Break out your seasonal puffer jacket and grab your thermos of coffee, it’s time for your annual trek through a pumpkin patch — or two. Whether you go with family or want to spend a fun fall day out with friends, a pumpkin patch is the place for wholesome fun and conversation over what type of pumpkin is best, the kind you carve or the Starbucks drink variety.
Here is a selection of notable pumpkin patches across the Golden State to add to your October bucket list.
Pumpkin patches in Northern California
Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm located 65 miles north of Sacramento on the aptly named Pumpkin Lane in the town of Wheatland, this working farm has it all: petting zoo, corn maze, freshly made pies, hayrides, and according to their website, the largest U-Pick pumpkin patch in the world.
Dutch Hollow Farms in Modesto has over 25 varieties of pumpkins to choose from and an assortment of amusements for the kiddos including a corn maze, super slide and duckie races. There are also a variety of farm animals to see.
O’ Halloran’s Ranch located just over 50 miles northeast of Sacramento in the small town of Camino, this working family farm has been going strong since 1968. Take the afternoon off and enjoy a picnic amidst the peaceful scenery while sipping on apple cider. The farm grows a wide selection of pears, over 16 varieties of apples and three acres of pumpkins.
Dell’Osso Farm: Founded by three brothers in the 1920s, this farm in Lathrop is an annual fall tradition and welcomes about 250,000 visitors each year, according to its website. More than just a pumpkin patch, though they have one of those too, the farm features a massive corn maze, haunted castle, carousel, zoo, pony rides and more.
Pumpkin Patches along the Central Coast
Swank Farms Experience: Just east from the Monterey Bay in Hollister, this farm has been the site of local family fun for 25 years. Featuring a pumpkin patch, corn maze and assortment of farm activities, including the famous Pumpkin Slingshot, Swank Farms also hosts a unique haunted house called “Terror in the Corn” which has been delivering jump scares for years.
Borchard Farms in Salinas boasts a pumpkin pyramid, corn maze, spooky decorations and a wide variety of pumpkins, gourds and other squash that beats the prices you will find at the grocery store. Visitors can also see live birds and poultry on site, sit among giant pumpkins and take advantage of many photo opportunities for perfect holiday pictures.
Crystal Bay Farm in Watsonville is the perfect combination of spooky and pumpkin patch. Located near Sunset State Beach, so you also get intermittent coastal fog to set the spooky mood, visitors walk among displays of Halloween decorations and pumpkins organized by size, type and price. You may also catch a music performance on their outdoor stage.
Post Street Farm in Santa Cruz is as unique as the beachside city itself. During the rest of the year it is the destination for fresh cut dahlias, including giant ones, but when Halloween approaches, the urban farm is transformed into a spooky neighborhood jaunt, with floral mazes adorned with floating witches, gigantic skeletons and ghoulish creatures with glowing eyes. A selection of pumpkins, gourds and other farm products are for sale.
Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo features a pumpkin patch and massive corn maze for the entire family. The farm also has amusements including hayrides, corn hole, slides and a playground.
Pumpkin Patches in Southern California
Big Wave Dave: Not content with just one, this business operates a pumpkin patch at two of its four locations: Ventura and Santa Barbara. Guests stroll under a big tent and select that perfect pumpkin to carve or to eat. There are also kids’ activities and items to create your own fall decorations at home.
Great Pacific Pumpkins in Ventura features a hay maze, tractor rides, farm animals and a wide variety of pumpkins and squash.
Pumpkin Fest at CalPoly Pamona is jam packed with family fun and tickets usually sell out ahead of time, according to organizers. Featuring a pumpkin hill, farm demonstrations, live music and vendors, there are also corn mazes, hay wagon rides and a petting farm.
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in Culver City has a huge selection of pumpkins, gourds and squash, both conventional and organic, that is sourced from Northern California and Oregon farms. There are also kids activities and live entertainment.
This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Where are the best pumpkin patches near you in California
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