The Best Strawberry Picking in Orange County? Tanaka Farms
Let’s be real, it’s wonderful that we can buy strawberries year-round in California, but there’s nothing—absolutely nothing—like plucking a warm, sun-ripened berry straight from the vine and popping it into your mouth. It’s messy. It’s sweet. It’s sticky. It’s perfect. And if you’re lucky enough to be in Orange County during strawberry picking season, there’s one place that delivers all that magic on a wagon ride with a side of barnyard charm: Tanaka Farms.
This Isn’t Just Strawberry Picking. It’s an Experience.
Set in the heart of Irvine, this multi-generational farm is more than a patch of land growing produce—it’s a living, breathing experience rooted in sustainability, community, and a whole lot of strawberries.
🍓 Strawberry Picking at Tanaka Farms: What to Expect
Heading out to Tanaka Farms for strawberry picking? Here’s the inside scoop on what you’re really signing up for:
- A tractor-pulled wagon ride through the fields
- Stops to pick and taste fresh vegetables
- Strawberries by the handful (and yes, you get to eat while you pick!)
- Barnyard animals—rescued and charming—from cows to turkeys to chickens
- Smiling faces, picture-perfect backdrops, and a splash of strawberry juice on your shirt
As Farmer Kenny Tanaka puts it:
“The joy is seeing the kids eat the strawberries. They wear white shirts, and it makes a really good picture opportunity ’cause juice gets flowing down their shirt.”
Now that’s a memory.
🌱 The Roots of Tanaka Farms: Family, Grit, and a Whole Lot of Heart
Farming wasn’t always the plan for Kenny Tanaka. His parents tried to steer him away after hard times in the ’70s and ’80s. But like many things in life, the farm called him home.
“When I graduated college, we really got into agritourism…strawberry tours, pumpkin patch. That’s when they thought, okay, there’s room for you.”
That shift wasn’t just good timing—it was a game-changer. Agritourism became the heart of Tanaka Farms, not only keeping the business alive in the middle of urban Orange County but also turning it into a cherished gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
“Without agritourism, we really wouldn’t be able to stay here.”
Tanaka Farms grows everything from strawberries and watermelons to corn and pumpkins, syncing each season with a celebration:
- Spring: Strawberry picking tours
- Summer: Watermelon and corn festivals
- Fall: The big pumpkin patch
- Winter: The Hikari Festival of Lights—an illuminated wagon ride through the farm at night
🌎 Sustainable Farming in the Heart of the City
Here’s the kicker—Tanaka Farms is smack dab in the middle of Irvine. Freeways and neighborhoods surround the fields, but once you’re there, you forget it all. You’re on the farm. You’re grounded.
“You can’t tell you’re in the middle of the city…A lot of people that drive by every day don’t even know we’re here.”
Despite its location, Tanaka Farms is doing sustainability right. From drip irrigation to conscious spray practices, they’re farming with the environment in mind. And that care extends to their people as well.
“Our main foreman’s been with us since I was about eight years old…It just shows the family component we have at the farm.”
They hire students from local colleges, such as UCI and Concordia, to help with events, creating job opportunities and keeping the farm connected to the community.
📍 Why Strawberry Picking in Orange County Is So Special
If you think Orange County is all surfboards and tech startups, think again. This place is deeply rooted in ag history, with microclimates that are tailor-made for growing some of the best strawberries you’ll ever taste.
Farmer Kenny says it best:
“My favorite part about Orange County is the weather, of course…Pretty much 350 days out of the year, no rain.”
This ideal weather allows Tanaka Farms to grow year-round and to embrace the subtle shifts of the seasons, even if the sun always seems to shine.
And while Tanaka is a gem on its own, the region has other agritourism hotspots like The Ecology Center and Centennial Farms that make Orange County one of California’s best-kept secrets for food-loving families.
🍓 The Bigger Strawberry Picture: California’s Sweet Crown
Strawberries are more than just a sweet treat—they’re a powerhouse industry in California. Check this out:
- California produces nearly 90% of all U.S.-grown strawberries, across ~34,000 coastal acres
- That’s about 1.8 billion pounds of strawberries harvested last year alone!
- 206 million trays of fresh strawberries were packed, each picked entirely by hand
- Strawberries are available year-round thanks to smart farming—from SoCal in winter to NorCal in spring and summer
- During peak season, strawberry fields are picked every three days to keep up with nonstop fruit production
- And many of the over 300 strawberry growers in the state—in places like Watsonville, Santa Maria, Oxnard, and yes, Orange County—are multi-generational families just like the Tanakas. These families grow both organic and conventional berries with care.
🧱 Stories That Stick: The Legacy Wall
There’s something else that sets Tanaka Farms apart—something deeper than dirt and sweeter than strawberries.
“Our Legacy Wall…after the tsunami in Japan in 2011, my father started Walk the Farm…It’s about honoring Japanese American farmers before and after World War II.”
The wall stands as a tribute to history, resilience, and the impact of farming across generations and continents. It’s not just about growing food—it’s about remembering where we come from.
🐄 Farm Life Beyond the Berries
Still want more? Good. Because Tanaka Farms delivers on the full farm experience.
In addition to strawberry picking, you’ll find:
- A barnyard full of rescued animals like Ethel the cow (yes, she used to star in commercials!)
- A chicken coop, turkeys, sheep, and more
- Veggie picking and farm stand goodies
- Friendly staff who really love what they do (and it shows)
- Family-friendly seasonal events all year long
Farmer Kenny shared his favorite hidden local spot with us. It’s a sandwich joint called S’wich – because even farmers need a good lunch break, and we know you will too after a day on the farm.
💡 Tips Before You Go Strawberry Picking at Tanaka Farms
Before you load up the car and head to Irvine, here are a few things to know:
- Book ahead – Strawberry picking tours are popular, especially on weekends and school breaks.
- Wear clothes you don’t mind staining – The juice runs wild out here.
- Bring sunscreen and hats – The sun is part of the charm…and the challenge.
- Check the website – Event schedules, ticket info, and seasonal updates are all online at tanakafarms.com
- Leave room in your trunk – Between strawberries, veggies, and local products from the farm stand, you’ll want to stock up.
🎯 Why You Need to Go
Tanaka Farms isn’t just the best strawberry picking in Orange County, it’s a living example of what California agriculture looks like when you combine tradition, innovation, community, and a little strawberry juice running down your arm.
Whether you’re chasing that perfect berry, introducing your kids to where food comes from, or just looking to breathe a little deeper in the middle of a city, Tanaka Farms is where it’s at.
So go ahead—get out there. Pick strawberries. Meet a cow. Ride a tractor. Support local agriculture. And maybe, just maybe, fall a little bit in love with Orange County’s farming roots.
Ready to plan your visit?
👉 Visit TanakaFarms.com for all the details
📸 Share your strawberry-stained smiles with us using #CAGROWN
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