Strawberry Picking Farms and
Strawberry Festivals Near Los Angeles

Best Strawberry Picking Farms Near Los Angeles

1. Underwood Family Farms — Moorpark
Strawberry picking typically runs from March to August
A fully functioning farm, Underwood is a place where children can get a real sense of farm life and come home with a basket bursting with fresh, sustainably grown berries.

Hop on a free tractor ride to the fields to pick strawberries and other fruits and veggies (depending on availability). After strawberry picking, you can visit the animal center, ride the train, slide down the combine or harvester slides, scale the hay pyramids, or navigate the trike trail. It's all free with the price of admission! Underwood also sells activity tickets for additional experiences like the bee train, the electric train, and gem mining. Currently, Underwood is celebrating the Underwood Farms Springtime Easter Festival 2026, which is a basket-full of springtime fun for the whole family.

2. Underwood Family Farms — Somis
Strawberry picking typically runs from March to mid-June
This is the smaller of the two Underwood Family Farms locations. Unlike its big sister, which has PYO veggies and fruits all year round, this little venue only offers berries, navel oranges, and tangerines. It's an easy walk to the fields, and berries are paid for by the pound.

On the way to the fields, there is a small play area with a wooden truck and a sandpit. There is also an animal center with sheep, alpacas, chickens, and plenty of pygmy goats. The livestock pens are in the middle of a citrus grove and surrounded by picnic tables. Bring a picnic basket or pick up some yummy snacks at the farm store and enjoy an idyllic day at this sweet little strawberry patch.

3. Prancer's Farm - Santa Paula
Strawberry picking available during the springtime at Prancer's Farm in March and April
This hidden gem of a farm in Santa Paula is right off the 126 Freeway, and is home to some of the juiciest, sun-ripened berries in the area. During their spring festival, visitors can pay to pick their own tulips, pick their own strawberries, enjoy horse rides, Easter egg hunts, Easter bunny photo ops, and more. This little farm is only open on select dates, so make sure to check their calendar before heading out to ensure the farm is open for picking. Picking is priced per container, so pack those berries in to get the best bang for your buck.

What Farms Offer Strawberry Picking in Orange County?

4. Tanaka Farms — Irvine
Strawberry picking typically runs from March to June
Strawberry picking tours are currently running, and reservations are required! Once you book a tour on their website, expect an interactive experience that includes a wagon ride, a stop to pick a seasonal veggie, and a final destination to the strawberry fields.

Each guest is encouraged to pick one pound of strawberries, included with the price of admission (and guests are welcome to pick a few berries off the vine). After your berry adventure, visit the barnyard and meet some animals that call this Orange County farm home.

Berry picking tours depart less frequently on weekdays and fill up on weekdays and weekends, so check the schedule and book your tour before leaving for the farm. Strawberry-picking tours last about an hour.

5. The Ecology Center — San Juan Capistrano
Strawberry picking typically runs in late March - April
Strawberry picking at The Ecology Center is equal parts seasonality and agriculture education. This experience is Southern California’s Only Regenerative Organic™ Strawberry Picking Experience.

Strawberry picking at The Ecology Center is only open on some Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 9am - 1pm. There are seven varieties of strawberries to choose from. Tickets are required for strawberry picking, and strawberries are priced at $9 per pound (admission is $15 per person).

Where to go Strawberry Picking near San Diego

6. Kenny’s Strawberry Farm — Fallbrook
Strawberry picking typically runs from March to May
Kenny’s makes strawberry picking an easy, fun activity for the entire family. First and most important, you must make your reservation in advance! Reserve a spot for every member in your party over the age of 4 (admission is $5 per guest over the age of 4).

When you arrive and check in, you can pay for your basket and get to picking. The website and phone line are updated daily, so you can check if the weather or berry supply will affect the day’s hours.

The farm is only open Thursday through Sunday. They also have a restaurant, Kenny’s Farm Kitchen. You don’t want to miss out on the strawberry lemonade, strawberry shortcake, and strawberry ice cream bars. They are quite a treat.

