Orange County, California U-Pick Farms - 2020 PickYourOwn.org

Find a pick-your-own farm near you! Then learn to can and freeze! Since 2002! We update continuously; Beware the copycat websites!

Find a local pick your own farm here!

Looking for a local, pick-your-own farm in Orange County, California? Farms are open and safe! Scroll down this page and you will see the U-Pick farms in Orange County, California, sorted by county. Those that offer organic or sustainably grown produce are identified by the words "organic" and/or "sustainable" in Green, next to their name  (see "What does Organic mean?"). The U-pick crops they offer follow the name of the farm. To search the page for a specific crop, use Ctrl-F (or on an ipad or Mac, use their "search on this page" function) If they have a website, the name will be in blue and underlined; click on it and it will open their website. If you find anything outdated or inaccurate, see the customer and farmer menus (as appropriate) at the top menu bar to submit updates and corrections and help me keep each current!

New! Pricing information - I am building a pricing guide to help you know what the typical prices are for each crop.

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! And if you know of any farms I missed and want to add a farm, please let me know!   I'm making updates for this year as fast as I can - if you find anything out-of-date, wrong or not working - please let me know! This website is supported by purchases you make through the links to products on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This allows me to continue to maintain the website and make improvements!

What's in season in October 2020, and other timely information:

Notes for October 2020: Summer is almost here! Strawberry season is finished in all but the far northern ands cooler areas. Blueberries, blackberries are in season in most areas, also tomatoes, peaches and most vegetables . Check your area's copy calendar (see this page) and call your local farms for seasonal updates.

Now, more than ever, going to a farm, being outside, away from crowds, getting fresh, local produce, makes more sense than ever before! It's a fun, safe and educational to pick some fresh berries, fruit and veggies and more, then come back here to learn how to freeze, can, make jam, salsa and much more! Of course, check with the farm before you go, both to check on crop availability and hours.  We also have a state-by-state guide to Farm COVID-19 requirements here.

See our comprehensive list of easy home canning, jam and jelly making, preserving, drying and freezing directions. You can access recipes and other resources from the drop down menus at the top of the page or the site search. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to write me! It is easy to make your own ice cream, even gelato, or low fat or low sugar ice cream - see this page. Also note, there are many copycat website listing U-pick farms now, using similar sounding names.  They have all copied their information from here and usually do not ever update.  Since 2002, I've been updating the information every day but Christmas; so if you see anything wrong or outdated, please write me!

Canners, both waterbath canners and pressure canners, are getting hard to find as people are doing more home canning than ever before. You can still get them online (see links at left) but prices are going up as the less expensive models are selling out.  Food dehydration is becoming a popular and inexpensive alternative; see this page about drying your own fruits and vegetables and where to get a food dryer.

Children's Consignment Sales occur in both the Spring and Fall  See our companion website to find a local community or church kid's consignment sale!

See these pages to find a local Strawberry Festival, or a Cherry or cherry blossom festival or a Blueberry festival. Some may still be held in 2020.

