Sweet Treats Await: The 10 Best Cherry Picking Farms Near LA!
(Updated for 2027) 🍒 Picture your kids under a cherry tree, juice running down their chins, filling a bucket faster than you can say "those are for the pie." That's the magic of cherry picking in Leona Valley, just over an hour from LA.
The best cherry picking near Los Angeles is in Leona Valley and Littlerock in the Antelope Valley, plus Cherry Valley near Beaumont, and the U-pick season usually runs late May through June. A very warm 2025-26 winter wiped out most of the 2026 crop, so many orchards didn't open at all. Below are 10 family U-pick farms to watch for the 2027 season.
We double-checked every farm for 2026, removed two orchards we could no longer verify, fixed an address, and added a small Littlerock orchard. Since opening dates depend on the fruit, always check each farm's website or social page before you drive.
Key Takeaways
Where: Leona Valley and Littlerock (about 1 to 1.5 hours north of LA) and Cherry Valley near Beaumont (about 1.5 hours east)
When: U-pick season usually runs from late May through June
2026 season: Most SoCal orchards had little or no crop after a record-warm winter
2027 season: Opening dates TBA; farms post updates on their websites and social pages in spring
Festivals: The Leona Valley Cherry Parade & Festival is traditionally held the first Saturday in June
What Happened to the 2026 Cherry Season in Southern California?
Cherry trees need a long stretch of cold winter nights (called chill hours) to set fruit. Los Angeles County had its warmest October-to-March stretch in well over a century, so trees flowered in spring but set little to no fruit. Villa del Sol, one of Leona Valley's biggest U-pick orchards, reported its first total crop loss in 23 seasons, and Guldseth Cherry Orchard in Cherry Valley posted that it had no cherries for 2026, according to an LA Times report summarized by Newser.
Growers are hoping a colder winter brings the fruit back for 2027. We'll update this guide when farms announce their spring plans.
When Is Cherry Picking Season in Southern California?
In a normal year, Southern California cherry picking runs from late May through June. Leona Valley orchards usually open in late May or early June, with early varieties ripening first and later varieties carrying the season toward July. Exact dates change every year with the weather, and many orchards close for a day or two at a time to let more fruit ripen.
Parent Tip: Go early in the season and early in the day. The trees are fullest on opening weekends, and mornings are much cooler in the high desert than afternoons.
10 Best Cherry Picking Farms Near LA
Prices, hours and payment options change each season and weren't posted for 2027 yet, so treat the details below as a starting point and confirm with each farm before you go.
39300 Bouquet Canyon Rd.
Leona Valley, CA 93551
Phone: 661-268-4404
Website: cherryhillfarmca.com
This small family-owned farm in Leona Valley is listed by the City of Palmdale's tourism office as a member of the Leona Valley Cherry Growers Association. It has historically opened earlier than many neighbors, with picking from about May into early June.
9611 Leona Ave.
Leona Valley, CA 93551
Website: copelandscherryranch.com
Copeland's is a certified organic U-pick and wholesale cherry ranch, certified by CCOF since 2008. Note the address: earlier versions of this guide listed a Littlerock address that actually belongs to JLFarms.
39734 87th St. West
Leona Valley, CA 93551
Facebook: Full Moon Cherries
A family-run Leona Valley orchard that shares its season updates on Facebook. Follow its page for spring 2027 news.
9150 Whispering Pines Rd.
Cherry Valley, CA 92223
Phone: 951-845-2490
Website: guldsethcherryorchard.com
Out in Cherry Valley near Beaumont, Guldseth grows a long list of sweet cherries, including Bing, Rainier and Lambert, plus stone fruit and walnuts. The orchard has historically posted daily hours during the season and asks visitors to call first. It had no cherries in 2026.
7651 E. Avenue U
Littlerock, CA 93543
Phone: 661-944-9903
Website: cherriesupick.com
JLFarms describes itself as the oldest family-owned cherry orchard in Littlerock, with mature trees of Rainier, Lapins, Bing and Brooks cherries. Trees are pruned low, so most fruit is within reach of little hands. Its season typically runs late May through June.
40206 Mustang Rd.
Leona Valley, CA 93551
Facebook: Mustang Ranch Cherries
A small family orchard with a picnic area, listed by Visit Palmdale among the valley's cherry growers. Watch its Facebook page for opening announcements.
10254 Leona Ave.
Leona Valley, CA 93551
Phone: 661-270-9688
Website: rollingthundercherryranch.com
Rolling Thunder has grown Rainier, Bing and Skeena cherries, and kids love spotting the ranch's farm animals. Fruit is usually ready in early June in a normal year.
