Strawberry season is here. Find fresh fruit at these 7 SLO County spots
Spring has officially arrived in San Luis Obispo County.
That means the days are longer, the hillsides are greener and strawberries are finally in season.
Strawberries were the second-most valuable cash crop in SLO County in 2023, worth $274 million.
Now the juicy red berries are back at locations across SLO County, including at several family-run farm stands.
Here’s where to find fresh fruit across the county:
Avila Valley Barn
What: Avila Valley Barn is selling strawberries grown by the Hayashi family at its farm stand, along with other locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables, a representative told The Tribune.
The barn also has fresh-roasted corn, a chicken shack and a sweet shop with plenty of pies and baked goods, according to its website.
When: 9 to 5 p.m. daily
Where: 560 Avila Beach Drive., San Luis Obispo
Phone: 805-595-2816
Bautista Family Farms
What: For more than three decades, the Bautista family has been growing and selling fruits and vegetables at its farm stand and farmers’ markets across the Central Coast.
You can find strawberries at the family-run farm stand in Arroyo Grande. According to its website, the stand also offers carrots, snap peas, cherry tomatoes and rainbow Swiss chard, among other vegetables.
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday
Where: 1243 Huasna Road, Arroyo Grande
Website: bautistafamilyfarms.com
Halcyon Farms
What: The family-operated farm has strawberries for sale at its Arroyo Grande farm stand, as well as a variety of other fruits and vegetables.
Soon, the farm will also let visitors pick their own strawberries from its fields.
U-pick opportunities will begin in early to mid-April depending “on the weather and the quantity of strawberries,” farm co-owner Ariela Gottschalk told The Tribune in an email.
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: 1075 The Pike, Arroyo Grande
Info: halcyonfarmsag@gmail.com or halcyonfarmsag.com
Hayashi Fruit Stand
What: The Hayashi family has lived in SLO County for more than a century. As of Monday, its popular farm stand was open for strawberry season.
Visitors can pick up boxes of berries at the Oceano fruit stand or find fruit at farmers markets across the county, according to the Hayashi Fruit Stand website.
When: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Where: 2876 Cienaga St., Oceano
Info: 805-489-3440, alan@hayashifarms.com or
Okui Strawberry and Fruit Stand
What: The Grover Beach fruit stand sells large boxes of strawberries that are “vine-ripened for full sweetness,” according to its website.
The Okui family grows the Albion variety of strawberries, which are known for being big, firm and sweet. Berries are harvested from fields right behind the fruit stand, its website said.
When: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Where: 1234 Highland Way, Grover Beach
Info: 805-481-2456 or oquiberry2@aol.com
Rodeo Farms Garden
What: The Arroyo Grande farm harvests and sells its own Albion strawberries year-round.
The farm stand also has blueberries and blackberries available from local farms in the area. Raspberries and cherries will be sold later this spring, according to Rodeo Farms.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: 2039 Huasna Road, Arroyo Grande
Info: 805-840-7819, instagram.com/rodeofarmsgarden
Strawberry Center at Cal Poly
What: The university center primarily conducts research and education on California’s strawberry industry, but it does sell some fresh berries to the public.
A limited number of strawberries will be sold at on-campus markets and Vons in San Luis Obispo, according to Joseph Ramiez, the farming supervisor at Cal Poly’s Strawberry Center.
The fresh fruit will be available for purchase starting in early April, he said.
When: Early April through late July
Where: Vons in San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly on-campus markets
Info: 805-756-2150 or strawberrycenter@calpoly.edu
Did we miss a local strawberry stand? Email Tribune reporter Hannah Poukish at hpoukish@thetribunenews.com with your suggestions.
What is your favorite strawberry stand in SLO County?
The Tribune wants to know about your favorite, go-to strawberry stand in the county.
Tell us what the best one is at this link or in the form below.
This story was originally published March 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM.
