The 118 freeway cuts through Ventura County farmland where strawberry fields and citrus groves still outnumber housing tracts, and two Underwood Family Farms locations let LA families pick their own berries without worrying about the supply-chain issues that trigger grocery-store recalls. One farm charges five dollars for field access and focuses purely on berries; the other adds tractor rides and animal shows for a higher gate price. Both open daily at 9am, both let you harvest directly into your own baskets, and neither grows the blueberries currently making recall headlines—which means you can fill a flat of raspberries or blackberries with zero concern about where they've been before your kitchen.
Karpo tracks live picking schedules, admission prices, and crop availability at Underwood Family Farms in real time, so you know exactly what's ready to harvest before you drive out.
Why Underwood's berry fields stay open during recalls
When national blueberry recall headlines surface—most recently targeting frozen organic blueberries sold through major retailers—families hunting for safe, fresh berries turn to pick-your-own farms where they can see exactly what goes into their baskets. Underwood Family Farms operates two Ventura County locations that let you harvest directly from the plant, eliminating the supply-chain uncertainty that triggers recalls in the first place.
The Somis Farm Center at 5696 East Los Angeles Avenue focuses exclusively on berries: strawberries from April through mid-June, raspberries June through mid-November, and blackberries July through mid-November. Entry costs $5 per person to access the pick-your-own fields, with no additional gate admission. You pay only for what you pick—raspberries run $5.50 per pound, blackberries $4.50, strawberries $3.50 when in season. The farm opens at 9am daily and stays open until 6pm year-round, dropping to 5pm starting November 1, 2026.
Moorpark's larger operation at 3370 Sunset Valley Road charges $8 weekday admission or $12 on weekends and holidays (kids under two enter free), but that ticket includes tractor-drawn wagon rides through the orchards, access to the animal center with goats and chickens, and weekend animal shows. Moorpark's pick-your-own selection rotates through more crops across the year, though as of late August 2026 the berry focus mirrors Somis. Seniors 65-plus, military members, veterans, and first responders receive $2 off admission daily with valid ID.
What's actually ripe right now in late August
Raspberry canes at both locations hit their stride in late summer. By the third week of August, the June planting has matured into full production, and pickers report filling quart containers in twenty minutes. Blackberries overlap the raspberry season from July onward, offering a second option if one field looks picked over. Strawberry season closed in mid-June, and the next crop won't appear until late March 2027.
The farms post weekly updates on their "PYO This Week" pages, but those schedules lag real field conditions by a day or two. Weather affects ripening speed—the recent Southern California heat wave accelerated raspberry production, meaning midweek inventory can surprise weekend planners. If you're driving from LA specifically for berries, call ahead: Moorpark at 805-529-3690, Somis at 805-386-4660. Staff can confirm which fields are open and whether pull wagons remain available.
Neither location grows blueberries for pick-your-own harvest, which sidesteps the recall concern entirely but also means you won't find them in the fields. The farm markets at both sites do sell pre-picked blueberries during summer months, sourced from other California growers; if recalls worry you, stick to what you pick yourself.
Moorpark versus Somis: which farm fits your trip
Somis sits directly off the 118 freeway between Camarillo and Moorpark, making it the quicker hit for LA families who want berries and nothing else. The twelve-acre property keeps things simple: a farm market selling jams and produce, a small animal center with rabbits and chickens, and the berry fields. Parking is immediate, field access is fast, and you can be back on the freeway within ninety minutes of arrival if you pick efficiently.
Moorpark sprawls across more acreage and turns the visit into a half-day event. The tractor rides loop through vegetable fields and orchards for fifteen minutes, offering views of tomato rows, squash vines, and citrus groves. The animal center houses more species—goats, sheep, pigs, plus seasonal chicks in spring. Weekend animal shows run twice daily and teach kids about farm routines. If you have toddlers who tire of berry-picking after ten minutes, Moorpark's extra activities justify the higher admission.
Both farms allow you to bring your own containers, though they sell berry baskets and boxes at the entrance if you arrive empty-handed. Pull wagons make hauling toddlers and full baskets easier; Somis has fewer wagons than Moorpark, so early arrival matters more there. Neither farm requires reservations—you pay at the gate and head straight to the fields.
Timing your visit around heat and crowds
Summer picking means sun exposure. Both farms can hit 95°F by noon in August, and the berry rows offer zero shade. The farms recommend hats, sunscreen, and water bottles; Moorpark's farm market sells cold drinks, but Somis has limited refreshment inventory. Dress for dust—these are working farms, and irrigation mist doesn't eliminate the dirt that coats shoes and pant cuffs by the end of a picking session.
Weekday mornings before 10am deliver the best combination of cool air, ripe berries, and available wagons. Weekend crowds spike between 11am and 2pm, especially at Moorpark where the tractor rides and animal shows draw families treating the farm as a full outing rather than a produce run. Somis stays quieter overall because it lacks the entertainment add-ons, but Saturday mornings still see a rush of berry enthusiasts who know the $5 entry beats Moorpark's weekend rate.
Late afternoon offers a second good window if you can tolerate the heat. Crowds thin after 3pm, and the farms stay open until 6pm, giving you space to pick without navigating stroller traffic in the rows. Berries don't ripen further after midday sun, so quality stays consistent whether you arrive at 9am or 4pm.
What else the farms sell beyond berries
Both locations run farm markets stocked with produce grown on-site or sourced from nearby Ventura County growers. In late August, expect heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, summer squash, and stone fruit. The markets also carry Underwood's house-brand jams, salsas, and honey—popular gifts that don't require refrigeration if you're headed somewhere else after the farm.
Moorpark sells season passes for families who plan multiple visits: unlimited admission for a calendar year, which pays off if you come for strawberries in spring, tomatoes in summer, and pumpkins in fall. The 29th Annual Fall Harvest Festival runs September 26 through October 31, 2026, adding corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and hayrides to the regular admission. If you visit in late August and enjoy the setup, the season pass makes fall return trips cheaper.
Somis keeps a lower retail profile but offers FedEx shipping for gift baskets and bulk produce orders—useful if you pick more raspberries than your household can eat and want to send boxes to family elsewhere. The farm also vends at thirteen weekly farmers' markets across Ventura and LA counties; check their website for the schedule if you'd rather buy pre-picked Underwood produce closer to home than drive to the farm.
Practical notes
Underwood Family Farms operates two locations: Moorpark at 3370 Sunset Valley Road (open 9am–6pm daily, 5pm after November 1) and Somis at 5696 East Los Angeles Avenue (same hours). Moorpark charges $8 weekday, $12 weekend admission; Somis charges $5 for berry field access. From LA, take the 101 north to the 118 west; Somis is a direct freeway exit, Moorpark requires surface streets. Both farms close Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, and close at noon on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Parking is free. Pull wagons are first-come, first-served. Bring sunscreen, hats, water, and closed-toe shoes. Call ahead to confirm crop availability: Moorpark 805-529-3690, Somis 805-386-4660.
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Ask Karpo first
Ask Karpo to check current picking conditions at Underwood's Moorpark or Somis locations, compare weekend versus weekday admission rates, or map the fastest route from your LA neighborhood to either farm—including real-time 101 and 118 traffic windows.
