumpkins at G&S Farms.

How far is Brentwood from San Francisco?

About 55 miles east — roughly an hour's drive via Highway 4, at the edge of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. From Sacramento it's about 60 miles south.

Do Brentwood u-pick farms require reservations?

Most don't — you pay by the pound for what you pick. Creswell Family Farms requires reservations, and G&S Farms releases booking slots on social media during cherry season. Every farm's page on Gather Grove notes its policy.

How many farms can I visit in one day?

Three or four comfortably. The farms sit within a 15-mile loop, so driving time is minimal — your limit is picking time and how much fruit your cooler holds.

Is the Brentwood Loop good for kids?

Very. Diablo Cherries grows low-pruned trees specifically so kids can reach the fruit, Bacchini's offers ladder-free picking, and the distances between farms are short enough that nobody melts down in the car.

The Brentwood Loop

Eleven u-pick farms in one easy loop through East Contra Costa orchard country — the Bay Area's cherry and stone-fruit capital, an hour from San Francisco.

11 paradas~15 millas de recorridoBase: BrentwoodEn temporada ahora

Qué está en sazón, mes a mes

April – May — Strawberries and cut-your-own flowers at Creswell Family Farms; the first cherries arrive at the very end of April in warm years.
May – mid-June — Peak season. Cherries everywhere — this is what Brentwood is famous for. Apricots begin in late May. Expect weekend crowds; go early or midweek.
mid-June – August — Stone-fruit summer: peaches, nectarines, plums, pluots, and apricots at Airaya, Farmer's Daughter, Wolfe Ranch, and The Urban Edge Farm.
September – October — The Urban Edge Farm carries figs, pomegranates, and persimmons into fall; G&S Farms opens its pumpkin patch and corn maze in October.

Las paradas, en orden de recorrido

Un orden sugerido — cada parada está a minutos de la siguiente, así que reorganiza libremente según lo que esté en sazón y lo que esté abierto el día que vayas.

1
Bacchini's Fruit Tree
Temporada: May–Jun
A classic first stop on the west side of the loop — ladder-free cherries, peaches, berries, and sunflowers. Opens only when fruit is ripe, so check their morning post before heading out.
CherriesApricotsPeachesMixed BerriesSunflowersNectarines
2
The Urban Edge FarmSe puede recoger ahora
Temporada: Apr–OctCertificado orgánico
The longest season on the loop: a 34-acre certified-organic farm picking from April clear through October, with a year-round farm store. If you only make one summer-into-fall stop, make it this one.
CherriesApricotsPeachesPlumsFigsApples
3
Creswell Family Farms
Temporada: Apr–JunSe requiere reservación
The loop's spring opener — u-pick strawberries and cut-your-own flower bouquets. Reservations required, and the patch sells out fast on weekends.
Strawberries
4
G&S Farms
Temporada: May–OctSe requiere reservación
Fourth-generation cherry growers; booking slots are released on social media during cherry season. Come back in October for the pumpkin patch and corn maze.
CherriesPumpkins
5
Farmer's Daughter ProduceSe puede recoger ahora
Temporada: May–Aug
Open daily all summer with the broadest stone-fruit lineup on the east side — peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots — plus lavender and sweet corn at the stand.
ApricotsPeachesPlumsMixed BerriesLavenderCorn
6
Airaya U-Pick FarmSe puede recoger ahora
Temporada: May–Aug
Twenty-two rare varieties of peaches, nectarines, apricots, pluots, and Asian pears, picked May through August. The variety nerd's favorite stop.
PeachesNectarinesApricotsCherriesPluotsPears
7
Diablo Cherries
Temporada: May–Jun
Eight-plus cherry varieties on low-pruned, kid-friendly trees — the easiest picking on the loop for small children. Strawberries too, while they last.
CherriesStrawberriesNectarinesApricots
8
Marsh Creek Cherries
Temporada: May–Jun
Forty acres of sweet cherries at the north end of the loop. Call the cherry hotline before you swing by — the season is short and weather-dependent.
Cherries
9
Dwelley Family Farms
Temporada: May–JunCertificado orgánico
A century-old farm with certified-organic cherries. Print and sign their waiver before arriving — it's required at the gate.
Cherries
10
Wolfe RanchSe puede recoger ahora
Temporada: May–Aug
U-pick peaches and cherries from late spring into summer. Opens seasonally — a quick call ahead saves the detour.
PeachesCherriesTomatoes
11
Mike's U-Pick
Temporada: May–Jun
The loop's cult favorite finish: white peaches and nectarines for only one to four weeks each season. When it's open, drop everything.
PeachesNectarines

Un día sugerido

8:30 AMStart at the west-side farms (Bacchini's or The Urban Edge) right at opening — the fruit is cool, the light is good, and the crowds are an hour behind you.
10:30 AMWork the east-side cluster: Farmer's Daughter, Airaya, and Diablo Cherries sit within a few minutes of each other.
12:30 PMLunch in downtown Brentwood, a few minutes from every farm on the loop.
2:00 PMOne last stop on the north end (Marsh Creek or Dwelley), then load the cooler and head home before the Delta heat peaks.

Antes de ir

✓Check each farm's Instagram or website the morning you go — Brentwood farms open and close day-to-day based on what's ripe, and several post same-day availability.
✓Bring cash, sun protection, and a cooler with ice for the drive home; picked cherries hate a hot trunk.
✓Weekday mornings beat weekends by a mile during cherry season. If you must come on a Saturday, arrive at opening.
✓Most farms charge by the pound with no admission fee, but a few require reservations (Creswell, and G&S during cherry season) — book before you drive.
✓Three to four farms is a realistic day. Pick one anchor stop for serious picking and treat the rest as tastings.

Preguntas frecuentes

When is the best time to do the Brentwood Loop?: Mid-May through mid-June is peak — that's cherry season, the loop's signature crop. For peaches and other stone fruit with smaller crowds, July is excellent. Strawberries run April through June, and there's a fall encore in October with pumpkins at G&S Farms.
How far is Brentwood from San Francisco?: About 55 miles east — roughly an hour's drive via Highway 4, at the edge of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. From Sacramento it's about 60 miles south.
Do Brentwood u-pick farms require reservations?: Most don't — you pay by the pound for what you pick. Creswell Family Farms requires reservations, and G&S Farms releases booking slots on social media during cherry season. Every farm's page on Gather Grove notes its policy.
How many farms can I visit in one day?: Three or four comfortably. The farms sit within a 15-mile loop, so driving time is minimal — your limit is picking time and how much fruit your cooler holds.
Is the Brentwood Loop good for kids?: Very. Diablo Cherries grows low-pruned trees specifically so kids can reach the fruit, Bacchini's offers ladder-free picking, and the distances between farms are short enough that nobody melts down in the car.