Vancouver’s Best U-Pick Strawberry Farms

11.06.2024

Berry season is here! I love taking the kids to visit one of our local farms and do some strawberry picking of our own. We are lucky to be surrounded by a number of berry picking options around Metro Vancouver.

Some reminders before you go – prepare for the weather! If it is looking hot and dry, be sure to bring hats, sunscreen and water bottles. Also, consider bringing your own wagon. Some berry farms provide them, but others don’t and it’s not easy to carry your berry haul plus any little kids who might be looking for a ride. Check with the farm before you go. Some U-Pick options change daily depending on availability, so checking the website, social media or simply calling ahead is never a bad idea!

EMMA LEA FARMS

2727 Westham Island Rd, Delta

This is one of our favourite spots to go strawberry picking! You purchase a bucket there and head out to the rows of delicious strawberries. Afterwards I highly recommend checking out their cafe, and having a strawberry milkshake or one of their many other treats while you let the kids play on the playground. Their strawberry picking time for this year has listed opening day for Friday, June 6!

BIRAK BERRY FARM

200 No 6 Road, Richmond

This 50 acre strawberry field is already open for picking! The farm is open seven days a week from 8 am – 9 pm. And while there may be no bells and whistles, there are certainly lots of good strawberries! Charging $5 a pound.

SURREY FARMS

U-Pick is available at two locations: 4981 King George Blvd and 5180 152 Street, Surrey 

Surrey farms offers a number of u-pick berry options including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, red and black currants and gooseberries. They are offering u-pick now and are open daily 9 am – 6 pm, weather permitting.

KRAUSE BERRY FARMS

6179-248th Street, Aldergrove

This is another family favourite spot to head for berries and lots lots more! Plan to spend a whole morning or afternoon picking berries, playing on the playground and sampling fresh made waffles, berry pies and more! The strawberry U-Pick fields are now open!

DRIEDIGER FARMS

23823 72 Ave, Langley 

Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Red Currants and Blackberry U-pick fields are open during the berry season as they become available. The strawberry U-Pick is now open. Bring your own buckets, or purchase one there for $2. Strawberry pricing is $3.50 per pound.

MAAN FARMS

790 McKenzie Rd, Abbotsford

U-Pick strawberries are not quite available yet at Maan farms – but they should be any day, so be sure to check their website or social media. This is a farm that has so much to offer, including visiting the barnyard animals, a zipline, pedal go-karts, a jumping pillow and more – but you must purchase an entry ticket to enjoy all of this fun.

WILLEM’S BERRY FARM

33736 Vye Rd, Abbotsford

Willem’s family farm offers u-pick raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries in season. U-Pick strawberries are now available, but always check the website first or call to check availability. Visitors are highly encouraged to bring your own buckets to reduce waste, but containers are also sold at the farm stand.

Where to Find Vancouver’s Best Easter Events

07.03.2024

There are some truly egg-cellent events taking place in and around Vancouver all Easter long weekend, and in the week leading up to the holiday. Check out some of my favourite Easter events and activities listed below!

THE STANLEY PARK EASTER TRAIN

March 29 – April 1, Stanley Park Train

The Stanley Park Easter train is coming back for the long weekend. It will be running daily from 10 am – 4 pm. Guests can look forward to a family friendly atmosphere and visits from the Easter bunny. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, March 12 at noon. Tickets will not be available on site.

BEAR CREEK PARK EASTER TRAIN

March 16 – April 1st, Bear Creek Park, Surrey

A very fun Easter train experience along with an egg hunt, arts and crafts, meet the Easter bunny, games and even a petting zoo.

SCUBA BUNNY

March 23 – April 1, The Vancouver Aquarium

Family favourite Scuba Bunny is back, swimming alongside other aquatic friends during unforgettable daily dive shows at the B.C. Wild Coast!

HOPPY HEIGHTS AT THE CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE

March 16 – April 1, Capilano Suspension Bridge, North Vancouver

Hop on over to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park for egg-citing Spring Break adventures. The Park will be decorated for spring and will host special Easter-themed activities, presenting you and your family with the perfect way to enjoy the start of spring.

