Best Places To Pick Summer Fruit In Sacramento
It is that time of year again to fix salads daily and use the freshest fruits and vegetables available. To do that you may want to take the family on a u-pick date. A u-pick date would be a time where you all go out to one of the local farms and "u-pick" the fruits and vegetables that you want to take home and place on your dinner table. Set aside a day in the near future where you and the family can spend some quality time getting back to your roots and picking fruit and vegetables for your table salads.
Delta Islands Organic
14591 Walnut Grove-Thornton Road
Walnut Grove, CA 95690
(916) 458-2225
www.deltaislandsorganic.com
Known for having over 30 heirloom tomato varieties, this farm, as the name claims, is organic. It is located only 25 minutes from downtown Sacramento. Owned and operated by the Morais family, J.B. and Jeanne, with their children Johnny and Daisy, they offer healthy fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Double M Farms
13171 Grand Island Road
Walnut Grove, CA 95690
(916) 257-9613 or (916) 775-1828
Eggs are available year round at the Double M. This spot offers u-pick for the various fruits it grows. Items such as peaches, plums, apricots, apples, nectarines and more are available. There are no cherries this year as Double M had a bad crop. For more information, check the website for seasonal dates and information. The farm offers tours at $5 per person with a four-person minimum.
R Kelley Farms
1150 Scribner Road
Sacramento, CA 95832
(916) 665-1191
www.rkelleyfarms.com
R Kelley Farms is open July through October, on Wednesday through Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is a family-owned farm that has provided healthy vegetables for the last 15 years. It also grows several types of melons and offers u-pick, we-pick, pea shelling and delivery. You can order your vegetables through the online order form. The farm will send you a current list of available items. R Kelley also requests that you call before driving out to ensure the fruit or veggie you are looking for is available.
Vierra Farms
3010 Burrows Ave.
West Sacramento, CA 95691
(916) 849-9450
www.vierrafarms.com
Vierra Farms is known for many things: Dave's Pumpkin Patch, The Cornival (with 10 different activities), produce and Christmas trees. It also has an annual corn maze. While here, you'll also want to visit The Farmhouse (a roadside grill), featuring a selection of grilled and smoked meats, produce, sides, sandwiches, juices, lemonade and sun tea. The menu is based on availability of food on the farm. Vierra Farms also hosts special events like birthdays, anniversaries, corporate parties or weddings. Check the website for events, available dates for the activities and which farmers' market it will be at.
Steamboat Acres
15819 Sutter Island Road
Courtland, CA 95615
(916) 775 1166
www.steamboatacres.com
Tim, Laura, Michael and Tara Neuharth make up the family behind Steamboat Acres. Father and son come from a long line of farmers. The Steamboat Farm is known for its variety of pears, the certified organic cherry orchard and the Chardonnay wine grape vineyard. It also produces raw honey from the bees that pollinate the fields. You can tour the farm by appointment. On the other hand, come for the day and enjoy swimming, fishing, picnicking and relaxing. The cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12 (life jackets are strongly advised).
Deb Ling is a freelance writer covering all things Sacramento. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.