Andy's Orchard in Morgan Hill: What to Know Before You Visit

moshe1661
Aug 3
4 min read

Morgan Hill is surrounded by reminders that Silicon Valley was once an agricultural valley. Andy's Orchard is one of the best places to experience that history without leaving town.

Located on Half Road in northeast Morgan Hill, this working family orchard is known for tree-ripened stone fruit, unusual and heirloom varieties, a seasonal country store, and summer tasting and tour events. It's not a theme park dressed up like a farm. The fruit is the main attraction.

Why Andy's Orchard Is Special

Andy’s Orchard sign beside blooming orchard trees in Morgan Hill, California

The Mariani family put down roots in the Santa Clara Valley in the early 1930s. In 1957, Joseph Mariani bought the property that's now home to Andy's Orchard, choosing a sunny, south-facing spot with well-drained soil and reliable water.

The orchard started with apricots and prunes. Cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, and other specialty fruits followed. Today, Andy Mariani carries on the family tradition and keeps one of the largest collections of stone-fruit varieties on the West Coast, many selected for flavor over shelf life. That's what makes a visit different from a grocery store run. You might see several kinds of peaches or plums that look alike but taste nothing alike.

What You Can Buy at the Country Store

For most visitors, the experience starts at the seasonal country store. Inventory changes through the harvest, but the orchard is best known for cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and pluots, some with very short harvest windows. The store also carries dried fruit, jams and preserves, prunes, and chocolate-covered dried apricots, so it's worth a stop even if the fruit you had in mind isn't ready yet.

Don't arrive fixed on one variety. Ask what tastes best that week.

What Fruit Is in Season

varies of fruits and vegetables for sale at the store

Timing shifts every year based on weather, bloom conditions, and variety. The season usually opens with cherries and early stone fruit, followed by apricots. Peaches and nectarines take over in summer, with plums and pluots running later.

2026 is a good example of why it pays to check before making a special trip. Andy Mariani told the Morgan Hill Times that an unusually warm winter and a heat wave during bloom gave the orchard one of its poorest cherry crops on record, and hit other high-chill varieties too. That doesn't mean there's nothing worth buying, just that the best pick this year may not be what you'd expect in a normal one.

Tastings and Orchard Tours

Andy's Orchard has hosted summer fruit tastings and tours for decades. These give a much fuller experience than a quick store visit: tasting multiple varieties side by side, plus a walk through the orchard and its history.

The 2026 schedule ran five dates from June through August. As of early August, all of this season's remaining events are sold out. Check the official event calendar and reserve early once next year's dates are posted.

Is Andy's Orchard a U-Pick Farm?

No. The normal public experience is the country store plus scheduled tasting and tour events. Don't assume a regular store visit includes walking the orchard or picking your own fruit. Confirm any special access directly with Andy's Orchard first.

Hours, Location, and What to Know Before You Go

Andy's Orchard is located at 1615 Half Road, Morgan Hill, CA 95037.

Country store hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store runs seasonally, May 15 through December 31, per the orchard's website.

Hours, fruit availability, and events can change, so check the official website or call before making a special trip.

Why Andy's Orchard Matters to Morgan Hill

Andy's Orchard is more than a place to buy peaches. It connects present-day Morgan Hill to the Santa Clara Valley's agricultural history, back when orchards covered much of the valley before Silicon Valley took over. Most of that landscape is gone. Andy's Orchard is a working example of what the area was known for, and part of why Morgan Hill still feels different from a lot of Silicon Valley towns. You can live within commuting distance of major employers and still be minutes from farms, orchards, wineries, and open space.

Is Andy's Orchard Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially during stone-fruit season. Visit the country store for fresh fruit and specialty products. Book a tasting and tour once next year's dates open if you want the full story and a chance to compare varieties you won't find in a supermarket.

The best advice: arrive with an open mind and ask what's best right now. The strongest thing on offer may not be what you originally planned to buy.

Ready to See What's Available?

Places like Andy’s Orchard are part of what makes Morgan Hill such a special place to live. If you’re considering a move, let’s talk through your budget, timeline, and which neighborhoods may be the best fit for you.

Search current listings in Morgan Hill or schedule a call with Moshe to talk through what’s available.

Moshe Fogel is a Bay Area real estate agent with Agam Real Estate, based in Morgan Hill, California. He specializes in helping families buy, sell, and invest across the Bay Area. Learn more about Moshe.

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