Meagen SetterThe Best Spots for Berry Picking in and around Vancouver
Ah, Vancouver summers – they’re all about turning sunny days into buckets full of memories. During this time of year, many of us dive into the sweetest adventure: handpicking the plumpest and ripest blueberries and strawberries straight from the source.
Taking a short drive from the city, we’ve explored some of the juiciest spots for berry picking around here. So, grab your sunhat and a basket, and let’s head to the rolling fields to gather some summer treats!
Bumbleberry Farm
Address: 31580 Huntingdon Rd. Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Phone: +1 604 835 3416
Opening hours: Daily from 9 AM to 6 PM
Located near Abbotsford Airport, Bumbleberry Farms is a family-run farm growing a variety of raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries. Boasting a legacy of over five decades, their berries are known to make perfect ingredients for pies and jams.
Their raised strawberry beds are an innovation that’s so simple, but could make a huge difference in the berry-picking experience. Visitors can have an easier time, all while observing the industrious bumblebees among the berry rows.
You can check their website for updates on which berries are pre-picked and ready to purchase. But if you’re all about picking your own produce, then make sure to bring your own bucket to support the farm’s eco-friendly efforts.
Pro tip:
Families seeking an educational and enjoyable outing will find Bumbleberry Farms wonderful. Parents can teach their kids about the farm to table concept, and help them appreciate the fresh air and the simple joy of being one with nature.
Blueberry Junction
Address: 28473 Huntingdon Rd, Abbotsford, BC V4X 1A8, Canada
Phone: +1 604 556 8066
Opening hours:
- Monday: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Blueberry Junction offers its visitors an opportunity to partake in the U-pick tradition and savor the simple joy of harvesting while connecting with nature.
While not certified organic, Blueberry Junction takes a mindful approach with its “no-spray” fields, utilizing organic sprays during the growing season to ensure responsible practices.
Pro tip:
Conveniently situated on Huntingdon Road in Abbotsford, this spot is worth an hour’s drive from Vancouver. It’s a practical choice for those looking to enjoy berry picking without driving that far out.
Emma Lea Farm
Address: 2727 Westham Island Rd, Delta, BC V4K 3N2, Canada
Phone: +1 604 946 8216
Opening hours:
- Daily from 8 AM to 7 PM (from mid-June to August)
- Thursdays to Sundays 9 AM – 5 PM (from September to October)
Driving for 30 minutes from Vancouver to Westham Island in Ladner will get you close to Emma Lea Farm, a family-owned farm whose roots go all the way back to 1885.
During the berry picking season, you can avail of the U-pick option for blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and more.
On a regular day, Emma Lea Farm also offers an enticing selection, from fresh produce and honey to pickled vegetables and their own natural beef.
You can extend your visit by planning a leisurely picnic with family or friends. The little ones can enjoy the sandbox and play area.
Pro tip:
If you’re visiting in October, watch out for their Pumpkin Patch too!
Maan Farms Market and Estate Winery
Address: 790 McKenzie Rd, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7N4, Canada
Phone: +1 604 864 5723
Opening Hours: Friday to Sunday from 11 AM to 5:30 PM
Maan Farms offers U-Pick for strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. However, make sure to check their website and reserve your slot to know which berries are available for picking.
Berry picking is definitely a highlight at the farms, but if the U-pick option for your favorite berry is unavailable, it feels like you won’t run out of great things to do in this well-designed place.
Visitors can enjoy goat yoga classes, explore a market filled with treats crafted from their fresh berries, and even visit their wine-tasting room. Their Raspberry wine got an award in the 2021 BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards – heard that from the grapevine!
Anyway, the farms are now managed by the second and third generations of the Maan family, and it’s such a nice feeling to know they’re hands-on in helping their family legacy grow. Their programs at the farms are so inviting for families and friends alike!
Pro tip:
Check out their Barnyard Adventure season pass. For one whole year, you can go visit the farms any day to have a go at the zipline, go-kart, jumping pillow, or just enjoy a tranquil picnic.
Willems Berry Farm
Address: 33736 Vye Rd, Abbotsford, BC V2S 8A9, Canada
Phone: +1 604 864 1149
An hour and a half drive away, Willems Berry Farm offers raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries. If you’re there to pick the fruits that you’re taking home, bring your containers to reduce waste or conveniently acquire them on-site.
They also sell freshly picked and frozen berries. You can get them at the farm stand and stock up during summer or arrange frozen berry pickups.
Pro tip:
The farm blossoms with flowers as well, including some peonies, dahlias, and zinnias depending on the season. If you want to buy some, make sure to contact the farm since fresh-cut flowers are not available on the daily.
Surrey Farms
Address: 5180 152 St, Surrey, BC V3S 0L2, Canada
Phone: +1 604 574 1390
From 60 acres in 1989, Surrey Farms has blossomed to encompass over 400 acres. Located in the city whose name it bears, Surrey Farms is known for its impeccable fresh berries and a diverse range of local fruits and vegetables.
They grow strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries that you can buy from their market or pick yourself. Their market also sells melons and cucumbers in August and pumpkins and pears in September, among so many more.
They have farms in different locations, so the U-pick field might be relatively smaller, but they offer an equally fun experience. For optimal berry picking, plan your visit early during the season to enjoy the finest selection.
