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Pear Season in California 2026: U-Pick Orchards & When to Go

June 10, 2026 · 7 min read

California pear season runs August through November, with the Bartlett harvest in the Sacramento Valley leading the way in August and Sierra Foothills orchards extending the window into fall. Pears are one of the few fruits that ripen better off the tree than on it — which makes u-pick a different experience than with apples or peaches. Here's when to go, where to find u-pick pears, and how to ripen what you bring home.

When is pear season in California?

Pear season runs from August through November, with timing varying by variety and region:

  • Sacramento Valley / Lake County — California grows more Bartlett pears than any other state, with the Sacramento Valley and Lake County producing the bulk of the commercial crop. Bartlett season runs late July through September; Bosc and Comice follow in fall.
  • Sierra Foothills (Apple Hill / Camino, Grass Valley) — Foothills orchards often grow pears alongside apples. The season here runs August through October, with some farms offering u-pick through the Apple Hill harvest festival season.
  • North Bay (Petaluma, Sebastopol) — Marin and Sonoma County farms grow heritage and Asian pear varieties. Season typically runs September through October.
  • Central Coast(San Luis Obispo) — Cooler coastal conditions push the season into fall. Cal Poly's farm unit offers pears alongside other crops in late summer and fall.
  • Southern California (Oak Glen) — Mountain orchards at Oak Glen grow Asian and European pear varieties alongside apples; season runs September through November.

Pear varieties and how to ripen them

Unlike apples, pears ripen from the inside out — if you wait until a pear looks ripe on the outside, the core has already turned mushy. Most pears are picked while still firm and ripened at room temperature:

  • Bartlett — The California standard, best known for canning but excellent fresh when ripe. Starts green, yellows as it ripens. Check ripeness by pressing gently near the stem — it should yield slightly. Ripens in 4–7 days at room temperature after picking.
  • Bosc— Brown russeted skin, long neck, crisp even when ripe. Holds its shape well for cooking. Doesn't change color when ripe — rely on the stem-check method.
  • Comice — The sweetest dessert pear. Green to yellow-green, very juicy. Peak season October–November in California.
  • Asian pear — Round like an apple, crisp and juicy, eaten firm (not ripened). Ready to eat right off the tree. Several North Bay and foothills farms grow them.
  • Seckel — Small, speckled, intensely sweet. An heirloom variety found at some specialty farms. Best September–October.

To ripen pears at home: leave them at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Speed it up by placing them in a bag with a banana or apple. Refrigerate once ripe to slow them down — they'll hold for 3–5 days.

U-pick pear farms by region

Sierra Foothills (Apple Hill / Camino area)

The Apple Hill corridor is primarily known for apples but several farms also grow pears — worth checking if you're already making the trip in fall.

North Bay

Central Valley / Brentwood

Central Coast

Southern California

Frequently asked questions

When is pear season in California?

California pear season runs August through November. Bartlett pears lead the season in late July and August; Bosc and Comice follow in fall. Sierra Foothills and North Bay orchards typically run September through October as part of the fall harvest season.

Where can I pick pears near the Bay Area?

Chileno Valley Ranch in Petaluma and EARTHseed Farm in Sebastopol are the closest options — both in Marin / Sonoma County, about an hour north of San Francisco. The Apple Hill farms near Camino (about 2 hours northeast) offer pears alongside their apple season.

How do I know when a pear is ripe?

Press gently near the stem end — a ripe pear yields to gentle pressure there even if the body is still firm. Don't wait for the skin to change color (except Bartlett, which goes from green to yellow). Asian pears are the exception: they're eaten crisp and ready right off the tree.

Are there pear festivals in California?

The Courtland Pear Fair in the Sacramento Delta is the state's dedicated pear festival — typically held in July as the Bartlett harvest begins. It's a small, community fair in the delta pear-growing region about 30 miles south of Sacramento.

What's the difference between Asian and European pears?

Asian pears are round and apple-shaped, with a crisp texture even when fully ripe — eaten firm, straight from the tree. European pears (Bartlett, Bosc, Comice) ripen off the tree and develop a soft, buttery texture. Both are grown at California u-pick farms; check which type a farm grows before you go.

Ready to pick?

The horizontal test for harvest maturity, how to ripen pears at home, and the Asian pear exception.

How to pick pears →