Coastways Ranch

My husband and I embarked on a ‘daycation’ in Pescadero, and started our day at Coastways for some strawberry picking. We had a great time picking our own berries and enjoying the amazing weather. This seems like a really fun activity for families as well! The strawberries tasted amazing, and I also had to buy some of the jam — haven’t tried it yet, but looking for the right opportunitiy!

We went to strawberry picking last weekend. The place is easy to find on Google map, no problem. The parking space is a little muddy, but you cannot ask too much for a farm. The small hill is full of strawberry and kids enjoy picking them up. The price is $ 4 per pound.

We went to Coastways Farm on the opening day to pick Olalaberries. We picked organic berries and paid in cash. When we got home, we realized that we had been charged for 12 pounds of berries and paid about $ 50.00. We had half of that amount. It was very clear that we were overcharged.
We immediately sent an email to the owner with pictures and asked for a response. We have since sent 2 more emails and never received a response back. It was extremely disappointing and I would advise anyone going there to really watch out for the poor business practice.
It really left a very sour feeling, as we would have liked to support a local farm. However, the poor customer service and over-​charging is unacceptable!

$ 8 per pound, cash or check only, small window for picking olallieberries, super dusty road, rude service

We were there today. Nice spot, families enjoying a day out. Got to the shack to weigh out and the lady in front had four half filled flats and a couple kids. 80 bucks. She seemed shocked. We weighed out two half full flats 50 bucks. Double what they cost in the store and we did the work. Wont do this again thank you ps, i saw another post say 4 bucks a pound for strawberries. Ollalieberries were 8. Maybe the kids set their own price

We ended up here after swinging by the Swanton Berry Farm just ten minutes south. THIS is the place to be for strawberry picking! Come here for the fruit, then go down there for the pies and ready-​made foods.
The fields here are SOOO much bigger and it’s a beautiful scene to see the strawberry fields going all the way down to the pond. When you enter, you’ll drive by their commercial farms and then to the patch for public picking. After seeing the sad strawberries at Swanton, these were just amazing — all were plump, bright red, with healthy green stems, and there were tons of strawberries! You can’t help but pick them all.
$ 4 a pound, which you pay for at the stand. I managed to bring these home in my purse on a plane (they got a bit smooshed) but my mom reported that two weeks later they were still ultra fresh.
Families had brought kids and picnic lunches. It’s a great weekend outing. I’d definitely do it again!

Bring cash! Delicious fresh organic strawberries for $ 4 a pound, no credit cards. It’s a very simple place, just huge fields, a table to pay, and a few picnic benches. No frills but really lovely. We got there about 1pm on a Saturday and there will still plenty of ripe berries for the picking, as long as we looked carefully under the leaves… Like an Easter egg hunt with a yummy reward.

We arrived only an hour after opening and most of the ripe strawberries were already picked. Some of the small ones are still ripe though; they can be underneath in leaves, so look hard. This place is good for kids, as strawberry plants are low-​lying. The weather is on the chilly side, so bring a jacket.
1 star off: This place is hard to find. The website links the address to Google Maps, but Google Maps marks the address to Pescadero State Beach. It seems like Swanton Berry Farms never bothered to check on this, so people get lost. Other reviewers had the same issue. Note: It is about 15 minutes south of Pescadero State Beach.
1 star off: Parking is messy. Although everyone tries to line up, there are always people who park their cars at random spots, blocking everyone else. It was really difficult to leave when there were cars trying to come into the farm on an one-​lane street. Swanton Berry Farms should organize the parking area better.
1 star off: There was a teenager-​ish guy at the weighing station that was really sarcastic and not helpful. As we had never been here before, so someone in our group asked him how this process works, and he responded «Pick strawberries. Pay for strawberries.» with a really annoyed look. Gee, thanks. I asked him if I can borrow a box, and he responded «It depends. Are you going to use it for strawberries?» Um, yeah. (Now I’m sarcastic, too!)

You might get lost finding this place, as we did because Google maps doesn’t get it right. When we finally reached at about 1pm, the place was crowded and parking was a bit tight. Lesson learned, go earlier. Also the bigger strawberries were all long gone. But there was still enough to go around and even the tiniest ones are sugar sweet. It gets windy, so a jacket is good. There’s place for a short lunch break on the grass before you head off. Beware though, you might just end up eating more than you pick, once you’ve tasted these red delights. Lovely for kids. My toddler had a blast plucking and eating. This u-​pick is definitely worth a visit. This is the weekend only place. During the week swantons has picking at their main farm.

I hope I’m reviewing this correct location. This u pick farm has two different sections, the kiwi’s are in one area, and then you drive down the highway a bit further, and that is where one picks the strawberries.
The place where you pick the strawberries is in an amazing location, right along the coast where there is a picnic bench. There was a plethora of strawberries to chose from when the group was there. Strawberries happen to be one of my favorite fruits/​berries that there is. It’s fun to go out there and pick fruit with a group of people. I highly reccomend going here, the prices are very reasonable.

