Yolo County is farm country — "the farm to Sacramento's fork" — and that means one of the best low-cost family outings around Woodland is right out in the fields. U-pick farms turn a snack into an afternoon: kids get dirt under their nails, learn where strawberries actually come from, and burn energy in the open air, and you go home with a flat of berries for a fraction of grocery prices. This is the local parent's guide to fruit picking and u-pick farms near Woodland, CA, with real addresses, what's in season, and how to do it with little kids without a meltdown.
These are all in Yolo County, in and around Woodland. Because u-pick is entirely seasonal and weather-dependent, always check the farm's Facebook page or call before you drive — a farm that was picking strawberries last week may be closed for the next ripening cycle. Prices below are from recent listings and shift year to year.
Pacific Star Gardens — the one actually in Woodland
20872 County Road 99, Woodland, CA
The closest u-pick to town, Pacific Star Gardens sits on County Road 99 just outside Woodland and offers u-pick strawberries, blackberries, elderberries, and more depending on the season. Recent listings had u-pick strawberries around $7/pound. They often ask you to check their Facebook page for what's ripe and to book an appointment, so this is not a "just show up" farm — a two-minute check saves the trip.
For a Woodland family, this is the default: close enough to fold into a morning, real fields, and a genuine harvest to take home.
U-pick is a seasonal, moving target. The single most useful habit: check the farm's Facebook page the morning you plan to go. What's ripe changes week to week.
Mezger Family Zinnia Patch — free, and open every day
11990 County Road 96, Woodland, CA
Not fruit, but too good to leave out — and it's free. The Mezger Family Zinnia Patch is a pick-your-own zinnia flower patch in Woodland, open sunup to sundown, seven days a week. Bring your own pruning shears and a vase or jar, review their posted guidelines, and let the kids cut a fistful of ridiculously colorful flowers. It's the rare u-pick with no appointment, no fee, and no ripening schedule to track — just show up in bloom season (summer). A perfect low-stakes first u-pick for toddlers.
Impossible Acres — berries and peaches near Davis
37945 County Road 31, Davis, CA
A short drive toward Davis (about 15 minutes from Woodland), Impossible Acres runs a "Pickin' Patch" with blackberries, raspberries, and peaches in season, typically open Wednesday–Sunday mornings. Recent pricing: a small per-person entrance fee (around $3), berries about $3.99/pound, peaches around $1.75/pound. It's a well-organized operation with a map, which makes it toddler-friendly — you're not wandering a random field hoping to find ripe fruit.
Worth the drive: Park Winters and Capay Valley
For a bigger day-trip u-pick, two Yolo destinations a bit farther out are worth it when the season's right:
- The Farm at Park Winters (27850 County Rd 26, Winters) — a pick-your-own flower bouquet experience (April–November weekends, around $35 per bouquet) and a limited heirloom tomato u-pick in July. The bouquet clip-and-gather is a hit with kids who like a "project."
- Capay Valley Lavender (20470 County Rd 79, Capay) — 28 acres of organic u-pick lavender (typically through late June), plus farm tours. A sensory, fragrant outing for a slightly older kid.
How to do u-pick with little kids (without losing your mind)
Some hard-won field notes:
- Go early. Morning is cooler (critical in Yolo summers), fruit is freshest, and kids are at their best. By afternoon it's hot and everyone's done.
- Check ripeness first. U-pick availability changes weekly. Confirm on the farm's Facebook or by phone the day you go — this is the number-one rookie mistake.
- Bring the basics: sun hats, water, sunscreen, closed-toe shoes, wet wipes, and cash (some small farms are cash-preferred). A change of clothes for the inevitable berry stains.
- Set the "eat vs. keep" rule up front. Most farms are relaxed about kids sampling, but agree on it before you start picking so you're not negotiating in the row.
- Keep it short. For toddlers, 30–45 minutes of actual picking is plenty. Pair it with a nearby park or an ice cream stop to round out the morning.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you go fruit picking near Woodland, CA? The closest is Pacific Star Gardens (20872 County Rd 99, Woodland), with u-pick strawberries, blackberries, and elderberries in season. Impossible Acres near Davis offers berries and peaches, and the Mezger Family Zinnia Patch in Woodland is a free pick-your-own flower patch.
When is strawberry picking season near Woodland? Strawberry u-pick in Yolo County typically runs in late spring into summer, but exact timing depends on the year and weather. Because ripeness changes week to week, check the farm's Facebook page or call before you go.
Is there a free u-pick near Woodland? Yes — the Mezger Family Zinnia Patch (11990 County Rd 96, Woodland) is a free pick-your-own zinnia flower patch, open sunup to sundown seven days a week in bloom season. Bring your own shears and a vase.
What should I bring to a u-pick farm with kids? Sun hats, water, sunscreen, closed-toe shoes, wet wipes, cash (some farms are cash-preferred), and a change of clothes for stains. Go in the morning when it's cool, and confirm what's ripe before driving out.
Sources
- Visit Yolo County — U-Pick Experiences — official county guide with farm addresses, seasons, and pricing.
- Pacific Star Gardens — u-pick strawberries and berries in Woodland; seasonal updates and appointments.
- Impossible Acres — u-pick berries and peaches near Davis, hours and pricing.
- Mezger Family Zinnia Patch — free u-pick zinnia patch in Woodland.
- The Farm at Park Winters — pick-your-own bouquet and heirloom tomato u-pick in Winters.
Prefer your produce pre-picked? The Saturday Woodland Farmers Market downtown is the low-effort alternative — same fresh Yolo County fruit, plus a Kids Market and storytime, with none of the sunscreen-and-shears logistics.
Turn it into a full day: pair picking with a Woodland park or plan the whole outing with things to do in Woodland with kids. Comparing towns? See our fruit picking near Davis guide.