The Little Purple Barn, Murray Family Farms - Bakersfield, California

Heather E.

I was sooo excited about this place. We go to the other location multiple times a year and love it.
As soon as we arrived to pick cherries, we noticed that this location looked very run down and had nothing but the Purple Barn store. I walked inside with my kids and had a backpack full of snacks.(If you have young kids you know we always have to have snacks with us.) I was immediately told I could not take the backpack out to the fields. I let them know it was just snacks and that I always take it to the other location. The lady working told me that I don't bring it to the other location and I was wrong for saying that. I walked outside after this interaction to let my husband know and brought it back to the car. At this point I was pretty upset how I was being talked to.

We all went back inside and asked about picking cherries. Ended up being told we all had to buy a basket (my husband and myself to share a large basket, and all 3 of my young kids needed one). This was like $50 for us to pick. Got on the tractor ride and headed to the fields. We weren't told anything about the fields or told what to do once we got there.

As soon as we got off we started to head to the trees and were stopped by a worker who wasn't very nice either. He proceeded to tell us what rows we could pick from, there were only 2 rows and only one type of cherry to pick. Hardly any cherries low enough for kids to pick. This was shocking to us since we were told at the other location how many cherry varieties there were and to come visit the purple barn to pick them. We had two rows to choose from and if you strayed to the wrong trees, they were right there to tell you. Watching like Hawks.

I don't understand why we were told at the other location to come pick a variety of cherries and then arrived to one type.

We drove a very long way to come to this farm and we were so disappointed with the experience. This farm seems like it would do good with the cherries and other things growing but the staff isn't nice and the place is run down! And I mean run down. It truly looks like crap near the purple barn. Not the experience we have when we go to the larger location.

I do want to mention that that lady at the front did change her tune when she realized how upset I was with the way she was talking to me.

We won't be back, and that's unfortunate because it's hard to find organic farms to pick from.

Mario B.

LOVE IT - MUST STOP! Support local business. Amazing family farm, great selection of homemade snacks and fresh produce/fruit. The owner offered free samples. A huge selection of locally sourced products. Restrooms are clean. Large parking lot.

Janie G.

Smaller version of other Murray Family Farms I loved as well. Same great citrus and avocados. Less of a selection, not a gas station too, but same cherry-painted design on water tower, and general color theme without the outdoor seating, etc. Good selection of samples.

I had eaten most of what I got at the other location, and had been lamenting I wouldn't be able to find excellent citrus again for a while--then we saw this!

Perfect for restocking on the go!

Mary M.

I arrived and was greeted by a wonderful gal at the counter. She said it was towards the end of cherry season and the cherries were 40 percent off. The cherries are sweet and tasty. The store was very clean and neat. When I'm in the area I'll stop in again! Oh, they had a great selection of honey! Yes, I bought a jar of Wildflower!

Heather J.

Delicious, organic fruit, homemade pies friendly people, a clean bathroom and space to eat lunch outside. Well worth the stop. Cherries, apricots, plums, berries, nectarines.

Gabby C.

Such a great little barn with fresh fruit and pies! We tried their peach pie and it did not disappoint, it was one of the best pies I’ve tried.

Alex W.

This is a great little stop to get out of the car and move around. The staff is super friendly and helpful. I wish there was an option for two adults to fill one basket as we now have over 6lbs of cherries for two people. While a little pricey, it is a very fun family activity to break up a long road trip.

Josie B.

With all the huge signs off the highway, we were excited to stop, but were quickly disappointed. The cherries did not look fresh like other stands.. nor was there a lot of other fresh fruit. There was a lot of dried goods..
Also It smelled like a zoo in there today. Not sure if it smells like this everyday or not, but it made my and my family lose our appetite…

The lady working was nice though. Which is why I’m leaving 3 stars.