Great Escape: Pick Produce at Erickson's Ranch

Summer produce is in full swing so load the kids into the car and head out to the orchards. Former First Street Foods owner favored Erickson's Ranch, located at 2482 Cordelia Rd., for it's exceptional seasonal produce.

Erickson's Ranch is a family-run business. The tradition began in the 1920'a by Augusto and Annie Toselli who originally grew pears in Suisun Valley. Their daughter Rosie carried on the tradition with husband Ray Erickson, who worked at Mare Island and farmed on weekends.

In 1958, Ray and Rosie purchased a 13-acre ranch near the Toselli farm. They moved to the new ranch two years later and raised their two children there. The couple have been farming ever since.

The Ranch is open to the public and allows visitors to pick their own tomatoes, peppers, herbs and melons. Right now, it's peach season and Erickson's has over 20 varieties of peaches and nectarines.

Their tomatoes are particularly flavorful and abundant in August and in October, the farm offers a real pumpkin patch with gourds and Indian corn. Other produce grown on the ranch includes lettuce, carrots, beets, onions, garlic, potatoes, corn and of course, pears.

The ranch also has beautiful flowers for cutting. The spectacular dahlias were from the original home garden at the ranch. Over time, new varieties have been planted along with perennials and annual flowers.

A visit to the ranch is fun and educational for the whole family. It's great for kids to see that peaches don't really come from the grocery store. Beware, you may be inspired to make a peach cobbler.

From Benicia, Erickson's is beautiful 25-minute ride down windy country roads. The ranch is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 6pm now through November 30.