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Five dollars does not buy much these days. In one corner of Ventura County, though, it buys a ticket into rows of berries, a cart, a container, and the freedom to fill it yourself.
The farm sits right off a main road in Somis, California, and it has been drawing families, couples, and curious kids for more than two decades. There are goats waiting for snacks, alpacas posing near their pens, and a farm store stocked with produce and jams.
Some days bring a surprise or two, like mandarins ready for picking alongside strawberries. Keep reading to learn which fruits show up in which months, what to wear in the fields, how the pay-by-the-pound system works, and why this smaller, quieter farm has won so many loyal fans who keep coming back season after season.
A Farm Stand Off East Los Angeles Avenue
Some of the best outings start with an easy drive. Underwood Family Farms sits at 5696 E Los Angeles Ave, Somis, CA 93066, in Ventura County, California, and it is simple to find right off the main road.
The property is a working farm with a roadside market up front and u-pick fields stretching out behind it. Guests can wander the rows, pick fruit, visit farm animals, and shop for fresh produce before heading home.
It holds a 4.7-star standing from 640 Google reports, which says a lot about how people feel after a visit. That is a strong showing for a place built around dirt, berries, and goats.
Families make up a big share of the crowd. Couples show up too, and so do grandparents who want an easy morning outdoors with the little ones.
The Somis location is the smaller sibling of the farm’s Moorpark site. That smaller size turns out to be a big part of its charm, as the next sections will show.
Two Decades of Growing Loyalty
Long-time fans of the farm remember when it was a much smaller operation, back around 2000 and 2001. Many of those same families are still coming today.
That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident. The staff here are known for sharing the history of the farm with guests, so a casual question can turn into a mini lesson on how the place grew.
Over the years, the farm has become a spot for all kinds of milestones. Some couples had their very first date in its strawberry rows.
Other families have hosted birthday parties here, including a toddler’s third birthday during the fall season. Relatives visiting from overseas have tasted berries fresh off the stem for the first time on these grounds.
Through all of it, the farm has kept a homegrown, family-run feel. The name on the sign is not just branding, it is a description of the whole experience.
Plenty of farms come and go, but this one keeps putting down roots in local memories.
How the $5 Pick Works
Here is the deal that makes this farm so appealing. You pay a small entry fee to go pick, then you pay only for the fruit you actually take home.
Recent guests reported a $5 fee to head into the fields. Years ago it was just $3, so the price has crept up only a little over time.
Once you are inside, the staff hand over carts and plastic containers. They will often point you toward the best rows and help you get started.
Fruit is sold by the pound after picking. Reported prices range from about $3.50 per pound for strawberries, the cheapest option, up to around $6.50 per pound for other berries.
Admission to the farm grounds and parking have both been described as free, with the fee tied to picking. That makes it easy to stop by just to browse the market or see the animals.
Prices and fees can change by season, so checking the farm website before heading out is a smart move. A quick look can save a surprise at the register.
Berry Rows Through the Seasons
Timing is everything in the berry business. The Somis fields grow strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, and each one has its own window.
Strawberries are a springtime favorite, with April picking trips coming up often. Blueberry season tends to land in April and May, so missing that stretch means waiting a full year.
Raspberries are a standout here. Fans of that fruit call this farm their perfect spot, and some summer trips have turned up plentiful bushes.
Blackberries can be a little less predictable. On some visits they are not fully ready, though there are usually enough ripe ones to make the trip worthwhile.
Word around the farm is that July and August can be even better for mixed berry picking. Those months bring a lot of fruit ready at once.
Since seasons shift from year to year, the farm recommends checking what is available before you go. A quick call or website visit keeps berry dreams on track.
Mandarins, Lavender, and Other Surprises
Berries may steal the spotlight, but they do not have the fields all to themselves. Lucky guests sometimes arrive on a day when mandarins are ready for picking right off the branch.
That is where the headline promise really comes to life. Pulling a mandarin from a tree is a simple thrill, and kids tend to love it.
Lavender is another option on certain trips. Staff have been known to share tips on how to properly dry it at home, so a bundle can last well beyond the day.
