2024 Fresno area of California Apricot U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Apricot U-Pick Orchards in Fresno area of California in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for apricots that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have apricots orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

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! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Fresno County

• Little Brother Farms - Uses natural growing practices, apricots,
  897 West Lincoln Avenue, Fresno, CA 93706. Phone: (559) 260-0224. Email: littlebroapricots@yahoo.com. Open: They are still in business although their Facebook page has not been updated since 2015 Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 3 pm; Saturday, from 8 am to 5 pm and Sunday, from 7 am to 3 pm, June 1 to July 8. Directions: Turn off of Highway 41 onto American Avenue heading West. Turn left onto Walnut Avenue and head South towards Lincoln Avenue. Turn left at Lincoln Avenue and arrive at 897 West Lincoln Avenue, located on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . . They are still in business (although their Facebook page has not been updated since 2015) Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 3 pm; Saturday, from 8 am to 5 pm and Sunday, from 7 am to 3 pm, June 1 to July 8. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. About ten minutes south of Fresno, rests a little farming community called, Easton. Come on out for the 100% U-Pick experience and enjoy 100% local, organically grown apricots. Pricing is $10 for a 1/2 grocery bag and $20 for a full grocery bag. Cash only please. Although we have regular hours of operation, we will take appointments.A visitor writes on September 21, 2019: "went in July 2019. fill half a bag of apricots for $ 15. still open"
• Mountain Brook Ranch - apricots, cherries, blueberries, boysenberries, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg, porta-potties are available, picnic area, weddings and wedding parties
  17971 Auberry Road, Clovis, CA 93612. Phone: 559-299-8141. Email: bhook45@hotmail.com. Open: If Mother Nature allows we should be opening up around Mothers Day or a tad before, depending on the weather, Always call first for opening info before coming up to the ranch. Directions: From the intersection of CopperAuberry road. Go north on Auberry road about seven miles and we are on the left hand side. We are two miles above the rifle range and two miles below the The Roadhouse bar and the Valero gas station. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Alternate Phone: 559-779-4443. Fax: 559-297-4665. . To our U-pick customers: Always call first to see if the u-pick orchard is open, usually the weekend after we open the fruit stand. See their website for hours and availability. We are looking forward to having lots of our main variety Brooks and Tulare cherries this season. We will also be having a excellent boysenberry crop, both at the fruit stand and u-pick, along with blueberries and lots of apricots. What's new? We will be selling our very own frozen pomegranate juice and dried chili peppers to spice up your cuisine!. From the intersection of Copper/Auberry road. Go north on Auberry road about seven miles and we are on the left hand side. We are two miles above the rifle range and two miles below the The Roadhouse bar and the Valero gas station. Pomegranates: October 12 to October 27; Cherries from the middle of May to the middle of June or so; Fresh Vegetables also. We also have apricots, blackberries and pomegranates. We also have a road side fruit stand on our ranch where the public has the opportunity to buy fresh cherries and other delicious fruit throughout the season. Hope to see you soon!!!.
• Two Sisters U-Pick Apricots - CERTIFIED ORGANIC, apricots,
  583 W. Lincoln Avenue, Fresno, CA 93706. Phone: (559) 492-8623. Email: jdubois_16@ymail.com. Open: Daily from 7am to 11am. Directions: Just 7 minutes south of downtown Fresno. From Fresno take 41 South to American. Right on American, Left on Elm, Right on Lincoln. Two Sisters U-Pick Apricots is located about a mile from Elm Avenue just past Fig Avenue. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Two Sisters U-Pick Apricots Facebook page. . Typically start around Memorial Day for 7 to 10 days. Expect to be open for 10 days for 2015 harvest beginning Monday, May 25. 100% U-Pick, cash only. We have well over 175 mature trees with fruit to pick from. Pricing is $15 for a 1/2 grocery bag and $30 for a full grocery bag (approximately 30-32 pounds!). Bulk pricing for greater than 100 pounds by request. Parking will be on the street. We recommend bringing a change of shoes as you will get a little dirty and water since it tends to get hot. It's all part of the fun!. A visitor writes on June 07, 2016: "Like the farm very much. Friendly owners strap picking box onto your back and direct you to more ripened fruit if that's what you're looking for. All organic. Some of the best apricots in Cali. Very easy pick. Low branches, no ladder climbing necessary. Picked 30 lb box in 15 minutes and down the road home to make my jam and pies."

