This California Farm Lets You Pick Your Own Persimmons Straight From The Trees For A Sweet Fall Treat

One small family farm grows a persimmon that tastes like a date with a hint of apple. It’s called the Lotus persimmon, and I can’t imagine a better excuse for a fall road trip.

The same orchard grows Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons too. Every autumn, the owners open the gates and let you pick fruit right off the branches yourself.

Early in the season, many persimmons hang low enough to grab by hand. Later on, the smart pickers show up with step ladders and pole pickers for the high stuff.

It’s the kind of fall outing that doesn’t need much planning to feel special, especially when you get to bring a bucket of freshly picked fruit home.

Meet The Family Farm That Turns Fall Orange

Orange season arrives a little differently in the foothills of San Diego County. At Ramona Fresh Fruits U-Pick Persimmons, the stars of autumn hang from tree branches instead of sitting in grocery store bins.

The farm is small and family-owned. It also goes by another name you might spot online, since it was once known as Shoemaker Farm.

The owners describe their farm as holding onto old-fashioned, small town values. They point to hard work, honesty, and faith as the things that guide them.

That sounds refreshing in a world of self-checkout lanes.

What makes the place stand out is its focus. Persimmons are the main event here, and the U-pick season is when the whole operation comes alive.

You get to choose your own fruit, one branch at a time.

I believe that kind of hands-on experience sticks with people. Kids remember the tree they climbed under, and adults remember the fruit that tasted better because they picked it.

Ramona Fresh Fruits U-Pick Persimmons keeps things refreshingly simple. There are trees, there is fruit, and there is you with a bucket. Honestly, what more does a fall afternoon need?

Three Persimmon Varieties Are Waiting On These Branches

Not all persimmons act the same, and this farm gives you a chance to learn the difference. The orchard grows Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons, plus a less common type called Lotus.

Fuyu persimmons are the friendly ones. They’re squat and round, and many people enjoy them while they’re still firm, almost like an apple.

Hachiya persimmons are taller with a pointed bottom. They need to soften fully before eating, and that patience pays off for bakers who love making persimmon bread.

Then there’s the Lotus persimmon, the quiet surprise of the orchard. When ripe, it tastes like a date with a hint of apple. Good luck finding that at your corner market.

Knowing these varieties helps you plan. Want something to slice into a salad tonight? Grab Fuyus. Planning a weekend of baking? Hachiyas are your friend.

Some fans of persimmons like picking fruit with stems attached for homemade hoshigaki. That’s the Japanese tradition of hanging and drying persimmons slowly until they turn chewy and sweet.

With three types growing in one place, you can taste-test your way through the orchard. Just maybe don’t eat a firm Hachiya by mistake. Your mouth will remember.

Mark Your Calendar Because The Season Moves Fast

Timing matters more than you might expect with persimmon picking. The season at this farm usually runs from late October through mid-to-late November.

The season lasts until the fruit runs out. It depends on how fast the persimmons ripen and how much is left on the trees. Once the branches are bare, that’s the end until next fall.

Hours during the season are generally daytime, so plan for a morning or afternoon visit. It’s smart to check the farm’s announcements before you leave home, since timing can shift.

Arriving early in the season gives you the easiest picking. Lots of fruit hangs low, and you won’t need much more than your hands and a bucket.

Later visits still work, but expect more reaching and stretching. The fruit near the ground tends to go first.

My advice? Treat persimmon season like a short holiday. It shows up, it’s sweet, and then it’s gone before Thanksgiving leftovers are finished.

Pack A Ladder If You Show Up Later In November

Here’s a tip that can save your whole trip: bring tools if you visit later in the season. Around November 10 and after, the easy fruit near the bottom is often gone.

The farm suggests a few helpful items for those later visits. Hand pruners, a pole picker, or a step ladder can help you reach fruit higher in the trees.

Pruners matter more than you’d think. Persimmons hold tight to their branches, and snipping the stem is cleaner than yanking. It also helps if you want stems left on for drying.

A pole picker is basically a long stick with a little basket on the end. It lets you grab fruit from the ground without climbing at all. Very handy for anyone who prefers staying low.

