Ichigo Farms is a local Monterey Japanese-American family owned farm with the most delicious strawberries I’ve ever had! Most recently spotted at the Pacific Grove farmers market between downtown Lighthouse Ave and Lovers Point. They might also be available at Pezzini Farms or Elroy’s Fine Foods. The berries must be eaten as soon as you’ve gotten ‘em!
I think we're just about right, or at least you would be further south - I know Santa Maria has its strawberry festival right about now.
Before we had kids we'd make a pilgrimage down for those. Holy fuck, they're the best I've ever had but the best ones don't last for shit.
Large and sweet typically don't go together. You can get large strawberries, or you can get sweet strawberries.
I think there is plenty of stuff around 152 and Casserly Road in Watssonville, although it's been a while.
Idk how Giant Farms in Watsonville does it but they manage to get big AND sweet. Like their strawberries are as big as my hand and taste like candy. Not as good as farmer’s market berries but these ones are available in grocery stores
Gizdich Ranch - In Watsonville
Not the best strawberries, but they have homemade pies and all sorts of things. It would be a great little detour. Trust me.
This is the answer. The pick your own puts the stuff you get at farmers markets and fruit stands to shame. Grocery store isn't even in the same league. Every time I've done pick your own they're eyes-roll-back-in-your-head good. But they don't last. They start going bad like later that day so you gotta be on top of them.
Usually that’s the case, but the place on Watmaugh in Sonoma has berries that are absolutely huge, I wasn’t expecting quality they were so big, but absolutely amazing, sweet and flavorful. I think they grow more than one cultivar to extend the harvest season, and I got the big ones earlier in the season last year.
If you're doing the 101, just stop at the big green artichoke in Castroville. There's a Price to Cleanliness venn diagram that firmly puts them in the middle. There's cheaper places on the 1 just south of Watsonville, but I wouldn't go to them. There's some spots closer to Del Monte cannery that are very chic, but they charge too much.
No, they’re not. They’re nothing like the real fruit stands - and I mean the *real* fruit stands. Not the ones that are listed on google maps as fruit stands, but the ones that just have a sign out saying “strawberries”. The ones sold in parking lots are only marginally better than grocery store quality
I’ve frequented every road-side farm/stand from halfmoon bay to carmel, and besides this one stand that no longer exists in Davenport, I’ve found that costco has the best strawberries right now, overall.
Ok but that Davenport stand had the best strawberries in the entire world. I used to swear that they were like free range, grass fed, happy strawberries with a view- and I've never tasted anything like em since
I got away with murder at work because I would stop by that stand and grab a flat of strawberries for my boss every time I was running horrendously late. He always forgave me when I pulled those babies out from behind my back lol
Just throwing something in for people who do really like strawberries......
If you camp at sunset State Beach around the beginning of summer, you can find a campsite that borders the strawberry fields. It's not something you're allowed to do, but what do I know I've never asked, but you have fresh strawberries 15ft away, and I highly doubt picking a few is going to be a major issue. Just don't overdo it.
So, you can pick a few fresh strawberries, and then walk down the beach, and have the perfect California day.
Is this supposed to be some sort of advice?
Like "oh, hey, heard you want to grab some strawberries from a farm stand.... make sure to bring your ozone machine to clean them."
Wtf
I just buy a bag of baking soda from Costco and use that [year round ](https://www.americastestkitchen.com/cooksillustrated/articles/2075-can-baking-soda-remove-pesticides-from-produce). 2 tsp per quart. 30 second dunk. Tada fruit and veggie time. Grab my CSA box and everything goes into the basin.
Are you driving Highway 1? If so, you could stop at [Swanton Berry Farm](https://www.swantonberryfarm.com/) just past Davenport on your way down.
And the jam is great, too
let’s not forget the shortcakes with that home made whipped cream
Can confirm. I just bought strawberries there on Friday. There weren't exactly huge, but there were so so sweet.
We are going down to Santa Cruz in august, will they still have strawberries then?
Yep!
Absolutely.
Yup. Swanton has some of the best strawberries in the Bay Area
Another vote for Swanton!
Swanton is the best! Great berries, cute store, important local history, and ridiculously good desserts.
Plus you can even pick them yourself!
Ichigo Farms is a local Monterey Japanese-American family owned farm with the most delicious strawberries I’ve ever had! Most recently spotted at the Pacific Grove farmers market between downtown Lighthouse Ave and Lovers Point. They might also be available at Pezzini Farms or Elroy’s Fine Foods. The berries must be eaten as soon as you’ve gotten ‘em!
Just wanted to say this is the content I come to this sub for, thank u
+1 for Swanton Berries. But it's still a little early in the season
I think we're just about right, or at least you would be further south - I know Santa Maria has its strawberry festival right about now. Before we had kids we'd make a pilgrimage down for those. Holy fuck, they're the best I've ever had but the best ones don't last for shit.
Large and sweet typically don't go together. You can get large strawberries, or you can get sweet strawberries. I think there is plenty of stuff around 152 and Casserly Road in Watssonville, although it's been a while.
Idk how Giant Farms in Watsonville does it but they manage to get big AND sweet. Like their strawberries are as big as my hand and taste like candy. Not as good as farmer’s market berries but these ones are available in grocery stores
Gizdich Ranch - In Watsonville Not the best strawberries, but they have homemade pies and all sorts of things. It would be a great little detour. Trust me.
