Swanton Berry Farm

Super sweet place for fun in the sun and yummy organic strawberries. You can pay a fee for all you can pick or go inside and buy baskets or flats of organic strawberries. This place is famous for their strawberry shortcake, marionberry shortcake, strawberry cheesecake, chocolate covered strawberries, and berry chocolate truffles. Did I mention they always have a big pot of vegan, gluten-free stew? Oh yes, and warm strawberry apple cider, plus so much more! There's an adorable antique theme with lots of kid friendly activities.

Their strawberries 🍓 are so sweet. It just besides the ocean, the drive to the farm was amazing. We also bought a pie, a cheesecake and a coffee and had a breakfast there.

I love this place. My grandfather owned a you pick them berry farm in Watsonville my whole life until I was 25 and he passed away shortly after that so I love coming here and picking strawberries on this cute little farm. I love bringing my kids. We have a wonderful time and love the berries.

Thoroughly enjoyed these strawberries! Ate a pint by myself. So fresh! The shop is really fun shop with a funky vibe. Feels like visiting an old friend place. Lots of goodies to try. My son's favorite is the marionberry cobbler. Hefty servings available for self serve in display coolers. I totally enjoyed eating strawberries by the ocean!

Wow! This place is beautiful. I got here right before close and because of the recent rain we couldn't pick strawberries but oh boy, the cookies alone are a reason to come or the cheese cake or pretty much whatever else is sold there. My friends and I bought almost one of every sweet left at the end of the day. The staff is super friendly and there's such a family feel. You can tell lots of love and effort has been put into everything. 💯 Worth the drive.

I love this place, and have been coming here regularly for many years - the food, staff, and atmosphere are the best in the area. Around a decade ago, there was an honor system cashier complete with an unguarded box of cash to make your own change - it is truly unfortunate that dishonest people had to go and ruin such a unique thing. The prices have doubled since the days of $5 pie slices and dollar coffee - it's truly unfortunate that economic forces well beyond the control of this lovely little farm had to make it so. I'll continue to have great memories here, like I did last weekend, and will happily pay a premium to support the workers union and living wages that they provide to their employees. If you have a conversation with any of the people who work here, you'll feel the same way.

I'm very bummed to post this but I think today i visited Swanton for the last time. It's been a favorite, indulgent stop for my family for many years (we loved the honor system back in the day), but today I was blown away by the prices. My favorite thing by far has always been the truffles - to DIE for! And today they had tayberry truffles!! My favorite! But they were at most ⅓ the size of what they've always been and $3 each! For TINY truffles! They used to be the size of a large strawberry - several bites worth. Today they were one-bite size. And the pie and cobbler single servings are now $10 each! I'd intended to buy a bunch of truffles for my family and some special desserts for the week, but so much for that idea. I mentioned the price increase to the man working and he said he's not the owner, but he agrees the prices are crazy. I'm afraid this special little place won't survive as a result of the increases. They also had a lot fewer items than when I was there a few months ago, but maybe that's because business is already down. I realize that the price of everything has gone up, but this is way over the top. Such a bummer!

A really fun experience and the best strawberry shortcake I’ve had!

A must visit while cruising down Highway 1 in Davenport! Aside from u-pick strawberries, they have a variety of jams and pastries/other treats available for purchase. It's always fun to see what different items they have. There's usually pies and cobblers, and this last time they even had truffles. My mom and I both loved the truffles and will be keeping an eye out for those when we stop in from now on. You're able to taste the jams, all of which are absolutely delicious - so picking just one to take home can be a tough decision. I can't even pick a favorite because each is so great.

The strawberries here are the best I have ever had. Red all the way through and so sweet. Their labor is union as well, so that is amazing. I am sad because they used to come to the ferry building farmer's market in SF but stopped during covid. It's over an hour from SF so we only get down here once a year or so. They used to have amazing strawberry shortcake at the farm. The version we got last week was just okay. Not worth $10 I would say. Put your money into the berries and make it yourself at home. They also used to have soup and some savories in the little shop but I guess that has gone away as well. It was a nice option to have some real food with your fruit or dessert as there is not much in the way of restaurants nearby (Pescadero is maybe the closest?). They never update instagram and it can be hard to figure out if they are open on holidays, etc. I emailed and they did eventually respond. So just plan on a very laid back visit if you come and maybe email the week before just to make sure they are around.

