Opens Spring-Summer for U-Pick
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From the time I planned on having children, I vowed to give them the best life possible, filled with lots of love, adventures, and lessons. A lot of the activities I choose to do with my kiddos are influenced by my own past experiences, and U-Pick experiences are no exception.
I still remember my first U-Pick experience about 16 years ago, when I was a young adult picking peaches from trees during a three day bus tour somewhere between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. That experience stuck with me, and as a parent, I wanted my kids to have that same opportunity to get their hands dirty, experience something new, and discover where their food comes from.
Like many of us who grew up buying our food from grocery stores, it's easy to go through life without ever really thinking about how our food is grown, who grows it, or how much work goes into getting it onto our tables. I was excited to give my kids the chance to see that process firsthand while also fulfilling my own curiosity. More than anything, I wanted them to develop a deeper appreciation for the food we eat and the people who grow it.
When I discovered the American River Cherry Company U-Pick experience, I knew it was the perfect place to bring all of this together.
The drive from Reno to the farm is an adventure in itself. You’ll drive through Lake Tahoe and the El Dorado National Forest, taking the same scenic route you would take to Apple Hill since they are in the same vicinity. If you're coming from Reno, you'll pass a beautiful waterfall just before you arrive. Bridal Veil Falls in Pollock Pines can be found right next to the freeway on the left, with a pull off area where you can stop and check it out up close. The waterfall flows year round, making it a beautiful little bonus along the way.
Even after leaving the freeway, the drive continues to be scenic. The winding roads are lined with shade giving trees, making the journey to the farm feel like part of the experience.
Upon arriving at the farm, my eyes were immediately drawn to the beautiful "Homes & Garden" house, surrounded by gorgeous flowers, tall trees, and freshly mowed green grass. If you head down the hill to the left of the house, you'll find a pond with the perfect little picnic area that includes a classic red picnic table and swing, water lilies, koi fish, and playful dragonflies.
After parking, we checked in at the stand and were greeted by kind and welcoming workers. As we headed toward the U-Pick area, we were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves surrounded by berries. The whole family screamed with excitement and immediately set out to pick some fruit. From the berry section, a line of whimsical cherry trees stretched into the distance, creating an incredibly beautiful landscape.
The availability of fruit each year depends on the weather and the availability of pollinators in the area, so make sure to call ahead or follow the farm's social media for the most current information. On our visit, we had gone a couple of weeks after opening and found that lots of cherries had already been picked.
The kids especially loved collecting blueberries, which were plentiful and at the perfect height for picking. I can't describe how special and exciting it is to pick your own blueberries. Store bought ones just can't compare.
If you're traveling with little ones, I highly recommend arriving early in the morning and early in the season to avoid the hotter temperatures. If you find your little ones aren't up for picking for long periods of time, don't fret. You can find pre picked fruit available for purchase at check in, so you won't have to leave empty handed.
By the end of the day, we left with smiles and smears on our faces, along with a new love for delicious homegrown fruit and U-Pick experiences. Seeing the excitement on the kid's faces made me realize just how special these simple experiences can be.
From the time I planned on having children, I vowed to give them the best life possible, filled with lots of love, adventures, and lessons. A lot of the activities I choose to do with my kiddos are influenced by my own past experiences, and U-Pick experiences are no exception.
I still remember my first U-Pick experience about 16 years ago, when I was a young adult picking peaches from trees during a three day bus tour somewhere between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. That experience stuck with me, and as a parent, I wanted my kids to have that same opportunity to get their hands dirty, experience something new, and discover where their food comes from.
Like many of us who grew up buying our food from grocery stores, it's easy to go through life without ever really thinking about how our food is grown, who grows it, or how much work goes into getting it onto our tables. I was excited to give my kids the chance to see that process firsthand while also fulfilling my own curiosity. More than anything, I wanted them to develop a deeper appreciation for the food we eat and the people who grow it.
When I discovered the American River Cherry Company U-Pick experience, I knew it was the perfect place to bring all of this together.
