California is known to have plenty of pumpkin farms and patches filled with fun activities for kids and grown-ups!
Expect maize mazes, hay rides, petting zoos and cow trains. Not to mention Halloween-themed activities! There are plenty of pumpkin patches in California to choose from.
Every October, local farms have a wide variety of orange-coloured pumpkins out on their patches. There are also farmer markets selling everything from small gourds to massive competition-sized pumpkins.
Wherever you choose to visit you are in for some incredible Fall photos.
Pumpkin Patch California
The farms and patches usually start opening up around mid-September, running all through October until Halloween. Pumpkin farms are the best place to enjoy Fall!
If you scroll all the way to the bottom of the article you’ll find a map with all of the pumpkin farms pinned so you can find your nearest pumpkin farm in California! In no particular order:
1. Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm
The Californian locals are quite familiar with Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm, it has been catering to its patrons since 1973.
This working farm has plenty of activities planned every year for the entire family. A day at the farm begins with a homemade Pumpkin Apple Muffin, a visit to the Weeland Petting Zoo, a ride on the BPF Line and a hand-dipped golden corn dog for lunch.
Take a hayride to the pumpkin field and find the pumpkin to take home! Get lost in the Corn Maze or take a ride on Charlie’s Carousel.
There are plenty of other activities kids will surely love! There is a zip-line, Coyote Mountain and Farmer Bill’s tootling tractors to name a few.
Dates: September 7th – September 19th
Monday – Thursday: 10 am to 7 pm / Friday – Sunday: 9 am to 8 pm
September 20th – October 30th
Sunday – Thursday: 9 am to 8 pm / Friday & Saturday: 9 am to 9 pm
Halloween through November 11th
9 am – 5 pm (Daily)
Entry Fee: Admission to Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm is FREE
$10 on Fridays and $20 on Saturdays and Sundays, inclusive of all activities.
Location: 1415 Pumpkin Ln, Wheatland, CA 95692, United States
2. Pumpkin King Pumpkin Patch
For more than 33 years, the Pumpkin King Pumpkin Patch has been a Fresno tradition. Stroll into the pumpkin patch and go on a hunt for the perfect orange pumpkin.
Guests are free to stay as long as they like and take advantage of the attractions such as pony rides, straw bale mazes, face painting and so much more.
Children must be accompanied by an adult while on the farm. For the safety of others, pets will not be allowed onto the pumpkin patch. Service animals are allowed.
Dates: October, daily
Timings: Monday – Friday: 10 am to dusk / Saturday – Sunday: 9 am to dusk
Entry Fee: FREE admission to ALL, 7 days a week
Location: 40004 CA-41, Oakhurst, CA 93644, United States
3. Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm
There are lots of different pumpkins available at Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm. With more than 13 varieties of pumpkins, ranging from mini pumpkins to special heirlooms and Atlantic giants, there are some fantastic options.
Visitors are provided with a little red wagon to carry their pumpkins to the checkout counter.
Kids will be in for a thrill with plenty of activities such as hay rides, hay bales and tractors at one of the best pumpkin farms in California.
Once the patch has been discovered, head to the sweet shop and munch on cute Halloween treats such as the snickerdoodle crème sandwich, monster cupcakes and crispy treat mummies which are available from Friday to Sunday.
The farm is pet-friendly, however, fur babies must stay on a leash at all times. This year on October 6 they will be celebrating the Annual Bernese Mountain Dog Day at the farm, come with your cameras ready!
Dates: September 6 through October 31
Timings: 9 am to 6 pm Daily
Entry Fees: No entrance or parking fees (Hayrides @ $10 per person)
Location: 850 Cabrillo Hwy N, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, United States
4. Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch
Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch has been in business for over 80 years and claims to be the best pumpkin patch in California.
It’s understandable with it being voted ‘Favourite Patch’ and ‘Biggest Patch’ in the Bay Area. You will need at least a couple of hours to explore the patch and take part in various activities offered on their pumpkin farm in California.
A few of the pumpkin patch attractions include an express train, hay rides, corn mazes and pumpkin blasters.
The blasters launch the pumpkins sky-high from giant cannons and claim to be the only farm compared to other pumpkin farms in California to have this attraction. They also have a Cow Train!
Dates: September 27th through November 2nd Open 7 days a week during the season
Timings: Daily times are varied, view their calendar
Entry Fees: Park Pass – $40 per person *Save $16* (Includes entry to all 7 attractions)
Parking – $10 cash only Friday, $20 cash only Saturday and Sunday, Free parking Monday -Thursday
Free entry for children under 3 per adult pass
Location: 225 Laguna Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037, United States
5. Joan’s Farm and Pumpkin Patch
Joan’s Farm and Pumpkin Patch offer a variety of pumpkins from mini to very large sizes. Not to mention many other Fall products such as Indian corn, gourds and wheat bundles.
The friendly staff will gladly help you find the perfect pumpkin from the hundreds scattered across the farmland.
They have a whole lot of activities and amenities lined up for families. There is a hay bale maze, pumpkin bowling, a large inflatable slide, a little blue train, and an old farm equipment museum and petting zoo.