Orange County, California U-Pick Farms and Orchards in 2020, by county

Click on the resources drop-down above, if you need a county map

Orange County

  • Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center - Uses natural growing practices, lemons, oranges, other citrus, tangerines, Other fruit or veg, U-pick and already picked, farm market, restrooms, picnic area (bring your own food), ziplines, group reservations
    2 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869. Phone: 714-923-3191. Email: suzannes@iroec.org. Open: We are closed for the summer season; Navel Oranges ripen in late November - so check back for details. Directions: Go down Jamboree road and enter Irvine regional park. Follow the direction to enter Outdoor Education Center. Click here for a map and directions. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Payment: Cash, only. We also have mandarins and kales for you to pick. Click here for a link to our Facebook page.  There is an interesting story with photos about Picking Oranges and Lemons at Irvine Ranch here. (UPDATED: April 30, 2018, JBS)
  • South Coast Farms - Uses natural growing practices, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, farm market, porta-potties
    33201 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Phone: (949) 661-9381. Email: ibpelon@hotmail.com. Open:  from mid May (in 2020,  May 18th) on  Monday to Friday from 9 am to 2 pm, Saturday 9 am to 3 pm; Closed Sundays;  picking continues until strawberry season ends sometime in July. Directions: East on Ortega highway 7 miles. Left at Tree of Life Nursery. Follow U pick signs to fields. Click here for a map and directions. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard. (UPDATED: May 18, 2020)
    Comments from a visitor on July 16, 2011: "The ONLY pyo crops offered are: Strawberries, and only at the end of the season, for one day. This year (2011), it was Sunday, July 11th. They also have a pumpkin patch, fresh apple cider and crafts for Hallowe'en. Primarily, this is a farmstand and CSA. "
    Comments from a visitor on July 02, 2010: "Apparently they grow everything organic. They also have a CSA program. I have only been there once, but I am going back to pick strawberries this weekend! $1.25 a pound for organic strawberries! That's a great deal in this neck o'the woods!"
  • Tanaka Farms - strawberries, vegetables, pumpkins, Tanaka Farms - strawberries, vegetables, pumpkins,
    5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine, California 92612. Phone: 949-653-2100. Fax: 949-653-9050. Email: TanakaFarms@tanakafarms.com. Open: There are strawberry U-pick tours in the Spring and vegetable u-pick tours in the summer; U- Pick Tour times will be posted on our website when available; see their website or call about pumpkins in October (Saturdays & Sundays (now until July) every half hour from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. No reservations needed. In 2018, STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL DAYS: 5/5 & 5/6, 5/12 & 5/13, 5/19 & 5/20, 5/26 & 5/27 with Food, games, vendors, crafts, and more). Directions: 2 miles north of I-5 and I-405 interchange, take I-405 to University Dr - South to Strawberry Farms Rd on corner. Click here for a map to our farm. and another map is here. Strawberry tours: This is a guided tour around the farm that takes approximately one hour on a tractor- pulled wagon. You will see how fruits & vegetables grow and sample many of those that are in season. The last stop on this tour is in the strawberry patch will you be able to pick and eat strawberries! Each person will take home a one (1) pound basket of strawberries! How Does It Work? Weekday school tours and group tours are available by reservation only. No reservations are needed for our weekend tours unless the group is large. Please arrive 25 minutes before to check in and receive instructions. Make Strawberry Tour reservations by calling (949) 653-2100 ext. 204 with the name, phone number, date, the time you wish to attend, the number of adults, children, and children ages 2 years old and under who will be attending. A confirmation will be sent to you by email.Harvest items TBD. (Will not include strawberries.) Vegetable U-pick harvest tours: What Is a Harvest Tour? This is a FREE, guided wagon ride around the farm, where you will be able to pick your own fresh fruits and vegetables in the fields! This tour takes 45 min to 1 1/4 hours. Remember to wear closed-toed shoes as you will be walking through the fields! How Does It Work? This tour is seasonal and generally runs during the off-season. No reservations are necessary; simply arrive 15-20 min previous to the start of the tour so you don't miss the tractor. Vegetable picking is seasonal and based on availability, but U-Pick produce may include: carrots, tomatoes, beets, baby bok choy, lettuce, kale, butternut squash and more. It's a surprise every day! Pay for what you've picked at the end of your tour. Group rates are available call for details. We also have CSA fundraiser available.  (UPDATED: April 30, 2018, JBS)  (UPDATED: October 19, 2017)
    Comments from a visitor on April 15, 2011: "Further clarification on the "U-Pic" part of the farm. For $15, you get to ride on the tractor, get a tour of the many fruits and vegetables on the farm, and a ONE POUND basket for you to fill up with strawberries."
    Comments from a visitor on March 27, 2011: "Tanaka Farms has a CSA program through Farm2Table Connect. There is no membership fee, you only pay for the box of fruits/vegetables. The large box is $30 and the small is $20. They will also donate a portion from each box to participating schools. Visit this website for more info. "
    Comments from a visitor on August 8, 2008: "I took my husband & son to Tanaka Farms for their "Pick-your-own- strawberries" we went on a guided wagon tour that included several stops to taste fresh picked produce from their farm, we then had 15 minutes to pick and eat as many strawberries as we could.  Our 1 1/2 year old son LOVED it. Sure they were the most expensive basket of strawberries ($13 per basket) my husband or I had ever purchased, but those pictures were priceless !!  They also offer a Watermelon tour which we intend to go do as well."
  • University of California Ag & Natural Resources- South Coast - Uses integrated pest management practices, persimmons, beans, beets, carrots, herbs or spices, onions, Sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, beets, celery, onion, butterleaf lettuce, redleaf lettuce, sage, parsley,
    7601 Irvine Blvd, Irvine, CA 92618. Phone: (949) 653-1802. Email: jrsuppes@ucanr.edu. Open: This is a one day event; Saturday, November 23rd; Two picking sessions, 9am and 11am. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. We use integrated pest management practices. Payment: Visa/MasterCard, AmEx. Click here for our Facebook page. Thanksgiving Veggie U-Pick Sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, beets, celery, onion, butterleaf lettuce, redleaf lettuce, sage, parsley. Pre-registration only at: http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=28323. (UPDATED: October 29, 2019) (ADDED: May 22, 2019)

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

 


The Presto Pressure
canners are out
of stock, but Tfal's
are available!


Above is the
2020 version of
the Ball Blue Book