The drive from Reno to the farm is an adventure in itself. You’ll drive through Lake Tahoe and the El Dorado National Forest, taking the same scenic route you would take to Apple Hill since they are in the same vicinity. If you're coming from Reno, you'll pass a beautiful waterfall just before you arrive. Bridal Veil Falls in Pollock Pines can be found right next to the freeway on the left, with a pull off area where you can stop and check it out up close. The waterfall flows year round, making it a beautiful little bonus along the way.
Even after leaving the freeway, the drive continues to be scenic. The winding roads are lined with shade giving trees, making the journey to the farm feel like part of the experience.
Upon arriving at the farm, my eyes were immediately drawn to the beautiful "Homes & Garden" house, surrounded by gorgeous flowers, tall trees, and freshly mowed green grass. If you head down the hill to the left of the house, you'll find a pond with the perfect little picnic area that includes a classic red picnic table and swing, water lilies, koi fish, and playful dragonflies.
After parking, we checked in at the stand and were greeted by kind and welcoming workers. As we headed toward the U-Pick area, we were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves surrounded by berries. The whole family screamed with excitement and immediately set out to pick some fruit. From the berry section, a line of whimsical cherry trees stretched into the distance, creating an incredibly beautiful landscape.
The availability of fruit each year depends on the weather and the availability of pollinators in the area, so make sure to call ahead or follow the farm's social media for the most current information. On our visit, we had gone a couple of weeks after opening and found that lots of cherries had already been picked.
The kids especially loved collecting blueberries, which were plentiful and at the perfect height for picking. I can't describe how special and exciting it is to pick your own blueberries. Store bought ones just can't compare.
If you're traveling with little ones, I highly recommend arriving early in the morning and early in the season to avoid the hotter temperatures. If you find your little ones aren't up for picking for long periods of time, don't fret. You can find pre picked fruit available for purchase at check in, so you won't have to leave empty handed.
By the end of the day, we left with smiles and smears on our faces, along with a new love for delicious homegrown fruit and U-Pick experiences. Seeing the excitement on the kid's faces made me realize just how special these simple experiences can be.
NOTES
*hand wash station available
*Popsicles and honey available for sale at check in
*Berries are super fragile (esp, fresh-picked), so I suggest rounding up some clam shell containers from the store for storing them in for safe transport
*check website for varieties and prices
*don't forget sunscreen, water, and hats
*check the weather before your trip to plan accordingly
*In-N-Out nearby
*Boa Vista Orchards is also nearby and open year-round if you're looking for fresh & frozen baked apple goods, panty staples, kitchen tools, fresh produce, hard ciders, wines, and so much more
*Entrance fee($5/person, 12 yrs and younger-free) stated on website, but when we went, we were not charged. If charged, you may feel like you're not getting your money's worth, but I think the atmosphere and experience alone is worth the entrance fee and would gladly pay any the fee on any visit.
*Koi fish feed available next to pond - bring quarters
*Limited parking spots available in front of house. Additional parking outside house available
*keep berries separate from cherries due to differences in price
*hand wash station available
*Popsicles and honey available for sale at check in
*Berries are super fragile (esp, fresh-picked), so I suggest rounding up some clam shell containers from the store for storing them in for safe transport
*check website for varieties and prices
*don't forget sunscreen, water, and hats
*check the weather before your trip to plan accordingly
*In-N-Out nearby
*Boa Vista Orchards is also nearby and open year-round if you're looking for fresh & frozen baked apple goods, panty staples, kitchen tools, fresh produce, hard ciders, wines, and so much more
*Entrance fee($5/person, 12 yrs and younger-free) stated on website, but when we went, we were not charged. If charged, you may feel like you're not getting your money's worth, but I think the atmosphere and experience alone is worth the entrance fee and would gladly pay any the fee on any visit.
*Koi fish feed available next to pond - bring quarters
*Limited parking spots available in front of house. Additional parking outside house available
*keep berries separate from cherries due to differences in price
*Rinse berries only when ready to eat as excess moisture can cause them to mold
***Information subject to change. All opinions are my own.***
Photography
© Katherine Fung,
All rights reserved.
Categorized under "U-Pick and Seasonal/Holidays"
