About Us

Rooted in Family. Grown with Purpose.

For more than a century, the Wells family has been farming the Hood River Valley with a goal to grow exceptional fruit and create a place where the community feels at home. Today, that tradition lives on at Pearl’s Place Fruit Stand, where generations of farming experience, fresh-picked fruit, and local hospitality come together.

The Story Behind Pearl’s Place

Pearl’s Place is named in honor of Pearl Wicklund, a beloved Hood River orchardist known throughout the valley as the “Cat Lady.” Born in Minnesota in 1914, Pearl moved to Oregon during World War II to work in the shipyards before eventually settling in Hood River to manage the family orchard.

Pearl was passionate about farming, known for growing a wide variety of fruit and welcoming loyal customers year after year. After her passing in 2003, the Wells family continued Pearl’s Place to carry on her legacy of hard work, quality fruit, and love for the local community.

Five Generations of Farming in Hood River

The Wells family farming story began in 1891, when Jerome Wells arrived in Hood River and established a homestead in the Pine Grove area. What started as a small orchard operation has grown over five generations into over 500 acres of thriving orchards.

Over the years, the family has continued to innovate while staying true to their roots — expanding fruit varieties, improving irrigation systems, implementing environmentally friendly frost protection, and packing and shipping fruit under the Viewmont Orchards label.

Today, the sixth generation continues the tradition, proudly growing premium apples, pears, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, berries, pumpkins, and more for families across the Pacific Northwest.

Fresh Fruit Varieties Grown Right Here

Apples: Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gravenstein, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Newtown Pippin, Red Delicious, Sonata
Pears: Asian, Bartlett, Bosc, Comice, D'Anjou, Forelle, Red D'Anjou
Cherries: Bing, Lapin, Montmerency/tart, Rainier, Regina, Sweetheart
Peaches: Bright Princess, Candy Red, Diamond Princess, Elberta, Flaming Fury, O'Henry, Red Haven, Snow Princess, Suncrest
Plums: Early Italian, Santa Rosa, Yummy Giant, Pluerry (Plum/Cherry cross), Pluot (Plum/Apricot cross)
Strawberries: Quinalt, Fort Laramie, (both are everbearing) and Hood
Blueberries: Aurora and Liberty
Pumpkins/Gourds: Jack-o-lantern and mini pumpkins, and decorative gourds
Garden Vegetables and Herbs
Fruit to Produce

A Family-Friendly U-Pick Experience

Our U-Pick orchard is designed to be a fun, memorable experience for all ages. We provide buckets and carts to help you gather your favorite fruit straight from the trees while enjoying the beauty of the Hood River Valley.

We simply ask U-Pick guests to follow some basic rules:

1) Rule #1 is to HAVE FUN!

2) Be kind to the trees and pick only fruit, not the branch.

3) Do not climb the fruit trees as this could damage the tree (as well as you!)

4) If you pick it, you buy it, even if you change your mind.

5) Do not pick fruit off the ground that the tree has already dropped. It may not be as pretty on the inside.

6) Dogs are welcome but need to be on leash. Please pick up their doo-doo so the next guest doesn't get a surprise!

7) No ladders or step stools, for safety reasons.

8) Refer to Rule 1.

Because this is a working farm, please watch for tractors and keep an eye on children, especially near orchard rows close to the highway. Take lots of pictures, and we'd love it if you tagged us in your social media photos!

Fresh Fruit Varieties Grown Right Here

For over 100 years, the Wells family has believed in protecting and improving the land for the generations that follow. That commitment continues today through sustainable farming practices, careful stewardship, and a passion for sharing the harvest with the community we love.

We’re grateful to welcome you to Pearl’s Place and invite you to experience a tradition that has been growing for generations.