The California chalkboard
What's in season in California
The whole year on one board — hatched chalk for the early and late shoulders, solid for peak. The dashed line is today, drawn by your browser.
California is really three regions — the Imperial and Coachella valleys carry winter, the Central Valley carries summer, and the coast stretches everything longer.
Build the California market menu
Pick any month and get the shopping list version of this board, grouped for the stalls.
Time a u-pick trip
Crop by crop picking windows for California, with the call-ahead honesty built in.
Frequently asked questions
What's in season right now in California?
It changes week to week — the "at peak now" strip above reads today's date, so it never goes stale. For the classics: strawberries peak early April through late June; sweet corn peak early June through late August; apples peak mid-August through mid-October.
When does the market season start in California?
It never quite stops — California carries harvests through the winter months, which is exactly when some of its best produce peaks.
Where can I go u-pick in California?
We chart timing, not farm listings — but the u-pick planner will tell you when any crop is worth the drive in California, and any search for "u-pick near me" works better once you know the week to aim for.