Somewhere south of Yuma, a farm road leads to rows of date palms and a counter that blends a shake people talk about for years. Families come back across generations for it. Snowbirds plan winter around it, and travelers heading from Phoenix to California build in a stop just to grab one.
The headliner is a bacon date shake, and yes, it sounds strange until you notice how many people order it twice in one trip. Behind the cup is a family farm that grows Medjool dates by hand, runs a $10 tram tour through its groves, and shows a free video that explains why good dates cost what they cost. Keep reading for the full story, the shake lineup, the tour details, the hours that catch people off guard, and the honest catches worth knowing before you make the drive.
1. A Date Farm on Avenue 9 3/4
Down a road with a fraction in its name sits one of the most talked-about farm stops in southwestern Arizona. Martha’s Gardens is located at 9747 S Ave 9 3/4 E, Yuma, AZ 85365, out in the agricultural stretch southeast of town.
It is a working date farm first. The palms here produce Medjool dates, and the family that runs the place handles much of the growing work by hand.
Around the groves, the property adds a retail store, a small cafe counter, and hacienda-style grounds with outdoor seating. Most people arrive for one of three reasons: a tram tour, a bag of fresh dates, or a date shake.
Plenty of folks come for all three. The shake has a following that crosses state lines, but the farm itself is the reason the shake exists at all.
For Valley residents, Yuma can feel like a town you pass through on Interstate 8 without stopping. That habit is exactly why so many Arizonans have never heard of this spot.
The farm holds a 4.5-star average across more than 650 public ratings on Google, which is a strong showing for a place this far off the main drag. Dates, date shakes, and friendly staff come up again and again when people describe the place.
So what started all of this? The answer is a family story worth a few minutes of your time.
2. Roots of a Family Operation
Every farm has a first row of trees. Here, that beginning traces back to a founder whose son now leads tours through the groves he helped grow up in.
The headline number, 300 palms, speaks to how modestly the farm began. The groves stretch well beyond that starting point today, and the family still runs the operation.
That continuity matters. The person explaining date farming on the tram is not a hired script reader but part of the family that built the business.
Guests often walk away talking about the pride the guide shows in his family’s work. One of the owner’s sons, Nels, has led tours that people describe as some of the best guided experiences they have ever taken.
The family approach also shows up in how the farm grows its fruit. Date palms need a lot of hands-on attention, and the tour explains the many steps the crew takes to bring each crop in.
Some of the dates sold here are organic, another detail that comes up when people talk about the store.
It is a small-scale story with a big result. A handful of palms turned into a destination that people plan road trips around.
And the best way to understand that growth is to climb aboard and see the groves up close.
3. The $10 Tram Ride Through the Groves
Ten dollars buys a seat on a covered, open tram that rolls right through the palm rows. That is less than many movie tickets, and the payoff is a full lesson in how dates get from tree to box.
The tour runs a little over an hour, and some groups report it stretching to about 90 minutes. The pace depends on questions, and the guide tends to welcome plenty of them.
People leave with a new respect for the crop. Growing dates involves far more manual work than most folks expect, and the ride walks through each stage.
You will learn why the palms need so much care. You will also learn why premium dates carry a premium price.
Many guests call it one of the best tours they have taken anywhere. The guide’s knowledge and personality come up nearly every time the tour is described.
For Phoenix and Tucson families looking for a weekend outing where kids actually learn something, this checks the box without feeling like a classroom.
There is one big catch, though. The tram does not run all year, and timing can make or break your plans.
4. Tour Season and Its Surprises
Here is the detail that trips up the most people. Tours at the farm are seasonal, so a summer drive will not include a tram ride.
Several guests have arrived only to find the season had wrapped. In one year, the last tour went out about a month earlier than the posted end date because the heat showed up ahead of schedule.
That is Yuma for you. When temperatures climb, outdoor rides through the groves stop.
Others have shown up too late in the day for a tour. Arriving early gives you the best shot at a seat.
Fruit timing matters too. Showing up late in the year may mean the dates are no longer hanging on the trees, which takes away some of the visual payoff.
The smart move is to check the farm’s website before you go. The site lists current details, and a quick look can save a three-hour drive from ending in disappointment.
Cooler months generally line up with tour season. That fits nicely with the fall and winter window when Arizonans start planning day trips again.
Missed the tram anyway? The farm has a free backup plan that many people end up enjoying almost as much.
5. A Free Ten-Minute Crash Course
No tram? No problem. Inside the cafe area, a video plays that covers the whole date process from start to finish, and watching it costs nothing.
The film runs about ten minutes. It explains how the palms are grown, how the fruit is handled, and how the dates are processed for sale.
Guests who skipped the tour often say the video helped them understand why dates are so expensive. It turns a snack stop into a short lesson.
The screen sits in a back room or break area near where people sit with their shakes. That setup makes it easy to learn while you sip.
The video plays at intervals, so you may need to wait a few minutes for it to start again. Grab a table and settle in.
For travelers passing through Yuma on a tight schedule, this is a smart compromise. You get the core story without committing to a full tour.
Staff behind the counter can also answer basic questions. More than one guest has left with a quick history of the farm after a friendly chat at the register.
Of course, most people watching that video are holding a cup of the farm’s most famous product.
6. The Shake That Started the Road Trips
Ask anyone why they drove to this corner of Yuma County, and the answer often comes down to two words: date shake.
The original version blends the farm’s own ice cream, made with its dates, plus what appears to be a date jam. The result is sweet, and the date flavor comes through clearly.
It is the single most mentioned item tied to the farm after the dates themselves. More than 150 public comments bring it up.
The price has been modest. Shakes have sold for around $4.50 to $5.50 in recent years, though prices can change, so expect some variation.
One guest summed up the value as expensive in a good way. That is fair for a shake built on premium Medjool fruit.
People treat it like a tradition. Some first tried it as kids, then brought their own children back decades later.
Others make it a regular stop on every drive between Phoenix and California. Some snowbirds admit to ordering several per season.
The original is just the opening act, though. The menu gets more creative from here.
7. Bacon Meets Dates in a Cup
Sweet and salty in one straw sounds like a dare. At this farm, it is a bestseller.
The bacon date shake is the drink that gets people talking. Some guests call it the best thing they have ever had, which is a bold claim for something served in a cup.
It also inspires repeat trips. One couple tried a regular shake, then returned a couple of days later just to order the bacon version.
Locals know it too. A family with roots in nearby San Luis lists it as their go-to order when they make the drive.
Part of the appeal is novelty. Few places in Arizona blend these two flavors together, so it becomes a bragging point when you get back to the Valley.
Part of it is simple curiosity. Plenty of first-timers order it to see what the fuss is about and end up converted.
If you only have room for one shake, this is the one that gives you the best story. If you have room for two, the next section has options.
Bacon not your thing? The flavor list keeps going.
8. Peanut Butter, Caramel, and Cappuccino Choices
Variety is the quiet strength of the shake counter. Beyond the original and bacon versions, the lineup includes peanut butter, caramel, and other flavors.
The peanut butter date shake draws praise for being creamy. Couples often split one, and more than one pair has turned the outing into a literal date-shake date.
A cappuccino date shake also shows up on the menu. Guests describe it as a small cup, so plan accordingly if you have a big appetite.
Flavors may rotate, so check the board when you order. The staff can help you pick if the list feels overwhelming.
There is one limit worth knowing. The shakes are dairy based, and the farm has not been able to make a vegan version.
Most date desserts in the shop are not vegan either. Plant-based eaters do have options in the date rolls, covered in walnuts, coconut, pecans, or almonds.
The cafe counter also serves light lunch items during its season. That makes it easy to turn a shake stop into a full midday break.
Once your cup is empty, though, it is time to look at the shelves.
9. Medjools Straight From the Source
Dates are the most mentioned topic tied to the farm, with nearly 250 public comments bringing them up. That is no accident.
Buying here means buying straight from the grower. Many guests say the dates are fresher than what they had found at big club stores.
For some people, this is the first time they have had a really fresh date. One guest’s spouse tried a date for the first time here and became an instant fan.
The store carries several choices, including Supreme Medjool dates and variety packs. Some of the fruit is organic.
People buy in serious quantities. One road-tripping family loaded 55 pounds of dates into their vehicle for the drive home to Texas.
Not every box is perfect. One guest noted that some boxed dates were a little firm, so it is worth asking staff which batch is freshest.
Selection can also vary through the year. Some guests found fewer varieties than expected, so do not count on every option being in stock.
Fresh fruit is only part of the shop, though. The shelves hold a few more surprises.
