Bates Nut Farm

Bates Nut Farm is a family-owned, 100-acre working farm nestled in the scenic hills of Valley Center, California — about 40 miles north of San Diego. Founded in 1921 when Gilbert and Beatrice Bates established Walnut Slope Ranch, the property has been operated by the same family for more than a century and today welcomes visitors year-round to its country store, farm zoo, picnic areas, and boutique. The farm's outdoor grounds serve as a distinctive backdrop for private events, including weddings, corporate gatherings, birthday celebrations, fundraisers, family reunions, and picnics. The ceremony area is shaded by rows of mature mulberry trees, while the adjacent garden stage area — framed by lush green hedges and flowering plants — accommodates receptions and larger gatherings. Events are not booked mid-September through October, when the farm transitions to its annual pumpkin patch season. Situated on a working agricultural property with more than a century of history, Bates Nut Farm offers an outdoor event setting that is uncommon in the greater San Diego region.