Explore Yolo County Farms, Wineries and Restaurants
You heard it here first: Yolo County is primed to become California’s next big agritourism destination. Just a short drive from Sacramento and the Bay Area, Yolo County is a delightful day trip or an easy weekend getaway. Here’s why we think Yolo County should be on your road trip radar – along with a few of our favorite ways to experience this underrated region.
Where is Yolo County?
Before we dive in, let’s get our bearings: where exactly is Yolo County? Situated along the northern edge of California’s Central Valley, Yolo County sits about 30 minutes west of Sacramento. It borders Napa County to the west, which speaks to Yolo’s potential to produce incredible wines and makes it a worthwhile boondoggle for wine lovers headed towards Napa or Sonoma.
While Yolo County is known for its rich farmland and rural charm, it’s still remarkably accessible. San Francisco is only about an hour away (traffic permitting, of course).
What crops grow in Yolo County?
Yolo County is an agricultural powerhouse – where over 1500 farms grow over 80 different crops over almost half a million acres. Almonds, tomatoes, winegrapes, rice, pistachios and walnuts are the area’s most valuable crops – but many of the farms in the region are incredibly diversified. As you travel down Yolo County’s backroads, you’ll find U-pick stonefruit, berry and flower farms, certified organic fruit and vegetable farms, wine and olive oil tasting rooms, and farm stands overflowing with fresh, locally grown produce.
Why is Yolo County a great place to farm?
Farming is good in Central California because it is blessed with a temperate climate and fertile soil, and Yolo County is certainly no exception. The region’s favorable growing conditions support year-round production, enabling many farms to provide permanent employment for their crews. This stability offers farmworkers a more dependable livelihood and greater opportunities for professional advancement.
Obviously, diversity and productivity are important to economic sustainability, but the farmers we spoke with consistently praised the community as the region’s greatest asset. Local residents are not only supportive of farmers and farmworkers but also committed to protecting the agricultural community. Several farmers noted that support is evident in county policies that help agriculture continue to thrive.
Another advantage of farming in Yolo County is the proximity to the University of California at Davis, which has deep roots in agricultural research. Located just about 30 minutes away, many local growers collaborate with the university on crop trials and ongoing research, giving them direct access to cutting-edge agricultural innovations and advancements.
Why should you make Yolo County your agritour destination?
During early spring, much of the county is covered in pastel-pink almond blossoms, and simply put, Yolo County is idyllic.
Visitors flock for miles to follow the Yolo County Blossom Trail as spring rains transform the rolling hills surrounding the Capay Valley into a lush carpet of green. As the seasons shift toward summer, the landscape fades to waves of golden grass swaying softly in the breeze.
The small towns that dot the county are no less enchanting. Woodland, one of Yolo County’s largest towns (with a whopping 60,000 residents), boasts unique agritourism experiences like The Center for Land-Based Learning and even a honey tasting room. Downtown Winters is known for its fabulous farm-to-table restaurants, local wineries and taprooms – hardly surprising given its proximity to some of the state’s most coveted produce. As you head east, towards the small town of Guinda and the Capay Valley, accommodations become more sparse, but the community is no less welcoming. Many farms welcome visitors for farm tours and seasonal farm dinners, allowing guests an authentic taste of Yolo County.
What to do in Yolo County
Every good getaway has three important components – fabulous food and wine, memorable activities and welcoming accommodations. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Yolo County.
Enjoy a farm-to-table meal
Some of the state’s most celebrated chefs feature Yolo County produce on their menus. With easy access to the area’s agricultural bounty, many Yolo County chefs are drawn to seasonal menus featuring locally grown produce and products. Several local farms host monthly dinners, where guests gather outdoors to savor farm-to-fork meals crafted with the season’s freshest ingredients – straight from the surrounding fields.
Preserve
Gene Hall, head chef at Preserve, embraces a unique approach to farm-to-table dining – preserving produce at its peak, incorporating preserved ingredients into every dish. This allows the menu to “play outside the seasons”. Be sure to check out the drink menu as well, which features craft cocktails with preserved-fruit elements, alongside local wines like Turkovich, Berryessa, and Ophiolite, available by the bottle and on tap.
Buckhorn Steakhouse
Buckhorn Steakhouse is another local favorite. The throwback saloon vibe complements the old-fashioned feel of downtown Winters beautifully. John Martin, owner of Park Winters, raves about their Fire Roasted Artichoke, but the real gem is their extensive, regionally-focused wine list.
The Hive
The Hive in Woodland offers another unique riff on farm-to-fork dining. Every item on the tapas-style menu features a different varietal honey, chosen to complement the specific flavors of each dish. Guests can even enjoy a mead tasting (made with California honey, of course)!
Full Belly Farm
From March through November, Full Belly Farm invites guests to enjoy a hyper-seasonal meal at their farmhouse, showcasing the freshest flavors on the farm. These monthly dinners sell out almost immediately, so follow Full Belly Farms on Instagram for the latest information. Full Belly also offers more relaxed Pizza Nights – think picnic-style pizza, salad and ice cream on the lawn. Bonus, after dinner, guests are encouraged to shop the on-site farm stand to stock up on produce, pickles, jams, dried fruit, and more!
Pole Star Farms
From May through September, Pole Star Farms hosts elegant farm-to-table dinners in the orchard, incorporating the farm’s figs, apricots and lemons while featuring produce from local favorites like Full Belly and Riverdog Farm.
