Help! Are there local u-pick berry farms that are open now?

[kermit]

Trying urgently to locate u-pick berry farms (not particular about specific berry types) that are open in July. Looks like a bunch of the Brentwood farms (including Pease Farm) are closed. We're able to travel from the East Bay all the way down to the South Bay. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

[Cecelia]

In Castro Valley off of Ewing Road, before Highpine, a man and his Ollalieberries, as he says. This is a private home with an ugly, army green fence. I don't think he has a "name" for his business and I don't know the address. But, if you Google Ewing and Highpine you should be a-o'k.

My neighbor picks the berries from the vines he has growing in his front and back lots the day he sells them. He is open from 8 -10 a.m. and 4 -6 p.m.. I am not sure if that is only weekends, as I tend to buy only then. He sells out a lot, so the locals come by early. Bring your own containers and you might get a discount. Absolutely delicious. They are the size of one-half my thumb, over an inch. His father used to sell to Knottsberry Farms. His fingers are purple with the juices and he's mighty generous with sample and recipes. Warning: he says he doesn't sell the super ripe ones because they are messy and don't last for the customers. Well, I say bring the juicy mess on. I have no idea if he'd let you pick his treasures, but you can ask; he's gentle and personable. Cece

[wolfe]

Swanton Farms.
http://www.swantonberryfarm.com/pages...

[kermit]

Thanks so much, wolfe! We are off to pick olallieberries and strawberries.

[wolfe]

So how was it? Did they weigh you before and after you went out in the fields?

[huckleberry]

hi, has anyone been to swanton farms recently? i'm hoping to make it down there early july and was curious whether the strawberry pickings will still be good then. tia.

[rubadubgdub]

Early July it should still be good. Last year, the last day for Swanton's strawbs picking was 7/24. There was little of anything else to pick either.

[xanadude]

Was there today; strawberries were plentiful but I don't feel like the quality was up to their usual (ie 2010) standards--berries weren't very flavorful and their texture was "off". Coastways Ranch may be different.