Skip to content

Plum Season in California 2026: U-Pick Farms & When to Go

June 10, 2026 · 7 min read

California plum season runs June through August, with the San Joaquin Valley leading production and Brentwood in the East Bay offering the closest u-pick options for Bay Area visitors. The Santa Rosa plum — developed by California breeder Luther Burbank — is a state original and one of the finest eating plums anywhere. Here's when to go, what to look for, and where to pick your own.

When is plum season in California?

Plum season runs from June through August, peaking in mid-July. Timing varies by variety and elevation:

  • Brentwood / East Bay — One of the earliest stone-fruit regions in California. Plums arrive here in late May and June, weeks ahead of inland valleys. Farms offer roadside stands and u-pick through July.
  • San Joaquin Valley (Fresno, Tulare, Kings counties) — The commercial heart of California plum production. Black Amber, Friar, and Angeleno plums roll through July and August at farms and packing sheds.
  • Sierra Foothills (Grass Valley, Garden Valley) — Higher elevation slows ripening. Foothill plums arrive in July and extend into August, often alongside peaches and nectarines.
  • North Bay (Sebastopol) — Sonoma County farms grow heritage plum varieties alongside other stone fruits. Season runs June through August.

California plum varieties worth knowing

  • Santa Rosa— California's own plum, bred by Luther Burbank in Sonoma County in 1906. Deep crimson skin, golden flesh near the pit, tart skin with sweet interior. Excellent for fresh eating and jam. Early season (June–July).
  • Black Amber — Dark purple-black skin, amber flesh, mild and sweet. One of the most widely grown commercial varieties. Mid-season (July).
  • Friar — Large, black-skinned, with amber flesh and a mild, sweet flavor. A reliable mid-season variety (July–August).
  • Angeleno — Large, deep blue-purple fruit with red flesh. One of the latest varieties, extending the season into September in some areas.
  • Elephant Heart — Large, heart-shaped, speckled red-and-purple skin with deep red flesh. Intensely flavored; grown at specialty farms. Mid to late season.

Ripe plums yield to gentle pressure near the tip and have a faint, sweet fragrance. Avoid plums with very firm flesh or green skin — they were picked too early and won't ripen properly at home. Refrigerate ripe plums for up to 5 days.

U-pick plum farms by region

Brentwood / East Bay

Brentwood is the closest stone-fruit hub to the Bay Area, with plums typically available June through July — earlier than most of the state.

Central Valley

Sierra Foothills

North Bay

Frequently asked questions

When is plum season in California?

California plum season runs June through August, peaking in mid-July. Brentwood in the East Bay is one of the earliest regions, with plums arriving in late May and June. San Joaquin Valley farms follow through July and August.

Where can I pick plums near the Bay Area?

Brentwood (Contra Costa County), about an hour east of San Francisco, has several u-pick farms with plums in June and July — including Airaya U-Pick Farm and Farmer's Daughter Produce. EARTHseed Farm in Sebastopol is a North Bay option.

What is the Santa Rosa plum?

The Santa Rosa plum was developed by Luther Burbank in Sonoma County and introduced in 1906. It's prized for its tart skin, sweet golden flesh near the pit, and intense flavor — widely considered one of the finest fresh eating plums. Early season, typically June and July in California.

How do I pick ripe plums?

Look for plums that yield slightly to pressure near the tip and have a sweet fragrance. The skin color should be deep and rich for the variety. Avoid rock-hard fruit — it won't ripen well. Plums picked slightly firm will soften at room temperature in 1–3 days.

Are there plum festivals in California?

There's no dedicated major plum festival in California, but plums are featured at many stone-fruit harvest events in Brentwood and the San Joaquin Valley during July. The Brentwood Cornucopia community events and farm stand trails include stone fruit through the summer season.

Ready to pick?

The bloom test, variety-by-variety ripeness cues, and why plums look ready before they taste ready.

How to pick plums →