Nestled in the heart of Northern California, Yolo County is a rich agricultural region defined by idyllic farmlands, rolling vineyards and charming small towns. It offers an ideal setting for agritourism and visitors will have their pick of unique experiences.
Agritourism might elicit images of a rustic farm stay complete with milking cows and pitching hay. Working vacations aside, agritourism encompasses a range of experiences, from wine tasting to farm tours, food festivals to farm dinners — all of which are offered in Yolo County. But these types of experiences aren’t limited to sunny summer days; agriculture is a year-round affair in Yolo County, and naturally, so is agritourism! So, if you’re interested in exploring the farms and food of Yolo County, following is a season-by-season guide to agritourism.
Spring
Spring in Yolo County is a sight to behold! The fields are in full bloom, and it seems as though everywhere you turn there’s a pop of color. Speaking of flowers, spring is also a great time to head to Park Winters Flower Farm, where you can explore their colorful fields and pick your own bouquet. They also serve farm-to-table bites in their open-air pavilion as well as seasonal cocktails and local wine.
With all the flowers in full bloom, you might also be able to hear the low-lying hum of honey bees doing their thing. Yolo County wouldn’t be the agricultural powerhouse it is today without the help of its resident bees, and you can learn all about them and the honey they produce at The HIVE in Woodland, which offers honey and mead tasting. They also offer tours of their facilities and their pollinator garden, plus special events such as cheese and honey pairing.
Summer
Summer is when Yolo County really comes to life. Flowers are continuing to blossom, and you can spend the day at Capay Valley Lavender to immerse yourself in the purple blossoms, which usually pop by June. Another popular flower-picking experience takes place at Mezger Family Zinnia Patch, where you can pick your own zinnias from June through August. At Impossible Acres in Davis, you can also pick your own fruit come summer, including berries, cherries, and stone fruit.
Hungry? Summer is the best time for farm dinners in Yolo County. A good place to start is Full Belly Farm, which hosts seasonal meals each month March through November. They also host monthly pizza nights from July through October. You can also schedule a private tour to learn all about organic farming practices. Another option is Polestar Farms, which hosts seasonal dinners highlighting in-season produce grown onsite.
Fall
Fall in Yolo County means one thing: harvest season! At Yolo County wineries, grape harvesting is in full force come fall. At Great Bear Vineyards, you can help pick grapes and participate in a classic grape stomp. At the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, you can attend the annual Farm to Fork Uncorked weekend and taste wine from 14 producers under one roof. But wine grapes aren’t the only thing being crushed during fall — olives, too, are being harvested, and Séka Hills hosts its annual Olive Crush Festival each fall, where taste estate-produced EVOO, tour the olive mill, and enjoy farm-to-table cuisine from the onsite café.
Another great event at Full Belly Farms, is the annual Hoes Down Harvest Festival, where you can learn all about sustainable agriculture through hands-on workshops like tree pruning and cow milking (and of course plenty of food!). You can also u-pick a pomegranate tree at Capay Valley Lavender weekends in October, where $25 gets you a full bag!
Fall is, of course, also the time for pumpkins, and many pumpkin farms across Yolo County open their gates to the public. Some spots to consider include Impossible Acres in Davis, which has a U-pick patch and farm animals. In West Sacramento, Dave’s Pumpkin Patch (also known as Vierra Farms) has an old-fashioned tractor train ride, farm animals, and a corn maze. They also have an expansive farm stand where you can pick up fresh fruits and veggies, eggs, nuts and other food items.
Winter
While the rest of the world slows down during winter, Yolo County is forging full-steam ahead with its many events that celebrate the agricultural heritage of the region. One of the biggest is the annual Tractor Parade and Festival in Winters, in which traditional parade floats are replaced by tractors driven by local farmers, all decked out in holiday lights and decorations. Later in the season, the Almond Festival in Esparto celebrates the revered nut with music, food, and an almond bake-off. As winter comes to an end Yolo County’s famous almond blossoms come to life and blanket the landscape with soft white-pink blooms in mid to late February.
Winter is also the holiday shopping season, and there are plenty of places in Yolo County to pick up food-related gifts for everyone on your list. The Davis Farmers’ Market is a one-stop shop for agritourism any time of year, but during winter, you can pick up gourmet gifts such as local wine, craft beer, jams and jellies, nut butters, dried fruit and much more. Best of all, you can have a selection of locally produced goodies wrapped up in a gift basket for free.
Yolo County Agritourism: Pick Your Season
Spring, summer, winter, fall: no matter what time of year you visit, Yolo County has a rich abundance of agritourism experiences. From spring blossoms to sunny farm dinners, harvest festivals to cozy winter events, there are plenty of activities to explore. Check out the many lodging specials in Yolo County and book your trip today.