Absolutely stunning jams or preserves. Naturally low sugar, intensely fruity, plenty sweet. BEAUTIFUL. Try the preserves made with unusual varieties of berries. One variety is good, another one is stunning. (I can never remember my favorite.) Of course the strawberry preserves are great too.

You have to stop at Swanton's Berry Farm if you're driving along the PCH. It was totally spontaneous but turned out to be one of my favorite spots. Two words: Marionberry Pie Two more words: Strawberry Shortcake And don't forget about the Marionberry Cobbler, Strawberry Cheescake, and more. A berry-loving, sweet tooth dream. We decided to go pick some fresh strawberries as well. It was such a fun way to stretch our legs and enjoy some local goodies.

The disappointment I got when I took a bite of my jam pound cake whip cream parfait. It was so hard you would think it was made a week or two ago and I know it's kept in the fridge but it was impossible to eat and incredibly over priced. We have been coming here for years and the decline in their products makes me sad. A destination shop turned to a run down money hungry union organization. Do better.

Very fun and great experience picking! You get a box from them and you pick your own strawberries for $8 per pound. They accept cash and apple pay. If you don't wanna pick your strawberries, they also very good strawberries they sell in the shop for $5 per pound. All organic and very sweet

Cute place to stop on your way up or down highway 1. Prices were a little high but to be expected. We enjoyed the fresh strawberries! Lots of other goodies to choose from in the store as well.

First time picking fruits! We parked and walked down to the U-pick area. We chose a box size and started picking. The strawberries were much smaller than we expected but they were so sweet! We also tried their strawberry shortcake and it was delicious. Moist, not too sweet, with sweet strawberries layered in between fresh cream and cake.

Been wanting to check this farm out since it's a closer drive than Brentwood and for the yummy dessert offerings!! Came on a Sunday a bit past noon and it was not too crowded. It is often windy since it's near the water but thankfully it was sunny when I went. Scenic drive down with a bunch of beaches to stop by on the way there or back. The main parking lot is by the storefront with fresh berries, jams, desserts (strawberry shortcake, marionberry cobbler, strawberry cheesecake), quick bites, and merch for sale! There is a cute backyard area where you can sit and eat too. Friendly dog on site (: Store takes card! The strawberry shortcake is a MUST GET. The whipped cream on top is freshly whipped (not out of a can) and the strawberries are so sweet and not the artificial syrupy kind!! The shortcake on the bottom was almost biscuit like, dense but I enjoy that. It also balanced out the sweetness super well, not too sweet! If you walk down the dirt path the follow the signs, you'll get to the strawberry Upick! You can also drive down a little further to park along the side. There is a little stand where you can get your cardboard box or paper bag to put the berries in and staff can help with any questions. Then you're free to pick! There were a good amount of berries when I went but you definitely need to take your time to pick through the bunches. $8 a pound and they don't take apple pay so have cash or a physical credit card. Overall a fun experience and would come back for more dessert (:

Very easy to pick, straightforward U-pick experience! The price is a little on the higher side for strawberries but we just paid extra for the experience :) near the beach so good activity if visiting near Santa Cruz!

Totally worth the drive out to Swanton's - especially if you're already in Santa Cruz. Took a few hours out of the day to go to Swanton's to pick strawberries. When you pull in, the store is straight ahead and the strawberry U-pick fields are to the left. Parking is to the left for both the fields and store. There is also a small outdoor sitting area towards the store and to the left. When you park there are signs indicating where to go for the U-pick. Walk back and grab your boxes from the staff. They'll let you know which fields are open to pick. Sure you can taste the product while you pick but obviously keep that to a minimum. $8/lb. And unfortunately no pups in the fields, we saw someone get turned away. But there really isn't a ton of room for them to walk around. The store had so many delicious treats, definitely indulge and enjoy at the blue picnic tables outside!

Can't believe I've been coming around here for beach days & I've never known / heard about this place . I was craving some dessert & looked around the area to see what they had. Came across the Swanton Berry Farm . Upon walking into the establishment , they had a good selection of desserts . There was pumpkin pie , strawberry cheesecake , and Marionberry cobbler. I decided to get the Marionbwrry cobbler. I loved the fact that the dessert was super light and I loved the berry flavor. I also like the cake and the whipped cream mixture. It tasted heavenly . Going to com back again for the strawberry shortcake next time .

