Locals Keep Returning To This Florida U-Pick Farm For Endless Sunflowers
What if you could walk through a sea of golden sunflowers in Florida and leave carrying a bouquet you picked yourself?
For part of the year, one sprawling farm turns that picture into reality. Rows of bright yellow blooms stretch across rolling fields, visitors wander between them searching for the perfect flowers to cut, and nearly every direction looks like it was designed for a photograph.
But the sunflowers are only the beginning.
Depending on the season, you might spend the morning picking berries, grab something sweet from the farm market, follow the smell of freshly made treats, and stick around while live music and food trucks turn a simple farm visit into an entire afternoon outside. Families come for the activities, photographers come for the views, and plenty of visitors seem to find an excuse to return when the next crop is ready.
It is part farm, part festival, and part Florida road-trip surprise.
So what keeps people coming back season after season? Here are ten things to know about this colorful u-pick destination before planning your visit.
Rolling Hills You Did Not Expect in Florida
Most people think Florida is flat as a pancake. Then they drive west of Orlando into Lake County and find gentle hills rising out of the countryside.
Southern Hill Farms sits right in this surprising landscape at 16651 Schofield Rd in Clermont.
The setting feels like a real escape. One visitor said the farm is far enough from Orlando that you feel like you are out in the country, yet close enough that it never feels out of the way.
That balance is a big reason locals treat it like a weekend habit instead of a once-a-year trip.
As you pull in, rows of crops stretch across the slopes, and the breeze carries the smell of warm soil and sweet fruit. The open sky makes everything feel bigger, especially near sunset when the light turns orange and pink across the fields.
Tourists like the location too. Several reviewers mention stopping at the farm on the way to the theme parks for a few calm hours away from the crowds.
If you are visiting the Disney area, it makes a refreshing side trip. Bring sunglasses, because those hilltop views can be bright, and you will want to look around a lot.
Sunflower Fields That Steal The Show
Brianna drove about two hours just to see her first big sunflower field. Her verdict?
Absolutely amazing. She is far from alone, since sunflowers are the most talked-about feature in the farm’s thousands of online reviews.
Walking into the field feels like stepping into a painting. Tall stalks tower around you, bright yellow faces turn toward the sun, and bees hum softly between the petals.
It is easy to lose track of time snapping photos.
Here is how it worked during a recent season, according to visitors. Entry to the sunflower field cost about six dollars and included one free flower to cut and take home.
Extra stems were around two dollars each. Prices can change from season to season, so check the farm’s website before you go.
A little planning helps. Late in a season, many flowers may already be cut, so you might need to walk farther to find the best blooms.
Wear comfy closed-toe shoes for the dirt rows. Morning and late afternoon light make for the prettiest photos and cooler temperatures.
A zinnia field has also been part of the colorful lineup in some seasons, adding even more blooms to wander through.
Blueberries By The Bucketful
Few sounds beat the soft plunk of a ripe blueberry hitting the bottom of an empty bucket. At Southern Hill Farms, that sound fills the air every spring when blueberry season arrives.
Visitors rave about how plentiful and sweet the berries are. One family drove all the way from Tampa for their first blueberry outing and left thrilled.
Reviewers recently reported a price of about five dollars per pound, paid when you weigh your haul on the way out.
The farm grows several blueberry varieties. Some are tart and great for pies, while others are sweet enough to eat by the handful.
Ask the staff which rows suit your plans, whether that is baking muffins or snacking in the car.
Sampling a few berries while you pick is allowed in moderation, according to one cheerful reviewer who swears it is on the website. Just remember that what you pick, you buy, so watch how fast that bucket fills up.
Go early in the day if you can. There is little shade between the bushes, and Florida sun gets intense by noon.
A hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle will make your picking time much more pleasant.
Strawberries, Peaches, And A Rotating Harvest
Sweeter than fancy Japanese strawberries? One bold reviewer says yes.
That kind of praise shows just how much the fruit here wins people over.
Blueberries and sunflowers get plenty of attention, but the farm offers a changing menu of crops through the year. Visitors mention u-pick strawberries in winter, peaches in late spring, plus blackberries and vegetables at times.
Peaches show up in more reviews than almost anything else, with guests loving the joy of pulling juicy fruit right off a tree.
Strawberry rows have sometimes been farther out on the property. One guest described a tractor-pulled ride that carried pickers out to the strawberry plots.
Strawberries were recently about five dollars per pound too, so a heaping box can add up quickly.
A helpful tip comes from a visitor who learned the hard way. Each crop usually has its own containers and check-in spot, so you cannot mix strawberries into a blueberry bucket.
Ask at the entrance what is in season that day and where to start.
Because availability shifts week to week, the farm’s website and social pages are the best place to check before driving out.
Free Parking And No Gate Fee On Regular Days
Good news for your wallet first. On regular u-pick days, visitors say parking is free and there is no entry fee.
You simply pay for what you pick and what you eat.
That simple setup is a big reason locals pop in again and again. A quick Thursday evening berry run does not have to be a big expense.
One reviewer was surprised by how huge the grass parking lots were, so you rarely need to stress about finding a spot.
