Vacaville, California, is an area dominated by outdoor attractions, from Lagoon Valley Park to Peña Adobe and Andrews Park. Many people drive through just to visit these lush areas, and along the way, they pass by one of the best things about Vacaville: dozens of farm stands to sell the freshest fruits, vegetables, and other foods money can buy. If you’re planning on a day at a lake or park in this part of California, stop by these farm stands on your way home.
Rick’s Berry Farm
As the name suggests, Rick’s Berry Farm is best for strawberries and blueberries. This is a family-owned farm stand, so you can count on lovingly harvested fruits and veggies. Other products on offer, include cherries, tomatoes, snow peas, beans, garlic, and onions. The stand is open in the summer during daylight hours.
Brazelton Ranch
Brazelton Ranch is praised among locals and visitors as a place to pick up seasonal fruit. Depending on when you visit, you can look forward to fresh peaches, nectarines, apricots, mandarins, and much more. In addition to a consistently fresh selection, Brazelton Ranch is a popular spot thanks to friendly service and a chance to connect with local Vacaville culture. You can visit daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Soul Food Farm
If you’re interested in more than fruits and veggies, check out Soul Food Farm. This shop stands out as a location where you can pick up farm-fresh eggs, olive oil, and other unique options. Goods come from a family-owned farm, so you can rest assured that everything you’ll purchase is an authentic product of Northern California.
Castaneda Bros. Produce
Castaneda Bros. Produce is another excellent stop if you want fresh produce in the season you’re visiting Vacaville. Depending on when you stop, you’ll find squash, peppers, cucumbers, peaches, corn, pineapples, and watermelon harvested from the Northern California soil.
This is one of the most consistently high-rated stands in the area. Check it out from June through November during weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Strawberry Stand
If all you’re interested in is strawberries, the eponymous Strawberry Stand will meet your needs. Freshly picked from Vacaville soil, these are some of the juiciest strawberries you can find from a local farm stand. Blueberries, tomatoes, and other items are also sold here.
Fred’s Cherry Stand
If you’ve never tried fresh-picked cherries, you’re in for a treat at Fred’s Cherry Stand. Visit Vacaville from May through June and look forward to juicy, perfectly ripe bing and rainier cherries sold by the basket. The farm stand is open seven days a week.
There’s no better way to connect to Vacaville culture than with a stop at these farm stands. In fact, the produce and foods are so fresh and delicious that a trip just to visit these stands is totally worth your time. So, plan a drive to Vacaville, and remember to bring plenty of bags so you can take all the fruits and veggies you want home.
Image via Flickr by kahvikisu licensed under CC BY 2.0