Swanton Berry Farm is one of the hidden gems in Santa Cruz County. It's our tradition to stop here whenever we are in the area. Fun fact Swanton Bery Farm is the first unionized organic farm in America! Without question, they have the best fresh strawberry shortcake. They also carry delicious seasonal pies, cookies, coffee, jams, and more. Everyone who works there is super friendly. They have a porta potty outside and a nice grass area with picnic tables. I definitely recommend checking this place out when you're driving on Highway 1.

One of my favorite California road stops. Hot coffee, strawberry shortcake and lots of fruit to picnic out front. kid friendly.

This is a favorite stop in Davenport - driving home from Pacific Grove to San Francisco for fresh strawberries and jams...a rest stop for hot coffee, pie, and shortcake.

I love, love this place and as a local we have been going here for years. However, every time we have visited in the past year the prices have gone up. The strawberry truffles are so good, but now they are half the size and 50% more expensive. I will continue to go, but I'm not buying anything but coffee or a cookie. It feels more than inflation. They are gouging it seems. Sad.

It was my first time berry picking (or produce picking in general) and I had a pretty good time. I came later in the season and was fully expecting berries to be $8/lb. I was pleasantly surprised when I was told it was only $7/lb. We were each given a cardboard box and directed to the strawberry fields. Each box can hold about 3lb of berries. Be careful as it's really easy to overspend! We ended up picking over $70 worth of berries. Staff also told us to feel free to sample the berries as we picked them. There was plenty of berries to go around. We probably spent an hour picking 3 boxes worth of berries and only saw 4-5 other groups whose we were there. I didn't love the spiders hiding in the fields. It seemed like they were always protecting the prettiest looking berries! In hindsight, I would have brought scissors/gloves to make things easier for myself. If you don't want to put in the work, you can always purchase pre-picked berries from the storefront. They also offer a variety of baked goods for sale. We ended up getting a scone and a couple of the cobbler/shortcakes to go. If you're a biker, you can get 10% off your entire order.

Been coming here for years after some Santa Cruz locals showed me. Everything is organic and locally sourced. You used to pay on an honor system with no cashier which was super cute but that's changed. ( people probably abusing it, my guess. ) Anyways, all their baked goods are amazing! When it's late into the season the pumpkin pie has to be one of my favorites but any of their berry stuff is the bomb and what keeps me coming back. I was having a bit of a day so with a break in the rain I decided to drive the coast coming all the way from down from Pacifica I made it in last minute! Apparently they close at 5pm now, and the cashier was nice enough to let me in at 5pm! I grabbed a Marion Berry cobbler today and went on my way. Thanks again. Didn't snap any pictures of the inside today because I wanted to get in and out to not inconvenience staff but the inside has a very rustic feel, you can sit down and eat in their family room style dining area. During Covid you could not do this but they opened it back up and now you can enjoy some delicious snacks and play some retro games. ( "Shoot the moon" and other simplistic but fun table top games ) Profits support the farmers union so not only are you enjoying some tasty treats but proceeds also go to a good cause. They also have merch, seasonal u-pick strawberry's, and jams for sale! Also there's an outside eating area with cute blue picnic tables. Plenty of parking! [Little personal tip: If the weather is nice I usually take my food a stones throw away to Davenport Landing Beach, to eat, and watch the surf. It started raining unfortunately so passed on that today] Will be back again soon.. lol before closing. I didn't get the cashiers name but I really appreciate her letting me in! Been having rough week and that bit of kindness made my gloomy day a bit brighter. Enjoyed the cobbler once I got back home to the South Bay.

