Mother's Day 2018 was the start of a new family tradition–– our family headed towards the coast from the Bay Area for some U-pick strawberry fun! In 2019, to relive and share a childhood memory with our kids, we went cherry picking in Brentwood. While the unfortunate event of Covid-19 have halted social gatherings, we look forward to when we can visit a local U-pick farm again. For now, we'll just relish on our past experiences.
Local Strawberry Picking Farm
After filling our bellies during our Mother's Day brunch in San Jose, we headed an hour south along the coast to arrive at Swanton Berry Farm in Davenport, Ca. As you can see in the photo above, the weather wasn't warm and sunny, but it made a good day for strawberry picking.
Location:
Swanton Berry Farm has two locations–– Coastways Ranch U-Pick in Pescadero and Farm Stand and U-Pick in Davenport. Both locations offer the experience to pick your own organic strawberries, but the Davenport location has a cute, rustic farm stand where you can purchase farm made bakery treats and try homemade jams!
*Do note: they accept both cash and card (using square) on a self-check out honor system, but cash is the best way to go.
Best time for strawberry picking:
Organic strawberry U-pick season is typically from mid-May through August. However, the farm stand at their Davenport location is open every day from 8am-7pm to serve delicious bakery items and jam tasting.
Cost of strawberry picking:
You'll pay by the pound–– I forget how much per pound. But we spent under $20 for a box full of strawberries and an experience to remember.
What to wear strawberry picking:
While you want the family to look cute for photo opportunities, remember to wear comfortable closed-toe shoes––since you'll be walking through dirt, comfortable clothing that will allow you to squat down to pick strawberries off vines, and don't forget a light jacket just in case the weather is too chilly.
Healthy strawberry smoothie recipe:
Our eldest, SG, is not a big fan of whole fruits and veggies. So, to get his daily dose, we make him a smoothie.
Here is a simple strawberry smoothie recipe to enjoy:
1. 1/8 cup frozen kale leaves
2. 4 whole pieces of frozen strawberries
3. 1 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
4. 1/2 of a medium-sized frozen banana
Blend all the ingredients together, and voila, you have a creamy strawberry smoothie!
Cherry Picking in Brentwood Ca
As parents, we strive to give our kids experiences to remember. A fond childhood memory I will always remember is climbing tall ladders to pick cherries–– as a kid it was so much fun!
Location:
Nunn Better Farm is located at 2777 Sellers Avenue in Brentwood, Ca. There are numerous u-pick cherry farms along the way; we just ended up at Nunn Better Farm on this particular day.
Best time for cherry picking:
Cherry picking season is from May through the end of June. Weekday hours are from 9am-7pm and weekend hours are from 7am-7pm.
Cost of cherry picking:
$3.50/lb. Upon arrival, you are given a bucket to place picked cherries in. Just be mindful of how much you're picking and what you're looking to spend. With kids, it's easy to fill up the bucket and forget you're paying by the pound.
What to wear cherry picking:
The weather in Brentwood is warmer than on the coast. But, like strawberry picking, you'll want to wear closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothing and sun protection (sunblock and/or hat)
What can I do with freshly picked cherries:
In our house, we like to eat cherries as a snack–– top it with a sprinkle of salt and you have a delicious healthy snack.
If you're not eating them right away, pre-wash the cherries and place them in a resealable plastic bag and put them in your refrigerator. They can stay fresh for up to two weeks.
A family tradition: Your Turn!
Does your family have a family tradition worth sharing? We'd love to hear about it in our comments below.
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