Every fruit lover's Christmas is finally here – the time of yr when there are finally sweet, juicy cherries that you may pick from the trees yourself.
May 10 marks opening weekend for a lot of farms and orchards in Brentwood, the East Bay's fruit-growing hotbed. Expect a lot of Tioga cherries (dark flesh, sweet, tangy), Coral cherries (with a “pop”, sweet, juicy) and Black Pearl cherries (deep burgundy red, sweet, firm, ideal for baking) – all the pieces, Whatever you may, pick it by hand and put it into buckets and bags to your heart's content.
Some orchards are also now open for U-Pick mulberries, early peaches, blackberries and strawberries.
For people living closer to the South Bay, it looks like many cherry orchards will probably be opening a bit later this yr. However, we have now added just a few options to make it easier to prepare for the expected opening dates of mid-May or June.
Here's a number of farms with cherries—plus peach and mulberry options—opening or soon to open this special Mother's Day weekend in 2024. For the total list around Brentwood, visit the Harvest Time website. As at all times, check their web sites or social media for the most recent information on hours and availability. Have fun picking!
Cherries
Diablo cherries
Starting May eleventh, this orchard will feature black pearls and early corals. Rainier, Bing, Lapin and Santina cherries are added later in May.
Details: Open Mondays 8 a.m. to five p.m., Wednesdays to Fridays 8 a.m. to five p.m. and Saturdays to Sundays 7 a.m. to five p.m. at 3150 Sellers Ave., Brentwood; instagram.com/diablocherries
Dwelley Family Farms (Harvest Season #27, Suzuki Location)
This fourth-generation farm will probably be offering organic Royal Tioga cherries in certainly one of its orchards starting May eleventh and twelfth.
Details: Weekend hours May 11-12, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 2475 Concord Ave., Brentwood; dwelleyfarms.com
Maggiore Ranch (Walnut Blvd. location)
This large operation says they currently have trees filled with Brooks cherries (just like Bing).
Details: Weekend hours starting May 10, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Monday, closed Tuesday, then reopened the remainder of the week, 3017 Walnut Blvd., Brentwood; facebook.com/MaggioreRanches
Three Nunn's Farm
At this farm you may take a tractor ride to choose Tioga and Coral cherries, plus there are concessions and food trucks.
Details: Weekend hours May 10-12, 9 a.m. to five p.m., 550 Walnut Blvd., Brentwood; instagram.com/threenunnsfarm
Borello Family Farms / U-Pick Orchards
This company says they expect to “open in mid-May”! Mother Nature will determine the actual opening date, so please be patient.”
Details: Ranch 1, 10900 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill; upickorchards.com
Andy's orchard
This popular farm and country store plans to supply several reservation-free U-Pick days in late June. Details will probably be published on Facebook and the web site in mid-June.
Details: 1615 Half Road, Morgan Hill; andysorchard.com And facebook.com/AndysOrchard
Springy peaches
Airaya Farms
Starting May 10, this U-Pick operation says it’ll offer “delicious and healthy early-season tree-ripened crisp white peaches and crisp white nectarines in limited quantities.”
Details: Weekend hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until fruit runs out on May 10, and eight a.m. to five p.m. or until fruit runs out on May 11 and 12, 25221 Marsh Creek Road, Brentwood; brentwood-u-pick.com
Mulberries
Very mulberry farm
Himalayan mulberries (the long, thin ones, not the short and squat ones) are actually in season on this orchard. Please note the weekend reservation requirement.
Details: Open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (online reservations required Saturday and Sunday) at 501 Hoffman Lane, Brentwood; verymulberry.com
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