This is a cute farm where visitors can go berry picking, just be aware there is a bit of a walk along the trail leading to the field, coming from the parking lot. There are a few picnic tables on site for enjoying treats, both outdoors as well as in the little shop (blue building), which has an adorable setup inside, with lovely decor and gift items for sale. Baked goods and desserts include strawberry shortcake, strawberry cheesecake, and chocolate covered strawberries, all of which were sold out on Mother's Day, apparently their busiest day of the year. They were even out of packaged strawberry baskets. But we did get a couple strawberry shortbread cookies and some chocolatey strawberry truffles, as well as a strawberry pecan scone glazed with delicious strawberry jam... all decent snacks we got to enjoy at the beach after taking our goodies to go. By the way, the correct hours of operation are 8-6pm daily (and U-Pick has special hours), confirmed by staff, despite what you may see listed online.

strawberry land.... i enjoyed spending an afternoon picking strawberries & eating the strawberry shortcakes on the farm. yippieeee

Absolute scam. Followed signs to the U-Pick lot, which was unmanned, and saw a sign stating to grab a box from the trailer and the box was $16 and pay at the farm stand. Went to pay for said box at farm stand, only to be told it's $75. Apparently they were $8 a lb, but no where was that listed on any sign. I told the worker the sign said a box was $16, to which she replied with eye roll and attitude, that was cost of the box. It was a flimsy piece of cardboard btw. She then tries to guilt me to buy the strawberries, saying she'll have to throw them away. They sell the strawberries in the damn store, so no she wasn't throwing them away. She just got free labor for some upcharged berries.

While on a "beach crawl" with friends, we came across this off road country store. Our friend who was driving, is familiar with this place and often stops in to stock up on his favorite homemade jams. As we entered, I found it more impressive inside than compared to it's "shack like" exterior. Besides the country store and souvenir type merchandise, they carry a variety of organic products that include specialty items of berry jams. The staff were busy working in another room, but we could see them through an interior window. They didn't seem to pay much attention to us or other customers who had entered. Our friend proceeded to do his own self checkout at the register, which I guess is a normal thing here. The prices are a little high, but our friend stated that the jams are some of the best he's ever eaten!

Driving along Hwy 1 you will see the sign and the shack. You go in and instantly feel taken back by its' rustic charm and vintage trinkets, games and lounge area. It is a honor-system, help-yourself to freshly made seasonal berry jams, shortcakes, pastries, etc. and coffee service. Love the strawberry shortcakes & jams! Perfect to take with you and enjoy while you're relaxing at the beach or simply looking out to the coast. Love this charming place!

I probably shouldn't give it 5 stars till I've done the u-pick, but it's just so charming. The little store is so cute. Lots of toys and books for kids. Picnic tables and couches inside to enjoy your treats. Cheesecake, chocolate covered strawberries, truffles, coffee, cider, pie, other baked goods. That was a darn good truffle. And it really is an honor system cash register - I love that that kind of trust still exists in the world. Will definitely be stopping here for a treat more often.

Strawberry shortcake is out of this world! We drove to Davenport just to visit the Swanton Berry Farm. It was worth it!

Swanton Berry Farm is a place I return to over & over, especially when I have out-of-town visitors. I love them so much I bought one of their hats to advertise! :) They pride themselves on being not only organic but also pro-union, treating both the land and people well. Enjoying their delicious strawberry shortcake, cheesecake, fresh truffles, berry scones and yummy jams is something you can feel good about! Their store/sweet shop is beautifuly designed & decorated, and you can enjoy your sweets with coffee or cider on the scenic picnic tables outside.

What a fun experience! Came here for strawberry picking which is one of the organic places we could find near Santa Cruz area and it was a great experience for my 2 year old. We had not done a strawberry upick before so was excited to learn more about doing it. We stopped by the reception area, grabbed coffee (they have fresh strawberries here as well) and then headed to the upick area. We host a box to hold our strawberries and the farm was huge! The person giving us the box was very nice and told us what type of strawberries to look for which was a great suggestion for a first timer. There is a difference between red strawberries and the really red ones which I wouldn't have known had he not told me! He also gave us tips on how to store it so it lasts long. After we got our stuff it got weighed and we bought it back home. My son couldn't wait and started enjoying them in the car itself ! Very delicious and planning to come back for next seasons upick

Once you have fresh strawberries there's no going back to grocery store strawberries. Been coming to this place for years. They have a dog friendly green but not allowed in the picking area. Sometimes they have food pop ups. Tasty jams, ready made desserts. The star of the show is the fresh berries tho. Unforgettable.

This is a sweet spot. Went here with a friend. We each got a hot cup of strawberry cider. I love that you pay with cash by the honor system. There is a place to leave your money and get your change. Awesome that a place like this still exists in the world. The cider was quite alright. Me and my friend went outside enjoying our hot drink on a picnic table with the Pacific Ocean in view. In a word awesome!