Now for the timing. Recent hours have been Thursday from 4 to 8 PM, Friday from 11 AM to 8 PM, Saturday from 9 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday from 9 AM to 7 PM.
The farm is closed Monday through Wednesday. Hours change with seasons and special events, so check the website or call 407-986-5806 before heading out.
Grass lots can get soft after rain, so drive slowly. Saturday mornings tend to be the coolest time to pick, while weekend evenings bring a livelier crowd.
Arriving right at opening gives you the freshest rows and the shortest lines at the weigh station.
Apple Cider Donuts Worth The Drive Alone
Warning: you may come for the fruit and stay for the donuts. One local admitted exactly that, calling the treats a must before you leave.
Apple cider donuts are the star of the farm’s dessert counter. Guests describe them as fresh, perfectly spiced, and coated in sugar that sticks happily to your fingers.
One visitor who first came during 2020 still remembers them as a highlight of the whole day. Seasonal flavors pop up too, like strawberry donuts in berry season and pumpkin cookies in the fall.
Then there is the drink everyone talks about. Blueberry lemonade, often served frozen, is a cold, tangy rescue on a hot afternoon.
One reviewer said her husband makes great lemonade, but the farm’s version is a close second, which is high praise in any marriage.
Food trucks round out the meal, and they are mentioned in more reviews than any other topic. Expect a rotating lineup on weekends.
Covered seating areas offer shade while you eat.
Do not forget the honey. Visitors describe it as light and mild, and it makes a sweet souvenir to carry home.
A Playground Paradise For Little Farmers
Toddler energy meets its match here. Parents love the free jumping mats, with one mom calling them a lifesaver for her bouncy little ones.
Kids have plenty to explore beyond the berry rows. Reviewers mention a mini park with slides and a merry-go-round, a sweet petting zoo, and carnival-style rides during events.
A train also chugs around the property, giving tired legs a break and offering fun views of the farm.
Families with babies are welcome too. One mom picked sunflowers and blueberries with her infant and described the farm as perfect for kids and strollers.
Main paths and pavilions are easier to roll across, though fields are natural dirt and grass, so bumpy spots are normal. If you need specific accessibility details, call the farm ahead of time.
Rides may require an all-day pass, and they can be tempting. One clever parent purposely steered clear of the carnival zone so her kids would not spot it.
Choose your route wisely.
Bring wipes, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. Between sticky donuts, juicy peaches, and dusty rows, little ones will head home happily messy.
A Real Autumn Moment In The Sunshine State
Florida rarely gets a true fall. That is why one guest called the farm’s festival the autumn experience Florida did not know it needed.
The fall festival transforms the property. Pumpkins in every shape and size fill a cozy marketplace under a pavilion, creating endless photo spots.
A corn maze winds through the fields, and the petting zoo and rides keep kids busy. As evening falls, bonfires crackle and families roast marshmallows for s’mores while the sky glows over the hills.
Festival days work differently from regular u-pick days. Tickets are usually sold on the farm’s website and often cover activities, while food costs extra.
Prices have risen over the years, and one family of five reported spending around 155 dollars to enter, plus more on treats. Budget ahead so the day stays fun.
The farm has also hosted a Christmas event, which one visitor loved just as much as the fall celebration. She praised the nostalgic feeling and stunning sunsets.
Festival dates and details change yearly, so watch the website as the season approaches. Popular days can fill up, so booking early is smart.
Live Music, Fire Pits, And Golden Sunsets
Strum, sizzle, and sigh. That pretty much sums up a weekend evening at the farm.
As the sun drops behind the hills, live music drifts across the grounds. Food trucks sizzle, kids laugh near the play areas, and grownups relax at shaded tables playing games.
Reviewers often mention the covered seating and lawn games, which make it easy to linger long after your bucket is full.
When the weather cools down, fire pits come alive. Wrapping your hands around a warm drink beside the flames feels surprisingly cozy for Central Florida.
Several visitors say the sunsets here are simply gorgeous, with the open hilltops giving you a front-row seat.
Special events add even more reasons to visit. One runner joined the U Run U Pick Blueberry 5K and loved it so much she planned to bring family back.
Events like this pop up through the year, so keep an eye on the farm’s calendar.
For the best evening, arrive in the late afternoon. Pick a little fruit while it is cooler, grab dinner from a truck, then settle in for music and that famous glowing sky.
Family Roots That Make Visitors Feel At Home
Picture this. A family is struggling with five heavy boxes of strawberries when the owner rolls up in a golf cart and offers them a ride.
That true story from a reviewer captures the spirit of this place.
Southern Hill Farms is family owned, and guests notice. One visitor described it as a cozy home with a huge backyard, great food, and activities for everyone.
Staff earn praise for being friendly, funny, and helpful, and the farm often replies to reviews by thanking people for loving their local farmer.
Not every moment is perfect, of course. One guest found the check-in process confusing and wished for clearer signs about which fruits were available.
Asking questions at the start and checking the website first can save you a little frustration.
Longtime fans love watching the farm grow. A mom named Heather said it has become more beautiful over the years, and she keeps bringing her kids back for blueberries and peaches.
With a 4.7-star rating from over 3,000 reviews, plenty of families share that feeling.
Come once, and you may start your own yearly tradition too.