5 Farms in Greater Vancouver to Go Berry Picking This Summer

The weather’s finally getting warmer, meaning it’s officially berry-picking season. Farms across the province are now open for quick U-pick sessions, so I’m setting off on my yearly pilgrimage to live out my cottage-core, Stardew Valley farmer dreams (before reverting back to a city dweller who watches reality shows all day). Get your bucket-fill of berries, perfect for making jams, jellies, pies or smoothies (and be sure to get extra to freeze). These farms have everything from sweet strawberries to juicy blueberries, and they’re all within driving distance from Vancouver, making them the perfect day activity.

When to Go Berry Picking

Not every berry will be in season all summer. If you have a specific fruit in mind, make sure to go berry picking at the right time of year.

Strawberries: Early June to early July, and end-July to early August
Raspberries: Late June to early August
Blueberries: Mid-July to late August

5 Farms to Go Berry Picking Near Vancouver

1. Krause Berry Farms

Best for: Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries

You can spend a full day at Krause Berry Farms if you really wanted to—the eight litre basket can hold up to 11.5 pounds of berries, and that would take you at least two hours to fill up. Krause has around 200 acres worth of strawberry, raspberry and blueberry fields, so go ahead and harvest to your heart’s content. End your day by enjoying a flight of fruit wines at the Estate Winery ($5 for five different types) and perhaps even purchase a bottle or two before you leave.

6179, 248th Street, Langley
Open daily from 9 a.m.–5.30 p.m.
krauseberryfarms.com

2. Emma Lea Farms

Best for: Specialty berries

This family-run farm has been around since 1885 and is still going strong today—and for good reason. Emma Lea Farms offers the regular berries (ie. strawberries, raspberries and blueberries) alongside specialty berries like the unique tayberry—a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry—as well as blackcurrants and blackberries. A hard day’s work of berry picking should be rewarded, so don’t forget to grab your mandatory sweet treat at the Ice Cream Shoppe.

2727 Westham Island Road, Delta
Open daily from 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
emmaleafarms.com

3. Maan Farms

Best for: Strawberries

While I enjoy cosplaying as a farmer and getting my hands dirty picking a bunch of strawberries, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t do a number on my knees and back (and this is from a 25-year-old who suffers from untreated scoliosis). So, it’s a relief that Maan Farms offers a standing strawberry U-pick. These elevated strawberry fields mean you don’t have to crouch or do the awkward duck walk as you make your way down the fields to look for the best berries. This farm a great place to go berry picking for older adults, anyone who has a bad back or even the whole family.

790 McKenzie Road, Abbotsford
Open daily from 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
maanfarms.com

4. Bumbleberry Farms

Best for: Raspberries, blueberries and blackberries

You can pick sweet strawberries at Bumbleberry Farms, but I highly recommend saving bucket space for their raspberries and blueberries instead. Bumbleberry offers four varieties of blueberries, and even juicy jumbo-sized ones towards the end of July. Similarly, the raspberries and blackberries are the perfect balance of sweet and tart, which are great on their own or paired with a double cream brie or smoked gouda on a charcuterie board.

31580 Huntingdon Road, Abbotsford
Open daily from 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
bumbleberryfarms.ca

5. Klaassen Farms

Best for: Blueberries
With around 100 acres worth of blueberry fields of four different varieties, Klaassen Farms is blueberry heaven. The family-owned farm’s blueberries are small but mighty: think plump and saccharine sweet berries that explode in your mouth the moment you bite into one. A pound of berries will set you back $2.50, so bring that four-litre basket and pick all the fruit you can—there’s no such thing as too many blueberries.

51211 Chilliwack Central Road, Chilliwack
Open Monday to Saturday from 9a.m.–6p.m.
chilliwackblueberries.com