The farm also offers vegetables in its picking areas. Families have mentioned harvesting fresh vegetables between animal visits, turning the trip into a mini grocery run.
Some guests leave with garlic and onions from the market too. It is a reminder that the farm grows far more than dessert fruit.
Because availability rotates, every visit can look a little different. That unpredictability is part of the fun, and it gives regulars a reason to keep checking back.
Goats, Alpacas, and a Few Feathered Friends
Ask a kid what they liked best and the answer might not be fruit at all. The animal area is a huge draw, with goats, alpacas, sheep, llamas, and chickens all part of the lineup.
Goats get the most attention by far. The farm has a goat habitat that guests rave about, plus benches nearby for grown-ups who want a break.
Feeding the animals is allowed from a distance. Small bags of oats are sold for the goats, and some feeders take quarters, so bringing coins is a good idea.
The pens are known for being clean and well kept. The animals themselves look healthy and well cared for, which matters to parents and animal lovers alike.
Some people visit just to feed the animals and skip picking entirely. With free admission to the grounds, that is an easy and affordable outing.
Little ones and babies especially enjoy seeing the goats up close. It is the kind of stop that can fill a whole half hour without anyone noticing.
The Market Up Front
Not every trip has to involve getting your hands dirty. The farm store near the entrance offers a big selection of fruits and vegetables already picked and ready to buy.
The roadside stand also carries jams and preserves. A triple berry option has earned a loyal following.
Seasonal produce rotates through the shelves. Yellow watermelon, for example, shows up in August and September and has fans who plan trips around it.
There is one thing worth knowing before you shop. Not everything in the market is grown on site, as some items come from local and Los Angeles sources.
Some products can also cost more than at a typical grocery chain. Keeping an eye on your basket helps avoid a surprise at checkout.
Still, the market makes it easy to round out a picking haul. Grab a jar of jam, a few vegetables, and you are set for the week.
Smaller Crowds, Easier Days
Bigger is not always better. Compared with the Moorpark location, the Somis farm is more low-key and less crowded, and that is exactly why many families choose it.
Moorpark offers more activities and attractions. Somis focuses on the essentials: picking, animals, a play area, and a good store.
For parents with toddlers, that simpler setup can be a relief. Shorter lines mean less waiting and more picking.
Couples looking for a relaxed date also enjoy the quieter pace. Strolling through the fields together makes for an easy afternoon.
The farm also has things for kids to climb on and play around. It adds some extra fun without turning the visit into a theme park.
Even the fall pumpkin patch here has been called just the right size, without too many people on weekends. Some guests even pair the two farms, picking in Moorpark and then heading to Somis for blueberries.
Calm, it turns out, is a feature.
Hats, Water, and Smart Shoes
A little planning goes a long way in open fields. The farm can get very hot, so bringing drinking water is a must.
Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended. Hats and comfortable long sleeves help protect against the sun and some of the scratchy plants along the rows.
Going early is another popular tip. Morning trips beat both the heat and the crowds.
Portable restrooms are placed throughout the farm. That makes longer stays easier, especially with kids.
Take care with fruit once it is home too. Fresh-picked berries are best enjoyed soon, as some can start to soften by evening on the same day.
Bring a few quarters for the animal feeders as well. Small coins can make a big difference for a kid who wants to feed the goats.
Pack light, dress smart, and the fields will feel a lot friendlier.
Open Daily and Worth the Drive
Good news for busy calendars. The farm is open every day of the week, from 9 AM to 6 PM.
That steady schedule makes weekday trips just as easy as weekend ones. Seasonal events, like the spring fest and the fall festival with its pumpkin patch, add extra reasons to return.
The overall verdict is warm. Staff are friendly and helpful, the grounds are clean, and the fruit is often fresh and full of flavor.
Not every batch is perfect. Some strawberries in late May have been less sweet than hoped, and part of what you pay for is the experience itself.
Kids also come away with a new respect for how much work goes into harvesting food. That lesson might be the best souvenir of all.
For more details or seasonal updates, the farm website at underwoodfamilyfarms.com/somis is the place to check. Five dollars, a cart, and a sunny morning in Somis can add up to a pretty sweet day.
