Mike’s U-pick

Very sweet cherries. People are ver friendly. Only thing is that the cherries are more expensive than others. They need to reduce their cherrie prices.

First time cherry picking and it was awesome! This place was strict on bringing things in, NOT EVEN WATER. They charged an entry fee of $ 2 which was totally okay. Per pound of cherries cost $ 4. Location was across from a strawberry picking place and about two minutes from a peach picking spot. One of the workers told us today was they’re last day one because they’ve been open for five weeks and they were tired. Probably won’t return next year.

Went there today as this is the only ranch we could find as end of the season. They charge you $ 2 for entrance fee which I never seen on other ranches. Cherries are $ 4 per lb while other ranches are $ 3.5/lb. and their trees are relatively tall so u need ladder to get fruits, while some other ranches keep their trees low for easy picking. Not recommend.

May30, 2015
We visited Mike’s U Pick on a Saturday with a few friends, reached around 11 AM, parking wasn’t trouble, there is plenty of space around to park. We were a bit apprehensive after reading reviews on other farms that the season was almost getting over and not too many cherries left to pick so it was a very pleasant surprise to find that the trees here still had loads of cherries on them, very juicy and sweet ones. It was delightful experience, will surely be back next year. There was a 2 $ entry fee and the cherries were being sold for 4 $/​lb.

Went cherry picking here the other day. First off, you have to pay $ 2 per person to come pick cherries. There was a group of 20 of us so there’s $ 40. Cherries were $ 4 a pound. Staff was sooo rude! Yelling at people. They even said we couldn’t sit down. Really? Wtf? I was with my aunts who are in their 70s and you say that can’t sit down? It’s hot And they’re tired! Can’t even bring in a diaper bag. There were barley any cherries and we got there at 10am on Sunday. Won’t be coming back here especially the way the staff is. The one from Canada was the rudest of them all.

Will absolutely be coming back next year!
We went on Memorial Day today to pick cherries as I knew it was a last ditch effort for the season. DC didn’t even open this year, so was forced to look for a new orchard. After calling everywhere, and spending an hour driving aimlessly. Seko Ranch told me they were the last in the area with cherries, and were closed already for the season. I lost hope, so when I thought to settle to pick peaches, we found Mike’s peach u-​pick location on Concord Ave. Speaking to a gentleman, he mentioned that they had cherries on the Payne site still, and said that they gradually open sections of the orchard so they still have plenty of cherries. SMART!
We got to Payne at 9am, and already there were 15 or so cars. My boyfriend and I are avid and creative pickers, but luckily didn’t need to do any acrobatics to get the best cherries at the top and middle of the trees this year– they had plenty of ladders. We left at 9:30 with 12lb of very excellent cherries, plus the few we munched along the way. By this time, there were well over 100 cars parked along Payne up to Sellers Ave. Yes, there is a $ 2 entrance fee (smart in my opinion, I see so many people who just go to eat lunch on cherries, and only pick a pound or two…) and the price per pound was $ 4, but these guys STILL HAVE TONS OF CHERRIES.
All in all, an excellent experience for a season that is so very affected by the warm winters (cherries need chill hours) and the drought! If you find a place to pick cherries elsewhere, great, it’s not easy this late in the season. The cost does not detract from the professionalism and honest helpfulness of all the hard workers on the Memorial holiday.

TIPS.
–*Always* call first or check the farm/orchard’s website/​Facebook before making the long drive. Some sell out and close by the end of May.
–*Come early!* Arrive by 10am to beat the traffic and heat, get better parking, avoid super long lines, and get dibs on the better cherry trees! Most places have at least an hour wait by noon or will even turn people away (like they did at Mike’s).
–Pack for the orchard: bottled water. Water can also be used to wash the hands/​dropped cherries. Most orchards do not allow food inside. I also bring scissors.
–Wear: comfortable clothes (it gets quite warm, shorts okay), a hat, sunglasses, closed toe shoes (dusty and uneven terrain, traction for ladder climbing), sunblock, and garden/​disposable gloves! A crossbody purse would be preferred. My mom’s hat had a strap so she was also able to use it to carry cherries when she was high on the ladder.
–You don’t really need a bucket or bag unless you want to store them a certain way to bring them home. The orchards provide bags (white garbage) to take them home.
–You can eat as you pick; pay by weight upon exit with CASH ONLY. The best cherries are on the high branches and are typically obscured by leaves. The best trees are to the rear. Try a few first before you get zealous and over-​pick cherries that aren’t the best and to avoid tossing any. Mike’s had small cherries, big plump ones, and rainiers.
REVIEW. 3.5 stars.
This was one of the last orchards still open on 5.25.2015 – however, charged a $ 2/​person entrance fee and $ 4/​pound of cherries which is steeper than the other orchards. In addition, they closed off Concord Ave to traffic citing no more parking spaces which left visitors to park more than half a mile up and down Walnut Blvd when there were quite a few spots closer to the entrance. A walkie talkie amongst the staff would have easily resolved the traffic jam at this intersection and allowed for more efficient flow of traffic.
That being said, we ended up here anyhow and walked out with *twenty two* pounds of cherries (and negative $ 91). Mike’s U Pick provided buckets lined with bags and ladders around the roped off U Pick section of the orchard. Due to the crowds, one bucket was allotted for every three people. No bags/​strollers/​picnic food were permitted inside, but the gals allowed women to carry their purses. Most of the low hanging cherries had all been plucked but there were still plenty on the higher branches (the better ones!). Also, there were no bugs (ants or spiders) which was a plus. Make sure to potty before entering – the three portable potties were located before the entrance. Upon exit, the cherries were weighed along with the bag (ours got double bagged and then weighed for some reason). I also didn’t like how the scale counter wasn’t made visible to the buyer. They take back their buckets.
While Mike’s U Pick would not my first choice due to the price, we still ended up with plenty of delicious cherries to share and had some fun family time.