7. Carlsbad Strawberry Company — Carlsbad
Strawberry picking typically runs from April to May
This 25-acre farm will have you singing “Strawberry Fields Forever” as you pick. An admission fee applies, which includes a bucket. However, there is an option for a smaller admission fee without a bucket. Call ahead and make sure the fields are open before visiting.

While many strawberry-picking u-pick experiences require reservations, this one is walk-in only. Note that the fields close after rain. They also have a sunflower maze, tractor rides, and farm animals to pet. When the weather is fair, the fields are open daily from 9am - 5pm.

Strawberry Festivals near Los Angeles

8. California Strawberry Festival — Ventura
Enjoy strawberries, beachside. This famous two-day festival in May kicks off summer with so many strawberries. U-pick is not available at the festival, but there's a bounty of strawberry treats. Expect tons of entertainment from interactive events, a kids' music stage, a ninja obstacle course, and carnival games.

9. Garden Grove Strawberry Festival — Garden Grove
For more than six decades, Garden Grove has been celebrating the strawberry! The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival is a multi-day event full of rides, live music, contests, and even a strawberry day parade. The festival usually takes place over Memorial Day Weekend. While this is not a U-pick event, there is always an abundance of ripe strawberries available for purchase.

10. Tanaka Farms Strawberry Festival - Irvine
I mentioned Tanaka Farms above as a great place to pick strawberries, but it's also home to a fantastic strawberry festival during weekends in March and April. Admission to the festival is free, but parking costs $10 per vehicle. For $17 per guest, visitors can participate in a delectable strawberry feast, which is available from 10am - 3:30pm on weekends. Keep in mind that the festival does not include strawberry picking- adding that experience will cost additional admission. The weekend fun is available from March 21 to April 26, 2026.

Tips for Strawberry Picking with Kids
Strawberry picking can be a blast, as long as you come prepared. Those berries get red and ripe in the sun, so, as you might expect, you won't find any shade at the strawberry patch. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and bring sunscreen. You'll also want a bottle of water and closed-toed shoes. Make sure to brush up on field rules—some fields encourage grazing while others do not. Also, each field has a different policy on picking. Some charge by weight, some by bucket or box.

Teach kids how to pluck the red, ripe strawberries and avoid green berries that aren't yet ready. You may want to pack an insulated cooler in your car to get your berries back home in cool conditions. Before you head out to any of the patches listed above, make sure to call ahead and ensure that picking is open for the day. Many patches are weather-dependent, and crops can be fickle depending on the temperature and weather conditions.

FAQ: Strawberry Picking Near Los Angeles
When is strawberry picking season in Los Angeles?

Fields near Los Angeles typically open in March and picking runs through June. Make sure to call the field that you are hoping to visit prior to heading out, to confirm that they are open and crops are plentiful.

What are the best farms for strawberry picking near Los Angeles?

If you are looking to stick close to LA, Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark or Prancer's Farm in Santa Paula are your best options. If you are willing to head south, Tanaka Farms and The Ecology Center are two excellent strawberry fields in the OC.

Do you need reservations to go strawberry picking near Los Angeles?

Some fields, such as Tanaka Farms and Kenny's Strawberry Farm, require reservations to pick. Others, such as the Carlsbad Strawberry Company and Underwood Family Farms, accept walk-ups.

How much does strawberry picking cost?

Strawberry picking fees vary depending on the field that you choose. At Underwood Family Farms, berries are priced at $3.50 per pound. At Tanaka Farms, admission to strawberry picking costs $27 - $29 and includes 1 lb of berries.

What should you bring when strawberry picking?

Make sure to bring a wide-brimmed hat, cool clothing, sunscreen, water, and snacks when strawberry picking. Pickers should also wear close-toed shoes, as berry picking can be messy. Fields always provide containers for the berries, such as bags, buckets, or baskets.

Originally published June 15, 2012. Article updated annually.

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erika
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Strawberry Picking Farms and Strawberry Festivals Near Los Angeles

Strawberry Picking Farms and
Strawberry Festivals Near Los Angeles