Strawberry Picking at Tanaka Farms

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Strawberry Picking

We had a very sweet and strawberrylicious Valentine’s Day. We had the opportunity to take the Strawberry Tour at Tanaka Farms and had soooo much fun! My sisters, mom, and nephew joined us for a great afternoon. Tanaka Farms is located in Irvine and they are known for their family friendly farm tours. They also happen to have some of the best strawberries and produce in all of Southern California. Tanaka Farms is proud to educate, entertain, and feed families all year long. They have various tours throughout the year depending on what is growing. They have strawberry, watermelon, and pumpkin tours, depending on the season.

We picked some of the ripest and sweetest strawberries I've ever tasted.

We picked some of the ripest and sweetest strawberries I’ve ever tasted.

Strawberry season started a little earlier this year because of our wacky weather and that means that the strawberry tours are back. This was our first time taking the tour and we were very excited. There are no reservations required for weekend tours and they  leave every hour beginning at 9:30, with the last departing at 2:30. Tour times are: 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30. We arrived a half hour before the tour began to assure a spot, find parking, and not be rushed.

The tractor ride is a hit with both young and old.

The tractor ride is a hit with both young and old.

Once we checked in and were given our baskets, our tour guide came by to lead us to the tractor pulled wagon. My two year old nephew was in heaven! The guided tour takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour. The tour takes you around Tanaka Farms and you will be able to see how fruits and vegetables grow in the land. You will also be able to sample some of the fruits and veggies in season. It was very informative and although I know it was an hour long, it only seemed to last a few minutes because we were having so much fun!

We learned how to properly pick strawberries and how to pick the ripest fruit.

We learned how to properly pick strawberries and how to pick the ripest fruit.

Our last stop on our tour were the strawberry patches. We were given 15 minutes to find the juiciest and ripest strawberries we could find. Each person is able to take home a one pound basket of strawberries. We had so much fun picking our fruit and taking the tour. I highly recommend that everyone take this tour with the family. It is a great experience.

I had one happy picker.

I had one happy picker.

The strawberry tours take place every weekend. Weekday school tours begin March 19th.  Reservations are not required for weekend tours.

Tours are $18 per person. Children 2 and under are free. For additional information head here.

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. Admission was provided for review purposes. 

Irvine Park Railroad Giveaway: Part Two

During the next couple of days, I want to try to cover every family friendly Halloween Experience/Event in Southern California. I’m glad that the weather is now cooperating(Hip Hip Hooray! Tonight is the first time I’ve opened up my windows and let the cool air in) and it is definitely starting to feel like October.

I love Irvine Park Railroad, especially during the holidays. A visit to Irvine Park Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch has become a Halloween Tradition for our family.

There are plenty of places for photo opportunities and the pumpkin patch has great size pumpkins at a pretty reasonable price. We usually head there twice during the season.This year’s Pumpkin Patch activities include:  Train rides, hay rides, a haunted house, a hay maze, pony rides, a moon bounce, carnival games, John Deere tractor racers, face painting (weekends only), picture stands, great food and The Orange County Zoo.

The Irvine Park Railroad is open from now until Halloween. The patch is open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends.

It’s Giveaway Time! Win it!

We are giving away

1 Grand Prize

4 Train Tickets

8 Pumpkin Patch Activity Tickets

1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park Bike Rental (good for all bikes excluding the double surrey)

2 Runner Up Prizes

4 Train Tickets

1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park Deuce Coupe Bike Rental

Giveaway ends on October 9th at 11:59pm. Good Luck!

 
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Wordless Wednesday: Pretend Play

Always a great time at Pretend City

There is nothing like good old fashioned play. One of our favorite places to visit and play our hearts out, is Pretend City. I love this snap shot of my my son, while he was playing supermarket. If I would let him, he could play his heart out all day long.  He loves pretending and letting his imagination run wild, and isn’t that what childhood is all about?

For more Wordless Wednesday fun  head over to Angry Julie Monday.

I would love to feature your photos of your outings on Wordless Wednesday. If you have any that you would like to share, please send them to mom@daytrippingmom.com