6989 Elizabeth Lake Rd.
Leona Valley, CA 93551
Phone: 661-270-1356
Website: upickcherries.com
One of the region's largest U-pick orchards, run by the Shafer family since 1999, with thousands of sweet cherry trees on a sunny south-facing slope. The 2026 season was a total loss for the first time in 23 years, and the family is hoping for a full crop in 2027.
9811 Leona Ave.
Leona Valley, CA 93551
Phone: 661-270-9106
Website: pickcherries.com
High on a ridge with sweeping valley views, Windy Ridge grows Bing and Rainier cherries on dwarf trees trimmed to about 7 feet, which makes it a great pick for little kids. Shady picnic tables make it easy to linger after picking.
8255 E. Avenue U
Littlerock, CA 93543
Phone: 530-591-3348
New to our list: a small U-pick run by longtime Littlerock tree-fruit growers, the Tenerelli family. The orchard has offered weekend morning picking in June with reservations available. It's intentionally small, so check its website before making the drive.
Want to see all the orchards on one map? Ours is below.
Cherry Picking Farms Near Me: Map
Parent Tip: Bring cash, water, sunscreen and hats, and wear closed-toe shoes. Orchard ground is uneven, and many small farms have limited shade and restrooms.
Cherry Festivals Near LA
Leona Valley Community Building, Leona Valley, CA
This hometown parade with horses and floats is usually held on the first Saturday in June, starting at 10 a.m. and ending at the Leona Valley Community Building with awards, entertainment and food. The 2026 parade was June 6; 2027 date TBA.
Beaumont Ave. and Cougar Way, Beaumont, CA
Beaumont's festival and fair celebrates the Cherry Valley harvest with carnival rides, food and entertainment. The 2026 festival ran May 28 to 31 at a new site on Beaumont Avenue and Cougar Way; 2027 dates TBA.
Types of Cherries You'll Find at SoCal Orchards
Bing: The classic deep red, sweet and juicy cherry, and the one you'll see at nearly every orchard.
Rainier: Yellow with a pink-red blush, extra sweet and delicate; bruises easily, so pick gently.
Brooks and Tulare: Early-season red cherries that often kick off the picking season.
Lapins and Skeena: Dark, sweet varieties that ripen later and help stretch the season.
Royal Ann (Queen Anne): A golden, blushing cherry often used for canning and baking.
Fun Ways to Use Your Cherry Haul
Cherries go fast once you get home, so plan a few easy projects. Pit them with a chopstick and a glass bottle, freeze extras on a baking sheet for smoothies, or bake a crisp the same night.
Fresh Cherry Cobbler from Allrecipes
Cherry Pie Crumb Bars from Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Chocolate Chip Cherry Blondies from Averie Cooks
5 Ideas for Using Fresh Cherries from The Splendid Table
Parent Tip: Let kids be the official "cherry washers" when you get home. It keeps little hands busy while you pit, and they'll eat a few dozen along the way.
📬 Get LA's Best Family Fun in Your Inbox
Join fellow LA parents who get our free weekly guide to things to do with kids: weekend events, free activities, and seasonal ideas.
Takeaway
Cherry picking near LA is a short, sweet window, usually late May through June, and 2026 was a rare bust after an extra-warm winter. Follow your favorite Leona Valley, Littlerock or Cherry Valley orchards this spring, plan for an early-morning visit, and you'll be ready the moment the 2027 crop turns red.
Disclaimer: We have made every effort to confirm the information in this article; however, things can often change. Please confirm dates, hours, prices and availability directly with each farm before visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is cherry picking season near Los Angeles?
In a typical year, U-pick cherry season near LA runs from late May through June, depending on the weather and the variety. Leona Valley and Littlerock orchards usually open in late May or early June. Always check each farm's website or social page for its opening day.
Was there cherry picking in Southern California in 2026?
Very little. An unusually warm winter meant trees didn't get enough chill hours, so many orchards had no crop. Villa del Sol and Guldseth both reported no cherries for 2026. Growers are hoping a colder winter brings the fruit back in 2027.
Where is the closest cherry picking to Los Angeles?
Leona Valley, just west of Palmdale, is the closest cherry-growing area, about an hour to an hour and a half from much of LA. Littlerock is a little farther east, and Cherry Valley near Beaumont is about 90 minutes east of downtown LA.
How much does cherry picking cost near LA?
Prices are set by each farm and change every season, and 2027 prices haven't been announced. Farms usually charge by the pound for what you pick, and some require a minimum purchase. Bring cash, since some small orchards don't take cards.
Is cherry picking good for toddlers?
Yes, especially at orchards with low-pruned or dwarf trees like Windy Ridge Cherries and JLFarms, where fruit hangs within reach of little kids. Go in the morning, bring water and sun hats, and wear closed-toe shoes for the uneven orchard ground.
❤️ You May Also Like
Comments