Farm Stands, U-Picks and Spring Galore!
Because sometimes the farmers markets can be overstimulating.
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The farmers market is one of the most convenient and dependable places to purchase farm fresh produce, but it can also be one of the most overwhelming and overstimulating. As the weather gets warmer and the supermarket produce darlings (strawberries, asparagus, artichokes, ect) start to appear in mounds, more and more people start to show up to the farmers markets. On the days I don’t feel like socializing (because it is inevitable that I will run into someone at the farmers market), I head out into the country and hit up the farm stands.
One of my oldest friends asked me where she could find some some local farms where she could u-pick strawberries because she was “tired of the unripe strawberries the stores are selling.” And it hit me. While I have definitely shown my u-pick and roadside farm stand fresh fruit haul, I don’t think I’ve actually given anyone specific locations.
By the way, the place I told her about is closer to her out in Sacramento (Granite Bay) and I listed it down below.
Except that one time, three years ago, I laid out a day trip itinerary featuring a stop at a strawberry stand for my paid subscribers…
There was also this day trip itinerary
What was harder to find were upicks and farm stands within the Bay Area! And it definitely takes a little more dedication (and time) to make the trip out here. As opposed to driving a mile down the road to the nearest strawberry stand near Mami. But, if you’re looking to make a day out of it and get out of the city for a while…this will be worth your while. Including a tiny little farm stand that sits on the edge of the coast of Northern California that does not have a physical address and no one seems to know about. Definitely a IYKYK scenario.
Here’s a list of u-pick farms, farm stands and places to eat nearby them!
Before I get started on the places in the bay, here is the place I told my friend about out near Sac.
THREE NUNNS FARM
The best way to stay updated on most farms schedules is to follow them on social media. If they have social media. They are far more likely to take a few minutes to post their wins and losses on Instagram, then take the time to do it on a website. Which is the case with Three Nunns farm located in Brentwood, about a an hour drive from the East Bay.
Three Nunns predict their 2024 strawberry u-pick season will open in early April.
550 Walnut Blvd
Brentwood, CA 94513
NEARBY THINGS TO EAT:
El Gallito Drive-In
8540 Brentwood Blvd
Brentwood, CA 94513
7 minute drive from Three Nunns. I can only vouch for their tamales, which they have on the a la carte side of the menu. Quick service, walk up window, been in business for 50+ years.
Jerry’s Hot Dogs & Gyros
380 W Country Club Dr.
Brentwood, CA 94513
10 minute drive from Three Nunns. Hot dogs, burgers, fries…and fresh chicken gyros loaded with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and tzatziki.
Little Wing Farm Stand
While I love love love this little farm stand. This is literally one of those IFYKYK situations. The stand does not have a physical address. Which makes it damn near impossible to track down via GPS. I happened to come across this stand one day while I was on my way to either Hog Island Oyster Co (my own personal definition of heaven on earth), or Tony’s Seafood. Can’t remember. What I do remember is coming around the bend only to spy this random farm stand with fresh eggs, garlic scapes, spring lettuces and fresh cut flowers. Fortunately (and unfortunately) I’ve only ever given one other person the “address” to this stand. Which makes you, my little newsletter subscriber, both in “the know,” and a guinea pig. Yay you!
Whatever addresses you’ll find on Yelp or Google reviews for this stand are not accurate.
To get an address closest to the farm stand, plug in the physical address:
Viviculture Center | Buddha Barn Farm
13201 Pt. Reyes - Petaluma Rd
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
This Buddha Barn building (white with a red roof) is visible from the road and not too far from the Platform Bridge that you must cross in order to continue on Pt. Reyes - Petaluma Rd.
Once you see the Buddha Barn building, keeping going past it, the Little Wing stand is maybe 250 feet away.
If you are too nervous to “wing it,” just take a test run of these directions on the ole’ Google Maps.
NEARBY THINGS TO EAT:
Palace Market
11300 CA-1
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
6 minute drive from Little Bird Farm Stand. Modest market with snacks, picnic items and deli sandwiches made to order in the back of the store.
Tony's Seafood Restaurant
18863 Shoreline Hwy
Marshall, CA 94940
20 minute drive from Little Bird Farm Stand. Seaside “shack” serving BBQ oysters, fish & chips, crab & other seafood on the waterfront.
Farmer Lao's Strawberry Stand Hwy 12
There’s a rumor that these are some of the best strawberries in Sonoma county. I can’t personally vouch for that because I’ve never been to this stand. But! I have heard about it from several people. I think the lore of the stand comes from the fact that there are very few Hmong-owned strawberry stands out this way. Because in Sacramento…there is mucho. Mucho…mucho…mucho.
By the way, I couldn’t find a fucking website or social media page for this stand! No way to tell when the stand is open or when their strawberries are ready. If I was writing a story or wanted to visit, I’d click the Instagram geotag (which I have so graciously included) and I’d wait to see when people start posting photos. It seems the stand usually opens around mid-May.
Farmer Lao’s Strawberry Stand
5556 Sebastopol Ave
Sebastopol, CA 95472
https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/20403382/farmer-laos-strawberry-stand-hwy-12/
Blue House Farm
When we’re talking about strawberries, it’s important for you to remember that there are different varieties. And different varieties come into season at different times throughout the year; from April to July.
From Blue House: “we have some pre-harvested strawberries for sale at the Farmstand now, but opening U-pick is still a couple of weeks away. Check back here for an update in mid-April! The farmstand is open year round.
950 La Honda Road
San Gregorio, CA 94074
Saturday and Sunday 11 AM — 4 PM
NEARBY THINGS TO EAT:
Remember, this is in the middle of nowhere.
San Gregorio General Store
7615 Stage Rd
San Gregorio, CA 94074
2 minutes from Blue House. Has snacks, beverages and very limited grab and go food (case pastries, case pizza).
Dad's Luncheonette
225 Cabrillo Highway South @ Kelly Ave
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
15 minute drive from Blue House. One of my absolute favorite places…when it’s not wildly busy. Hamburger sandwiches, homemade chips, mac and cheese and all of it sells out very very quickly.
If you’re into this newsletter and you find it helpful, let me know in the comments. I’ll do another one next month for cherries and stone fruit.
NEXT WEEK:
The OG Travel Guides of California...
Let’s talk about Huell Howser and Jerry Graham. For Paid Subscribers.
Small farm stands or sheds, as they like to call the super tiny places around here (probably everywhere lol) for local farms really can't be beat. I know they take a little extra effort and extra $ sometimes but all the stuff just tastes better. Which obviously you know! You just did a whole newsletter on them... anyhoo.... my stupid point is I totally agree with you! Eat all those strawberries cause those are really really the best !
Defo “into” this newsletter! I haven’t gone to a u-pick in 30+ years and hope to explore within the Greater SF Bay/Delta areas.