U-Pick Strawberries at Daisy Creek Farms – Family Daytrip from Sacramento!
There is a specific kind of magic that happens when we take the kids out for u-pick farm adventures. It’s definitely one of our favorite kinds of daytrips from Sacramento during the spring and summer season. On this particular farm adventure we headed out to Daisy Creek Farms in Galt, Northern California. Keep scrolling to read all about our experience, and tips to plan your own visit.
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Making Plans to U-Pick – Flexibility is Key!
When we are looking ahead at our weekend plans, my first rule of thumb is to check all the websites and social media of our favorite u-pick farms. Because harvest dates are dependent on the crop, and not an exact science, you can never be entirely sure when the farms will open up to the public for the season. Keeping your plans fluid and jumping at the opportunity when it’s go time is key. See our complete list of u-pick farms in the Sacramento area.
Heading Out to Galt From Sacramento
One of the best parts about Daisy Creek Farms is the off-the-grid feeling. Living in Sacramento, we are spoiled when it comes to urban convenience, but Galt offers a quieter, more “untouched” vibe. And it’s especially worth noting that much more chill compared to commercialized patches in Apple Hill (skip all that traffic!).
- Drive Time: From Midtown Sacramento, it was a breezy 40-minute drive.
- The Vibe: As soon as we turned off the main road and onto the gravel lane leading to the farm, the kids started to get really curious about our destination. Daisy Creek is tucked away, surrounded by towering oaks and wide-open fields that make you feel like you’ve traveled much further than half an hour.
First Impressions at Daisy Creek Farms
The first thing you notice about Daisy Creek Farms is how calm and quiet it is, which is a stark contrast to other u-pick strawberry farms like Granny May’s which can get very crowded. It really felt like we had the place to ourselves, with just a couple other families also visiting.
Most of the picking supplies were self-serve with cute little buckets available for kids and adults. The owners were very friendly and took a moment to make sure that we felt situated and comfortable. And then they left us on our own to wander and explore, which is the best kind of host!
The Entrance Fees to U-Pick
For the visitors focused on filling their buckets, General Admission is just $1 per person, a very affordable price! FYI – This doesn’t include the cost of picked fruit in your bucket.
If you can’t resist tasting the sun-ripened goodness as you go, they offer an “All You Can Eat” pass—$7 for adults and $5 for children—which allows you to graze to your heart’s content while you pick. Best of all, little ones aged 24 months and under enter for free, and there is never a fee for parking or for those simply stopping by to pick up a pre-picked order.
The Strawberry Fields at Daisy Creek Farms
I need to admit something right off the bat. When making plans to go strawberry picking, I was a bit anxious to beat the crowds and I made a rookie mistake. We headed out to the farm on the first weekend of the season, which was May 8th. The problem with this date is that many of the strawberries were not quite ripe enough yet. And the overall yield was still pretty low. We did still have a very fun and relaxing time out in the countryside, so no regrets here. But next time I will plan our visit closer to June.
The Blueberry Patch at Daisy Creek Farms
If the above mentioned strawberries weren’t ready, then the blueberries were even less ready! We did manage to find a small handful of ready-to-eat strawberries, but they were still green for the most part. In my experience, blueberries are best at the peak of summer in late June. See our blueberry u-pick daytrip to Apple Hill here!
More Than Just Strawberries and Blueberries
Daisy Creek Farms specializes in organic cherries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, loganberries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, apriums, and pluots. Their fruit is available to pick at different times as it ripens throughout the spring and summer each year. You can join their U-Pick Notification List to get notified when they open again in the spring and when each variety of fruit is ready for picking. You can also check out the ripening chart to see when their produce will be in season.
Supporting Local Organic Family Farms
Supporting a local organic family farm like Daisy Creek Farms is about more than just bringing home a bucket of fresh berries; it’s about investing in the health of our community and the future of our planet. When you visit this Galt-based gem, you are supporting a family—led by Jag Singh and his wife—who have dedicated themselves to keeping agricultural legacies alive through sustainable, “living soil” practices.
You can get to know the owners/farmers by following their YouTube channel!
Practical Tips for Your Visit
If you’re planning your own trek from Sacramento, here is our “Survival Guide” to ensure everyone stays happy:
- Arrive Early: We pulled in right at 9:00 AM. By 10:30 AM, the heat can start rising on hot days.
- Sun Protection is Non-Negotiable: There is very little shade in the actual picking rows. Bring hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water.
- Footwear Matters: This is a working farm. It’s dusty and the ground can be uneven. Leave the flip-flops at home and opt for closed-toe shoes or boots.
- The “Gently” Rule: Remind the little ones that we only pick what is ripe. Daisy Creek puts a lot of love into these plants; we want to make sure the green berries stay on the vine for next week’s visitors!
- Restrooms: They only have porta potties available on the farm, so make sure to use the restroom before you arrive.
More to Explore in Galt
If you’re making the trip from Sacramento, consider extending your stay to explore these local highlights:
- Cosumnes River Preserve: Just 10 minutes from the farm, this preserve offers over 50,000 acres of protected wetlands. The Lost Slough Boardwalk is a flat, family-friendly trail perfect for spotting sandhill cranes and river otters.
- The Galt Market: If your visit falls on a Tuesday or Wednesday, stop by this massive open-air market. With over 400 vendors, it’s a legendary spot for finding everything from handmade crafts to authentic street tacos.
- Old Town Galt: Stroll down Fourth Street to see historic brick facades from the early 1900s. Visit the Rae House Museum for a glimpse into Victorian-era life in the Central Valley.
- Brewsters Bar & Grill: Located in a beautifully restored historic building downtown, this is the go-to local spot for a hearty post-picking meal.
- Galt Community Park: A great final stop for families, featuring expansive play structures and shaded picnic areas to enjoy your fresh berry haul before the drive home.
The Verdict: Was it Worth the Drive?
Absolutely. At a budget-friendly price, our family spent a morning outdoors, learned a little bit about where our food comes from, and came home with fresh fruit. Daisy Creek Farms captures the best of the Central Valley: it’s honest, it’s sweet, and it’s a reminder that the best things in life are grown, not manufactured.
