where I'll eat some figs yum, yum.
Seriously, our family vacay will consist of an LA to SF0 treks with stops to see literary and agricultural sights.  Of coure, I hope to visit Encanto.  Are there other fig orchards of note?  I'm new to this game so am most interested in trying varieties that I'll never find in Virginia.

Check out the Prush Gardens in San Jose...  http://www.pruschfarmpark.org/
They have a nice fig collection. (closed on Mondays).

Sue

I just returned for CA a couple of weeks ago. We home based in San Diego. I visited Jon on Sat morning which was very pleasant and informative. I drove up to Camerillo and visited with Richard Watts. That also was a nice trip. We stopped in LA and ate at Baby Blues, the best beef rib I've ever had. Then up to Simi valley to see Richard. To get there we took the Pacific Highway (the scenic route) and when we left the coast to go inland to Camerillo we passed through mile upon mile of strawberry fields. Of course we bought some from a road side stand. Then the nicest side trip was up to see Sue in the mountains where she treated us like royalty, which I am. It was a great ending to the day and the high point of our trip, to sit on her patio and watch the sun set over the mountains. Thanks again Sue.

I'm sure you'll find plenty to do, just make sure some of what you do is of your choosing and not only because the family wanted to go. Enjoy yourself.
"gene"

Another place I just thought of is Vital Zuman's organic farm in Malibu:

http://vitalzuman.com/wordpress/

They have an orchard of fig trees and make their own jams. I think this is where the Chico Strawberry fig was found growing wild?

Sue

I sure wish I had know about it while I was there. I drove right past it on my way to see Richard Watts, shucks.
"gene"

I'll be there next month... going to northern CA.

Gene, this gives you an 'excuse' to come back. ;-)

I don't know the process for getting to see the UCD germplasm near Sacramento but that would be an awesome place to visit at this time of the year as well.

Good point Sue, of course my last trip was 5 years ago, I just hope that I don't have to wait 5 more years.
"gene"

...and if you will be near Fresno, up hiway 99:

http://californiafreshfigs.com/

http://www.californiafigs.com/index.php