Pomegranate Picking in the East Bay - 510 Families
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Pomegranate Picking in the East Bay

Did you know that pomegranates are around for picking just a few magical months in the fall, right around the same time as the pumpkin picking craziness? So if your kiddos love the U-Pick farm experience but have already gone apple picking and pumpkin picking, give pomegranates a try!

Family Pomegranate Picking
Blue Ridge Pomegranate Farm on a lovely fall day | Photo Credit: Julie Herson

Pomegranate picking farms and orchards

Arya Farm, Tracy, CA

About an hour from Berkeley/Oakland
Location: 21459 S Reeve Rd, Tracy
Open 11 am-5 pm for U-Pick starting in late September, 10 am-5 pm Farm Stand
An organic farm that grows a ton of different varieties of produce. They offer U-Pick for pomegranates starting in late September this year. Check their Facebook or call to check in on their status: 209-835-9850
Website >
Cost: $1.49/lb Cash Only

Blue Ridge Pomegranates, Winters

About an hour from Berkeley/Oakland
Location: 8700 Tubbs Rd, Winters
This small family farm will be open the weekend of November 4-5 from 8 am-noon for the 2023 season. Check their Facebook for updates on their policies. Blue Ridge Pomegranates is a small local family-owned pesticide and herbicide-free farm located in Winters, Ca.  Call 707-416-7421. Winters is right by Vacaville, with lunch options and shopping aplenty.
Website >
Cost: TBD, though in the past this has been the pricing – $25 per closed produce box, $30 open (25-30 poms per box). Cash Only.

Gursky Ranch, Brentwood

About an hour from Berkeley/Oakland
Location: 1921 Apricot Way, Brentwood
Open 10 am-5 pm Tuesday – Sunday.
A small family farm in Brentwood that offers limited U-Pick pomegranates usually starting the first week of October (U-Pick walnuts is sometimes available around the same time too!). They also have some lovely gift baskets. Call ahead: 925-634-4913 2023 Season is cancelled. 
Website >
Cost: Varies

Urban Edge Farm, Brentwood

About an hour from Berkeley/Oakland
Location: 2017 Walnut Blvd, Brentwood
Open Tuesday – Saturday 8:30 am – 6 pm, Sunday 9 am – 4 pm
An organic family-run farm offering many U-pick options, including flowers (we enjoyed peach picking earlier in the summer!). For the 2023 season, pomegranate picking is still TBD. Check their Instagram for updates and details. Remember it gets hot in Brentwood, so plan for that.
Website >
Cost: Varies

Smith Family Farm, Brentwood

About an hour from Berkeley/Oakland
Location: 4350 Sellers Avenue, Brentwood
Farm Stand open 8 am-6 pm daily, Pumpkin Patch opening September 23 (their Annual Tomtato Day Celebration) through October, 9 am-5 pm daily with extra admission price required.
A popular Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree farm. Loads of fun family activities from hayrides to a corn maze. Persimmons and pomegranates are available in October, but maybe not for U-Pick in 2023, just at the farmstand from 8 am – 6 pm. Call to double-check 925-625-5966
Website >
Cost: Pomegranates are $1.50/lb + Cash or Check

Three Nunns Farm

About an hour from Berkeley/Oakland
Location: 550 Walnut Blvd, Brentwood, CA
Known for their Cherry, Strawberry and amazing pumpkin patch, Three Nunns Farm also has some pomegranates available in the fall. I recommend asking if you can pick some when you’re there picking pumpkins in October. We grabbed a few one year and they were super tasty!
Website >
Cost: Varies

Box of Pomegranates
Store your pomegranate seeds in the freezer for months. Add to smoothies, salads, and cookies | Photo Credit: Julie Herson

Pomegranate Picking Pro Tips

  • Call ahead to make sure there’re poms on the trees: It’s a short season and weather conditions can influence availability and ripeness.
  • Bring garden gloves and your own pruning shears: It’s better for the trees and will make your life much easier.
  • Don’t be put off by the drama: Stains! Hassle! Opening up one of these beauties isn’t as painstaking as it seems. Just try the water trick!  And keep a stain stick handy.
Boy Pomegranate Picking
Bigger kids love the responsibility of using pruning shears | Photo Credit: Julie Herson

How to know when pomegranates are ripe

Pomegranates are ripe when they go from round to more square and chunky looking. When you pick them up they will feel heavier than they look. And the shiny skin will take on a more matte finish. They’ll keep for a week or so on the counter or up to a month in the refrigerator. You can also remove the seeds (called arils) and freeze them for many months.  My kids love eating them frozen or as part of a smoothie.

Child eating pomegranate
Pro Tip: Avoid wearing white when pomegranate picking | Photo Credit: Julie Herson

The bottom line on pomegranate picking with kids

If you love pomegranates, check out one of these farms for an authentic Fall U-Pick experience on a working farm. Juicy pomegranates fresh off the tree are often better priced and better tasting. All of the farms have limited hours, so make sure to call and make an appointment.

Boxes of Pomegranates
$50 worth of pomegranates, much cheaper (and tastier!) than at the local grocery store | Photo Credit: Julie Herson

What to pack for pomegranate picking:

  • Several pruning shears
  • Large buckets or bags
  • Gloves for everyone
  • Hats, sunscreen
  • Closed-toed sturdy shoes
  • Long pants: there are a lot of spiky plants around
  • Water/snack: it’s hot out there this time of year
  • Cash, though for 2023 many farms are offering contactless payment options

Check out our Bay Area Fruit Picking Guide, for everything from apples and blueberries to raspberries and Christmas Trees!

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