Went picking here for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. Ollaberries and tayberries were available, although the ollaberries seemed at the tail end of their season. Good access to the rows and the vines are well maintained making picking easy. Get there when they open if you intend to really get enough berries for jam making as the rows can become quickly picked over. Portapotties are on site. Cash or checks only (beware, at $ 7/​lb it can add up!)

Coastways Ranch is an U-​Pick operation affiliated with Swanton Berry Farm, which is further south in Davenport. Coastways is very easy to access as it is right off of Highway 1, but I suppose easy to miss as the signage is inadequate and you’ll be traveling at freeway speeds. Once you pass Ano Nuevo State Park the driveway into the ranch appears on the left, so slow down.
The car park is a dirt lot, and then it is an easy walk to the berry groves. On the day of our visit, the 4^th of July, olallieberries, tayberries and blackberries were in season and available to be picked. Cardboard flats for depositing picked berries into are available at the weigh station; I believe receptacles of your own are allowed also.
An hour or so of berry-​picking was an enjoyable excursion, and having fresh ripe berries to eat for days afterward has been a delight. The cost is $ 7-​something per pound. I wish we’d thought to bring a cooler of ice along to stow the fruit immediately in, especially as we were not heading right home. Conditions were dusty, though at other times can be muddy I understand – so dress suitably.

Olallieberries at $ 4 per pound U-​pick. As of July 7^th there were plenty of berries for the diligent pickers. They aren’t «plentiful» — you’ll have to root around for the best berries, but they are tasty, organic and just waiting for you to take them home.
I’d bring your own pail — they just have cardboard flats that are a bit cumbersome. And if you’re worried about stained fingers, wear tight fitting gloves. It’s delicate precision work and loose fitting gloves won’t be suitable.
Doggies welcome on the road surrounding the patch, but not amongst the berries while you pick.

**Check out the Unilocal Reviews for Swanton Berry Farms were most of the reviews are located. They own both locations and the signs on the highway for Coastways ranch says «Swanton Berry Farms».**
1. Wear old shoes. As neat as the strawberry rows are don’t be fooled some spots are muddy and there are mashed up strawberries everywhere.
2. If your going strawberry picking wear shorts or black pants. If you don’t by the end of the day your pants will be pink from the calves down. The Beatles sang «Strawberry Fields Forever» well so are strawberry stains.
3. If you are going ollalieberry picking wear latex or nitrate gloves to avoid berry stained hands.
4. A box lid for picking is a must. Pass Unilocal reviews suggested bringing you own to avoid paying for one but I noticed the farm was giving out lids for free.
5. Bottle water to rinse you hands and your berries for tasting.
6. Talk to strangers. I know your mother told you not to but this is the place to ignore that rule. You’ll see a lot of people with 10 box lids of berries or more. Ask them «What are you going to do with your berries?» You’ll hear stories of pie recipes passed down through the generations, homemade jams as Xmas gifts and get helpful hints on the best way to freeze the berries.
Notes:
$ 2.50/lb for strawberries and $ 4.00/lb for ollalieberries.
The Swanton Berry Farm has two ranches. The Farm Stand sells bake goods and jams and has u-​pick strawberry fields. The Coastways ranch sells jams and a few of their Farm Stand bake goods and has u-​pick ollaieberry fields, strawberry fields and kiwis.

Swanton Berry Farm is organic and unionized, and they have the best strawberries — deep, dark red all the way through. I love the baskets and the wagons you can use while you pick your bounty of berries. The Coastways Ranch is their closest U-​Pick to the peninsula.
The farm also grows ollalieberries, kiwis, and blackberries. The farm stand has jams and other goodies.
Strawberries are $ 2.50/lb, and U-​Pick is open daily from 10am-​5pm.
This is a fantastic place for a field trip too ;)