Inyo County

• Apple Hill Ranch - CERTIFIED ORGANIC, apples, apricots, beans, beets, blackberries, boysenberries, carrots, cherries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, figs, grapes, herbs or spices, melons, nectarines, pears, peas, peaches, peppers, plums, pomegranates, raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), rhubarb, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, Fresh eggs, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, porta-potties are available, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, farm animals, birthday parties
  475 Sierra Grande, Bishop, CA 93514. Phone: (760) 937_0413. Email: rdevore@schat.com. Open: Monday thru Friday 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday 10 am to 4:30 pm, cherry season 8 am to 5 pm. Directions: When traveling from Bishop Go past the Bishop Country Club on highway 395 south And about 3 miles turn right on Gerkin Road When you reach Wilkerson Turn on Sierra Grande Go to the top of the road Turn left at the Iron Gate Come on up to the house. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Apple Hill Ranch . cherry season starts Memorial Day. Peaches June 30; Apples July 30; All veggies July 15/ raspberries June 30. We Are USDA Certified Organic for all crops! USDA-NOP national Organic Standards California Registration # 99-0008.

Kings County

• Genesis Organic Farm - CERTIFIED ORGANIC, apples, apricots, blackberries, carrots, cherries, cucumbers, flowers, peaches, persimmons, plums, pumpkins, Other fruit or veg, farm animals
  7595 Central Valley Highway, Hanford, CA 93230. Phone: (559) 410-3607. Email: jeannie@genesisorganicfarm.com. Open: Fruit picking is by appointment only; Please call to schedule appointment. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. We are certified organic for all crops! We grow many varieties of Stonefruit, Pluots, Apriums, Colorcots and Pluaries. Some are rare and quite unusual in limited supply. Get on our mailing list to get current info on what is harvesting. All of our fruit is Certified Organic through CCOF. Beginning in Fall 2019 we will open the Worlds First Cucamelon Maze. (UPDATED: May 14, 2019)
• Rancho Notso Grande - Uses natural growing practices, apricots, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, flowers, nectarines, olallieberries, other berries, peaches, pecans , raspberries, tayberries, walnuts, and prepicked produce
  5051 12th. Avenue, Hanford, CA 93230. Phone: 559-269-1152. Email: ranchonotsogrande@gmail.com. Open: We have a refrigerated, pre-picked fruit stand that is open from 7 AM to 7PM for seven days a week during the harvest season. Directions: South East corner of 12th and Excelsior Avenues in Hanford, CA. This is 30 minutes south of Fresno, 25 minutes West of Visalia. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Fax: 559-589-0420. . During the season we are open for you pick and roadside sales from 7AM to 7 PM Tuesday through Saturday and all other times by appointment. Crops are usually available in May, June, July, August. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Our roadside Farm-stand has (when they are in season) apricots, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, flowers, nectarines, olallieberries, other berries, peaches, pecans , raspberries, tayberries, walnuts, farm made wine, jams, frozen cobblers and other prepicked produce.(UPDATED: June 26, 2018)

Tulare County

• Naylor Organics - CERTIFIED ORGANIC, apricots, blackberries, nectarines, olallieberries, peaches, plums, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food, school tours
  38918 Road 64, Dinuba, CA 93618. Phone: (559) 824-0811. Email: naylor.organics@gmail.com. Open: Wednesday to Saturday, from 8 am to 6 pm. Directions: We are located 40 minutes south of Fresno, CA. From the South, take the Avenue 384 exit and turn right at the stop sign. From the North, take the 384 exit and turn left and. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Alternate Phone: (559) 824-3780. . then turn right at the stop sign. Cross the Railroad tracks and drive to Road 64 (approximately 6 miles). Turn left and drive about a 1/4 mile to the entrance. Follow the signs. Our PYO is open from June 14th to September 16th this year;. Please park in designated areas only. There is no smoking anywhere on the property. See photos on our website We are certified organic for all crops! The Naylor farm is located 40 miles south of Fresno, California in rural Tulare County. It consists of 40 acres of farmland planted with several varieties of apricots, peaches, plums and nectarines. has been using organic practices since 1984.

