Jun 22 2009
Cherry Picking Leona Valley Orchards

This past weekend we went cherry picking in the Leona Valley near Palmdale, CA. It’s relatively close considering. From Pasadena it took us about an hour, with no traffic. You exit at Palmdale Blvd./Elizabeth Lake Rd. which turns into Leona Valley Blvd. Start to look for this exit as you approach the lake on the right with the enormous windmill on the bank.

There are several things to keep in mind when going cherry picking.
1. Get there as early as possible, most orchards open at 8, be there at 8 if possible.
2. Wear sunscreen, no matter that it is early you can still get burned
3. Wear long sleeves
4. Wear a hat!
5. When picking if you lift the branches and look on the underside you will find some amazing cherries.
6. Pick and taste from the tree you are picking, it’s amazing but true that from one tree to another the flavor and sweetness may vary.
7. Stay in the shade, most cherry trees are large and lush with lots of shade, stay in the shade while picking, to prevent sun burn.
8. Call or check the website. Signup for the email list from the various orchards.
9. Leona Valley is one of the easiest locations but there are other locations in close proximity to Los Angeles, including Beaumont, CA and Cherry Valley, CA.
10. If you can pick at two or more orchards, most people will stop a the first orchard, but there are at least 15 orchards in the Leona Valley. Vista Del Sol is one of the first on the road in to the city. Rhodes is further in but one of the best we have been too. Tony and Rhonda are some of the nicest people.
11. Don’t pick too many, it is easy to want to pick and pick and pick. you can end up picking yourself broke!
12. Some orchards charge a minimum, like Vista Del Sol, charges $5 per person. You can easily pick $5.
13. Walk the orchard and pick from various trees. Don’t get stuck on one tree, if you walk around you will see that there are other trees that could be loaded with cherries.
14. The orchards are very clear about not picking the stem and or branches. Only pick the cherry from the tree. If the stem is coming off too, it is possible that the cherry is not ripe. Again taste the cherries.
15. Most farms use minimal to no chemicals as part of the growing. Some are organic and some are not 100%. Again ask if you have any questions.
16. Don’t eat too many cherries, you can really only eat so many, if you eat too many you will certainly pay with an upset stomach and other digestive turbulence.

Some resources:

Orchard sites:
1. Leona Valley Cherry Grower’s Association
We will be open through the month of June for your picking.
Leona Valley Cherry Grower’s Association
P.O. Box 817, Leona Valley, CA 93551-7110
www.cherriesupic.com

Villa del Sol – Sweet Cherry Farms of Leona Valley
Villa del Sol is Leona Valley, southern California’s largest U-pick cherry farm!
www.upickcherries.com

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