Some of the best blueberries can be found 35 miles north of Santa Barbara. Restoration Oaks Ranch is a 1000 acre Cattle Ranch and Blueberry Farm. The Santa Barbara Blueberry Company has about 32,000 blueberry plants that are all-natural and pesticide-free that are open for U-Pick customers. They also offer blackberries and raspberries depending on the time of the season.
When is the U-Pick Blueberry Season? Usually starts late May or early June and only lasts for 4 to 6 weeks. The best months are July and August but towards the tail end of the season, blueberries are slim picking. They are open every day from 10 am to 6 pm.
How much and what is included? Blueberry picking is free and no reservations are needed to enter the farm. You pay for what you pick, it is about $10 a pound for the organic blueberries and blackberries. They give you a bucket that holds about 2.5 pounds, which is about $26 per bucket. Cash, Debit, and Credit Cards are accepted.
Logistics: Parking is a dirt road in front of the farm, so wear closed-toe shoes, it can get dusty. Once you park, head over to the barn where they give as many buckets as your party needs. When they hand you the bucket, they’ll give you a rundown of which blueberries, blackberries to pick, and which field to start at. After you’ll head into the field and start picking blueberries. There are picnic tables for you to have a snack and lunch. Portable Toilets are available in the back of the barn. COVID: Masks are required if you are not vaccinated, if you are vaccinated then masks aren’t required.
What to expect & tips?
What to wear? The summer is hot so bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, loose-airy clothes, and some shoes you don’t mind getting dirty since it is very dusty.
What to bring? Bring lots of water and maybe a snack because they picnic benches. After picking all the fruit in the sun, you’ll need a snack for energy. Forgot water or a snack? The general store sells water, snacks, and ice cream.
When you get to the farm, head over to the store and they will give you a bucket for you to fill and will let you know what section to start picking.
They told us to head to in the back, towards the hills, and start the blueberry picking there
Pick blueberries that are ripe which is a dark, dark blue almost black color. If they are other colors then they aren’t ready and blueberries don’t ripe after you pick them.
Picking blackberries are the same as blueberries, pick blackberries that are dark, black in color. Ones that are a little red or green, aren’t ready and will not ripen once they are picked.
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