Unearth The Voyage
Florida is not exactly the first place that comes to mind when you think of rolling fields, sunflowers stretching toward the sky, and the kind of scenery that makes you stop and stare. But tucked away in the hills of Central Florida, there is a farm that genuinely looks like something out of a painting.
Rows of vibrant sunflowers, fields of ripe strawberries, and the warm glow of a country sunset combine to create a setting that feels almost too beautiful to be real. This place draws families, photographers, and anyone craving a break from theme park crowds, and once you see it for yourself, you will completely understand why people drive hours just to spend a Saturday there.
Where the Farm Actually Is
The farm sits at 16651 Schofield Rd, Clermont, FL 34714, nestled among open rolling hills that feel surprisingly far removed from the busy highways of the Orlando area. Getting there is part of the charm, as the drive takes you off the main roads and into a stretch of Central Florida that still looks the way the region did decades ago.
Clermont is known for its gentle hills, which is unusual for Florida, and Southern Hill Farms takes full advantage of that landscape. The property spreads across wide open fields that give you a real sense of space the moment you step out of your car.
You can reach the farm by following Schofield Road, and parking is available in a grassy field nearby. Comfortable shoes are a smart choice, since the walk from the parking area to the main entrance covers a decent stretch of open ground.
How the Farm Got Its Start
Southern Hill Farms did not always look the way it does today. The property began as a tree farm before the owners decided to pivot toward something more fruitful, literally.
The first blueberry crop was planted in 2010, and that decision set the stage for everything that followed.
Over the years, the farm expanded its offerings to include strawberries, sunflowers, zinnias, peaches, and a rotating lineup of seasonal produce. What started as a relatively simple agricultural operation gradually grew into a full-scale family destination with events, food vendors, and activities for all ages.
That evolution from tree farm to beloved community gathering spot speaks to the vision behind the place. The owners kept adding layers of experience without losing the genuine farm feel that makes it stand out from the polished, commercial attractions that dominate so much of Central Florida’s entertainment landscape.
The Sunflower Fields That Stop You Cold
There is a moment when you first see the sunflower fields at Southern Hill Farms where your feet just stop moving. Rows of tall, golden blooms stretch out in every direction, and the color is so saturated and vivid that it genuinely does not look like Central Florida.
The sunflowers are available for u-pick during their seasonal window, and the experience of walking through those rows with a bundle of freshly cut stems in your hand is hard to beat. The light in the late afternoon hits the flowers at an angle that photographers absolutely love.
Even visitors who come primarily for the food or the rides tend to end up spending a surprising amount of time just wandering the sunflower fields and taking photos. The sheer visual impact of the blooms against the Florida sky is one of those things you have to see in person to fully appreciate.
Strawberry Season and What to Expect
Strawberry season at Southern Hill Farms runs through the cooler months, typically from late fall into early spring, and the berries are genuinely worth the trip. They are sweet, firm, and taste the way strawberries are supposed to taste when they come straight from the plant rather than a grocery store shelf.
One practical tip worth knowing: arrive early. By midday, especially on busy Saturdays, the fields can get picked over quickly, and the best berries tend to go fast.
Morning visitors consistently find fuller rows and more options to choose from.
The farm provides containers for picking, and you pay by weight for whatever you collect. Renting one of the four-wheeled wagons available at the entrance makes the whole experience easier, especially if you plan to walk the full length of the brick paver path that leads out to the fields.
Blueberries in Every Shade of Tart and Sweet
Not all blueberries are created equal, and Southern Hill Farms makes that point beautifully by growing several different varieties on the property. Some lean tart and firm, making them ideal for baking into pies or cobblers, while others are sweeter and softer, perfect for eating fresh right off the bush.
Blueberry season typically picks up in late winter and runs into early spring, overlapping briefly with the tail end of strawberry season. That crossover window is one of the best times to visit, since you can fill a container with both fruits in a single outing.
The farm also produces its own honey, which pairs beautifully with fresh blueberries. The honey has a mild, light flavor that regular visitors rave about, and it is available for purchase at the farm store or through shipping if you want to stock up after your visit.
Peaches Fresh Off the Tree
Peaches might not be the first crop you associate with Florida, but Southern Hill Farms grows them, and they are extraordinary. The fruit comes off the tree sweet and juicy in a way that store-bought peaches rarely manage, and picking one yourself and biting into it right there in the orchard is one of those simple pleasures that is hard to replicate anywhere else.
Peach season is shorter than blueberry or strawberry season, so timing your visit right matters. Checking the farm’s website or social media before heading out is always a good idea, since crop availability can shift based on weather and growing conditions each year.
For families with kids, the peach trees offer a slightly different picking experience from the low-growing berry plants. There is something genuinely exciting about reaching up into the branches and pulling down a piece of fruit that is perfectly ripe and ready to eat.
Food Trucks, Treats, and the Famous Donuts
The food situation at Southern Hill Farms is genuinely one of the highlights of any visit. The main barn area hosts food trucks and vendors that rotate based on the season and the events happening that weekend, but the hot apple cider donuts are a constant presence and an absolute must-try.
Those donuts arrive warm, lightly spiced, and dusted just right. They have become something of a signature item for the farm, and it is nearly impossible to walk past the stand without stopping for a bag.
The blueberry lemonade is another crowd favorite, available in both regular and frozen versions depending on the time of year.
