You pull off a quiet two-lane road because you need a break, and the little shed with the hand-painted sign looks like nothing special. Then someone hands you a cold cup of orange juice squeezed that morning, and suddenly the whole trip feels different.
Florida is still full of these humble citrus stands, and many of them sell real fresh juice for about the price of a gas station soda. Here are ten worth the detour, from the Gulf Coast to the Panhandle gateway.
1. Citrus Place, Terra Ceia, FL
Blink along US-19 near the mouth of Tampa Bay and you might miss Citrus Place entirely. That would be a shame, because this family-owned stop squeezes orange and grapefruit juice fresh every day and sells it by the half gallon or whole gallon.
Inside the cute little shop, coolers hold key lime pie, snacks, and drinks, while shelves carry citrus, some produce, and homemade jams and jellies. Hungry?
Sandwiches are on the menu, and the orange swirl soft serve is the kind of treat that makes a Manatee County afternoon feel complete.
Prices run roughly $1 to $20 per person, so a juice and a cone won’t strain anyone’s budget. Hours are Monday through Saturday 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5:30 PM, with free parking and room for leashed dogs outside.
Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowd.
2. Sun Harvest Citrus, Fort Myers, FL
Ever watched your orange juice being made before you drink it? At Sun Harvest Citrus in Fort Myers, the production views turn a simple shopping stop into a mini Southwest Florida field trip.
The selection of fresh Florida citrus is wide, and the fresh-squeezed orange and grapefruit juices are the stars. Free tasting samples make it easy to decide, and half-gallon bottles are ready to carry home.
Beyond the juice, you’ll find soft-serve ice cream, cake, candy, local products, and plenty of Florida-themed gifts. The doors stay open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM, which makes it a handy evening stop off 6 Mile Cypress Parkway.
Sunday mornings tend to be the calmest window.
3. Al’s Family Farms Citrus, Fort Pierce, FL
Old barns have a way of holding onto history, and the one at Al’s Family Farms smells like Indian River oranges. Set on North Kings Highway in Fort Pierce, this vibrant institution has the feel of an old country store.
Free samples of fresh-squeezed Valencia or Honeybell orange juice greet visitors, depending on the season. The grapefruit juice earns just as much loyalty, and several orange varieties fill the bins.
Jams, jarred goods, fudge, and the creamy Sunshine Shake round out the counter. An outdoor dining area sits beside a grill serving reasonably priced burgers and hot food, and there is even a kids’ menu.
Plan around the schedule: Monday to Friday 10 AM to 3:30 PM, Saturday until 4 PM, and closed Sundays. Weekday mornings are the quietest.
4. Joshua Citrus Inc, Arcadia, FL
Cattle pastures, open sky, and then rows of orange trees. That drive down County Road 760 in DeSoto County is half the reward of visiting Joshua Citrus.
The family-run grove stand pours fresh juice from its own fruit and swirls a fantastic orange soft serve that kids and grown-ups both chase. Jellies, seasonings, produce, and gifts fill the shop, and the staff are genuinely warm.
Nice sitting areas, a tire swing, and a playground make it easy to linger in true rural Florida style. Hours run Monday through Friday 10 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM, with Sundays off.
5. Robert Is Here Fruit Stand, Homestead, FL
Orange juice is just the beginning down in the Redland. Robert Is Here, a family-owned market near the edge of the Everglades, goes tropical in a big way.
Freshly squeezed sugarcane juice, coconut water, and fresh orange juice all share the counter with mangoes, custard apples, bananas, and other exotic finds you rarely see elsewhere in the state. A milkshake counter blends local fruit into thick, cold treats.
Groceries, prepared foods, a salad bar, and organic products make it more than a quick snack stop. Weekdays run 9 AM to 5 PM, and weekends stretch from 8 AM to 6 PM.
Weekend afternoons get packed, so weekday visits feel far more relaxed.
6. Showcase of Citrus, Clermont, FL
Picking an orange straight off the tree feels like a small Florida rite of passage. At Showcase of Citrus, set among the rolling groves of Lake County off US-27, that is exactly the point.
Visitors pick their own fruit, then cool off with a 100% natural orange juice slushy or a creamsicle. Fresh-squeezed juice and citrus treats win over every age group.
The old-timey country store is stocked with local honey, jams, jellies, marmalades, hot sauces, BBQ sauces, salsas, spices, rubs, and soaps. Families can add a citrus farm tour, playground, and petting zoo, though some activities require an appointment.
Open daily 9 AM to 7 PM.
7. SUNSATIONAL FARMS UMATILLA, Umatilla, FL
Kids watching oranges get washed and squeezed tend to remember it for years. Sunsational Farms, tucked on Roger Giles Road in the small town called the Gateway to the Ocala National Forest, puts that process right on display.
When oranges are in season, the fresh-squeezed juice is the headliner. Creamsicle and peanut butter milkshakes, banana splits, strawberry shortcake, and wraps or cheesesteaks give it real lunch power.
A playground, a replica little barn, and a maze keep young visitors busy while adults browse local soaps, jams, and gifts. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 4 PM.
Saturdays are busiest.
8. Peterson’s Groves & Nursery, Vero Beach, FL
Indian River County built its name on grapefruit, and Peterson’s Groves keeps that tradition humming. This long-standing grove store on 66th Avenue feels like Vero Beach before the condos arrived.
Fresh-squeezed orange and grapefruit juices draw the faithful. Fruit and vegetables, honey, homemade ice cream, and a gift shop round things out.
Mango season brings locally grown fruit at affordable prices. Hours are Monday through Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 3 PM, with Wednesday and Friday mornings usually quiet.
9. Schacht Groves, Vero Beach, FL
Small farms often carry the biggest flavor. Schacht Groves on 12th Street in Vero Beach lets you pick your own oranges or simply grab a jug from the cooler.
The orange juice is excellent, and the grapefruit juice holds its own. The gift shop is surprisingly large, with fresh or frozen citrus, honey, pies, muffins, bread, ice cream, meats, and more.
Prices lean a little higher than some stands nearby, so think of it as a grove-to-table treat. Open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 5:30 PM.
10. Florida Citrus Center, High Springs, FL
Gators, oranges, and a free cup of juice make an unbeatable welcome to North Florida. The Florida Citrus Center on NW County Road 236 near High Springs is a classic roadside stop with plenty of charm.
Free samples of fresh-squeezed orange juice set the tone, and cups and jugs are inexpensive. Super fresh fruit, citrus candies, jams, and alligator jerky make fun souvenirs.
Gator viewing adds a quirky bonus. Open every day from 7 AM to 8 PM, it’s ideal for early road-trippers headed to the springs.
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