Address: 25 Swanton Drive Davenport, Ca. 95017
Founded in 1983 by Jim Cochran, Swanton Berry Farm became the first certified organic strawberry farm in California. Rented 4 acres of land, bought an old tractor, planted and cultivated 4 acres of strawberries. Swanton Berry Farm also became the first organic farm to sign a contract with the United Farm Workers, AFL-CIO in 1998. They support and take great care of their fruits, produce, and loyal farmworkers. The organic farm is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
It took us about an hour drive from Daly City and it’s 56 miles via CA-1 South Cabrillo Highway North. Our drive to the ranch was very scenic and relaxing on Hwy-1 towards Santa Cruz. The Swanton Berry Farm is before Highway 1 Davenport Beach and it’s a good stopover on your way to Santa Cruz, California. It has easy access on and off from the freeway and we parked on a large gravel and dirt parking area. The organic farm ranch also has a porta-potty available for customers located in front of the farmhouse by the parking area. My daughter and wife enjoyed the clean outdoor picnic tables on a grassy area that overlooks the beach across the road.
We were surprised to see a wide variety of organic jams inside the farmhouse such as organic pies, fruit jams, lemonade, merchandise, organic corn, and many more. They also sell drinks such as strawberry lemonade for $5. We bought a slice of blueberry pie for $7, strawberry cheesecake for $7, three jars of their organic jams (strawberry, rhubarb, and Olallieberry for $13 each. There were also fresh strawberries on a basket that sells for $6 each, organic sweet corn 2 for $3, strawberry and tayberry truffles for $3 each, strawberry cheesecake for $7 per slice. The pies were not too sweet but delicious with a good crust that is not too flaky or buttery. There is no seating available inside the farmhouse but has outdoor picnic tables that are ideal for a countryside picnic experience. My daughter loved the fact that the picnic tables were situated near the strawberry field where you pick them yourself. We didn’t get to do the u-pick strawberries experience since it was closed for the season. (off-season). And it’s a self-pay, honor system where you calculate the total costs, place the money inside the cash register, and get your change. We were lucky enough that there was a helpful worker that assisted us with our purchase since there was a long line of customers.
Tips: Try to get there earlier on weekends due to large crowds and wear your masks when going inside the farmhouse. You can also visit the Pie Ranch, Shark Fin Cove, and the small town of Davenport. Pie Ranch also has a variety of freshly baked organic pies that they sell. Don’t forget to stop by at all the beautiful beaches along Highway 1 coast.
Let me know if you have any questions or what you think about Swanton Berry Farm after your visit in the comments below. And kindly subscribe, comment, and share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.