Where to Pick the Best Strawberries in San Diego
Peak strawberry season hits San Diego between March-June. Here's our top spots to pick strawberries in San Diego County in 2026!
Did you know nearly 90% of the U.S. strawberries are grown right here in California?
Support your local farmers—head to the nearest farmer's market, farm stand or take the whole family strawberry picking. It's a perfect opportunity to teach kids about where their food comes from.
Read on for top spots on where to pick strawberries in San Diego and learn how you can pick the best berries to bring home.
Where to Pick Strawberries In San Diego County
Mellano Farm Stand
New this year at Mellano Farm Stand is the "Berries & Blooms Festival," a fun-filled weekend of activities which runs every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am-4:00pm from March 28th through May 10th.
Visitors can visit the U-pick strawberry field, expansive floral displays, tractor tours, food-themed workshops, and live music. For families, the Kids Zone includes bounce houses, seasonal crafts like fairy house building, and educational sessions covering seed life cycles and composting. $5 parking fee per vehicle.
Mellano Farm Stand, 5750 N River Rd, Oceanside
Carlsbad Strawberry Company
Located right off I-5 near Legoland, Carlsbad Strawberry Company is a great spot to bring the whole family for picking. There's also a petting zoo + tractor rides to add to your outing. They do close if there's rain, so give them a call if the weather is questionable.
$18 admission with U-Pick bucket; $25 activity bundle (includes admission, u-pick bucket, animal petting, & tractor ride)
Carlsbad Strawberry Company, 1000 Cannon Rd., Carlsbad
Kenny's Strawberry Farm
Head to Fallbrook for some of the best berries in the county. Kenny's Strawberry Farm offers rows and rows of this delectable fruit plus an onsite farm kitchen cooking up strawberry treats such as ice cream bars, strawberry shortcake and strawberry lemonade.
Reservations are required and cancellations are possible due to heat or rain so check in advance. Entry is $5 per person (4 years and up). $23 per large bucket, $11 per small bucket.
Kenny's Strawberry Farm, 953 Rainbow Valley Blvd., Fallbrook
Stehly Farms Organics | U-Pick - April 4
Stop by the farm for a one-day only U-Pick Event on Saturday, April 4th with picking, tractor rides, petting zoo + more. Tickets are $15 for ages 3 and up.
Stehly Farms Organics, 12630 Santa Catalina Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082
Vista Strawberry Festival | Sunday, May 24, 2026
While not technically a U-Pick spot, the Vista Strawberry Festival is the only festival in the County dedicated to this seasonal fruit, with a Strawberry Fun Run, rides, vendors and much more.
Vista Strawberry Festival, 127 Main Street, Vista
The Flower Fields
Contrary to popular belief, The Flower Fields in Carlsbad doesn't have U-Pick strawberries but they do have a new Sweet Pea Maze plus a Strawberry Shack for strawberry sweet treats after you stroll amongst the flowers.
The Flower Fields, 5704 Paseo del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008
What to wear when picking berries
- Wear layers
- Sturdy boots/shoes
- Hat
- Mask
- Gardening gloves
How to Tell if a Strawberry is Ripe
Here's a few easy tips to pick the best bunch of berries:
1. Buy them in season.
Strawberries are hand-picked and immediately rushed to local markets because it's very hard to store them and maintain freshness. So your best bet for the juiciest, ripest strawberries is to purchase them locally and in season. April to June is prime picking time so stock up and freeze these delicious, fruity jewels!
2. Look for bright red color all over.
Strawberries stop their ripening process the minute they're picked from the plant so it's important to purchase them at their peak. A ripe strawberry is red from the top all the way to the tip. If it's white or green at the bottom, it won't ripen any further and instead will have a tart taste.
3. Check for healthy, green tops.
The bright green caps (aka calyxes) of strawberries indicate freshness. Dried leaves suggest a fruit past its prime.
4. Do a mold check.
Check around the plant or berry for signs of white fuzzy mold. If buying a pint at a market or farm stand, lift up the clamshell or container to check the top, sides and bottom for any signs of mold.
5. Stop and smell the strawberries.
Did you know strawberries are a part of the rose family? Just like roses, strawberries give off a wonderful candy-like, floral aroma at their peak. Put your nose near the plant and take a strong whiff to check for freshness.
The Best Strawberry recipes
Tranform your beautiful bounty into lovely jams, jellies or desserts. Check out our 11 Sweet + Savory Strawberry recipes post for the best strawberry-forward recipes from local San Diego food bloggers!
Strawberries: Buy local!
Our local food system needs your help to keep it growing strong.
Subscribe to a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box, head out to a local farmstand, farmer's market or U-Pick spot and make an impact in support of our local economy!
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