We’ve been having a really dry rainy season in the Bay Area this year. That’s not good as everyone here keeps telling one-another in the most serious of tones, though all the extra sunshine and dry days are a naughty-to-wish-for-but-who-cares-about-tomorrow winter bonus for us at the WC. We’ve been taking full advantage. Just the other day, we leisurely drove down the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Santa Cruz. It was simply gorgeous. And since the weather’s good but we’re not in the touristy part of the year, traffic’s easy and things aren’t too crowded, so you sort of feel that the World is, in fact, waiting on your every whim, but in a good way. Ah! I like it.
welcome to Swanton Berry Farm
posing in front of the Swanton Berry Farm farmstand
Well, I’m rambling here, once again.
Anyhoo, that day we had four in our group. We stopped frequently for pics of the ocean and the coast. I took a lot of ultra-close up shots with my hand-held, which I thought made the beach look like it was Martian or something. Very cool.
Could this in fact be Mars?
which Rover took this picture?
this one almost looks like a close up of one of those dogs with all that extra skin
After our admiration of California’s natural beauty, Swanton Berry Farm was one of those random stops along the way. They’ve a really neat sign at the side of the highway introducing passers-by to the berry farm. It seems that depending on the season, visitors can go pick their own strawberries from their extensive patch. Sadly, winter wasn’t the correct one.
The inside of the little shop is super quaint, filled with colorful rustic agricultural knickknacks and signs that are so in vogue right now. They make numerous jams here. I particularly enjoyed the olallieberry though all the samples that I tried at their little tasting bar were quite yummy. We also got some of their baked tarts. Mmmm.
Swanton Berry Farm interior
exploring the jam tasting bar
workers preparing yummy desserts
fierce art berries
some organic jams from Swanton Berry Farm
Swanton is union run and operated since 1983. Everything’s organically produced. According to their web site they distribute some of their products through various farmers markets. At the store itself, they trusted you to pay on your own and even make your own change. Cash only at the farm stand.
Swanton Berry Farm self-service cash register
no, I didn't know that
pastry case at Swanton Berry Farm farmstand
What made the experience especially memorable wasn’t the charm or the way the funds were handled (or not as the case may be) but the Swanton Berry Farm commitment to being organic and recognizing that they’re part of a larger, regional, national and even international network of food grower/producers and consumer/eaters. I think that this kind of vision is far too rare in the food-universe. They’re setting a great example for all of us. Good for you guys!
Oh, and of course, I did like the jam.
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Cool !!!….organic strawberry jams and a store trusting customers to be honest =)
Yep, I think folks would have a whole new appreciation for the food they eat if they had to grow it. Let’s face it, it takes a year to grow and harvest what is so easily popped in our mouths without a second thought. So here’s to organic farmers everywhere! Thanks for this awesome field trip.
What a complete gem the Swanton Berry Farm is, Stevie. I love, love, love the first photo! Well, all the photos were fun. Bet the jam was a delight.
(Hope you did well on big test!)
I have some of their jam in my fridge! Looks so fun to go to the actual farm though. Mmmmmm.
It seems that it’s really great to spent a kind of adventure in that place, Actually, Last week we been at farm together with my family and did a great fun with all the cows..
What a fantastic place! Sadly I am severely allergic to strawberries so I probably should not visit, but I love their dedication to organics 🙂 And your beach shot are fun…the wrinkled dog like, especially 🙂
Visiting at the farm is one of my favorite place to have a great fun…eating delicious foods, playing different kind of stuff and breathing fresh air…
How I wish I have also a farm to visit with, I want to experience the beautiful things that can only be found at the farm…
I love this place. I try to think of any excuse to drive by it is such a great stop and their jams and pastries are divine.