2024 San Bernardino County, California Pear U-Pick orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Pear U-Pick orchards in San Bernardino County, 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.

San Bernardino County

• Riley's Farm - Apples, corn (sweet), olallieberries, cherries, pears, peaches, pumpkins, strawberries, cucumbers, flowers, raspberries, zucchini, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, and prepicked produce, tractor-pulled hay rides
  12261 S. Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen, CA 92399. Phone: 909-797-7534. Email: info@rileysfarm.com. Open: Monday to Saturday 10 am to 5 PM. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Fax: 909-790-2552. . Crops are usually available in May, June, July, August, September, October, November. Living History, Revolutionary War and Civil War field trips, Banquets, Dances, General Store. The cherries are at a different location/entrance; see this page. Riley's Farm is a working apple orchard and living history farm featuring pick-your-own fruit, living history education, dinner theatre, group banquet facilities and extended, historically-themed overnight stays. And if you are a teacher or a youth group leader, we have educational day trips of all sorts to meet your needs.
• Rileys At Los Rios Rancho - Uses natural growing practices, strawberries, apples, chestnuts, pears, pumpkins, blackberries, raspberries, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  39611 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen, CA 92399. Phone: 909-797-1005. Email: info@losriosrancho.com. Open: 7 Days a Week, 10 am to 5 pm. Directions: From the I-10 Freeway Exit Yucaipa Blvd and go north Make a Left onto Oak Glen Road Follow Oak Glen Road to Los Rios Rancho. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Fax: 909-797-2207. . Blackberries are one of our first U-Pick crops of the summer season, starting at the end of June or beginning of July. It's also one of our fastest picked, usually lasting only about three weeks. Our blackberries are on line vines without too many thorns, which makes them very picker-friendly. One of the varieties we have (olallieberries) are completely thornless! Raspberry Season Begins in late July and Ends in October. Apple Season Begins in August and Ends in November Raspberries: Late July through 1st frost Apples: August - November; Chestnuts: November - December Pears: August - September; Berries - Available from mid-August until the end of September. Pumpkins - Available from the end of September through the end of October. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. We value traditional farming methods and thus do not use pesticides or harmful chemicals on our produce. We are home to 8,000+ heirloom fruit trees and proudly produce 32 different unique apple varieties. We find that quality fruit tastes best when it is consumed as closely to it's picking season as possible. Berries: During the summer we offer over 3 acres of farm fresh raspberries and strawberries for U-pick. Pumpkins - Farm grown pumpkins are available for picking October and November. Supper Shows and Hoedowns Apple Butter Hoedown Currier and Ives Christmas Dinner and Dance Chuckwagon Supper Shows. Picking: Apples mid-August until they are picked out (call!); Berries - Available from mid-August until the end of September and Pumpkins - Available from the end of September through the end of October; U-Press Cider 12-4, (7 days a week). And, on weekends only: Horse-drawn Hayrides from 11-4, Little Seedling Ranch from 11 -4, Large cider press in operation from 11 - 2 and Packing House Tours at 1 pm. They have an annual Thanksgiving weekend Apple Butter Festival celebrates this fine old tradition, and we invite families to come up and share in it. We will have a hands-on demonstration of apple butter making the old-time (and slow!) way - outdoors in a big copper kettle; plus many more activities. There are restrooms, picnic, hiking, take credit cards, offer tours to groups, cider pressing, hay rides, petting zoo, and a great barbeque and gift shop. Also offer up public dinners with a live band that plays bluegrass. Also called Los Rios Rancho, a Riley Family Enterprise.
  Comments from a visitor on October 05, 2009: "I love this place. I am addicted to it. I have to go back every fall."

 

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