Other food options include tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and various seasonal treats like pumpkin lattes and apple cobbler during the fall festival. The covered dining pavilion provides a shaded spot to sit down and enjoy your food without standing in the Florida sun.
The Fall Festival Experience
When October arrives, Southern Hill Farms transforms into one of the most festive spots in Central Florida. The fall festival brings a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, tractor rides, live music, carnival-style rides, a petting zoo, s’mores stations, and a fireplace area where you can sit and take it all in.
The farm goes above and beyond to make the seasonal event feel special. Veterans receive complimentary tickets for themselves and a family member, which is a genuinely meaningful gesture that speaks well of the people running the operation.
Tickets for the fall festival are typically sold online in advance, and the farm does enforce capacity limits, so booking ahead is strongly recommended. The event runs on Saturdays, and the combination of golden hour light, seasonal decorations, and the general energy of the crowd makes it one of those outings that sticks in your memory long after the day ends.
The Zinnia Fields and Flower Picking
Sunflowers get most of the attention, but the zinnia fields at Southern Hill Farms deserve their own moment in the spotlight. These compact, brilliantly colored blooms fill their rows with shades of pink, orange, red, yellow, and white, creating a patchwork of color that is just as photogenic as the sunflower fields nearby.
Zinnias are available for u-pick during their seasonal window, and they make wonderful cut flowers that hold up well after you bring them home. A fresh bouquet of hand-picked zinnias from a Florida farm is the kind of souvenir that actually improves your living room.
The combination of sunflowers and zinnias blooming simultaneously, when the seasons align just right, creates a floral landscape that genuinely looks like it belongs in a painting rather than a working farm. That visual richness is a big part of why photographers and content creators make the trip from across the state.
Activities for Kids at the Farm
Families with young children will find no shortage of things to keep the kids entertained at Southern Hill Farms. The Kid Zone offers an all-day wristband that covers unlimited access to bounce houses, slides, obstacle courses, a giant fun slide, rock-climbing walls, and a carousel, among other attractions.
Wristband pricing runs around $24 for kids taller than 42 inches and $20 for smaller children, which is reasonable given the number of activities included. The rides and play structures are spread across a dedicated area that keeps the energy contained while adults enjoy the fields and food at a more relaxed pace.
Beyond the Kid Zone, there is also a petting zoo where children can interact with farm animals, life-size lawn games scattered around the property, and the simple joy of picking fruit straight from the plant. It is the kind of day out that wears kids out in the best possible way.
Live Music and the Farm Atmosphere
One of the details that elevates Southern Hill Farms above a typical pick-your-own operation is the live music. On event weekends, performers set up and play throughout the day, adding a layer of warmth and energy to the atmosphere that makes the whole place feel like a celebration rather than just a farm visit.
The music is lively without being overwhelming, which means you can enjoy a conversation at a picnic table while still soaking up the sound in the background. It gives the farm a genuine community gathering feel that is surprisingly hard to find in a region dominated by large, commercial entertainment venues.
Sitting in the shaded pavilion with a cup of blueberry lemonade, listening to a live set while kids run around nearby, is one of those low-key perfect afternoon scenarios that is easy to underestimate until you are actually in the middle of it.
Sunsets From the Gift Shop Overlook
Clermont’s gentle hills give Southern Hill Farms a topographic advantage that most Florida attractions simply do not have. The elevated area near the gift shop offers a vantage point where the sunset spreads across the sky in a way that feels almost cinematic.
The golden hour light hits the fields below at a low angle, turning the sunflowers and grass into something warm and glowing. Visitors who time their stay to catch the end of the day consistently describe the view as one of the most memorable parts of the entire experience.
Staying through sunset requires a bit of planning, since the farm operates on Saturdays only and closes at 6 PM. Arriving early in the morning, working through the activities and picking fields during the day, and then making your way up to the overlook as the light softens is a genuinely satisfying way to structure the visit.
Private Events and the Venue Space
Beyond the public farm days and seasonal festivals, Southern Hill Farms also hosts private events in a dedicated event space on the property. The venue has been used for weddings, milestone birthdays, and other meaningful gatherings, and the farm setting provides a backdrop that no ballroom can replicate.
The event coordination team works closely with clients to customize the experience, and the combination of open fields, natural light, and the farm’s inherent charm makes it a genuinely special location for celebrations of all kinds. The sunflower fields alone provide a photo backdrop that professional photographers appreciate.
For anyone considering an outdoor event in the Orlando area that feels distinctly different from the typical venue options, Southern Hill Farms is worth a serious look. The team’s attentiveness and the property’s natural beauty come together to create an event experience that guests tend to remember for a long time.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Visit
Southern Hill Farms is open on Saturdays only, from 10 AM to 6 PM, and the schedule can vary depending on the season and what events are running. Checking the website at southernhillfarms.com before your visit is the best way to confirm hours, ticket availability, and what crops are currently ready for picking.
The farm enforces capacity limits during popular events, so purchasing tickets online in advance is strongly recommended. Once the farm reaches capacity, entry is closed for the day, and showing up without a ticket is a gamble that does not always pay off.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes, since a good portion of the property involves walking on grass, dirt, and sandy paths. Renting a wagon at the entrance for around $8 makes hauling your picked produce much easier.
The farm phone number is +1 407-986-5806 if you need to call ahead with specific questions.
