Top Spots To Find Summer Fruit In South Florida

South Florida is known for lots of things including its beaches and nightlife, but do you ever think about our farming reputation? We are the second largest producing state of tomatoes and our avocados rival any from California. With summer in full swing, now's the time to get outdoors and experience our local farmers' markets and fruit stands. Even just driving around, you'll find locals with tents set up on the side of the road selling lychees, star fruit and those green goddesses - avocados. Here are a few places to experience the best that south Florida has to offer.

Robert Is Here
19200 S.W. 344th St.
Homestead, FL 33034
(305) 246-1592
www.facebook.com/Robert-Is-Here-Fruit-Stand

If you have never driven south, far, far south, to experience this one-of-a-kind fruit stand, you simply must. You will find every fruit you can imagine, and lots that you've never even heard of. How about a taste of a Kent mango? Or a sapodilla or dragon fruit? You'll also find the best local avocados, all different varieties, piled up high. Robert's wife makes a mean guacamole and mango salsa, too. And the fruit smoothies are worth the wait. You'll see the line as soon as you arrive so get in there and be a part of it. Strawberry rules, but you be the judge.

Pinecrest Gardens Farmers' Market
11000 Red Road
Pinecrest, FL 33156
(305) 669-6990
www.pinecrest-fl.gov

Every Sunday, year round, this top-rated farmers' market is a fantastic place to visit with your family and friends. In the summer, you'll find the season's best bounty of fruits and vegetables along with a few nice surprises like artisan bakers, spices, teas, smoothies and even conch fritters. In addition to the green farmers' market, Pinecrest Gardens is such a lovely place to experience. Its winding, shady pathways will lead you past a bevy of botanical wonders including enormous palms of every variety, flamingo lake, a petting zoo and a splash area. Bring your own towel.

Grandma's Garden
18001 Krome Ave.
Miami, FL 33187

This is a great place for u-pick fun, although in the summer, there's not much in the way of fruit to pick. But you can pick some veggies like peppers. With any luck, you might be able to pick your own watermelon in the fields out back, it will just depend on the month that you visit. Grandma's Garden has been growing in popularity for years now, and its strawberry shakes win rave reviews (as do its boiled peanuts). So load up the kids and head west to explore the splattering of roadside stands in this area, just stop here first before the crowds arrive.

Related: Top Spots To Get It Fresh

Lincoln Road Farmers' Market
Lincoln Road Mall
Miami Beach, FL 33139
www.lincolnroadmall.com

You'll find this locals' favorite between Washington and Meridian on the ever-popular Lincoln Road pedestrian mall. It's open year-round each Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but in the summertime, you'll enjoy a real treat. In addition to getting your daily dose of vitamin D from walking in the sunshine, you can score fresh fruit smoothies, all kinds of fresh local fruits and vegetables, homemade bites like empanadas and artisan bread and so much more. In the summer, your best bets for in-season fruits are papayas, watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, key limes and lychees, to name a few.

Sam And Philly's
16790 S.W. 177th Ave.
Miami, FL 33187
(305) 233-3276
www.samandphillys.com

Where did this big ol' barn come from? It's relatively new but you can't miss it on the west side of the road. It's huge and welcoming with a nice porch and rocking chairs. Inside, you'll find bins of fresh fruits and veggies, whatever is fresh and in season. This spot has been growing crops since 1948 and it picks fresh each day. You'll also find homemade jams, jellies and thick, creamy milkshakes. There are pony rides, too. The u-pick season is November through April. Kids are welcome but to pick their strawberries and tomatoes, they must be accompanied by a parent. Don't miss Sample Saturdays, where you can sample tasty treats.

Related: Top Hay Rides Near South Florida

Jill Martin is a family travel expert, appearing on numerous television and radio shows. She spent five years as the VISIT FLORIDA Family Insider, has penned children's books, and is the creator of Sunshine Brain Games – trivia cards about Florida. A Miami native, Jill resides in Redland. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.