THE BIG EASTER RUN

March 30, Jericho Beach Park

This holiday themed fun run tours picturesque Jericho Beach Park. A great run for the whole family, there are 1 km, 3 km, 5 km and 10 km races. There is an egg hunt following the kids races.

ALDOR ACRES

March 29 – April 1, 24990 84 Ave, Langley

We visited this farm last Easter long weekend, and I just booked our tickets to go back this year! There are so many animals to visit and our favourite thing by far was getting up close and personal with all of the babies, especially the baby bunnies and kittens.

MEADOWS FAMILY FARM

March 29 – April 1, 12377 248th Street, Maple Ridge

This family spring event will feature all day Easter egg hunts, face painting, photos with the Easter bunny,. bunny maze, train rides, playground, jumping pillow and visit your favourite farm animals.

LOFT COUNTRY FARM

March 29 – April 1, 2640 248 St, Langley 

Enjoy an egg hunt, pony rides, horse drawn carriage rides, petting zoo, fun zone and more!

TAVES FAMILY FARM

March 29 – March 31, 333 Gladwin Rd, Abbotsford

Enjoy an egg hunt, hay rides, live entertainment, pedal carts, animal time, and great Easter treats at this family farm.

MAAN FARMS

March 29 – March 31, 790 McKenzie Rd, Abbotsford

Experience Baby Animal Easter Days at Maan Farms. Meet baby animals, try some Egg-cellent Ice Cream, and gallivant with the Easter Bunny. Don’t forget to hunt for the Golden Egg to win the grand prize! Fun for the whole family.

GREENDALE ACRES FARM

March 29 – March 31, 41905 Yale Rd W, Chilliwack

Easter weekend is opening weekend at Greendale Acres. This is a favourite spot for our family with so much to do! They will run an egg hunt in the apple orchard and every child receives a goodie bag for their efforts. There will also be photos with the Easter bunny, baby animal displays, Easter food specials and more.

EASTER EGG HUNT AT DR. SUN YAT-SEN GARDEN

11 am – 2 pm, March 31, Dr. Sun Hat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Vancouver

Come search high and low for Easter eggs in the Chinese garden. Plus enjoy a magic show, popcorn, arts and crafts and more!

EASTER PARADE IN LADNER

March 31st at 1 pm, Delta Street, Ladner

Join for this annual parade on Easter Sunday when we stroll through Ladner Village with the Easter Bunny and the Delta Police Pipe Band. The parade begins at 1 p.m. at the corner of Delta Street and Bridge Street and proceeds down Delta Street to an Easter egg hunt at Memorial Park. Don’t forget to wear your bunny ears and decorate your bike, wagon or stroller.

EASTER AT THE CANNERY

March 29 – March 31, Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Steveston

Join for some fish-tastic activities including crafts, story-time and a salmon-themed scavenger hunt.

EASTER AT BRITANNIA MINE MUSEUM

March 29 – April 1, Britannia Mine Museum, Britannia Beach

Event admission includes a special seasonal underground tour and access to the BOOM! experience in the historic Mill No. 3. After your guided experience, you can complete a self-led scavenger hunt. Visitors who successfully find all of the mineral clues on site can earn a special geological prize!

 

 

Where to Find the Best Pumpkin Patches and Fall Fun

28.09.2023

RICHMOND COUNTRY FARMS

12900 Steveston Hwy, Richmond, BC

This awesome pumpkin patch opens this weekend – Saturday Sept 30th for the season. Ride hay wagons past the duck ponds and waterfalls to the fields out to the pumpkin fields.  The farm is decorated with corn stocks, sunflowers, whimsical decorations, and almost authentic buildings relocated from Transylvania.

Open weekdays 9 am – 4 pm, weekends 10 am – 4:30 pm

Tickets: Weekdays $15 per person (includes pumpkin), weekends $18 per person (extra pumpkins are $6 each)

EMMA LEA FARM

2727 Westham Island Rd, Delta, BC

This is one of our favourite places to go berry picking during the summer and they also run a pumpkin patch through October.