 

Apricot Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S., Apricots typically peak from June through July in the South, and July and August in the North. In order to produce good local apricots, producers depend on ideal spring and early summer weather conditions, and no late frosts. If you want to know which are the best varieties of apricots for home canning, see this page!

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - Apricots are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for apricots, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Apricots on top of each other will bruise the fruit on the bottom. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers, so you can spread them out.
4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.
5. You might want to ask whether the apricots are! There are two major types of apricots: "Freestone" and. "Clingstone". Freestone apricots and nectarines have flesh that slips easily away from the pit. Clingstones are a REAL pain, because the fruit tenaciously clings to the stone or pit! Most apricot varieties grown today are freestone and are usually available (depending upon your location) from June through September. Some nectarines are freestone and some are clingstone. Freestone nectarines are available in June and July. Most plum varieties are clingstone. 

How to tell if the apricots are ripe!

• Attached to the tree: Apricots are best picked when the fruit separates easily from the twigs. If it is hard to pull off the tree, it isn't ripe! Apricots will not ripen further once removed from the tree (they only "soften")
• Color: Green is definitely unripe, but you can't use red color as an indicator of how ripe a apricot is. Different apricot varieties have differing amounts of red blush in their natural coloring. Pick them when the ground color changes from green to yellow, orange, red (or a combination). The skin of yellow-fleshed varieties ripens to an orange tint, while the skin of white-fleshed varieties changes from greenish- to yellow-white.
• Softness: unless you like your apricots very firm, pick your apricots with just a little "give" when gently pressed. Apricots at this stage are great for eating, freezing, and baking. Apricots won't ripen very much after picking!
• Odor: It should smell sweet and ripe!

Tips on How to Pick Apricots

A apricot is softer than most fruit, so it is important to pick a apricot gently, with little pressure. Using the sides of your fingers rather your fingertips helps to avoid bruising.  Grab the apricot firmly and pull it straight off the branch. DON'T drop the apricot into the basket, but set it in gently!

Marks on the Apricots: Bugs (particularly squash bugs and stink bugs) bite fruit during development and this results in some imperfections in the apricot. This is especially the case with organically raised fruit.  These look like dents in the apricots if the apricots were bitten by a bug when they were young. This causes a spot that does not grow properly and makes a wrinkle in the apricot. There's nothing wrong with these apricots. They may look funny, but they will taste just as good as blemish-free apricots, and it's better not to have the pesticides!

When you get home

1. Spread the fruit out on towels or newspapers and separate any mushy or damaged fruit to use immediately.
2. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the others and freeze them up!
3. Even under ideal conditions apricots will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase
4. Now, get ready to make Apricot jam or canned apricots - It is VERY easy - especially with our free  directions and recipes:

Apricot Canning, Freezing and Recipes

• How to make Apricot jam
• Canning apricots
• How to freeze apricots
• Here are some great and easy apricot desert recipes, like easy apricot cobbler.

How much do you need?

Raw measures:

• About 6 medium apricots = 1 cup sliced apricots.
• About 4 medium apricots = 1 cup pureed apricot.
• 1 pound fresh apricots = 8 to 12 whole fruits

Process yields (Raw amounts to processed amounts)

• 2 to 21/2 pounds of fresh apricots yields 1 quart canned
• 2-1/2 pounds fresh apricots = 2 to 3 pints frozen
• 1 lb of fresh apricots typically yields 3 cups of peeled, sliced apricots or 2 cups or puree.
• It takes about 5 good sizes apricots or nectarines (or about 10 plums) to fill one quart jar of canned apricots.
• An average of 17 -1/2 pounds of fresh apricots are needed per canner load of 7 quarts;
• An average of 11 pounds is needed per canner load of 9 pints.
• 1 bushel = 48 to 50 pounds, yields approximately 18 to 25 quart jars.

Apricots-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

Canned Apricots

• 16-ounce can apricots = 2 cups drained

Dried Apricots

• 6 pounds fresh apricots = 1 pound dried apricots
• 1 pound dried apricots = 2-3/4 cups
• 1 pound dried apricots = 5 cups cooked
• 6 ounces dried apricots = 1 cup
• 6 ounces dried apricots = 2 cups cooked

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

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers