I highly recommend this farm for cherry season…read more
I went today (Saturday, May 7), which was the first day of cherry season at John Podesta Farms.
Why did I rate them five stars? Let's find out.
1 star = organization
1 star = price
1 star = variety
1 star = customer service
1 star = bathrooms
Here's the longer version.
**Organization** I love how organized they are. You start by visiting their website and getting yourself on the notifications list. Then, when summer gets closer, they send you an initial text gauging your interest. If you're still interested, you get a second text asking you how many people you plan to bring and how many pounds you plan to pick. Then your final text is your reservation with directions, the liability waiver, instructions like bringing a bucket and a ladder, etc. This is the most organized place I've ever picked fruit at. As an organized person myself, I was very pleased. The only piece of information they don't tell you in the multiple communications that would be helpful is that they open at 9am. So, I showed up at 8:15 and had to wait.
**Price** Where else can you get cherries for only $2/pound? Nowhere in California that I know of. Even if you add the price of gas for the round trip drive, I bet they're still cheaper. As a reference, they ask you to bring a 5-gallon bucket (you know the ones they sell paint in when you have to paint a house), and if you fill that bucket to the top, it only costs $60.
**Variety** I picked only bing cherries while I was there because I was on a time limit, and I didn't have time to frolic, but I know they have bings, rainiers, brooks, and corals.
**Customer Service** The owner of the farm is so helpful, upbeat, and friendly. He's got a great vibe that just gets you in a good mood. You can tell he's passionate about the cherries, and that passion is contagious.
**Bathrooms** I know, you're probably thinking, who gives an entire star for porta potties? Let me tell you who. The adult woman who has a bladder the size of a toddler's, that's who. And it's not just the fact that they have porta potties that makes me happy, but there's also a hand washing station with soap and paper towels to dry your hands. During a pandemic, that's a really nice touch, don't you think? (worth an entire star, amiright?)
So, there you have it. 5 stars for this cherry orchard. I will definitely be back.