Where to go Strawberry Picking in San Diego | Alison Hatch Photo
Every year, as the days stretch longer and the air warms, my family and I make our annual pilgrimage to the strawberry fields. It’s one of those traditions that’s woven itself into the rhythm of our lives—the sticky fingers, the red dribble down our chins, the whispered reminder to try not to eat more than we buy. The summer sun meets a sky so massive and blue it feels like a dream, while rows of green stretch before us, bursting with tiny red jewels.
And then, back home, the magic continues. Mason jars lined up on the counter, filled with ruby-colored jam that catches the light just so. Fresh-baked bread, warm from the oven, slathered with butter and that first taste of summer. It’s a ritual that marks the season’s arrival, a thread that ties our family together year after year.
In the San Diego region, strawberry u-pick season typically begins in early March and runs through June, depending on the weather and harvest. Springtime is the perfect window for getting outside with your family and gathering your own berries. The earlier in the season you go, the more plentiful (and sweeter!) the strawberries tend to be. Planning your visit during peak months means you’ll get the best of the harvest—and the full sun-drenched experience that makes this tradition so memorable.
If you're looking to start your own strawberry-picking tradition, here are some of the best spots in San Diego to get your hands dirty and fill your baskets with the sweetest berries around.
Where to Go Strawberry Picking in San Diego
Carlsbad Strawberry Company
1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
$5 admission (kids under 5 free); U-Pick buckets $12
Carlsbad Strawberry Company is a family favorite, offering gorgeous fields to roam and pick your own berries. They also have a sunflower maze, tractor rides, and even a petting zoo, making it a perfect weekend adventure with kids.
Kenny’s Strawberry Farm
953 Rainbow Valley Blvd, Fallbrook, CA 92028
Friday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (by reservation)
$5 entry (ages 4+); U-Pick strawberries $20 per large bucket, $8 per small bucket
A bit of a drive from central San Diego, but worth it. Kenny’s is all about quality over quantity—you’ll find some of the juiciest, biggest strawberries around. Bonus: they sell the most delicious homemade strawberry treats on-site.
Mellano Farm Stand
5750 N River Rd, Oceanside, CA 92058
Hours vary—check website for details
Free admission; pay per pound for strawberries
A charming little farm with a true local feel. Their U-Pick experience is relaxed, and they often have seasonal events with live music and fresh produce stands.
Why Strawberry Picking is More Than Just a Fun Activity
There’s something about traditions—especially the ones that pull us outside, away from screens, and into nature—that anchor us. Our kids won’t remember the random afternoons spent scrolling on a phone, but they’ll remember the warm breeze in the fields, the thrill of finding the perfect berry, and the way the sun made their skin glow golden.
These rituals—picking strawberries, making jam, baking bread—become part of the fabric of our families. They remind us to slow down, to be present, to connect with each other in ways that feel real and tangible.
And that’s exactly why I do what I do. Family photography isn’t just about pretty pictures—it’s about capturing these moments, the ones that matter. The little traditions that define us. The love, the chaos, the fleeting seasons that pass too quickly.
If you want to freeze these moments in time—to hold onto the joy, the beauty, the connection—let’s make it happen. Book a family session with me or browse my work HERE. Because your life? It’s already art. Let’s make sure you can see it.
Your beautiful life as art.
Hi there, I’m Alison…
an analog film photographer, educator, podcast host, and artist. I offer my Southern California clients a stress-free and memorable experience of getting photos taken on film. I have been featured in Shoot It With Film, 35 mm, Heartful Magazine, and published in the Front Steps Project Book. Right now I love spending my free time knitting yet another sweater, curating my indoor plant jungle, walking my two goldendoodles, or spending time with my family at the beach.