U-​Picking is easy with eyes closed
Mis-​stepping is all you see
It’s getting hard to be someone
but it all works out
It doesn’t matter much to me
Let me take you down, ’cause I’m going to Coastways Ranch
Everything is real, and nothing to get hung about.
Strawberry Fields forever!
Beef-​No Starr, drummer
O _​_​
_​_​\- | -/​|
O /​| — — - | O bass player
Singer /|\/ | | — | —
& guitarist O — — — O — — -/​
/​\ /​\
==================================================
Swanton Berry Farm in Davenport leases some land in Coastways Ranch, right here in Pescadero to grow organic strawberries (in season right now), and supposedly some other local berry types, for U-​Pick.
CeCe said it best… you want to map out approximately where this place is. Don’t bother with GPS or your crusty i-​Phone. I’ll make it easier for you. Pre-​locate the entrance to Ano Nuevo State Park’s parking lot. When you are driving down Highway 1/​Cabrillo Highway south from Half Moon Bay, it will take you about 45 minutes to an hour (depending on traffic). Once you pass the state park entrance to the parking lot (which will be on the right), SLOW DOWN. There will be some U-​pick strawberries signs coming up on the left. If you’re doing over 45 mph, you will have to slam on the breaks and do some Japanese auto geek style drifting with your A$N rice rocket, and break a left into a sand/​dirt path, so ease off the gas trigger and get ready to do it smoothly without compromising the integrity of your vehicle.
Locate your parking spot, then walk up past the porta-​potties. To the left across, is the checkout/​weigh stand. Get yourself some cardboard lids and plastic net boxes for the strawberries. You might want to use two lids, with one to cover the berries as it may get windy up there.
Then hike yo ass up the terrain, and enjoy. It’s a very nice and calming view, and it can get windy or foggy.
Organic strawberries run $ 2.50 a pound, same price as last year. Cash only of course. The Swanton guys also sell their excellent tasting jars of Swanton Berry Farm jams, with some samples you can try (strawberry is superb, blackberry is not bad). They’re $ 6 each, although you can also ahem… buy them at Whole Foods for the same price :-o
A few more notes:
— the berries come in various shapes and sizes, but as of Memorial Day weekend, a lot of them are fugly looking mishapened runts. Do not discriminate, you will be surprised at how excellent some of the darker toned smaller ones are, packed with sweetness with a little tart to boot.
–Don’t wear sandals or your favorite Manolo’s. Some of the ditches get wet from rain or irrigation. You have been warned
–Bring some water with you if you want to rinse and sample the goodness.
–Be patient, don’t immediately rummage through an entire row in the middle section (the front is obviously overpicked by now). You may find hidden gems in the back, or in random places. Don’t overpick, you may end up wasting what you don’t need, in which case it’s a loss for both parties.
–If you don’t see it immediately, gently wave your hand through the leaves and stems, you might find a little treasure here and there on the inside, sheltered from view.
Great fun for the little ones too.
The downside? The berries, if they survive transit during hot days, will go bad quite quickly. Consume within a few days, or refrigerate immediately to last a day or two longer.

I really like these guys (and the associated Swanton farms). Veerrry laid back Norcal sort of vibe here. We had been to pick olallieberries several times in the past and just went this weekend for kiwi fruit. It’s really nice picking the kiwi — they grow up at arm level or higher, so there’s no stooping. The price was $ 1.50/pound, which is more than fair for organic kiwi, and I can’t think of a better way to spend a nice winter day than head down to the coast and pick kiwi. FYI, the produce is organic, and they use union labor, so if you’re of a political mindset you don’t have to check your conscience at the door…

This place has Olallieberries. It is like a raspberry. These little babies are annoying to pick. Make sure you bring water and walk as far away from the entrance. Back there is more better berries. Since the closer to thr entrance, people have already taken them. This is a much slower picking rate. Only grab the black ones. They are sweet. Anything else, even purple will taste bitter. It takes a little time to start identifying them.
It is about $ 2.50 a lb. You should bring your own container. Unless you don’t mind paying $ 0.30 for a tray. No admission fee.

Come here for some Strawberry picking!!!
Oh so much fun!
Ate lots of super sweet strawberries: D
So we got lost on our way to there
The iphone sucks!
Wondered where the heck we were on Hwy 1
Always have a printed map with you
You can never rely on technology
So we eventually found the place and happily ever after!
Since I moved up to the bay area last year, I’ve been craving to do some U-​picking!!! I’ve done a lot around San Luis Obispo! It’s always soooo much fun and I always end up eating more than I’ve picked to buy! I ate so many strawberries… until I got sick of them! ahahaha I searched for «u-​pick» on Unilocal and this place and Swanton came up! :D I think this ranch is owned by Swanton! And if you still haven’t done enough u-​picking, just ¼ mile south is the Swanton Berry Farm for Olallieberry picking!!! :) This a little over an hour drive from Mountain View, but sooo worth the drive! Hwy 1 is so pretty with the beach and ocean views! Hwy 84 has some gorgeous greenery and fun windy roads to drive on!
We just went to pick lots of strawberries here ($ 2.50)!! There’s sooooo sweet and yummy! Great for a family adventure of fruit picking!!! And I feel these are easier to pick than olallieberries because pretty much every red strawberry is super sweet! :)
Tips:
+ Bring a map or know exactly where this place is before you leave your house
+ Bring some water… to wash the strawberries before you eat them
+ Bring containers to store the strawberries after purchase
+ Go earlier in the day when it’s cooler
**WARNING** There is no cellphone reception here. So make sure you know where you’re planning to go ahead of time.

This is run by the same people who do the Swanton Strawberry farm 9 miles down the road.
When I went here, it was all u-​pick organic olallieberries. No entrance fee. Pretty laid back staff. There is no shop per se, but you can get a few things like jam and so forth here. I picked a bunch of leaves for tea and they didn’t bat an eye when I was rung up. They have red wagons you can borrow two if you don’t want to carry your pickings.
There was a sign for u-​pick kiwi fruit and xmas trees, but i think those are a different season then I went.