There are a wide variety of pumpkins and gourds to choose from and you can explore their “Oat Maze” to find jokes scattered throughout the field. You can also enjoy a hot apple cider from the Ice Cream Shoppe and warm up around the fire.

Open Thursday – Sunday 9 am – 5 pm for the month of October (good idea to call before you go to confirm)

No admission price, just pay for what you pick.

WESTHAM ISLAND

4690 Kirkland Road, Delta, BC

We have visited the Westham Island Herb Farm for our pumpkins before and had a great time. They usually have a good selection of u-pick pumpkins of all shapes and sizes as well as plenty to buy from the stand if you don’t want to trek out into the (often muddy) field. There is some other great produce and some hot drinks and treats to purchase.

Open from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

No price for admission to the farm, just pay for your pumpkins!

SOUTHLANDS HERITAGE FARM

6767 Balaclava Street, Vancouver, B.C.

At this small, urban farm you can check out the goats, sheep, chickens and horses while picking out your pumpkin from the old apple orchard.  Some of the pumpkins are grown on site and are brought in from Westham Island Herb Farm.

Open on weekends in October 9 am – 1 pm

RONDRISO FARMS

8390 172 Street, Surrey, BC

At Rondriso Farms you can enjoy a hayride down to the pumpkin fields and pick out your own pumpkin, or choose from an assortment of already-picked pumpkins.

There are also  mini-pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks and hay bales available for sale at the farm stand, and be sure to pay a visit to the cows and chickens.

Open starting September 30, weekdays 3 pm – 6 pm, weekends 10 am – 6 pm

Entrance is $6 per person (age 2 and up) and hayrides are $3 each

HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN PATCH EXPRESS AT BEAR CREEK

If you have a kid who loves trains then the Halloween Pumpkin Patch Express at Bear Creek is certainly one to check out! Forget the hay ride, here you get to ride a train to the pumpkin patch, choose your pumpkin and then ride the train back again once you are done. There are also crafts and food available.

Open October 1 – 31st 10 am – 4:30 pm.

It is $11.50 per person ages 2 and up. First come, first serve. No online tickets.

PORT KELLS NURSERIES

18730 88th Avenue Surrey, BC

At Port Kells Nurseries in Surrey there are outdoor play areas, animal attractions and a cedar maze. There is also an indoor sand pit, pumpkin display and chicken coop. Lots to keep the kids busy!

Opens October 1st and runs everyday 9 am – 6 pm.

Admission is free, just pay for your pumpkin.

HAZELMERE PUMPKIN PATCH

18507 20th Avenue, Surrey, BC

At Hazelmere Pumpkin patch you can take a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch and have fun at the play area, mini corn maze, petting zoo and animal areas. Pumpkins cost $2 and up depending on size.

Open now, weekdays 2 pm – 5 pm, weekends 10 am – 5 pm.

Admission is $7.50 per person, age 2 years and older on the weekdays and $10 on the weekends.

ART’S NURSERY OUTDOOR SCARECROW STROLL AND PUMPKIN PATCH

8940 192 Street, Surrey, BC

You can witness something unique at Art’s Nursery in addition to the pumpkin patch there are also more than 60 scarecrows on display!  Kids can also have fun with a scavenger hunt and on weekends there is live music and food trucks. The pumpkin patch here is a “pop-up pumpkin patch”, so don’t be expecting to head out into a field and pick your own from the vine.

Open now 9 am – 6 pm.

LOFT COUNTRY FARM

2640 248th Street, Langley, BC

Loft Country Farms is a ton of fun! Horse drawn rides to a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, pony rides, a giant jumping pillow, plus live action shoot out action in an old western town. Highly recommend!

Open September 30, open Friday – Sunday 10 am – 5 pm.

