Summer is in full swing, which means berries and stone fruits are in season! Take the family to a nearby U-PICK farm for some fresh air and seasonal fruit, and don’t forget the camera! The kids may work up an appetite running around orchards and searching for the sweetest berries, so pack a picnic and don’t forget the sunblock! Here’s a couple of our favorite farms in the Bay Area:

At Peter A. Wolfe Ranch in Brentwood (about 40 minutes from the East Bay), stone fruit is the specialty and varieties of peaches are available for picking until mid-August. Picked apricots are also in season and for sale at the packing shed, just place a call to reserve. Sign up for Wolfe’s weekly email to receive up-to-the-minute details about what is ripe for picking each weekend. Right now, it’s white peaches and the farmers take seasonality seriously. Read more...

Every year, Harvest Time produces a trail map of over 40 growers in the East Contra Costa County who sell directly to consumers. Pick any product from the list — not limited to fruits, vegetables and nuts are also available — and a list of farms will come up!  Read more...

Swanton Berry Farm is a favorite at 12 farmers markets across the Bay, but did you know they have a u-pick farm too? Strawberries are peak right now and available until September or October depending on the weather! Olallieberries will be available mid-June and blackberries in the later half of July, so just call ahead if you want to pick a specific berry variety to make sure they are available. Read more...

Head down to Pescadero for some berry picking and a whole day’s worth of activities. First, take a walk along the coast and visit Pigeon Point Lighthouse. This is the perfect spot for your next impromptu family portrait! Next stop is Phipps Country Store and Farm, where you can pick olallieberries, boysenberries and strawberries for $3 a pound (plus entrance fee), mingle with farm animals, and smell flowers in their gardens. Before heading home, fill ‘er up at the local gas station (1999 Pescadero Creek Road) and grab some tacos for the car ride. Read more...

This is our weekly guest-blog post from the mom's behind Red Tricycle, a site that focuses on the "lighter side" of parenting. Every week, they'll be bringing us their picks of stuff to do around the Bay Area with kids.

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San Francisco Kids Weekend Events: May 13-15

Summer Vacation Must-Haves

Explore: The Arboretum at UC Santa Cruz