As spring unfolds across Yolo County, the landscape shifts almost overnight. Orchards begin to bloom, farm stands reopen, and rows of strawberries start to ripen under longer, sunnier days. From Capay Valley to the edges of Winters and Davis, farms are welcoming visitors back for the season, offering a chance to slow down, get outside, and experience where our food comes from.
It’s a perfect excuse for a spring outing! Whether that’s filling a basket with berries or wandering around a Farmer’s Market on a Saturday, tasting local honey and enjoying the fresh flowers and fruit. We can enjoy ripe, juicy tomatoes before the classic Yolo County “avoid fallen tomatoes on the road” season.
Yolo County’s Agricultural Roots
Yolo County’s agricultural roots run deep. In the late 1800s, the region was known as part of California’s “breadbasket,” producing wheat that was shipped around the world by river and rail. Today, that legacy has grown into a vibrant mix of orchards, vineyards, and organic farms.
Drive through the Capay Valley and you’ll still see that history in action; fields stretching toward the hills, handwritten farm signs, and generations of farmers continuing to grow food for our community.
Farms to Visit This Spring
There’s something especially satisfying about picking your own fruit—sun-warmed strawberries, a basket filling up one handful at a time, maybe even sampling a few along the way. Some farms are U-pick, offering a simple, hands-on way to connect with the season. Some of the most popular farms in the area include:
- Full Belly Farm – everything from beets to potatoes to flowers, and certified organic since 1985
- Seka Hills – exquisite olive oil from the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation
- Pacific Star Gardens (U-pick) – fresh strawberries, blackberries, and seasonal produce
- Impossible Acres* (U-pick) – delicious berries, peaches, and other seasonal fruit
- Capay Hills Orchard (U-pick) – a Yolo County classic, with almonds and occasional seasonal offerings
* Contact farms directly to confirm availability.
What’s in Season: Spring Produce Guide
Spring is all about timing. And catching produce right at its peak is part of the fun! Each visit can be a little different depending on what’s just come into season.
- Early spring (March–April): strawberries begin to ripen, along with seasonal flowers
- Mid–late spring (April–May): peak strawberry season, plus raspberries, early blackberries, and cherries
- Late spring to early summer (May–June): blueberries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and more berries
If you’ve ever had a just-picked strawberry or a perfectly ripe apricot, you know the difference. It’s like tasting sunshine, and well worth planning a visit around what’s in season.
Because availability can shift with weather and harvest timing, checking in with farms before you go can help you make the most of your trip.
Local Farm Stands and Farm-Direct Produce
Sometimes the best finds happen on a spontaneous stop. Yolo County’s farm stands are scattered along country roads and highways, offering fresh produce just steps from where it was grown.
Maybe you’ll find some of these stops along your way:
- Yolo Fruit Stand – fresh fruits, nuts, honey, and seasonal produce
- Terra Firma Farm – organic vegetables and CSA offerings
- Eatwell Farm – seasonal produce and farm-direct sales
- The Cloverleaf Farm – peaches, nectarines, figs, and other stone fruits
Bring a cooler, if you can—you may end up leaving with more than you planned.
Farmers Markets Across Yolo County
Farmers markets are where the community really comes together—fresh produce, local food vendors, and a steady weekend rhythm that feels uniquely Yolo.
Local farmers markets to visit:
- Davis Farmers Market – year-round market with fresh produce and local goods
- Woodland Farmers Market – seasonal market featuring regional growers
- Winters Farmers Market – seasonal downtown market in Winters with produce, baked goods, and artisan items
Whether you’re picking up ingredients for the week or just browsing with a coffee in hand, markets offer an easy way to support local growers.
Why Supporting Local Farms Matters
Choosing locally grown food goes beyond freshness, it helps keep Yolo County’s farms thriving and preserves the open spaces and traditions that make our region unique.
Local food travels shorter distances, which can help reduce transportation-related emissions. It also keeps more dollars circulating within the local economy and supports small and family-run farms.
For VCE customers, supporting local agriculture is one more way to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient community.
Plan Your Spring Farm Visit
Spring doesn’t last forever, and neither do some of its best flavors. Whether you’re planning a day in the Capay Valley, stopping at a roadside stand, or heading to a weekend market, there are plenty of ways to experience our local agriculture right now.
Take a drive, try something new, and enjoy what’s in season. You might come home with a basket of fruit, or just a new favorite spot to return to next time!
