Persimmon Picking in San Diego: Fun & Photo Ops at Ramona Fresh Fruits
Also known as Shoemaker Farms, Ramona Fresh Fruits is a great place to buy a variety of unsprayed fruits from citrus to pomegranates, pineapple guava and figs. But the main attraction that not only gets families out into the beautiful orchard, hand-picking produce, but also offers a picture-perfect backdrop for fall photos is definitely… PERSIMMON PICKING SEASON!
When to Pick Persimmons
For several weeks, usually from sometime in October through November/early December (depending on the weather), you can visit this sweet, family-owned farm, located at 18131 Traylor Road, Ramona, Ca 92065.
Once there, you’ll park along the tree-lined street, then walk up to the farm stand to pay in advance for the persimmons you plan to pick—CASH ONLY and a $10 deposit is also required for the bucket.
Next, you’ll venture into the orchard with bucket in hand and get picking. But there are a few items you may want to have brought with you from home:
First, it gets windy there, so dress in layers and make sure you have a jacket to shield you from the cold wind. Second, it helps to have a ladder, even a small step-ladder to help you reach the fresh fruit that’s higher in the trees. Third, a pair of garden gloves and pruning sheers are handy, but aren’t imperative. Lastly, remember to bring your camera for some great shots of loved ones against the abundance of hanging fruit and fiery, orange leaves.
For those who aren’t up for the task of picking gallons of fruit (it goes faster than you’d think), you can also purchase pre-picked persimmons for a small additional fee. They also have other pre-picked, seasonal fruits available for purchase at the farm stand.
What Do Persimmons Taste Like?
There are, generally, two popular types of persimmons that you’ll find in San Diego: Fuyu and Hachiya. Fuyu persimmons are hard like an apple when ripe, but do soften over time, whereas Hachiyas are soft when ripe. Both are delicious, but you’ll be picking the Fuyu persimmons at Ramona Fresh Fruit, which taste like a combination of an apple and a pumpkin with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon.
Can You Eat the Skin of a Persimmon?
You can eat your Fuyu persimmon just like you would eat an apple, skin and all. Though there is no core and almost the entire fruit is edible, some of the fruits may have seeds that are 1/2″-1″ in size, so you’ll want to spit those seeds out.
What To Make with Persimmons
If you’re wondering what to make with persimmons, some of my favorite persimmon recipes are persimmon bread, persimmon pudding, and persimmon salad. This year, I’m trying out a new recipe, Steamed Persimmon Pudding. I had never heard of steamed pudding before. I just discovered it this year and am trying it out for the first time. I’ll link it as soon as I perfect it. And if I have any persimmons left after all of that, I’ll try a persimmon cookie recipe!
Final Notes:
Persimmon picking is a wonderful family-friendly fall tradition. Keep in mind that it’s a very short season and the persimmons go fast, so plan to check the farm’s website in early October for open dates and hours, so you don’t miss out. There’s still time, but pickin’s can get slim by the final weekend, though they often still have pre-picked fruit available for purchase.
Have fun harvesting!