We just went to Cheery picking yesterday at 611 Payne Avenue. They have Lapin Cherry Only for $ 4/​lb. $ 2/​Person Entry Charge over 5 years old. We also picked peaches at the other location. We had good time. Thanks

Used to be good and we come visit them every year. White, yellow, nectarines, and apricot. However, they are not honest this time. Charged us $ 2 each person for entry fee and told us we can get an entry code when we leave to go to their cherry farm. When we asked the code at the end they said they don’t give it anymore. WHAT? Really? Fyi… peaches are $ 4 a pound.

Too expensive. First you pay $ 2.- per person to enter. Then $ 4.- per lb. for your pick. I watch a big family went in and got too many fruit and then not enough cash to pay. This farm earn too much money out of us. But what can you do when other places are too crowded and not enough good fruit left on the tree. You pay to let your family into the orchard and get caught of in the processing of the picking, end of pay thru your nose. Next time go to Brentwood early or just don’t go. Too many people go to Brentwood now. Not as fun or reasonable as it used to be.

DONT GO HERE
At least if you’re thinking of cherry picking this year and are coming around the Memorial Day weekend time.
$ 2 entrance fee and $ 4/​lbs while other orchards are doing no entrance fee and $ 3.50. Oh, that’s the other thing; the girl in the front said there’s no other orchards open but I just came out of another you-​pick cherry picking orchard soooooo definitely lying to get your money! And the one I just went to was not the only one open. These people try to take advantage of the fact that they are one of the first orchards on the road, which is smart BUT Lying is not a good way to go. Thank goodness I convinced my mom to drive around before deciding

This place let me fulfill my cherry picking! The other place didn’t but I followed signs and there it was! Mid May is pretty dry so come end of April or beginning of May. Wear sneakers and come before it opens because it pops at 9 – 930. They have bags for you and they only accept cash. It’s two bucks to enter. You gotta go to the back to find the rainier cherries and even tho they don’t look sweet, they are! They have ladders so you can reach the top where the goods are. You can literally pick and explore for an hour. I picked a good amount for fifteen bucks.

Thanks you guys!
On 1^st June 2014 when all other farms were closed, u gave us the joy to come and cherry pick.
There were lots of cherrys on trees and we spent whole day till evening picking cherrys.
Thank you so much guys

In the edge of season we have been to this place. We love it.
Nice place.
Lot of parking space.
per lbs competitive price
Taste of the cherries are very good.

Today was the last day! Spent Father’s Day picking cherries. We came on the last day so we thought it was going to be very scarce!!! After the first 30 minutes, we found the hot spot!!! And came out with TWENTY POUNDS OF CHERRIES!!! $ 3 a pound … $ 60… So I guess we’ll be having lots of cherry pie! They provided buckets and ladders!!!

We came here today to pick cherries. The cherries were ok and so was the service. I used to go when I was younger and it just didn’t feel as homey and memorable. We paid $ 3/​lb for the cherries.

Went on Friday, the cherries are way too ripe. And I saw them turn away a very pregnant lady with 2 kids in a stroller in a very rude manner. I can understand the stroller rule but they should make exceptions for someone like her. Or agree to search the stroller before they leave. Also most places are charging $ 3.50 per lb they’re charging $ 4.00 per lb. go elsewhere like 5 star cherries.

We came here for cherry season and loved it. We’ll be back next year.
They grow cherries of the Lapin variety; sweet, juicy, and all around delicious. It wasn’t slim pickins’ here. All of the trees were packed with big, beautiful cherries. Picking the cherries was so fun we actually picked more way more than we intended. Many branches were low enough for kids to get in on the fun, too. .and if you want to be a little daring, well about as daring as one can be while cherry picking, there are plenty of ladders to get to those sky high branches.
Some tips:
— Check the website to see if they’re open.
— Cherries are purchased per pound. CASH ONLY.
— It’s kid and baby friendly, but be sure to bring a baby carrier. Strollers and backpacks are not allowed.
–No picnics in the cherry orchard.

LOVE THIS PLACE! Best peaches and nectarines in town with cherries, plus good prices and very organized and clean/​neat orchards! The staff is all family of all ages and super helpful and cooperative, to say the least. They update their hotline nightly and Facebook page. Cant say enough of how much of a fresh breath it is to deal with happy farmers! RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO EVERYONE!!!

My friend Pauline L. wanted to get some fresh peaches, so we parked in front of this cute farm. Prices were $ 2.50 per pound. They offered white and yellow peaches and plouts. There were two elementary aged kids working the stand. I thought that was very cute and it made me happy to see them doing something fun and not getting into trouble. The way family businesses use to be.