Gloves are a smart extra too. Branches can be scratchy, and your hands will thank you after an hour of picking.

Early-season visitors can usually skip most of this gear. Low branches make hand-picking easy in late October.

So think of it like packing for weather. Early season, travel light. Later season, pack like a fruit-hunting pro with a step stool in the trunk.

The Foothill Weather Is The Secret Ingredient

Great persimmons don’t happen by accident. Ramona is known as an ideal spot for Fuyu persimmons, and the reasons come down to climate.

The area sits at a higher elevation than coastal San Diego. That brings dry summers and cool winters, which persimmon trees really seem to enjoy.

Dry summers help the fruit develop without too much moisture trouble. Cool winters give the trees a proper rest before they grow again in spring.

The result is fruit that ripens into that glowing orange color every fall. It’s a nice reminder that farming is part science and part patience.

For visitors, this setting adds to the fun. You’re heading inland into rolling foothill country, away from beach traffic and busy freeways. The drive itself feels like a small escape.

California is famous for growing all kinds of fruit, but each region has its specialties. Ramona’s backcountry setting happens to suit persimmons beautifully.

I like knowing why a place grows what it grows. It makes every bite feel a little more connected to the land around it.

Plus, you’ll have a fun fact ready when someone asks why your persimmons taste so good.

Prefer Not To Climb? Grab A Ready-Picked Option

Not everyone wants to wrestle a tree for fruit, and that’s perfectly fine. The farm also offers persimmons that have already been picked for you.

Prefilled buckets and bags give you a shortcut straight to the good part. You still get farm-fresh fruit, just without the stretching and snipping.

This option works great for families with tiny kids or anyone short on time. It’s also helpful if you show up late in the season without a ladder. No tools, no problem.

Many people mix both approaches. They pick a handful from the trees for fun, then grab a ready bag to round things out.

Payment is simple too. The farm accepts cash or Venmo, so it’s smart to have one of those ready before you arrive. Rural farms don’t always work like big stores.

The ready-picked choice also shows how welcoming the place tries to be. Whether you’re a serious picker or just craving persimmons, there’s a way to leave happy.

Think of it as the express lane of fall fruit. You get all the orange goodness, minus the sticky branches and sore arms.

Save Room In The Car For More Than Persimmons

Persimmons may get the spotlight, but the supporting cast is pretty impressive. The farm sells other seasonal fruits too, depending on what’s ripe.

Pomegranates have been on the list, with their ruby seeds packed inside. Valencia oranges and figs have also made appearances.

Then there are feijoas, sometimes called pineapple guavas. These small green fruits have a sweet, tropical flavor that surprises a lot of first-timers.

The farm’s lineup has also included Cara Cara oranges, Washington Navel oranges, tangelos, and pink grapefruit. That’s a whole citrus party waiting for anyone who loves bright, juicy fruit.

Dried fruit and fruit preserves have been available too. They make an easy snack for the drive home or a thoughtful gift for a friend who couldn’t come.

Since availability changes with the seasons, it’s best not to count on one specific fruit. Part of the fun is seeing what’s ready when you arrive.

My suggestion is simple. Leave some extra trunk space, because a persimmon trip at Ramona Fresh Fruits U-Pick Persimmons can easily turn into a full fruit haul.

Your kitchen counter might look like a farmers market by dinner.

Plug In The Address And Head For The Backcountry

Getting there is half the adventure. Ramona Fresh Fruits U-Pick Persimmons sits at 18131 Traylor Road, Ramona, CA 92065, out in the foothills of San Diego County.

The drive takes you inland through rural California scenery. Expect open country and a slower pace once you leave the main roads behind.

Plan ahead before you go. Bring cash or have Venmo ready, pack water, and toss a few bags in the car for extra fruit.

Dress for the outdoors too. Comfortable shoes help on orchard ground, and a hat is handy on sunny afternoons.

Families often turn this into a full fall outing. Ramona has its own small-town charm, so you can easily make a day of it after picking.

Once home, the real fun begins. Slice Fuyus into salads, let Hachiyas soften for baking, or try drying a few for homemade hoshigaki. A short season makes every visit feel special.