The Best Place for Blueberry Picking in Central Florida!
Southern Hill Farms is a local family-owned farm in Central Florida located just minutes from Disney and the theme parks. They grow pick-your-own crops depending on the seasons, like strawberries in winter, blueberries in the spring, peaches in early summer, and pumpkins in the fall.
We first discovered this farm during one of their pumpkin festival days and we have since returned every season for the music, games, and seasonal u-pick goodies.
Southern Hill Farms is located at 16651 Schofield Road in Central Florida’s quaint city of Clermont. Some tips before you head over: The farm is off of a dirt road, which is sometimes muddy after a lot of rain. *2024 update: Schofield Road has now been completely paved!
Also the farm offers plenty of covered pavilions with shady spots to sit and rest, but if you are doing the berry and flower picking we suggest wearing sunscreen, close-toed shoes, and a hat. Southern Hill Farms is a working farm and as such, there are areas with soft sand and mud.
Some of the Awesome Events at Southern Hill Farms
The best part of having this farm in Central Florida is all of the fun activities and events they plan throughout the year. They have festivals in the fall, outdoor movie nights, and live music every weekend during seasonal openings on their covered stage. And there is no parking fee!
The farm also is available for private events like weddings and birthday parties (if you decide to get married here, please invite us because I’m a sucker for a farm wedding).
Scattered throughout the farm are unique and seasonally-themed photo booths, so you can get some great family photos or portraits of the kids. And for more family fun, there is a huge swing set area, rocking chairs, and fire pits for chilly days out on the lawn.
Special Event: Harvest Dinners at the Farm
For a special evening, visit the farm during one of the the harvest dinner events. Enjoy a four-course meal made with ingredients sourced from the farm and other local producers. The event features a different local chef and theme each month.
Guests enjoy live music and a special cocktail while exploring the fields on the farm after hours. Then there is blueberry picking and a bonfire after dinner. The event is meant to celebrate the end of the farm’s harvest season and give guests a chance to experience a farm-to-table meal in a beautiful setting.
Seasonal Event: Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival
The Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival is the only time the farm charges an admission fee (kids 2 and under are free). Guests can enjoy all of the usual activities the farm has to offer including entering the sunflower fields and u-pick seasonal crops, along with unlimited kids rides, tractor rides, hayrides on a small train, and a petting zoo.
Additional family-friendly activities during the fall festival include a 5-acre corn maze and checking out the pumpkin patch, filled with pumpkins of every size. You can choose your favorite pumpkins and keep them safe at the front gate so you don’t have to carry it around the farm all afternoon.
The fall festival typically runs from late September into mid-November, and it is a very popular time to visit the farm. It is wise to purchase your tickets ahead of time in order to enjoy the festival, especially if you have a large group!
Kids Zone at the Farm
Southern Hill Farms has created an amazing kids zone in the back section of the property. For a small fee (currently between $18-$22 depending on age) the kids get a wristband that includes unlimited access to the rock climbing wall, jump pillows, festival swings, giant fun slide, obstacle course, sports games and farm wagon rides. Awesome!
Bring the little ones as well, either in a stroller or your own wagon. If you are visiting Central Florida and don’t have either, wagons are available for rent right when you enter the farm. It’s also not a bad idea to have a way to carry all of your hand-picked fruits back to the car!
For the bigger kids and adults, the front field is a great place to play a game or two of cornhole and spend an afternoon amongst friends. There are also beer carts spread out around the property selling craft beer, wine, and gluten free options. Our tip: Try the local Blueberry Lemon Ale brewed in Florida with Southern Hill Farms blueberries!
Blueberry Picking and Other Seasonal Crops
Southern Hill is one of the best farms for strawberry and blueberry picking in Central Florida. Picking fresh fruits and vegetables is such a fun thing for the entire family to do, and bringing them home to make fresh strawberry shortcake or blueberry pancakes is even better!
Southern Hill Farms offers seasonal pick-your-own blueberries, strawberries, vegetables and peaches, and the list of available crops continues to grow each year. We’ve picked kale, broccolini, and onions at the farm- there’s nothing better than farm-fresh produce!
Keel Farms in Tampa is another great spot for strawberry and blueberry picking in Central Florida, plus there is wine tasting and fantastic food!
Sunflowers and Zinnias
One of the most popular areas of the farm is in the sunflower fields. There is something so peaceful about walking around all the sunflowers, hearing the wind and bees buzzing away, and feeling like you are in a completely different world.
Set apart from the rides, music, and noise of the farm, the sunflower fields are a place to explore and really spend time in. Southern Hill plants several different varieties of sunflowers so they have fields blooming year round!
Neighboring the sunflower fields are the zinnias. Visitors can cut however many they like and pay at the end. These brightly-colored blooms make a great centerpiece!
Fresh Blueberry Muffins and Strawberry Donuts
After a day of blueberry picking, what more could you ask for than homemade blueberry and strawberry fresh baked goods. There’s a tie in our house over what is better, the fresh strawberry donuts or the blueberry muffins… I mean, you can’t go wrong with both! These sweet treats are in such a demand that they have their own line in the back of the “food shed” just to pick up warm and fresh goodies.
Food & Drinks on the Farm
Under the large covered pavilion there are adorable food “trucks”. Well, one is actually an old airstream {{bestill my heart}} that sells baked goods, with the express line on the other side just for the blueberry donuts (their top seller).
There is also a truck that sells pizza, one for burgers, and a tiny home “beer shed” for alcoholic beverages. I am a huge fan of their blueberry mimosa and Emily loves the berry smoothies.
During the festivals and seasonal weekends there are also several other kinds of delicious food trucks on the property. You could literally have breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert here all in one day!
Things to Do Around the Farm
When you visit the farm, don’t forget to check out one of the most incredible vantage points available: the rooftop observation deck. From here, you’ll have an unobstructed view of the surrounding farm with nothing but open skies and rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Whether you’re taking in the sunset or simply enjoying the peace and quiet of the great outdoors, the rooftop observation deck is the perfect spot to unwind and soak up the natural beauty of the area.
Just below the deck lies the Southern Hill Market, a charming little shop filled with homemade goodies like jams, sauces, pies, and candles. You’ll love browsing through the eclectic mix of local crafts and artisanal products, with something to satisfy every craving and taste. And there are the most adorable handmade dresses for kids and fun earrings for adults in the shop as well!
If you’re looking for a great spot for family fun, gorgeous sunflowers, fresh vegetables, strawberry and blueberry picking in Central Florida this is the place. David and I like to go for date afternoons and evenings as a place to get some snacks, fresh air, good drinks, and listen to live music. The kids like all the treats and outdoor activities when we go as a family.
More fun (and free!) things to do in Central Florida:
Cheers!
2 thoughts on “Blueberry Picking in Central Florida at Southern Hill Farms”