Cherry Picking Near Los Angeles: A Sweet Day Out at Murray Family Farm

Looking for a fun weekend activity close to LA? We headed to Murray Family Farm’s Little Purple Barn in Bakersfield for cherry picking—and it turned out to be such a juicy, enjoyable day! For just $25, you get to fill a whole box with fresh, ripe cherries—what a steal! 🤑 As soon as we walked into the orchard, we were amazed by how big it is: rows of cherry trees stretch as far as the eye can see, and mixed in are grapevines, loquat trees, and fig trees too—so many different fruits growing side by side, it felt like a little tropical haven 🌴. But a quick tip: Cherry picking is limited to one specific area of the farm, so don’t wander too far looking for more cherry trees! While there are plenty of cherries on the branches, some have already overripened (they’re a little mushy and too dark—definitely not the best for eating fresh 😕). So if you want to pick the plump, firm, and perfectly sweet ones, you’ll need to take a little time to search—check the inner branches (they often have less sun exposure and stay fresh longer!) and give each cherry a gentle squeeze to make sure it’s not too soft. Trust me, the effort is worth it—when you bite into a fresh-picked cherry, the sweet juice bursts in your mouth, way better than the ones from the grocery store! 🤤 We spent about an hour wandering the cherry rows, laughing as we picked (and sneaked a few extra cherries straight from the tree—oops! 😜). By the end, our box was overflowing with bright red cherries, and our hands were stained a little pink from the juice—total signs of a successful picking trip! If you’re in LA and want to escape the city for a few hours, this farm is the perfect spot. It’s not just about picking cherries—you can also stroll around, admire the other fruit trees, and breathe in the fresh country air. It’s a great activity for families, friends, or anyone who loves fresh, homemade goodness! #CherryPickingLA #MurrayFamilyFarm #LAWeekendFun #FarmToTableLA