2024 Marin and Sonoma counties in California Pear U-Pick orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pear U-Pick orchards in Marin and Sonoma counties in California in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards for pears that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have pears 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.

Marin County

• Chileno Valley Ranch - Uses natural growing practices, apples, pears, Fresh eggs, farm market, porta-potties, farm animals, weddings and wedding parties
  5105 Chileno Vally Road, Petaluma, CA 94952. Phone: (707) 765-6664. Email: sallylgale@gmail.com. Open: for u-pick on Sundays only, from 9 am to 2 pm, during August, September and sometimes October, see their website or Facebook page for current hours and dates. Directions: To reach Chileno Valley Ranch from the Bay Area, drive north on Highway 101 to Petaluma. Take South Petaluma Boulevard and drive north on Petaluma Boulevard to Western Avenue. Go left on Western Avenue and go 1.8 miles to Chileno Valley Road. Turn left onto Chileno Valley Road and go 3.9 miles to your next right, which is also called Chileno Valley Road. Go right on Chileno Valley Road for 5.1 miles. The house is a grey Victorian on your left with a row of tall Cypress trees behind it. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Chileno Valley Ranch Facebook page. . . Enjoy a day of family apple picking in our orchard with 14 naturally grown varieties. Enjoy a day of family apple picking in our orchard with varieties such as Orin, Pinova, Candy Crisp, and Jonagold. . We offer farm tours so you can see our cows, chickens, and sheep up close. We sell our frozen, grass-fed ground beef and handmade apple butter during u-pick days, as well as items from our neighbors: olive oil, cheese, eggs, and honey. We are also a grass-fed meat ranch. We sell quarters, halves and whole cows, as well as half and whole lambs to families. We also host a small number of farm weddings each year. IPYO N THE FALL, AND HOST A SMALL NUMBER OF FARM WEDDINGS EACH YEAR.(UPDATED: July 01, 2019, JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on October 18, 2009: "We visited (thanks to your site) in Petaluma last week for apple picking - the closest apple picking to the Bay Area - a BEAUTIFUL place with SUPER kind folks who walked us around the farm, kids fed the chickens and sheep, cow and pig - they also sell incredible fresh eggs - it was a lovely day, these people are wonderful."

Sonoma County

• Full House Farm - Bed and Breakfast with apples and pears u-pick operation
  1000 Sexton Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472. Phone: (707) 829-1561. Email: Christine@fullhousefarm.com. Click here for a map and directions. 41Full House Farm . 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday all year; Organic apple and pear picking is available when in season at $2/lb (price may have changed); Be sure to call us in advance for reservations. Reservations are required. Farm stay, farm/ranch vacation. From Hwy 101 in Santa Rosa, take Hwy 12 west through Sebastopol. Continue 3 more miles to Sexton Rd on your left. Travel 1 mile to 1000 Sexton and the sign reading.

 

pear Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

pears, also known as serviceberries or Juneberries, are delicious and nutritious berries native to North America, mostly in the western Canada and northwestern U.S. . These small blue-purple berries grow on shrubs or small trees and have a unique flavor that is often described as a combination of blueberries, raspberries, and almonds. Here's what you need to know about pears, how to use them, when to harvest them, and how to do it:

Flavor and Uses:

pears have a pleasantly sweet and slightly tart taste, making them a versatile ingredient in various culinary creations. They can be enjoyed fresh, added to fruit salads, used in baked goods such as pies, muffins, and tarts, or even incorporated into jams, jellies, and sauces. pear berries also freeze well. They can be substituted for blueberries in recipes.

If you're looking for great, easy to follow recipes to make jam, jelly, freeze or make pear pie from Saksatoons / Juneberries, see these pages:

• How to make pear jam
• How to freeze pears
• World's best and easiest pear pie
• How to Can pears
• How to make pear jelly
• How to make and can pear syrup
• How to make home-canned pear pie filling to use later
• pear buckle coffee cake: illustrated directions for this great crumb-topping pear coffee cake

Harvesting Season:

The exact timing of pear berry harvest can vary depending on your location and climate, but it generally occurs in the summer months. In most regions, you can expect to start harvesting pears from late June to early August. Keep an eye on the berries as they ripen to determine the best time for harvesting.

Determining Ripeness:

Ripe pear berries are plump, firm, and have a deep purple-blue color. They should come off the plant easily when gently pulled or twisted. Look for berries that have a uniform color and avoid those that are still green or red. Taste a few berries to ensure they have reached the desired sweetness before harvesting the entire crop.

How to pick or harvest:

To harvest pear berries, simply hold the branch beneath the cluster of ripe berries and gently pluck them off with your fingers. It's best to place a container or basket beneath the branch to catch the berries as they fall.

The easiest and fastest way to pick them is hold your bucket under them in one hand and with your other hand, cup a ripe bunch and gently rub them with your fingers.  The ripe berries will drop into your bucket, while the unripe ones will remain attached to the bush.

Be careful not to squeeze or crush the berries while harvesting to maintain their shape and quality.

Handling and Storage:

Handle pear berries with care as they are delicate and can bruise easily. After harvesting, sort through the berries and remove any damaged or overripe ones. Store the freshly picked berries in a shallow container, preferably in a single layer, to prevent crushing and allow for proper airflow. Refrigerate the berries and consume them within a few days for optimal freshness. If you have an abundant harvest, consider freezing the berries for longer-term storage.

• Once picked, don't place the berries, still warm from the sun, in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn't form in the container.
• Don't wash berries until just before using, to prevent berries from becoming mushy.
• Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. Store your fresh pears in the refrigerator as soon as you get them home, without washing them, in a covered bowl or storage container. If refrigerated, fresh-picked pears will keep 10 to 14 days.
• Freeze berries in freezer containers without washing to keep the skins from toughening.  Place berries one layer deep. Freeze, then pour the frozen berries into freezer containers. Because unwashed pears freeze individually, they can be easily poured from containers in desired amounts. Remember both frozen and fresh berries should be rinsed and drained just before serving. Just before using, wash the berries in cold water.

 

 

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