Cherry Season in California 2026: Festivals & U-Pick Farms
June 7, 2026 · 9 min read
California is one of the top sweet cherry-producing states in the country — and for a few weeks each year, you can pick them yourself or celebrate them at a festival. Here's when the season hits, where to find the festivals, and which u-pick farms are worth the drive.
When is cherry season in California?
Cherry season runs from late April through mid-June, with timing varying by region:
- Brentwood (Contra Costa County)— The state's cherry heartland and closest major u-pick hub to the Bay Area. Season typically opens late April and runs through late May.
- San Joaquin Valley (Stockton, Modesto, Ripon) — April through May, often overlapping with Brentwood.
- Sierra Foothills / Apple Hill (Placerville, El Dorado County) — Later than the valley, usually May through June. Higher elevation means a later, often sweeter harvest.
- Leona Valley (Los Angeles County) — LA's closest cherry region. Peak season late May through June — the Leona Valley Cherry Festival marks the height of it.
- Morgan Hill / South Bay — Late April through May. Mariani Orchards runs a dedicated harvest experience.
The season is short — most u-pick locations open for just 3–6 weeks. Follow the farm on Instagram or join their email list before season starts; many open with only a few days' notice.
Cherry festivals in California 2026
Five dedicated cherry festivals run across the state from Brentwood to LA. Most of the 2026 season has now passed — dates are listed for reference and planning next year.
One of the oldest cherry festivals in California, held in the small farming community of Linden east of Stockton. Pie-eating contest, cherry-picking demonstrations, and farm vendors selling direct.
Beaumont's annual celebration in the San Gorgonio Pass area. Cherry pie, cherry jam, and local farm vendors alongside a community fair.
A Bay Area tradition since 1909. The cherry pie eating contest is the centerpiece — genuinely fun to watch. Farm stalls sell fresh cherries; the rest of the event is a lively city street fair.
LA County's dedicated cherry festival, held in the scenic valley northeast of the city. Local orchards sell fresh-picked cherries; the valley itself is worth the drive during harvest.
Boa Vista Orchards celebrates peak cherry harvest with u-pick and farm-stand sales. Part of the broader Apple Hill experience — cherries come before the fall apple rush.
U-pick cherry farms by region
Brentwood — the Bay Area's cherry u-pick hub
Brentwood in Contra Costa County is the most accessible u-pick cherry destination for Bay Area residents — about 60 miles from San Francisco, with farms clustered close together.
- Airaya U-Pick FarmBrentwood
- Bacchini's Fruit TreeBrentwood
- Diablo CherriesBrentwood
- Dwelley Family FarmsBrentwood
- G&S FarmsBrentwood
- Marsh Creek CherriesBrentwood
- The Cherry PitBrentwood
- The Urban Edge FarmBrentwood
- Wolfe RanchBrentwood
Go on a weekday if you can. Weekend crowds fill early and farms sometimes sell out by late morning.
San Joaquin Valley — Stockton, Modesto, Ripon
- Alpine Blue FarmsStockton
- Burge Road FarmStockton
- Daisy Creek FarmsGalt
- Double Dutch FarmsRipon
- Harris OrchardsRipon
- Ott FarmsModesto
- Riverdance FarmsLivingston
- VanderHelm FarmsModesto
Sierra Foothills / Apple Hill
- American River Cherry CompanyPlacerville
- Sun Smile FarmsGrass Valley
South Bay
- Lazy K RanchGilroy
- Mariani OrchardsMorgan Hill
- Mariani Orchards Harvest ExperienceMorgan Hill
North Bay
- Laguna Gold Fruit Co.Santa Rosa
Los Angeles area
- Villa del Sol Sweet Cherry FarmsLeona Valley
- Cherries LA by Tenerelli OrchardsLittlerock
- Riley's FarmOak Glen
Central Valley / Bakersfield
- Genesis Organic FarmHanford
- Mountain Brook RanchClovis
- Murray Family FarmsBakersfield
Tips for u-pick cherry visits
- Check before you go. Most farms announce open days on Instagram or by email list — follow the farm or sign up before season starts so you don't miss the window.
- Go early, bring cash. U-pick farms typically open at 8–9am and can sell out by noon on weekends. Many are cash-only or prefer it.
- Bring a hat and water. Cherry rows are exposed. A 70-degree forecast can feel much hotter standing in a field for an hour.
- Don't rinse before storing. Wait until you're ready to eat. Cherries keep longer unwashed in the fridge.
- Ask about the variety. Bing is the classic — large, dark, sweet. Rainier runs yellow-pink with a honey flavor. Some farms grow Brooks (early season), Lapins, or Coral Champagne.
Frequently asked questions
When do California cherries come into season?
Late April in Brentwood and the San Joaquin Valley, May across most of the state, and June in the Sierra Foothills and Leona Valley. The season typically ends by mid-June.
Where is the best u-pick cherry in California?
Brentwood in Contra Costa County has the highest concentration of u-pick cherry farms accessible to the Bay Area. For LA residents, Leona Valley is the closest dedicated cherry u-pick region.
Is there an admission fee for u-pick cherry farms?
Most farms charge by the pound for what you pick, with no separate admission fee. Some have a small parking or entry charge — check each farm's page before you go.
Are there cherry festivals in Southern California?
Yes — the Leona Valley Cherry Festival and the Beaumont Cherry Festival are both in or near the LA area.
Ready to pick?
Know how to spot a ripe cherry, pick without bruising, and keep them fresh.
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