Nestled between the Delta and the foothills of Mount Diablo, Brentwood, California, is a community where fields stretch wide and the seasons are marked not by calendars, but by the ripening of fruit. It’s a town where agriculture isn’t just history, it’s identity. For over a century, Brentwood has been feeding the region, cultivating crops, and welcoming visitors to experience its deep farming rootsfirsthand.
Today, that legacy continues with a modern twist: U-pickfarms. These hands-on experiences, where visitors pick their own produce straight from the source, have become a hallmark of the region. They offer a charming balance of family fun, food education, and seasonal ritual, drawing in families from across the Bay Area and beyond. But more than a day trip, Brentwood’s U-pick scene is a bridge between generations, between city and countryside, and between farm and fork.
As development continues to expand across California, places like Brentwood remain vital. The city’s unique blend of U-pick operations and conventional farming preserves not only open space, but also the region’s agricultural integrity. While U-pick engages the public, conventional farms like Dwelley Family Farms continue to feed communities, steward land, and support local economies on a larger scale.
Together, they form a landscape of productivity, sustainability, and seasonal beauty. CFT, in partnership with family farmers, have protected 1,341 acres of farmland in and around Brentwood.
In the pages that follow, we invite you on a guidedjourney through Brentwood’s agricultural heart. Your experience begins with Harvest Time in Brentwood, the nonprofit organization connecting visitors to farms across the area. With maps, events, and insider tips, they makeit easy to plan the perfect outing. Then, you’ll make yourway to a few standout destinations. Each offers a unique window into the Brentwood farming experience.
First, Dwelley Family Farms, a multi-generational operation known for its impeccable sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes, and massive community support. Dwelleyseamlessly blends tradition with innovation, growing food for local markets while supporting food banks and farmland conservation efforts.
Next stop: Very Mulberry at Habibita Farms, home to thecountry’s largest Himalayanmulberry U-pick. This farm has reimagined the U-pick experience, offering everything from shaded picking lanes to picnic areas and even plans for a family-friendly train ride through the berry fields. It’s a place where taste, adventure, and agriculture come together under the sun.
Then head over to The Urban Edge Farm, a picturesque, pollinator-friendly plot that fuses organic farming with community education. Tucked right on the city’s edge, it’s a working farm and outdoor classroom where families can learn about sustainable food systems, plant biodiversity, and the importance of local agriculture, all while picking flowers and sampling veggies.
A few country roads away sits Three Nunns Farm, a Brentwood favorite known for its variety of U-pick options and seasonal attractions. From strawberries and peaches in summer to pumpkins and corn mazes in the fall, the farm offers hands-on fun year-round. It’s a place where kids can run through sunflower mazes, parents can fill baskets with apples, and everyone leaves a little happier (and maybe a little sun-kissed).
Your farm trail concludes at Hannah Nicole Vineyards, where agriculture takes a more refined form. With sweeping views, live music, and estate-grown wines, the vineyard offers a relaxing way to unwind after a day in the fields. Whether it’s a weekend tasting or an evening concert under the stars, Hannah Nicole blends the Brentwood farming spirit with a touch of elegance, proof that agriculture here isn’t just about work; it’s also about celebration.
What ties all of these stops together is more than just proximity; it’s purpose. U-pick farming creates space for connection. It encourages families to unplug, explore, and experience food at its source. It helps the next generation understand the work behind each piece of fruit and why protecting farmland matters. And for local farmers, these visits aren’t just transactions; they’re conversations, community-building moments that help sustain their businesses and the Brentwood way of life.
Meanwhile, conventional farms keep the local economy strong and the food chain resilient. They provide jobs, protect biodiversity, and maintain valuable farmland in a region under pressure from rapid urbanization. Together, these farms, both the pick-your-own and the commercial growers, are preserving the soul of Brentwood, acre by acre, season by season.
So, whether you’re a first-time picker or a long-time local, this harvest journey through Brentwood offers something timeless: a reminder that food is more than something we buy. It’s something we grow, we share, and we celebrate.