Weekday pricing $15 per person, $60 per family, weekends $17.50 per person (that is online ticketing pricing, prices at the door are $2 higher)

EAGLE ACRES

8796 240 Street, Langley, BC

There is a ton to do at Eagle Acres Farm and pumpkin patch. Enjoy a wagon ride out to the patch and take in the themed displays and corn maze. There are also more than 200 animals on this dairy farm and you can enjoy a fun walk through of all the animals.

Open now Friday – Sunday, Fridays 2 – 5 pm, weekends 10 am – 5 pm.

Adult Admission – $14 + Gst, Children/Seniors Admission – $12 + Gst, pumpkin price based on size.

ALDOR ACRES

24990 84 Ave, Langley, BC

Take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch and pick your own. This is one of the best farms for visiting with adorable animals! Pigs, ducks, goats, donkeys, chickens, sheep, bunnies, emus, horses, cows, & much more. There is also a farm market with fresh produce, preserves, meat, eggs and snacks. 

Open Daily 9 am – 6 pm. Buy tickets online.

Limited spaces are available so pre-purchase your tickets online. $15 per person, (anyone who can walk), $65 – Family Rate (2 parents and their own children). Pumpkin purchase is extra.

KRAUSE BERRY FARM

6179 248 St, Langley

This is a wonderful place to visit with so many yummy treats to enjoy! A favourite berry farm, Krause also does u-pick pumpkins. They also do an annual Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off with this year’s taking place October 7. Giant pumpkin growers from all over descend on Krause for this fun competition!

Open Wednesday – Sunday 9:30 am – 5 pm

LAITY PUMPKIN PATCH (NORTH AND SOUTH)

21145 128th Avenue, Maple Ridge, BC

Another pumpkin patch where you can probably spend a full day because there is so much to do – including a Farmer Play Centre, Tractor Wagon Ride past emus, goats, ducks and geese; One-acre Cornstone Family Corn Maze, explore the Fairy Tale Woods, pan for gold and try out the obstacle course.

There are actually two different Laity pumpkin patches, they are both across the road from one another but one has more activities aimed at a younger crowd (children under 5 or so) while the other pumpkin patch has activities for older kids. So something for everyone!

Opens September 30, weekdays 12 pm – 5 pm, weekdays 9 am – 5 pm

Tickets are $10 per person (age 3 and up) on weekdays, $13 on weekdays.

TAVES FARMS

333 Gladwin Rd, Abbotsford, BC

The magical pumpkin garden at Taves Farms opens for the season on October 1. The farm offers a huge variety of pumpkins shapes and colours, including some heirloom pumpkins in blush pink, blue, and white . In addition to the pumpkin patch there are slides, a petting barn, corn maze, pedal carts, jumping pillow and more.

The farm is open everyday from 9:30 am – 5:30 pm.

Admission prices vary depending on how much access to the farm fun you are looking for.

MAAN FARMS

790 McKenzie Road, Abbotsford, BC

At Maan Farms you can just hit up the pumpkin patch or you can visit the entire fall festival they offer (different admission prices for whether you are doing the whole festival or just the pumpkin patch). At Maan you will find the Barnyard Adventureland featuring a zip line, pedal kart track, giant tire crawl, play fortress, jumping pillow, and giant slides. There is also an animal play area with goats and hay wagon rides. You can spend a whole day enjoying this farm!

Open now everyday 9 am – 6 pm.

GREENDALE ACRES FARM

41905 Yale Road West, Chilliwack, BC, Exit 109 off Hwy 1

Greendale Acres aka the Chilliwack Corn Maze is a really special place. Highly recommend heading out to see their incredible Corn Maze (the design changes every year) and visit the Pumpkin Patch (over 15 varieties of pumpkins growing). Hay Rides, Giant Jumping Pillow, Pedal Cart Track, Corn Sandbox, Sports Zone, Picnic and Fire Pit areas, Giant Slide and more.

Open all through October, weekdays 2 pm – 9 pm, weekends and holidays 9 am – 7 pm

Admission is $18 on weekends and $16 on weekdays, 2 and under are free.

Happy Fall everyone! And don’t forget to dress for mud, boots and all, when you head out there to the pumpkin patch!