Where Are the Best U-Pick Farms and Farm Stands on the Saanich Peninsula?

Silver Rill Berry Farm: The U-Pick Classic

Silver Rill Berry Farm at 1490 Hovey Road in Saanichton is the farm that sets the standard for u-pick on the peninsula. They grow strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries across multiple fields, and they have been doing it long enough that families come back year after year. The strawberries are the main event in June and July. Locals know to arrive early on Saturday mornings before the berries get picked over and the parking lot fills up.

They provide the flat cardboard containers, you provide the bending and the patience. Kids love it, and the farm has a relaxed, no-pressure vibe that makes it an easy morning outing. The berries you take home taste noticeably better than anything from the grocery store, and they freeze well for winter smoothies. Check their website or call ahead for daily picking conditions, because the season moves fast and a rain delay can change the picking schedule.

Stewart's Berry Patch: Blueberries and a Real Farm Feel

Stewart's Berry Patch on Oldfield Road in Saanichton is the spot for blueberries, though they also grow strawberries and raspberries. The farm sits on a classic Saanich Peninsula property with rolling fields and a tidy farm stand. The blueberry bushes are tall enough that you can stand upright while picking, which matters more than you think after 30 minutes in a strawberry patch.

The berries at Stewart's are big, sweet, and plentiful. The farm is family-run and the staff are genuinely friendly. It is the kind of place where the person at the checkout counter will tell you exactly how to freeze the berries and how long they will last. In July and August, the blueberries are at their peak. They also sell pre-picked flats if you are in a hurry, but the u-pick experience is worth the extra time.

Michell's Farm Market: The Peninsula's Best Farm Stand

Michell's Farm Market at 2451 Island View Road in Saanichton is more than a farm stand. It is a full farm market with a huge selection of local produce, flowers, plants, baked goods, and preserves. The produce comes from their own fields and from other peninsula farms, so the selection tracks the season closely. June brings strawberries and peas. July brings beans, zucchini, and the first corn. August is tomato season, and they are worth the trip alone.

Michell's is a popular stop for anyone driving back from Island View Beach, which is about two minutes further east. The combination of a morning at the beach and an afternoon loading up on produce at Michell's is a classic Saanich Peninsula summer day. They also sell hanging baskets and bedding plants in spring, making it a useful stop for gardeners, too.

Dan's Farm and Country Market: The One-Stop Shop

Dan's Farm and Country Market at 2030 Bear Hill Road is a Saanichton fixture. It started as a produce stand and has grown into a proper market that sells local fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, dairy, baked goods, and groceries. It is the kind of place where you go in for strawberries and come out with a full week's worth of food.

The produce is reliably good and the selection is the widest of any farm market on the peninsula. Dan's also has a deli counter and a bakery, so it works as a lunch stop if you are spending the day exploring the area. It is busier than the smaller farm stands, particularly on weekends, but the volume means the product turns over fast and stays fresh.

Gobind Farms: Seasonal Produce and a Local Following

Gobind Farms on Veyaness Road in Saanichton is a smaller operation with a loyal local following. They grow berries, vegetables, and flowers, and their farm stand is stocked with whatever is ripe that week. It is the kind of place you discover by driving past and spotting the sign, then stop on impulse and end up coming back every week.

The selection is more limited than Michell's or Dan's, but the quality is excellent and the prices are fair. They are known for their strawberries and sweet corn in season. Worth a stop if you are in the area.

Meadowbrook Farm: A Hidden Gem in Saanich East

Meadowbrook Farm at 205 Meadowbrook Road in Victoria (the eastern edge of Saanich, near the border with Central Saanich) is worth knowing about if you live on the east side of the peninsula. It is a smaller farm market with produce from their own fields and a few neighbouring farms. The selection is seasonal and changes weekly, but the quality is consistent and the setting, tucked down a quiet country road, feels a world away from the city even though it is only 15 minutes from downtown.

Tips for a Successful Farm Stand Run

A few things I have learned from too many years of Saanich Peninsula produce runs:

• Go early on Saturday. The best produce goes fast, and the farm stands get picked over by early afternoon. Thursday and Friday mornings are even better if you can swing it.
• Bring your own bags and containers. Most farms provide picking flats for u-pick, but having your own bags for the farm stand means less waste and easier carrying.
• Cash is still useful. Most places take cards now, but cash at the smaller farm stands keeps the line moving and helps the farmers avoid processing fees.
• Check social media before you go. Many farms post daily updates on picking conditions, hours, and what is ripe. A 30-second check saves you a disappointed drive.
• Turn it into a full afternoon. The Saanich Peninsula has a lot going on. Combine a farm stand run with a walk at Island View Beach, lunch in Sidney, or a stop at the Sidney Spit ferry for a proper day out.

Why the Peninsula's Farm Culture Matters for Homebuyers

The Saanich Peninsula is one of the most desirable places to live in Greater Victoria, and the farming community is a big part of why. The Agricultural Land Reserve protects the green spaces that make the peninsula feel rural even as it grows. The farm stands, u-pick operations, and farmers markets are not just places to buy food. They are community gathering points where neighbours run into each other, where kids learn where food comes from, and where the calendar is marked by what is ripe.

Communities like Saanichton, Brentwood Bay, and Central Saanich offer a lifestyle that balances country space with city access. Homes here tend to sit on larger lots, the schools are well-regarded, and the commute to Victoria is manageable (25 to 35 minutes outside peak hours). For families, retirees, and anyone who wants garden space and a quieter pace, the peninsula is hard to beat.

If you are considering a move to the Saanich Peninsula, our neighbourhood guides cover the area in detail, and our relocation hub has everything you need to plan the move. And when you are ready to see a few properties, book a call and we will show you around.