Fresh fruits and nuts in Southern California. (San Diego, Riverside: buying, live in)

[optimisticStar]

Few months back I moved to Ontario, CA. My family believes in buying and eating local items as they are more fresh. I too have noticed difference between the fruits I buy from grocery store vs the ones I buy from the store in an orchard. I am now buying oranges from citrus orchards in Redlands/Riverside.

I want to know if there is anything like this for fresh nuts too? I am looking to buy almonds, walnuts, dates and pistachios mainly. I presently buy those from bulk bins in Whole Foods/Sprouts, but wanted to check if there are farms around in SoCal for those where I can go and buy them?

We love fruit picking too. I am currently making a list of farms/orchards for it, but if you know of any then please let me know.

Thanks in advance!

[saibot]

My farmer's market here in OC has almonds, but I have not seen the other nuts. California certified farmer's markets are strictly regulated, and the produce must be grown by the vendor, so there just may be no vendors of other nuts at my particular market.

Try this link to find your nearest farmer's market: https://www.localharvest.org/ontario-ca/farmers-markets. If you can't find the nuts you are looking for there, you can ask the vendors if they know a good source.

The orange/avocado vendor I buy from comes from Riverside Co. and he has the best citrus fruits and avocados I've ever tasted.

[Mike930]

There’s Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center, but that’s a long drive for you, plus I’m not sure if they grow things there or just sell them. They have some random animals for kids too.

[ElDiabloJoe]

If you're going up the 5 through Kern County (Bakersfield area), you might stop at Murray's Family Farm. They sell honey, fruits, nuts, vegetables, etc. all grown right there on site. Use your google-fu, I'm sure they have a website.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

This thread isn't what I expected

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

This thread isn't what I expected

There goes your wandering mind again Angry ...

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

There goes your wandering mind again Angry ...

left handed

[happygrrrl]

Bates Nut Farm (or Nate’s Butt Farm, as my kids liked to call it) started as a walnut farm, but I don’t believe they grow them anymore. They do sell a variety of nuts & dried fruits and other goodies in their store, have a pumpkin patch at Halloween, a petting zoo for the kids. I have fond memories of it.

There is only one Hadley farm store left. It’s in Cabazon off I-10, but they ship nuts and dried fruits, especially dates, to just about anywhere. I no longer live in SoCal but I still order from there.

You can pick apples in the fall from several farms in Oak Glen, which is near Yucaipa, also off I-10. That’s pretty close to you.

Fallbrook used to have a couple of u-pick citrus orchards, but I think they are gone. There used to be a pretty good farmer’s market in Vista (north San Diego Co.), not sure about that anymore.

[Jude24]

Check out Somis Nut House

https://somisnuthouse.com/

It is not very close to you (Ventura County), but they do ship. I believe they have a lot of local. Now if you want only the best local olive oil, PM me.

Also in Ventura County there are two locations of Underwood Farms; Moorpark and Somis. They have seasonal U-pick for a variety of things, and everything local that is available.

BTW, I was also wondering if this thread was going to be about something else entirely

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by happygrrrl

Bates Nut Farm (or Nate’s Butt Farm, as my kids liked to call it) started as a walnut farm, but I don’t believe they grow them anymore. They do sell a variety of nuts & dried fruits and other goodies in their store, have a pumpkin patch at Halloween, a petting zoo for the kids. I have fond memories of it.

There is only one Hadley farm store left. It’s in Cabazon off I-10, but they ship nuts and dried fruits, especially dates, to just about anywhere. I no longer live in SoCal but I still order from there.

You can pick apples in the fall from several farms in Oak Glen, which is near Yucaipa, also off I-10. That’s pretty close to you.

Fallbrook used to have a couple of u-pick citrus orchards, but I think they are gone. There used to be a pretty good farmer’s market in Vista (north San Diego Co.), not sure about that anymore.

I was about to suggest Hadley's but of course haven't been there in 15 years and the last time we were there it was nothing like the "old Hadleys" they did sell fresh grown nuts though.

I think I will try ordering from them one of these days. Thanks for the update.