Childhood, with a Cherry on Top

An imperfect childhood is not immune to great memories.  I remember more than a few summer days of my youth spent bored, lazy and stranded at home.  But these days it’s the shining moments that are bright — memories unique to me and therefore special.  Like the four-foot tall, stuffed and intricately adorned Indian parade elephant that my parents rescued from our movie prop-guy neighbor.  For me and my sisters, no playground climbing structure could compete for a long time.  The elephant that was headed into someone’s trash is now one of the jewels that fills the coffer of our collective memory.  Or the year a missing Santa costume nevertheless revealed my dad in a red (bath)robe and a cotton ball beard. Not the best get up, but definitely one of the best memories. Or our family cherry picking trips. Yes, cherry picking.

Except for what seemed like a really long ride, cherry picking was not an unnatural thing for three little girls from Hollywood. Once we stepped foot on the orchard, all our ‘normal’ rules evaporated with the smog.  We were allowed to run a lot faster, eat as much sweet stuff as we wanted and most importantly climb that otherwise forbidden ladder that seemed to escalate forever into cherry heaven.  What a trip!  We didn’t know or care that the air we were breathing was a little fresher, the playground we were enjoying was a little more natural and the unprocessed sweets we were devouring were that much healthier.  The best part was at the end of the day, at least five baskets full of tree-ripened cherries provided tasty snacks for us, our friends and extended family for the next two weeks.

In speaking with the smaller Cherry Orchards for this article I discovered that cherry picking programs are not a big money-making operation for our local farmers.  Fickle weather and development are leading to smaller crops whose returns don’t quite tip the profit scale.  Still, instead of just writing off cherry crops, some of them are looking to expand operations and provide other activities that will help subsidize the trees.

I for one am thankful.  As long as there are cherry groves close enough for a cherry picking adventure, it will always be on my list of experiences to pass on to my daughter. Because, though I may not be able to fully guarantee perfection every day of her youth, I’d still like to provide her a childhood with a cherry on top.

For your own cherry picking journey, you can head north to Leona Valley or East to Cherry Valley — both are just about an hour or so away. Cherry picking season usually starts this time in June, but unless we mention the schedule of a farm we’ve contacted, call other orchards directly before heading out that way.

Mile High Cherry Orchard at Riley’s Farm
12929 Mile High Road, Cherry Valley, California 92223
(909) 797-5145
Mondays-Saturdays (late June)
Website

The weather wasn’t as kind to some of the Cherry Orchards in Cherry Valley, California, but a recent hail storm didn’t threaten the crop of cherries waiting for the picking at the Riley’s Mile High Ranch in the hills above Cherry Valley.  Ten acres of 1500 cherry trees will offer about 6-8 weeks of good fruit this season, with your choice of Giants, Lamberts and Rainiers. Owner Scott Riley reminds everyone to wear proper cherry picking gear, or long pants and closed-toe shoes. Riley confirms that no pesticides are used on the orchard, partly due to the cherry’s pest resistant qualities.  But the cherries are not bear-resistant, so if you see one up in a tree, remember the tips and guidelines the Rileys kindly share with you upon your arrival.  Mondays to Fridays everyone gets in free and you pay only what you buy of $5, $10, $15, $25, or $45 baskets.  Saturdays each person in your group will pay $5 for a one pint bucket. (Note: while you’re out at the Riley Farm, check out their other fresh fruits you can pick yourself including strawberries, raspberries and blackberries!)

Directions: From the I-10 Freeway, take the Beaumont Ave exit and proceed north to Orchard St, turn right (east). After a half block veer left (northeast) on to Ave. Miravilla. Take Ave. Miravilla 1 mile, turn left (north) on Mile High Rd. 6 miles to the end of pavement. Follow signs to barn.

Big John’s Cherry Ranch
9258 Leona Avenue, Leona Valley, CA 93551 (661) 270-9565
Call for crop conditions
Website

Go to this smaller cherry farm in the heart of Leona Valley to experience a real family orchard that is both owned and operated by the family.  Part of the Leona Valley Cherry Grower’s Association, Big John’s follows organic methods and guarantees pesticide free fruit, with “absolutely no Round-Up™, herbicides, insecticides, or pesticides.” More than 300 large and mature cherry trees on 2 ½ acres of flat ground provides lots of shade for running, picnicking and cherry hunting.  Choose from a wide variety of cherries, including Bings, Utah Giants, Black Tartarians, Brooks, Early Burlats, and Rainers.

Gary Shafer planted his cherry trees a mere 8 years ago; they started bearing fruit four years ago; and now Villa del Sol is the largest cherry farm in the Leona Valley area.  Opening day this past weekend attracted 250 cars and Sherriff’s deputies checking in to see that everything was okay.  More than 200 car loads of cherry pickers seems appropriate for the slightly sloping 26 acres that are home to 4,000 cherry trees, no fruits of which are sold commercially.  The all “you pick” farm is also the only one in the area that’s open seven days a week during cherry picking season.  Because the fruits of different varieties and trees ripen gradually, Shafer and his crew will walk visitors to the best locations on the farm for the day’s pickings.  Bings, Brooks and Rainiers will be available until July 6 this year.  Cherries are $3 per pound.

Directions: 14 Freeway to Palmdale Blvd., west til it turns into Elizabeth Lake Road. At corner of Elizabeth Lake Road and Godde Hill Road.