Park Winters
If you’re spending the weekend in Yolo County, plan for brunch at Park Winters. Enjoy a lovely farm-to-fork meal, then explore the gorgeous grounds.
Schedule a wine, honey, or olive oil tasting
Yolo County offers plenty of delicious opportunities to taste local wine, olive oil and even boasts California’s first honey tasting room.
Berryessa Gap Winery
Known for their unique field blends and impressive Petit Sirah, Berryessa Gap Winery is a Yolo County favorite. Stop in to their convenient Downtown Winters tasting room or get a sneak peek of their estate vineyard at the Estate Tasting Room just outside of town. If you’re visiting during the fall, consider reserving a Harvest Tour and Tasting. This experience offers a behind-the-scenes look at press and production, and a guided tasting of five Berryessa Gap wines.
Turkovich Family Wines
This family-owned winery specializes in Rhone and Spanish varieties. With nearly two dozen wines to choose from, you might find yourself wondering where to start.
Winemaker Luciana Turkovich adores the Blanc de Blanc and Albarino. Her husband, Chris, who also manages the vineyards, suggests the Syrah Viognier. Still can’t make up your mind? Luckily, the tasting room stays open until 9 pm on weekends, so you’ll have time to enjoy more than one glass.
Taber Ranch Vineyard and Event Center
Taber Ranch is a little off the beaten path, but that certainly doesn’t make this Capay tasting room any less lively. Enjoy live music and dance classes while sipping estate wine at this pet and family-friendly winery and event center.
Séka Hills
At Séka Hills, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation produces wine, olive oil, honey and more on their ancestral lands. Visit their stunning tasting room to get a behind-the-scenes look at how olive oil is made and to sample their sustainably produced wine, olive oil and honey.
Visit a U-pick Farm
Flowers and berries and stone fruit, oh my! Get your hands dirty at one of these Yolo County U-pick farms.
Park Winters
Just a few minutes outside of Winters, this stunning U-pick flower farm celebrates seasonality. From February through November, Park Winters offers a Pick Your Own Bouquet experience. Guests are given a bucket and clippers and set loose to stroll through the flower farm, creating the perfect flower arrangement.
Capay Valley Lavender
Is there anything more relaxing than the scent of fresh lavender? If you’re visiting Yolo County during the month of June, head to Capay Valley Lavender for an unforgettable, aromatic U-pick experience!
Pacific Star Gardens
Pacific Star Gardens is one of Yolo County’s most popular u-pick destinations. Check their Facebook page before visiting the farm, as guests are sometimes a little too enthusiastic and pick the field clean! While their 10 different varieties of strawberries are the main attraction, Pacific Star Gardens also offers u-pick blackberries, apricots and more.
Meager Family Zinnia Patch
From June through September, visit Meager Family Zinnia Patch and collect technicolor flowers to your heart’s content. Bonus: it’s completely free – and open from sunup to sundown, seven days a week!
Impossible Acres
During the summer months, Impossible Acres offers U-pick blackberries, raspberries and peaches. When fall rolls around, Impossible Acres transforms into one of Yolo County’s most beloved pumpkin patches, complete with a tractor ride, corn maze, and lots of friendly farm animals.
Look for classes, events and festivals
Once you’ve nailed down your dates, check to see if your visit will coincide with any local events or festivals. These gatherings often offer the opportunity to explore farms that aren’t always open to the public. Keep an eye out for the following events:
February: Capay Valley Almond Festival
April: Spring Plant Sale and Open Farm Day at Good Humus
April: Field Day at Hedgerow Farms
August: Peach Party at Good Humus
October: Hoes Down Harvest Festival at Full Belly Farm
October: Day of the Dead Wreathmaking Class at Park Winters
November: Olive Crush Festival at Séka Hills
Monthly: Ag Education Speaker Series at Center for Land-Based Learning
Follow Visit Yolo County and your favorite farms on social to stay up to date with the latest information!
Where to stay in Yolo County
While there are plenty of chain hotels in the larger towns along Yolo County’s eastern edge, staying in one of the smaller rural communities gives visitors a chance to fully embrace the area’s charm. Our top recommendation is Park Winters. Located just a few minutes outside downtown Winters, it offers a peaceful blend of country luxury and refined hospitality. Admittedly, it’s the priciest option – but if you’re celebrating a special event or feeling like a splurge, Park Winters is pure perfection.
Hotel Winters is another excellent option – especially if you prefer to explore on foot. Guests are within walking distance of a great selection of shops, restaurants, and tasting rooms, making it an ideal base for experiencing downtown Winters.
For those who prefer to stay closer to the farmland and scenic beauty of Capay Valley, Cache Creek Casino Resort offers a comfortable and convenient option.
Take a taste of Yolo County home with you
Maybe you can’t extend your trip indefinitely, but you can still bring a taste of Yolo County home with you. If you live within a few hours of the region, keep an eye out for Yolo County farms at your local farmers market or consider joining a CSA program. Many farms offer CSA pickups ranging from Sacramento all the way to Mendocino.
Wine also makes an excellent souvenir, and if you discover a favorite bottle during your visit, most Yolo County wineries make it easy to order more later—or simply stock up on your next trip. Once you’ve experienced Yolo County, chances are you’ll find yourself returning again and again.
Article by Hilary Rance. Photography by Hilary Rance and James Collier. Aerial photo of Park Winters courtesy of Park Winters.