Best Strawberry Picking in Southern California 2026
June 11, 2026 · 7 min read
Southern California is one of the few places in the US where you can pick strawberries year-round — coastal Ventura and San Diego counties never fully go out of season. This guide covers the best u-pick strawberry farms across the region, grouped by where you're coming from.
When is strawberry season in Southern California?
Unlike most of the country, SoCal strawberry season is almost continuous:
- Coastal Ventura County (Camarillo, Moorpark, Oxnard) — Peak March through June, with some farms open into fall. The cool marine layer keeps the fruit sweet longer than inland locations.
- Orange County (Irvine, Costa Mesa, San Juan Capistrano) — Spring peak February through May at coastal farms. Tanaka Farms is one of the few year-round u-pick destinations in the region.
- San Diego County (Carlsbad, Fallbrook) — January through April for the coastal farms. Fallbrook runs slightly later due to its more inland elevation.
Orange County
The most established u-pick operation in Orange County — strawberries, lavender, and sunflowers across seasonal rotations. Tanaka runs structured farm tours alongside standard u-pick, making it a good choice for families with young kids who want some context alongside the picking.
Tanaka's second location in Costa Mesa. Sunflowers lead the bill here, but strawberries are available during the spring season. More accessible from central OC than the Irvine farm.
A working organic farm open for u-pick on select days — strawberries in season among other vegetables and fruits. More of a farm-visit experience than a pure u-pick operation; check their calendar for open days before going.
Ventura County
Ventura County is serious strawberry country — this corridor between LA and Santa Barbara has the marine climate that strawberry plants love. Several farms here also grow an unusually wide range of other crops, making the drive worth it even if strawberries aren't your only goal.
One of the most comprehensive u-pick operations in Southern California — strawberries, tomatoes, pumpkins, citrus, avocados, corn, and more across the season. The farm is open most of the year with different crops rotating in. A destination for families who want a full farm experience, not just a single crop.
Underwood's second location near the Ventura/LA county line. Blueberries and strawberries in spring alongside figs and citrus later in the year. The Somis location tends to be slightly less crowded than Moorpark.
A smaller family operation in Santa Paula with strawberries, tomatoes, and seasonal vegetables. Worth calling ahead to confirm what's available — the mix varies by week.
Certified organic strawberry farm in Camarillo, directly on the coast highway corridor. One of the few organic u-pick strawberry operations in the region — if organic matters to you, this is the one to check first.
San Diego County
Right off the 5 freeway in Carlsbad — one of the most accessible u-pick strawberry farms in San Diego County. The location makes it an easy stop on a drive down the coast. Fall pumpkins round out the second season.
An inland Fallbrook operation at slightly higher elevation than the coastal farms. Season runs a bit later as a result. A quieter, less-trafficked option for San Diego residents who want to avoid the Carlsbad crowds.
Also worth knowing: Riley's Farm in Oak Glen
Oak Glen is better known for apples, but Riley's runs strawberries alongside a remarkable range of other crops — cherries, peaches, pears, pumpkins, and more depending on the month. If you're planning an Oak Glen apple trip in fall, Riley's is the farm that gives you the most options on a single visit.
Tips for SoCal strawberry picking
- Go in the morning. Strawberries picked in the cool morning hold up better than fruit picked in afternoon heat. Most farms are best visited before noon.
- Eat same-day or refrigerate immediately. Fresh-picked strawberries don't have the commercial preservatives that extend grocery store shelf life. They're at peak flavor for 24–48 hours.
- Look for full red color all the way to the stem. The tip of a strawberry ripens first — check that the shoulder near the green cap is also fully colored before picking.