Toronto Day Trip: Strawberry Picking at Herrle's, St. Jacobs Farmers' Market & Laurel Creek Beach
The July Day Trip That Smells Like Strawberries, Tastes Like Apple Fritters, and Ends at a Beach
Most Torontonians have driven past the Waterloo Region exit on the 401 hundreds of times without stopping. That's a shame, because tucked just off the highway is one of the most concentrated stretches of farm country, food culture, and quiet beach time in southern Ontario. On July 4th, we're stringing the three best parts together into one day: a working strawberry farm where you pick your own, Canada's largest year-round farmers' market, and a sandy reservoir beach for the afternoon.
Where the strawberries actually come from
First stop is Herrle's Country Farm Market in St. Agatha, a family operation that's been growing food on the same land since 1964. By early July, twelve acres of pick-your-own strawberries are in peak season, with a half dozen varieties ripening on a rotating schedule across the field. You'll grab a container, get pointed to your row, and spend an hour low to the ground in the smell of warm sun on red fruit. The farm market itself is its own reward: a bakery turning out pies and apple fritters, a cooler full of local cheese and meat, and a gelato counter where the hazelnut flavour gets cult-level reviews.
Mennonite country at full Saturday volume
From there we head to the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market, which has been running since 1975 and now draws around a million visitors a year. The Waterloo Region is still home to the largest population of Old Order Mennonites in Canada, and many of the vendors arrive by horse and buggy from nearby farms. Inside three buildings and a sprawling outdoor flea market, you'll find hundreds of stalls: maple syrup, summer sausage, perogies, samosas, doner kebab, quilts, antiques, flowers, and the famous apple fritters with a line that never really shortens. Come hungry. Bring a tote.
Then a beach, because it's July
The day ends at Laurel Creek Conservation Area, a 294-hectare green pocket on the edge of Waterloo with a sandy beach on a quiet reservoir. No motorized boats are allowed, so the water stays calm enough for an actual swim. There's 4.5 kilometres of trail through woods and wetland boardwalks if you want to walk off lunch instead. Picnic tables, flush washrooms, hot showers if you swim, and shade trees for the people who packed a book and intend to use it.
We handle the driving
The whole loop is about 110 kilometres from Toronto and would normally mean a rental car, three separate parking lots, and a designated driver who can't enjoy the gelato or the brewery samples. Instead, we handle the route. You handle the strawberries.
Pickup Locations
How long is the drive? Roughly 90 minutes to two hours each way, depending on 401 traffic out of the city. Coach buses come with reclining seats, AC, large windows, ample storage for your hauls, and an onboard washroom, so the drive is part of the wind-down.
What's the order of stops? The general flow is Herrle's first (for strawberry picking before the heat of the day), St. Jacobs Farmers' Market mid-day, and Laurel Creek in the afternoon. Exact timing is confirmed in your trip details.
Can I stay in St. Jacobs or Waterloo and skip the return? This is a round-trip day trip, returning to Toronto the same evening. If you'd like to extend your stay, contact us before booking to discuss options.
The experience
Is this trip guided?This is a self-directed day trip. A Parkbus rep is on board to handle logistics, timing, and questions, but each stop is yours to explore at your own pace.
What if I don't want to pick strawberries?The Herrle's farm market itself is excellent without setting foot in the field. The bakery, gelato counter, and produce stands are open the whole time we're there.
Will the strawberries be ripe on July 4th?Peak strawberry season in Waterloo Region typically runs from late June through mid-July, so July 4th lands in the heart of it. Conditions are weather-dependent, and Herrle's posts updates if the season runs short or long. (verify with Herrle's closer to departure)
Strawberry picking specifics
How does pick-your-own work at Herrle's? You bring a container (or buy one onsite), weigh it empty, get directed to a row, and pick until you're done. They use a flag system so you're always in fresh rows that haven't been picked over. You weigh out and pay at the strawberry shack. Cash, debit, and credit are all accepted in the field.
How much do strawberries cost?Pricing is by weight and set by Herrle's each season. Recent seasons have run around $7/kg. (verify 2026 pricing)
How much walking is involved in the field? Herrle's notes that PYO customers should be able to walk at least 1 km, since some rows are a fair distance from the parking area. Wear closed-toe shoes you don't mind getting a bit muddy.
Food, drink & shopping
Can I eat at the farmers' market? Yes, and you should. St. Jacobs has prepared food vendors running the full international spectrum: apple fritters, peameal bacon sandwiches, perogies, samosas, falafel, doner kebab, summer sausage, fresh cheese curds, and more. Most vendors take debit and credit, but some are cash-only, so it's worth having a bit of cash on you.
Will I have time to actually shop? Yes. The farmers' market stop is built to give you real time to wander all three buildings and the outdoor flea market without rushing. (verify duration at stop)
Can I bring a cooler for purchases? A soft cooler or insulated tote is a smart idea, especially for strawberries, dairy, or meat you pick up at either farm stop. There's room in the bus's storage bays.
Laurel Creek
Can I swim? Yes. There's a sandy beach on the reservoir with flush washrooms and hot showers nearby. The beach is unsupervised, with a steeper drop-off than some lake beaches, so swim within your comfort level. Water quality is tested regularly through the summer by Swim Drink Fish Canada.
Are there canoe or kayak rentals? The Grand River Conservation Authority currently lists rentals as unavailable at Laurel Creek. The reservoir is great for paddling if you bring your own, but for this trip plan around swimming, hiking, and lounging. (verify rental status closer to trip date)
What if I just want to hike instead of swim?T he park has 4.5 km of well-maintained trail, including the Laurel Creek Wetlands Trail with boardwalks through forest and wetland. Easy walking, leafy shade, and plenty of benches.
What to bring
- A container or two for strawberries (Herrle's sells them onsite if you forget)
- Cash and card, for vendors who take one or the other
- A soft cooler or insulated tote for perishables
- Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat
- Closed-toe shoes for the strawberry field, sandals or runners for the rest
- Refillable water bottle
- A book or a deck of cards for the beach
Solo travellers, accessibility & weather
Is this trip good for solo travellers? Very. Parkbus day trips draw a steady mix of solo travellers, friend pairs, and small groups, and the structure of the day, with three distinct stops and lots of natural conversation starters, makes it easy to fall into chats with the people around you.
How accessible is the trip? The farmers' market and the Laurel Creek beach area are largely flat and accessible. The pick-your-own field at Herrle's involves uneven ground, some distance walking, and crouching low to pick. If accessibility is a concern, the farm market itself is fully accessible and is a great alternative to the field. Contact us before booking to discuss specific needs.
What if it rains? The trip runs in light rain. Herrle's PYO field closes during heavier weather for safety and crop reasons, and the market has plenty of indoor space, so the day flexes well around weather. Significant weather cancellations are communicated by email the morning of the trip.
Pricing
What's included? Round-trip coach transportation from Toronto, all stops on the day's itinerary, and an onboard Parkbus rep. Food, strawberry picking fees, and any vendor purchases are pay-as-you-go.