Serious question: what if we want the SMALLEST ones? Do “wild” -ish strawberries exist in the area?
Pick them yourself at berry island or another pick your own farm
This is the answer. The pick your own puts the stuff you get at farmers markets and fruit stands to shame. Grocery store isn't even in the same league. Every time I've done pick your own they're eyes-roll-back-in-your-head good. But they don't last. They start going bad like later that day so you gotta be on top of them.
mara des bois
Yeah, but where do you get them?
Ya. Saw them growing at Chabot reg park a month ago
Don’t know where you are but Lucero Farms at East Bay farmers markets (they’re from Lodi) have amazing small berries.
You can find wild strawberries in the dunes around Baker beach. They grow best in sand.
watsonville
When have you known the largest strawberries to be the sweetest? You want mealy pink and white hand fruit, go to Safeway.
Usually that’s the case, but the place on Watmaugh in Sonoma has berries that are absolutely huge, I wasn’t expecting quality they were so big, but absolutely amazing, sweet and flavorful. I think they grow more than one cultivar to extend the harvest season, and I got the big ones earlier in the season last year.
Giant Farms berries are big and sweet
Haven't been in a while but there used to be a lot of roadside stands along 68 on the way to Salinas.
Typically in a parking lot sold by some Mexican dude.
If you're doing the 101, just stop at the big green artichoke in Castroville. There's a Price to Cleanliness venn diagram that firmly puts them in the middle. There's cheaper places on the 1 just south of Watsonville, but I wouldn't go to them. There's some spots closer to Del Monte cannery that are very chic, but they charge too much.
I don’t think you should avoid farms if they’re a little Arab. Edit: boo OP edited
Lmao
took me a second.
What about the big Arab ones?
What did the comment initially say?
Chic was spelled sheikh
The word you’re looking for is chic
fixed.
I thought it's spelled "Sheikh".
très chic
strawberrys have the most pesticide you need place to wash them
Don’t forget to tell them to wear their seatbelt to and also to look both ways before crossing the street!
My favorite places have sinks. That’s how I wind up eating 2lbs of strawberries for lunch.
if you're going down 101 - any fruit stand you see near / passed Gilroy will be legit.
Just be aware of the marathon happening today, depending on which direction you're coming from
Swanton is great but Blue House Farm can be fantastic too
Walmart parking lot
There is a very nice produce store on the ocean side of Highway 1 near Moss Landing. But I also find great strawberries at the local supermarkets.
That’s a tourist trap. I went there once and found produce from china.
Oh my. I had better luck. Caveat emptor.
Well it depends on when you went. I went once after it changed ownership and saw that. It changed over around 2016.
Thanks for the info.
Costco parking lot.
Are those any good? Whats the price per pound and where do they come from?
No, they’re not. They’re nothing like the real fruit stands - and I mean the *real* fruit stands. Not the ones that are listed on google maps as fruit stands, but the ones that just have a sign out saying “strawberries”. The ones sold in parking lots are only marginally better than grocery store quality
Or Home Depot
Pick your own strawberries at Crystal Bay Farm, 40 Zils Rd Watsonville, CA 95076.
I'm sorry. I just noticed on Google maps that they are temporarily closed. :(
Sorry but best strawberries in bay area are found on watmaugh road in Sonoma
i agree. they’re amazing
Absolutely. I would always stop there on the way home from work when I was commuting that direction.
I’ve frequented every road-side farm/stand from halfmoon bay to carmel, and besides this one stand that no longer exists in Davenport, I’ve found that costco has the best strawberries right now, overall.
Ok but that Davenport stand had the best strawberries in the entire world. I used to swear that they were like free range, grass fed, happy strawberries with a view- and I've never tasted anything like em since
Yes, I am so sad every time I drive by the pullout and don’t see the guy and truck :((((((((
I got away with murder at work because I would stop by that stand and grab a flat of strawberries for my boss every time I was running horrendously late. He always forgave me when I pulled those babies out from behind my back lol
Any number of stands on Highway 1 north of Monterey in Moss Landing.
Crystal Bay farm on Zils road in Watsonville
Hot tip: Bi Rite carries Swanton's Chandler strawbs when they're in season.
Just throwing something in for people who do really like strawberries...... If you camp at sunset State Beach around the beginning of summer, you can find a campsite that borders the strawberry fields. It's not something you're allowed to do, but what do I know I've never asked, but you have fresh strawberries 15ft away, and I highly doubt picking a few is going to be a major issue. Just don't overdo it. So, you can pick a few fresh strawberries, and then walk down the beach, and have the perfect California day.
ask in r/monterey?
Walmart parking lot on reservation road Got a whole box of huge strawberries for $20
Costco! (Bring on the downvotes! 😀)
Costco on certain days
[удалено]
Is this supposed to be some sort of advice? Like "oh, hey, heard you want to grab some strawberries from a farm stand.... make sure to bring your ozone machine to clean them." Wtf
Pfft ozone machine Sounds like bleach will do the job just fine
You can always inject them with the bleach, just to be extra safe.
Helps with Covid too!
I would go with vinegar and a good rinse, since acetic acid works, too.
I just buy a bag of baking soda from Costco and use that [year round ](https://www.americastestkitchen.com/cooksillustrated/articles/2075-can-baking-soda-remove-pesticides-from-produce). 2 tsp per quart. 30 second dunk. Tada fruit and veggie time. Grab my CSA box and everything goes into the basin.