Pro tip:
If your plan involves treating your kids to ice cream after their hard work, this might not be the perfect U-pick spot for you. Beyond the farms, the market is the main attraction to explore.
Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery
Address: 6179 248 St, Langley Twp, BC V4W 1C3, Canada
Phone: +1 604 856 5757
Krause Berry Farms does a good job keeping their website up-to-date about the status of their U-pick fields. They have a relatively small farm, so regularly check their website for updates on the availability of berries and their U-pick option.
If you’re picking berries, it’s wise to come prepared with your own containers. If you’ve got Krause Berry Farms containers from previous visits, you’re in for a discount!
Then, there’s the Estate Winery itself, which is a real treat. They offer wine tastings, flights, and even non-alcoholic options, which go so well with treats like nachos, pie slices, and roasted corn pizza.
A jaunt to The Market completes most visits to the Krause Berry Farms. Overflowing with over a hundred farm-made products, from preserves and pickled delights to granola and waffle mixes, The Market showcases what the farm is all about.
Right beside it, The Bakery tempts with freshly baked goods, from donuts to fruit tarts, which embody the farm’s dedication to authentic flavors.
Pro tip:
Speaking of authentic flavors, their waffles and the surprise toppings are a must-try. You’ll know they’re serious about their craft, as they have clear guidelines about preferring gluten-free waffles and dealing with allergies.
Driediger Farms Market
Address: 23823 72 Ave, Langley Twp, BC V1M 3K9, Canada
Phone: +1 604 888 1665
Opening hours: Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM
Driediger Farms in Langley’s Fraser Valley has this neat U-pick setup offering a variety of berries – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, red currants, and blackberries – perfect for a fresh and outdoorsy experience.
You’ll find these U-pick fields open during the berry season, each type taking its turn as they ripen.
They’ve got different fields for each berry variety, so you’ll always be in the right place at the right time. Swing by their U-pick booth when you arrive, and they’ll guide you to the fields.
Remember to give their Facebook page a peek or ring them up at the market before you head over. It’s always a good idea to check what’s available and when – nature tends to keep us on our toes, and berry availability can change like the weather.
Pro tip:
Out on the field and up there in the valley, the temperature usually feels more intense. Remember to apply sunscreen and wear a visor to avoid the sun from getting in the way.
Klaassen Farms
Address: 51211 Chilliwack Central Rd, Chilliwack, BC V0X 1X0, Canada
Phone: +1 604 845 0678
Around 30 minutes farther than the farms in Abbotsford lie the family-run Klaassen Farms, specializing in growing Reka, Elliott, Duke, Calypso, and Bluecrop Blueberries. Starting in July, their fields burst with ripe blueberries, ready to be plucked until late August.
If you’re visiting to do U-pick, make sure to treat their staff as allies. They will give you the necessary briefing on guidelines and they know where the sweetest spots for picking.
You’re allowed to bring your own container, but make sure that they’re clean and smaller than 5 gallons. You’ll need to pay CAD 2 per pound – not bad for the sweet and plump blueberries that you’ll get from here.
Just make sure to call ahead if you think weather conditions might affect their opening hours. And when you come from berry picking, check out their website for a host of various recipes featuring their blueberries.
Pro tip:
You’ll find the farm at the intersection of Ford Road and Chilliwack Central Road in Rosedale. Look for the prominent Klaassen Farms sign along the way to guide you.
Formosa Nursery
Address: 12689 203 Street Maple Ridge, BC V2X 4A1, Canada
Phone: +1 604 465 3359
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10 AM – 8 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 8 AM – 8 PM
For a serene escape close to Vancouver, head to Formosa Nursery on the borders of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
This family-owned farm has been cultivating certified-organic fruits since 1977, offering hassle-free U-pick experiences just a 45-minute drive from the city.
During the summer months, Formosa Nursery opens its gates for U-pick adventures among high-bush blueberries. It’s a family-friendly haven and even boasts a relaxing hammock forest.
Pro tip:
Price might be slightly higher compared to other options, but that’s the trade-off for having chemical-free fruits. In fact, you could even see the price as a bonus since it’s still within a reasonable range.
Westham Island Herb Farm
Address: 4690 Kirkland Rd, Delta, BC V4K 3N2, Canada
Phone: +1 604 312 1023
Opening hours: Daily 9 AM – 5 PM
U-pick strawberries is available here at the Westham Island Herb Farm. It’s more known to offer phenomenal pumpkins during the fall, but they have a variety of produce here, including berries.
The feel of this farm is as pure as it gets, and it’s hard not to appreciate the community working on the land. Their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) approach works wonders, and that’s evident in the quality of their fruits and organic veggies.
Pro tip:
You can also buy honey from them, collected from their bees. And they also stock local pasture-raised beef and free range chicken.
CanWest Farms
Address: 13051 Blundell Road Richmond BC
Phone: +1 604 244 0488
Opening hours: Daily 9 AM – 7 PM
Spanning back to 1979, the Kallu family’s legacy is at the heart of CanWest Farms. From cultivating a range of produce to specializing in blueberries, their journey reflects a deep-rooted passion that has been passed down through generations.
CanWest welcomes visitors to partake in the tradition of U-pick blueberries, with a fun kickoff every year. They usually have goats, rabbits, and an abundant farm market that on a regular day also introduces an assortment of homegrown produce.
Pro tip:
They have zucchini, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelon, and more. So it’s kind of one stop shop for your local produce.
