These 8 California Orchards Let You Pick Sweet, Juicy Citrus Straight From The Trees This Winter

California’s citrus season gives you a pretty good excuse to spend a winter morning outdoors.

And picking oranges or mandarins straight from the tree sounds a lot more fun than grabbing another bag at the grocery store.

Some orchards make it a family outing, complete with farm animals and little markets selling fresh produce. Others keep things simple, with rows of citrus trees and buckets waiting to be filled.

I especially like the smaller farms where you can chat with the growers and learn a little about the fruit you’re taking home.

Of course, citrus picking takes some planning. Harvest dates depend on the weather and some only welcome visitors on selected weekends.

But that’s part of what makes these outings interesting. Every orchard offers something a little different.

1. Seigler Family Farm (formerly Doering’s Mandarins), Oroville, CA

Road trips down Highway 99 usually mean gas station snacks, but this Oroville stop swaps chips for mandarins. Much better trade, honestly.

You might remember the place by its old name, Doering’s Mandarins. The family now runs it as Seigler Family Farm, and the focus stays sweet and simple.

Mandarins are the star here, and winter is their big moment. January is prime time to find the trees loaded with bright fruit.

The farm invites you to taste mandarins fresh off the branch. You can also let the family handpick the best ones for you.

That second option is handy if you’re short on time or wearing nice shoes. Still, twisting a mandarin off the tree yourself is half the fun.

Friendly staff help make the visit feel relaxed and easy. Nobody expects you to be a citrus expert on your first try.

Hours run from 9 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week. That schedule makes it easy to fit in a detour during a longer drive.

Questions about what’s ripe? The farm asks guests to reach out through its website before visiting.

Bring a bag or two, plus a sense of humor about sticky fingers. Mandarin peels come off easily, so snacking on the way home is basically guaranteed.

Just try saving a few for the people waiting back at home. They’ll never know how many you ate first.

Address: 4583 CA-99, Oroville, CA 95965

2. Underwood Family Farms, Somis, CA

The Underwood family started farming in Ventura County back in 1867, and they still haven’t run out of ideas. Their Somis farm has welcomed visitors since 1980.

Winter and spring bring the citrus fun here. U-pick tangerines and mandarins run from about January into May, depending on the crop.

Pick-your-own days can pair mandarins with strawberries, which feels like winning a fruit lottery. Check the farm’s calendar before you go, since crops rotate.

The U-pick fields stretch across 12 acres. That’s plenty of room for little legs to burn energy between snacks.

Need a break from picking? Swing by the Animal Center, home to pygmy goats, chickens, alpacas, and sheep.

Goats with tiny legs and big opinions are hard to resist. Your camera roll will fill up fast.

The Farm Market is another reason to linger. Shelves carry local produce, honey, nuts, juices, farm-fresh eggs, pickled vegetables, and fresh flowers.

Gift baskets are on hand too, which solves a surprising number of birthday problems. Dried beans and jarred goods round out the haul.

The farm opens daily from 9 AM to 6 PM. It closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, so plan around the holidays.

Admission covers the U-pick fields, and children under two get in free. Parking is free in the on-site lot.

Here in Southern California, few family outings beat a basket of tangerines and a goat sighting. It’s farm life with training wheels, in the best way.

Address: 5696 E Los Angeles Ave, Somis, CA 93066

3. Quixote Farm, Pauma Valley, CA

Any farm named after a dreamy knight who chased windmills deserves a look. Quixote Farm, out in Pauma Valley, chases citrus and avocados instead.

The property is a private family farm. Its owners are known for being friendly and quick to help.

Oranges and lemons fill the orchard. Visitors can wander among the trees and taste fruit straight off the branches.

A Family Pick option lets groups gather a mix of oranges and lemons together. It’s a fun way to turn a weekend afternoon into a team sport.

Timing matters, so do a little homework before you go. The farm lists June and July as its main U-pick season, though fall and winter visits happen too.

Check the website for current picking dates in the cooler months. A quick look can save you a long drive and empty buckets.

Weekend hours keep things simple. Saturday runs from 11 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday runs from 11 AM to 3 PM.