Cute berry spot. You can go and pick your own berries or just go in and buy the produce. We got some pie and it was delicious.

The place is a gem. People have mistreated and taken advantage of the pay your own bill situation so now they have a cashier and good on them because it's worth every penny. Delicious strawberry shortcake amongst other wonderful things. Great strawberries for sale and a beautiful place to hang out. Bless them.

My sister and really enjoyed the strawberry shortcake and strawberry lemonade here. The outdoor seating however was rough due to lots of bees. Just bee aware, lol

Summary: Delicious fresh fruit and a selection of sweet treats to boot Details: * On a scale of 1-10 in sweetness, Swanton's strawberries range anywhere between 8-10, while most supermarket strawberries are in the 4-6 range * Used to buy these at the SF farmer's markets, but sadly, they've stopped attending in the past year, which prompted a drive down * U-Pick at $8/lb if you want to experience picking your own, or buy cartons/flats that were picked that day for approximately the same price * Their general shop has other sweet treats like scones, pies, cheesecake, jams, and ciders * Strawberries are a must, and the same in jam form is fantastic as well, but was admittedly not a huge fan of the cider * Reception is non-existent at the farm and immediate surrounding area, so plan ahead * Portapotties, hand washing stations, and dining tables are all available Accessibility: Not... particularly accessible. The farm is mostly on hard-packed dirt, with the general store being up a small incline with less-than-ideal traction. Inside of the store itself is fine, so if you're just swinging by to pick up some goodies, you won't have TOO much trouble. U-Pick is entirely inaccessible if you're in a chair.

I love the casual and at-home vibe of this farm very much. I stop here nearly every time I drive by and usually end up getting the dark chocolate covered strawberries. There is a self-checkout that used to only take cash but I saw today that they take card. There's a very sweet hangout area indoors (and outdoors) and it sort of feels like you are in your favorite grandparents living room. Stop by and support this local, organic, farm!

A great experience. Very sweet strawberries. They have a beautiful shop where you can buy strawberries. They also have a farm if you want to pick strawberries on your own. $7-$8 per lbs so not bad of a price. The farm is beautiful. Fresh strawberries- and a lot. My 2 year old daughter enjoyed it thoroughly: Very well maintained. They also have some ride ons to attract toddlers - so well thought. Check it out and eat some fresh juicy strawberries. Also, they have $1 coffee - so need it after the drive right. Only con - no proper restroom set. Rest everything was good. But that's why a 4 star review.

Stumbled upon this gem on a very rainy Sunday day. I was trying to find a stand that had "7 avocados for $1" and drove all over highway 1 without much success. After searching, I gave up, but was charmed by the sign "strong hot coffee." Of course, I forgot all about those darn avocados and came straight here. Best part? The coffee was $1. And yes, it was strong AND hot! We also got a $2 cup of strawberry cider which was very delicious. Unfortunately, that was ~not hot~ but I still give it 10 thumbs up. The inside is very cozy and very well decorated. It felt very homey and reminded me of small town farms back in New England. Check in is self-service so you pretty much select what you want to buy and then pay up front. Looks like honor system but there was an employee walking around to make sure things were stocked. Side note: I'm still on the search for the "7 avocados for $1" sign so please let me know if you end up seeing it on highway 1 between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay...

We were driving from Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay when an "open" sign in front of Swanton Berry Farm caught my eye. We turned around to check it out and are glad we did. They apparently offer "pick your own" fruit but the pre-packed strawberries all looked huge and delicious. Since they would not last in our hot car for a couple days on a road trip, we decided to grab a jar of strawberry jam instead. The desserts all looked tasty too and when we saw a guy enjoying a fresh strawberry shortcake on a picnic bench outside, we regretted not getting one ourselves. I've since had the freshly made jam and it is delectable! I hope to get back here again someday!

Great place to visit any time of the year but if you are looking for fresh strawberries - aim for end of April until July. You can choose u-pick or just buy already picked berries. They also sell pies, chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry cider and fresh brewed coffee.