10. Date Coffee, Rolls, and Gift Boxes
Gift shopping gets easier when everything on the shelf comes from one crop. The store leans into that idea.
Shoppers find date coffee, date and coconut candies, date rolls, and assorted date gifts and snacks. Date ice cream is another item that gets plenty of praise.
The date rolls come in coatings of walnuts, coconut, pecans, or almonds. They are also one of the few vegan options in the shop.
Here is a handy perk. The store can ship gifts directly to friends and family, so you do not have to haul everything home yourself.
One guest shipped boxes all the way to Vermont, and the family on the other end loved them. That makes the farm a sneaky solution for holiday gifts.
The shop is often described as clean and organized. On a good day, it is large and well stocked with many choices.
For Arizona locals, this is an easy way to send a little piece of the state to out-of-town relatives. It beats another generic souvenir.
After shopping, most people head outside to sit for a while.
11. Hacienda Grounds and a Fountain Courtyard
Slow down for a minute. The grounds are built for lingering, with hacienda-style architecture and plenty of outdoor seating.
A fountain sits at the center of the seating area. Many people describe the setting as peaceful, clean, and tranquil.
It works well as a quiet hangout. Some guests suggest bringing a sketchbook or knitting, or just settling in for a long chat over a shake.
The farm setting adds to the calm. Palm trees surround the property, and the drive out through farmland is pleasant in its own right.
That said, recent accounts paint a mixed picture of upkeep. Some guests have noted the garden seating area looking neglected, a fountain not working, and signs that have faded.
Others still find the grounds welcoming. Conditions may simply vary by season and timing.
It is fair to set expectations. Come for the farm, the dates, and the shakes, and treat the courtyard as a bonus.
If you are short on time, you can also be in and out in about ten minutes. The courtyard is optional, but the next question is who will enjoy the trip most.
12. Who Gets the Most Out of a Visit
Grandparents, parents, and kids all seem to find a reason to come back. That multigenerational pull is one of the farm’s quiet strengths.
Families with curious kids get the most from the tram tour. Learning how food is grown sticks better when you ride right through the trees.
Couples have fun with it too. A date-shake date at a date farm is the kind of pun that writes itself.
Road trippers on Interstate 8 treat it as a reliable stop. It offers a fresh, family-run alternative to big chain fast food along the highway.
Snowbirds who spend winters in Yuma turn it into a seasonal habit. Some admit their spouse would go every day if allowed.
Arizona locals have a reason to make it a dedicated trip. People who live in the region are urged by fans to visit at least once.
The experience is lighter if you skip the tour. There is not a lot to see beyond the store and courtyard, so the tram is what turns a quick stop into a real outing.
Once you know who it suits, the next step is timing your trip right.
13. Hours, Costs, and the Drive From Phoenix
Mark your calendar carefully. The farm is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, and closed on Saturday and Sunday.
That weekday-only schedule surprises plenty of weekend warriors. Plan around a day off or a long weekend that includes a Friday or Monday.
Costs stay friendly. The tram tour has been $10, the video is free, and shakes have run roughly $4.50 to $5.50.
Prices and seasonal schedules can change. Check the farm’s website before heading out.
From Phoenix, Yuma is typically around three hours by car via Interstate 8. Tucson drivers should expect a longer trip, often close to four hours.
That makes it a full day trip, or a natural stop on the way to Southern California. Some Valley residents build it into every westbound drive.
Service can slow down at busy times. Some guests have found a single person at the counter, which means a short wait.
Arrive early in the day if you want a tour. A morning start also leaves room for lunch and a shake before closing time.
With logistics sorted, there is just one question left.
14. Worth the Miles to Yuma
So, is a bacon date shake worth a three-hour drive? For a lot of Arizonans, the answer has been yes for years.
The farm pairs a cheap, hands-on lesson in date growing with a shake menu you will not find elsewhere in the state. That combination is rare.
It is not flawless. The tour season can end early, the grounds have shown some wear, and the store shelves may run thin at times.
Still, the core experience holds up. Fresh Medjool dates, a family guide who loves his work, and a shake that brings people back across generations make a strong case.
Go in the cooler months for the best shot at the tram. Go on a weekday, since weekends are off the table.
Bring a cooler if you plan to stock up on dates. Bring an open mind if you plan to order the bacon shake.
And when friends in the Valley ask where you found it, you get to be the one who knew about the date farm in Yuma first.
That bragging right might be the sweetest souvenir of all.
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