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Blackberry Picking in California 2026: U-Pick Farms & When to Go

June 10, 2026 · 7 min read

Blackberry season in California peaks July through September. Wild blackberries ripen along trails and roadsides throughout the state — but for a reliable u-pick experience with thornless cultivated varieties and plenty of fruit, 23 farms across the Central Valley, Sierra Foothills, Bay Area, and coast open each summer. Here's when and where to go.

When is blackberry season in California?

Blackberry season runs from July through September, with some farms opening as early as late June and coastal farms extending into October:

  • Central Valley (Stockton, Galt, Modesto, Bakersfield) — The valley heat pushes the season earlier. Most Central Valley blackberry farms open in late June or early July and peak through August.
  • Sierra Foothills (Auburn, Nevada City, Penn Valley, Garden Valley, Camino) — The largest cluster of blackberry u-pick in the state. Higher elevation means a later start (July) and a longer season running through September, sometimes into October.
  • Bay Area (Pescadero, Portola Valley, Gilroy) — Coastal and hillside farms on the San Mateo / Santa Cruz border tend to run July through September, often alongside strawberries and other berries.
  • North Coast (Healdsburg, Lakeport, Sebastopol) — Marine and lake influence keeps temperatures mild; seasons typically run July through September, with some farms extending later.
  • Central Coast (Watsonville, Buellton) — Cooler conditions and fog can stretch the season into October. Some of the most intensely flavored blackberries in the state come from these marine-influenced farms.
  • Southern California (Oak Glen, Somis) — Mountain farms at Oak Glen run July through September; Underwood Family Farms near the Ventura coast has a longer window.

Most u-pick blackberry farms grow thornless cultivated varieties — Triple Crown and Chester are common. These are much easier to pick than wild blackberries and produce larger, more consistent fruit.

Wild vs. cultivated blackberries

California has abundant wild blackberries — Himalayan blackberry (an invasive species) grows everywhere from creek banks to suburban backyards, and the native California blackberry is found in coastal scrub and riparian zones. Both are edible and delicious. But u-pick farms grow cultivated thornless varieties for good reasons:

  • Thornless varieties (Triple Crown, Chester, Apache) — No scratches, faster picking, larger berries. Chester is a common late-season variety; Triple Crown peaks mid-season.
  • Wild Himalayan blackberry — Intensely flavored, smaller berries, very thorny canes. Ripe late July through August. Best along creeks and trail margins. Free, but wear long sleeves.
  • Native California blackberry — Smaller than Himalayan, tart and aromatic. Found in coastal scrub and foothills. Ripens June through July.

U-pick blackberry farms by region

Sierra Foothills — the biggest blackberry cluster

The Sierra Foothills between Auburn and Camino has the highest concentration of blackberry u-pick farms in California, often alongside blueberries, raspberries, and other summer fruit.

Central Valley

Bay Area

North Coast

Central Coast

Southern California

Tips for u-pick blackberry visits

  • Wear dark clothes. Blackberry juice stains permanently. Even thornless varieties will mark your hands and anything that brushes the fruit.
  • Check for full ripeness. A ripe blackberry is uniformly deep black with a slight sheen — no red or purple patches. It should pull off the core with no resistance. Slightly underripe blackberries are tart and seedy; a day on the counter won't help much (unlike stone fruit, blackberries don't ripen significantly off the vine).
  • Go early in the season for flavor. Early-season blackberries at peak ripeness tend to be the most intensely flavored. Late-season fruit can be larger but sometimes less sweet.
  • Bring a lidded container. Blackberries release juice quickly. A wide, shallow container with a lid travels better than an open bucket.
  • Don't wash until ready to eat. Moisture speeds up mold. Store dry in the fridge and rinse right before serving.

Frequently asked questions

When is blackberry season in California?

Blackberry season peaks July through September across most of California. Central Valley farms open in late June; Sierra Foothills and coastal farms run through September, with the coolest Central Coast locations extending into October. Wild Himalayan blackberries along trails and creek banks ripen late July through August.

Where can I pick blackberries near the Bay Area?

Swanton Berry Farm in Pescadero and Webb Ranch in Portola Valley are on the San Mateo / Santa Cruz coast — about an hour from San Francisco. Tru2Earth Farm in Gilroy is about an hour south. The Sierra Foothills cluster around Auburn and Nevada City is about two hours northeast.

Where can I pick blackberries near Los Angeles?

Riley's Farm in Oak Glen and Underwood Family Farms in Somis (Ventura County) are the closest u-pick blackberry options to LA. Oak Glen is about 75 miles east; Somis is about 50 miles northwest. Both typically run July through September.

Are California blackberries the same as wild blackberries?

No. Most u-pick farms grow thornless cultivated varieties (Triple Crown, Chester, Apache) that are larger, easier to pick, and more consistent than wild fruit. Wild Himalayan blackberries grow abundantly along trails and creek banks — they're smaller, very thorny, and intensely flavored. California's native blackberry is smaller still and found in coastal scrub and foothills.

Are there blackberry festivals in California?

There's no major dedicated blackberry festival in California — though some farms host berry-picking weekends or harvest open days during peak season. Several Central Coast farms celebrate their berry harvest as part of broader farm events.

Ready to pick?

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