Cute little farm mainly just the store to purchase items. We saw one employee while we were there and he didn't explain anything. Not sure if maybe because it wasn't in season but it just appeared to be a store to purchase some local products made by local berries. The honor toll was super cool I love this area because of stuff like this. There were tons of cars and signs that said "dog day" but no one to ask to figure out what it was or where everyone was at. I'll probably try to go back in season but would be helpful to have an employee present to answer questions and engage with customers.

COVID review Drove past this farm today and decided to check it out. We were here a few years back to do a U-pick for their organic strawberries. Unfortunately we missed the season, which is from March to Oct. For COVID, they setup a hand washing station outside of the shop and requires all visitors to wash their hands before going in. They sell pies and chocolate dipped strawberries in fridge. Pumpkins are also on sale. There are some picnic tables on the courtyard for people to enjoy the pies and goodies they bought. Since it's COVID, U-pick is not available.

Loved this stop. It was so cute, great views of the water, and love the concept. It's so cool that a place like this still exists. I had the strawberry shortcake and cider. I loved both, the cider was nice and tart. The strawberry shortcake was bomb, the cake, the whipped cream and the strawberries were super balanced and just delicious.

Went to Swanton Berry Farm after Davenport Pier because it's on the way home and open. Hrs on the sign said 8am-7pm. No UPick due to Covid19. I went many years ago and did that before. During Covid19 need to wash hands with soap & water outside before entering they have a water station, wear a mask going Inside their shop, and maintain 6ft inside. I got a basket of organic & union Chandler strawberries $6. I think I should have gotten the 3pk $16 cuz I ate the whole basket in 2 days. Got a jar of their strawberry jam $9. Charged them. They have strawberry shortcake $8, I should have gotten one. Next time. Friend told me later their Tayberries were good this year. Hope to get some next year in June. I forgot to pick up the Free Edible Monterey Bay magazine I saw on a table. Worth a visit if driving in Davenport!

Happy Mother's Day! The place was packed and the food was delicious! Great atmosphere, quick service. Went back for more to take home but not real sure they will make it home!

Came here on the weekend to try some pie. I like that they have a hand washing station outside and they mandate masks inside. The cheesecake and blackberry pie were my favorite. The hot apple cider was not bad either. The tayberry was just a bit too tart for my taste, but if you like tart, this will be the pie for you.

Not only are their products fresh and delicious, the staff were very kind and helpful when my car recently broke down there. I did not have cell service so a couple of them let me use their phones so I could call for a tow and contact family. Several others asked if I needed help when driving by my car. Much appreciated!

A classic, unassuming highway 1 stop that has tasty berries & seasonal berry treats! I was biking through for the Santa Cruz Iron Man race, and we had to make a pit stop for a sweet treat. The strawberry apple cider was SOOOO good, it was warm and had a nice strong strawberry aftertaste to an already otherwise delicious cider. May have been the best thing I had there that day. I opted for the blackberry cobbler instead of the strawberry shortcake, which had a nice blackberry sauce at the bottom, topped with a nice layer of fresh whipped cream, but the cobbler part itself was quite dry & hard to get through. The basket of strawberries was delicious & fresh, red through the middle, and juicy in every nibble down to the stem. Nothing beats some fresh fruit & warm cider! I'd give it 4.5 stars since the cobbler was a little tough for me to get through, but I'll round it up to a 5 since the cider & strawberries made it closer to a 5 than a 4 for me! I'll try cheesecake next time, but the shortcake is hard to go wrong with

The cutest little store located up highway 1 from Santa Cruz. They bake the most delicious pies that you can buy by the slice or a whole pie. Such a sweet and cute ambiance, I highly recommend going if you're in the area

Fun experience along the PCH! Strawberries available to pick or purchase pre-packed in the storefront. Assorted jams, pastries and desserts available as well. Unfortunately they no longer grow olallieberries, but they did offer marionberry pie for sale which was delicious. The freshly picked strawberries were so sweet and juicy! Definitely worth a stop if you're passing through.

Absolutely loved this cute little farm store. We tried the strawberry shortcake which was just AMAZING. Wish we had gotten more!! I guess we will just have to come back! The strawberries were delicious, the whip cream was perfect and along with the shortcake made the perfect trifecta. Next time will try a slice of pie, a cup or coffee, some strawberry apple cider and pick up some delicious strawberries! This is a must go!