The year was 1976 - John and Renee Linn packed up their hopes and family and moved from the comforts of the city to the rugged Central California Coast to start living their version of the American Dream.

The Linns wanted to farm and literally plowed, planted and plotted their future in the fertile land up Santa Rosa Creek, just east of Cambria. With hard work and a determination to succeed, they cultivated their crops, orchards and a deep love for this small community.

In 1985, Sunset Magazine snapped the young Linn family for a story about the new farmers of California. The Linns had just opened a country fruit stand and pie making business based on a then unheard of fruit - the Olallieberry. It turned out to be the cornerstone of their success.

Olallieberries proved to be very versatile in the hands of Renee Linn. Original products such as More Fruit-Less Sugar Preserves and Ready-to-Bake Fruit Pies, featuring the berry, became favorites of customers near and far. Over the years, Renee continued to create recipes highlighting the Olallieberry for dessert fillings, sauces, fruit butters, chocolate fudges, pound cakes, shortbread, candy, wine, vinegars and teas.

Nowadays, along with the ever-popular Olallieberry, the Linn's grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables at their farm. Seasonal citrus, berries, apples, apricots, lettuce, fresh vegetables, herbs and avocados come directly from the Linns' and neighboring farms to be made into wonderful entrees and desserts served at the local Linn's restaurant in Cambria.

Linn's has grown over the years with their restaurant, bakery and gift shop in Cambria on Main Street. Pies and preserves can also be purchased at our Linn's original farmstore (5 miles out Santa Rosa Creek Road, Cambria), Gourmet Goods on Bridge Street, many Central Coast supermarkets, www.linnsfruitbin.com and by mail order.