Weekdays stay closed, so mark your calendar accordingly. Free on-site parking makes arrival easy once you find the place.

A gender-neutral restroom is available on site. That small comfort counts for a lot after a few hours in the orchard.

Pauma Valley sits in northern San Diego County, surrounded by groves and hills. The drive out feels like a mini escape from city traffic.

Pack a cooler for your haul and a hat for the sun. Don Quixote never got fresh lemons for his trouble, but you will.

Address: 32870 Rincon Ranch Rd, Pauma Valley, CA 92061

4. Ramona Fresh Fruits U-Pick Persimmons, Ramona, CA

Persimmons may get top billing in the name, but oranges sneak onto the U-pick list too. Call them the surprise guest at this Ramona orchard.

The farm offers U-picks for persimmons, pomegranates, oranges, and avocados. That’s a colorful lineup for one stop in the hills of San Diego County.

Here’s the part health nuts will love. The owners say they’ve never applied pesticides or chemicals to the soil.

Trees get water from wells all year round. The result is fruit grown naturally, the old-fashioned way.

Plan ahead before heading out, because appointments are required. A quick message or check of the website keeps your trip on track.

Cash is king here, since the operation is cash only. Stop at an ATM on the way, or you’ll be staring at oranges you can’t take home.

Prefer less climbing and reaching? Pre-picked buckets are available, which is great for anyone short on time.

Picking your own is still the main event. There’s real satisfaction in choosing the fruit that looks perfect to you.

Hours run daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Fruit availability depends on ripeness and inventory, so seasons can shift.

Persimmon season opens between late October and November and lasts until the fruit runs out. Oranges add a citrus bonus to the cooler months.

A gender-neutral restroom is on site, and curbside pickup is offered too. Ramona makes a lovely backroads drive, and your trunk will smell amazing afterward.

Address: 18131 Traylor Rd, Ramona, CA 92065

5. Sunset Ridge Fine Fruits, Newcastle, CA

Some farms make you work for the view. Sunset Ridge Fine Fruits rewards you with beautiful Sierra Nevada foothill scenery and a bucket of freshly picked mandarins.

This family-run orchard sits in Newcastle, where citrus season turns the cooler months into something worth celebrating.

November starts with Satsuma mandarins. December brings more mandarins and Meyer lemons, while January introduces a colorful lineup of oranges.

Blood oranges, Cara Cara pink navels, and traditional navels give visitors plenty of reasons to return.

February keeps the harvest going with Tango mandarins, grapefruit, and pomelos when available.

The farm grows a dozen citrus varieties, so the selection changes as winter moves along.

Picking your own fruit is the main attraction. Staff provide buckets and explain how to harvest the citrus without damaging the trees.

Bring your own clippers if you have them. They’ll come in handy when you’re working your way through the orchard.

Reservations are required for U-pick visits, and each booking allows one vehicle with up to six people.

There’s also a minimum fruit purchase of 25 pounds. That’s a pretty serious citrus haul, so consider bringing someone who loves oranges as much as you do.

The farm is certified organic, which adds another reason to appreciate the fruit growing across these hills.

Visitors can stop by the farm store without booking an orchard reservation.

Seasonal hours are generally 9 AM to 5 PM daily, with the farm welcoming customers during the winter citrus season.

One important rule: sampling fruit while picking isn’t permitted. Save the taste test for after you’ve purchased your harvest.

And with those sweeping foothill views, this might be one of the prettiest places to fill a bag with mandarins.

Address: 7825 Fox Hill Ln, Newcastle, CA 95658

6. Murray Family Farms, Bakersfield, CA

A giant red barn, rows of fruit trees, and the chance to pick oranges yourself? Murray Family Farms knows how to make a winter outing interesting.

This Bakersfield favorite sits just off Highway 58, where the Big Red Barn welcomes visitors throughout the year.

The farm grows an impressive assortment of fruits, with different crops taking center stage as the seasons change.

January is particularly exciting for citrus lovers. That’s when the farm traditionally schedules its winter citrus U-pick experience.

Visitors have previously been able to gather oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits straight from the trees.

The farm’s 2026–2027 event calendar identifies January as citrus-picking season, although exact dates depend on the harvest.

