This guest post on a Temecula U-Pick Blueberry Farm is definitely on my list of places to take my kids! Here is what local OC mom, Susan, shares about taking her family blueberry picking in Southern California:
Every week I try to make it to the local farmers market.
I love seeing what’s in season and tasting what’s been grown locally. I enjoy picking my own fruit and vegetables if that option is available, so when I discovered I could go to a U-Pick blueberry farm for blueberry picking, a family tradition began.
From around mid-May to early July, Temecula Berry Co. is open for U-Pick blueberries. The blueberry picking just opened last week for the season. It’s a fun family day outing that will appeal to grandparents as well as to kids.
When you first arrive, grab a colorful plastic bucket and start picking. There are rows and rows of blueberry bushes to pick from.
The secret to getting to the biggest, plumpest berries is to look underneath the branches with the heavier foliage. These are the biggest and sweetest blueberries I have ever seen and tasted.
I usually purchase several pints to give them to neighbors and friends. Each pint is about $5. The blueberries can be frozen so that you can enjoy them several months later.
On certain days, the farm also offers fresh blueberry bread and farm fresh eggs and some local heavenly honey.
For entertaining the little ones, they have Farmer Ray’s Chicken Show daily at 3pm. Friday nights are movie nights on the farm for the entire month of June and they are open until 8pm on Fridays for picking. Check their Farm Calendar for times of special events.
Note they accept cash or checks only. Admission and parking is free.
Temecula U-Pick Blueberry Farm
8am – 6pm
7 days a week
Blueberry season runs for roughly 6-8 weeks; check website before you plan to go!
After a good day of blueberry picking, we like to head into Old Town Temecula and have some finger licking good old BBQ. There are many antique stores, specialty shops, restaurants and historic sites to visit as well.