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Strawberry Festivals & U-Pick Farms in California 2026

June 7, 2026 · 8 min read

California produces more strawberries than any other state — nearly 90% of the U.S. crop — and from late winter through early fall you can pick them yourself at roadside fields up and down the coast. Here's when the season peaks by region, where to find the festivals, and which u-pick farms are worth the drive.

When is strawberry season in California?

Unlike most crops, strawberries have an unusually long California season — coastal farms can run from February through October, though the sweetest peak window and best u-pick access fall in April through June:

  • Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties — The state's strawberry heartland. Fields near Oxnard, Camarillo, and Santa Maria start producing in late January and run all the way through November. The California Strawberry Festival and Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival both celebrate this region in spring.
  • Watsonville & the Central Coast (Santa Cruz County) — One of the top strawberry-producing counties in the country. Season runs April through October; the Watsonville Strawberry Festival celebrates the late-summer harvest in August.
  • Central Valley (Stockton, Modesto, Sacramento area) — Warm inland conditions push harvest to April through June. Yumm Strawberry Farm near Sacramento and the BerryFest in Woodland mark the Central Valley peak.
  • Bay Area & Peninsula (Pescadero, San Gregorio, Brentwood) — Coastal farms like Swanton Berry Farm run April through August; the cooler marine air keeps fruit sweet well into summer.
  • Southern California (Carlsbad, Fallbrook, Irvine, Orange County) — Fields around Carlsbad and Fallbrook open as early as March. The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival in late May has run for over 60 years.

Strawberry u-pick hours change week to week based on crop availability. Always check the farm's website or call ahead the morning of your visit — fields that looked open on Monday can be picked out by Thursday.

Strawberry festivals in California 2026

Seven dedicated strawberry festivals run across the state from April through August, plus two multi-crop events where strawberries feature prominently.

Santa Maria Valley Strawberry FestivalApril 24–26, 2026 · Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County

Celebrates the heart of California's strawberry country. Strawberry shortcake, fresh-picked flats for sale, and local farm vendors — a genuinely agricultural event in a town that ships strawberries worldwide.

BerryFest Strawberry FestivalMay 9–10, 2026 · Woodland, Yolo County

A Central Valley celebration timed to the inland peak harvest window. Strawberry competitions, local farm stalls, and a family-friendly format that makes it an easy day trip from Sacramento or Davis.

California Strawberry FestivalMay 16–17, 2026 · Ventura

One of the largest strawberry festivals in the country, drawing 50,000+ visitors to the Ventura County Fairgrounds each year. Dozens of strawberry dishes, a strawberry-eating contest, live music, and vendors selling freshly picked flats. The Ventura County fields that supply it are visible from the fairgrounds.

Garden Grove Strawberry FestivalMay 22–25, 2026 · Garden Grove, Orange County

Running since 1958, this is one of California's longest-running food festivals. Five days of entertainment, strawberry pie and shortcake, carnival rides, and a parade on Memorial Day weekend. A Southern California tradition worth planning around.

Vista Strawberry FestivalMay 24, 2026 · Vista, San Diego County

A one-day North San Diego County celebration of the local strawberry harvest. Compact and family-oriented, with fresh berries for sale and food vendors in the downtown area.

Watsonville Strawberry FestivalAugust 1–2, 2026 · Watsonville, Santa Cruz County

Watsonville ships more strawberries than almost anywhere in the world, and this festival shows it — fresh flats sold direct from local farms, a strawberry shortcake booth, and a community-first atmosphere that feels very different from the big-city events.

U-pick strawberry farms by region

Bay Area

The Bay Area's strawberry u-pick scene is concentrated along the San Mateo and Santa Cruz County coast — cooler temperatures mean a longer, sweeter season that can stretch from April into August.

Swanton Berry Farm near Pescadero is one of the few certified-organic, unionized u-pick strawberry farms in the state — the honor system roadside stand alone is worth the stop.

Central Coast

Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley are the beating heart of California strawberry production. Farms here operate longer seasons than inland growers, and the fruit is exceptional.

Gizdich Ranch is a full agritourism destination — u-pick strawberries, a farm stand, and fresh-pressed apple juice. Budget more than an hour.

Southern California

From Ventura County south to San Diego, SoCal has more u-pick strawberry options than any other region — and some open as early as March.

Carlsbad Strawberry Company runs one of the most accessible u-pick operations in SoCal — right off the freeway, with rows you can walk easily with kids. Tanaka Farms in Irvine also runs seasonal strawberry u-pick alongside their year-round farm tour program.

Central Valley

Yumm Strawberry Farm near West Sacramento is a dedicated strawberry u-pick with a longer season than most — a good option for Sacramento area families who want to skip the coastal drive.

Sierra Foothills

Tips for u-pick strawberry visits

  • Call or check social media that morning. Strawberry fields open and close based on what's ripe that day. A farm that was open Saturday may be resting Tuesday. Most post updates on Instagram or Facebook.
  • Go early for the best fruit. Fully ripe strawberries in the sun soften quickly. Arriving at opening — usually 8–9am — means you pick before the heat and before the best rows are stripped.
  • Pick fully red, and sniff before you pick. A ripe strawberry smells like a strawberry from arm's length. White-shouldered or pale berries will not ripen further once picked.
  • Don't wash until you eat. Moisture accelerates mold. Store unwashed in a single layer if you can; they keep 2–3 days in the fridge but are best eaten the day you pick.
  • Bring sun protection. Strawberry rows are low to the ground — you'll be crouching in full sun. A hat, sunscreen, and water are essentials, especially for kids.
  • Ask about varieties. Albion and Seascape are common commercial varieties with good flavor. Some smaller farms grow Chandler, Gaviota, or heirloom types with more complex flavor — worth asking about.

Frequently asked questions

When is strawberry season in California?

California strawberries are available nearly year-round on the coast, but the best u-pick window is April through June for most regions. Ventura and Santa Barbara counties start as early as February; the Watsonville area runs through October.

Where are the best u-pick strawberry farms in California?

The Central Coast near Watsonville has the highest concentration of working strawberry farms with u-pick access — Gizdich Ranch and Swanton Berry Farm near Pescadero are standouts. For Southern California, Carlsbad Strawberry Company and Tanaka Farms in Irvine are the most accessible options.

What is the biggest strawberry festival in California?

The California Strawberry Festival in Ventura is the largest, typically drawing over 50,000 visitors across two days in mid-May. The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival (running since 1958) is the longest-running, held over Memorial Day weekend in Orange County.

Do u-pick strawberry farms charge admission?

Most charge by the pound or flat for what you pick, with no separate gate fee. A few farms (like Tanaka Farms) charge a farm tour or entry fee that includes the u-pick experience. Always check the farm's page before you go.

Are there strawberry festivals in Northern California?

Yes — the BerryFest Strawberry Festival in Woodland runs in May, and the Watsonville Strawberry Festival (Central Coast) runs in August. Both are within a couple hours of the Bay Area.

Ready to pick?

Know how to spot a ripe strawberry, pick without tearing the hull, and keep them fresh.

How to pick strawberries →