February also brings citrus experiences as the first signs of spring begin appearing around the orchards.

This isn’t the kind of place where picking fruit is the only activity.

The Big Red Barn houses a farm market stocked with fresh produce and other locally grown goodies.

There’s also the Cal-Okie Orchard Kitchen, known for its baked treats and comforting farm-style food.

And if you’re visiting with children, the farm offers seasonal activities that can turn a quick fruit run into a longer family outing.

The property hosts different harvest celebrations throughout the year, so the experience can look completely different from one visit to the next.

The farm store is generally open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM. U-pick activities operate on selected dates rather than throughout those store hours.

Check the official event calendar before heading out, especially if citrus picking is your main reason for visiting.

You might arrive for a few oranges and end up spending half the afternoon exploring.

That’s the fun of a farm where something new seems to be growing every season.

Address: 6700 General Beale Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93307

7. Reed’s Mandarins, Penryn, CA

Some of the sweetest winter outings happen at the smallest farms. Reed’s Mandarins in Penryn keeps things wonderfully simple.

This family-owned orchard specializes in Owari Satsuma mandarins, the kind of citrus that’s easy to peel and even easier to finish eating.

Forget wandering through a massive commercial farm. This is a smaller operation where the trees receive plenty of personal attention.

The family says every tree is cared for by Papa Reed himself. That’s a pretty charming detail for anyone who appreciates family farming.

And these aren’t newly planted trees, either. The orchard’s mandarin trees are approaching 30 years old.

Harvest season generally begins in mid-November and continues through the end of January.

That makes this a particularly appealing stop when the weather cools and California’s citrus season gets going.

Visitors can arrange to pick their own mandarins, but this isn’t a show-up-whenever-you-want kind of place.

U-pick visits are by appointment only. The family directs customers to its Instagram account to arrange picking times.

You can also order mandarins without picking them yourself, which is handy when you’re short on time.

The farm even offers Mandagrams, gift packages containing seven pounds of mandarins, a canvas tote, and a sticker.

Those packages can be shipped to addresses throughout the contiguous United States.

Still, there’s something special about visiting the orchard and choosing your own fruit.

The limited harvest season makes timing important. Once the mandarins are gone, the picking opportunity is finished until the next crop.

Check the farm’s latest updates before visiting, and arrange your appointment in advance.

A winter afternoon spent picking Satsumas sounds considerably more appealing than another trip through the grocery store.

Address: Penryn, CA (exact orchard street address provided when arranging an appointment)

8. Wake Farms, Riverside, CA

Picking oranges is fun. Having someone show you exactly which fruit is ready makes the experience even better.

Wake Farms in Riverside offers a more personal take on the traditional California U-pick outing.

Instead of sending visitors into the orchard alone, the farm organizes private guided picking experiences.

A staff member walks with your group, explains how to identify ripe fruit, and demonstrates the proper way to harvest it.

That’s especially helpful if you’ve never picked citrus before. Nobody wants to accidentally grab an orange that’s nowhere near ready.

The property grows several citrus varieties, including navel oranges, Valencia oranges, Meyer lemons, clementines, and tangelos.

Different fruits become available throughout the year, so winter visitors should ask which citrus varieties are ready before booking.

The farm describes its fruit-growing practices as pesticide-free, another detail that may appeal to visitors interested in how their food is grown.

A typical U-pick experience lasts about 45 minutes. That gives you time to explore the orchard without turning the outing into an all-day commitment.

The farm provides a small basket, and the fruit you pick that fits inside is included in the experience.

Picking costs $15 per person, with bookings starting at $30. A deposit is required to secure your reservation.

Groups of up to 12 people can be accommodated, although larger parties should contact the farm before booking.

There’s more to this Riverside property than fruit trees, too.

Wake Farms also offers private farm tours, educational field trips, and experiences involving its farm animals.

The property is a private residence, so walk-in visits aren’t permitted.

Reservations should be arranged through the farm’s website, and comfortable clothing and closed-toed shoes are recommended.

For anyone who likes learning something new while gathering fresh fruit, this little Riverside farm offers a different kind of citrus adventure.

Address: 1441 Monroe St, Riverside, CA 92504