Amenities such as portable washrooms and an ATM facility are available on-site. After you have spent your time outdoors, head to the Snack Shack for shaved ice, hot dogs, pumpkin pies or nachos.
Dates: October 4 – October 31 2024
Timings: 10 am to 6 pm – activities close at 5:30 pm
Closed Mondays, except October 14, Columbus Day
Entry Fees: Free entry
Location: 4351 Mines Rd, Livermore, CA 94550, United States
6. Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm
Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm is the largest U-Pick it pumpkin patch in all of San Bernardino County, as well as the best pumpkin patch in Southern California.
Being just a few miles away from Los Angeles, it is a good choice for those wanting to escape the city!
Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm has arranged plenty of family-friendly and kid-friendly activities.
The corn flyer, corn mazes, a huge fun slide and a petting zoo to name a few of the 50+ attractions.
Make sure to bring a camera, there are plenty of photo opportunities on the scenic farm. It’s almost like a sea of bright orange-coloured pumpkins.
Dates: September 23 – October 31
Timings: Monday to Thursday 4 pm to 9 pm, Friday 4 pm to 10 pm, Saturday 10 am to 10 pm, Sunday 10 am to 9 pm and Halloween 4 pm to 8 pm.
Entry Fees: Prices vary day by day and are available at the front entrance only. Ages 3-11 $5 to $15, Ages 12 and up $10 to $20. Free admission for kids 2 and under.
Location: 32335 Live Oak Canyon Rd, Redlands, CA 92373, United States
7. Bobby Dazzler’s Pumpkin Patch
Bobby Dazzler’s Pumpkin Patch has been in operation for over 40 years. Some of the pumpkins are brought in from nearby farms whilst some are grown on site.
There are a variety of pumpkins in different shapes, sizes and colours available to pick. They provide pumpkin wagons so you can stroll around easily!
Apart from acres of pumpkins, they have plenty of activities for kids. A cow train, milo maze, picnic area, petting zoo, face painting, horse rides, bounce house, and more.
While the above activities are chargeable, accessing their dedicated play zone is free. It includes the corn bath, hay maze, climbing pyramids and picture props.
A couple of hours are required to explore everything on offer! Picnic tables and tents are also available. However, outside drinks and food are not permitted.
Dates: September 21st – October 31st
Timings: Monday to Friday 12 pm to 7 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 7 pm
Entry Fees: Free Entrance to the patch and Play Zones and Free Parking,
Location: 23300 Co Rd 99D, Woodland, CA 95695, United States
8. Tina’s Pumpkin Patch
Tina’s Pumpkin Patch is always decked out ready to welcome visitors to explore their expansive fields of pumpkins in Fall.
Entry to the farm is free like most of the pumpkin farms in California but charges may apply to partake in activities on the pumpkin patch.
Kids are always in for a thrill-seeking day on their pumpkin patch visits. They can ride ponies, take a train ride, feed animals at their dedicated petting zoo, hop on inflatables, dodge through the obstacle courses and explore the straw mazes.
There are plenty of photo ops, be sure to bring a camera.
Dates: October 2nd – 31st and November 2nd and 3rd
Timings: Sunday – Thursday 10 am to 8 pm, Friday – Saturday 10 am to 9 pm
Entry Fees: Free admission
Location: 4725 Woodman Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423, United States
9. Dave’s Pumpkin Patch
Dave’s Pumpkin Patch is a working farm with tons of activities lined up for all ages. There is no better way to begin October than visiting one of the pumpkin farms in California.
The pumpkins at Dave’s Pumpkin Patch range from white pumpkins to pie pumpkins and blue pumpkins to Cinderella pumpkins. After selecting one, treat yourself to some delicious food, in particular Dave’s famous apple cider cinnamon doughnuts.
Be prepared to spend at least a few hours out at this California pumpkin patch. Their activities include hay rides, a kiddie kay maze, a princess show, tractor train rides and races.
Claiming to be the biggest pumpkin patch in Sacramento, there is plenty to explore. Grab some of the best BBQ and sweet treats to take home.
Check out Dave’s Farm activities and tickets lined up throughout the Fall season.
Dates: September 221st through October
Timings: Sunday – Thursday 10 am to 7 pm, Friday – Saturday 10 am to 9 pm
Entry Fees: No admittance tickets required for Pumpkin Picking
Location: 3010 Burrows Ave, West Sacramento, CA 95691, United States
10. Bob’s Vegetable Stand and Pumpkin Farm
Bob’s Vegetable Stand and Pumpkin Farm is another great pumpkin patch in California. Choose the perfect pumpkin from their multiple varieties in-store or on the field.
Dates: Open Daily through September and October
Timings: 9 am to 6 pm
Entry Fees: Free admission and Free parking
Location: Cabrillo Hwy S, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, United States
11. Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch
This year there is a new location for Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch in the Los Angeles area. Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch brings a country feeling to the city.
With tons of pumpkins to choose from, everything from warty gourds to plump ripe orange-coloured pumpkins, there are great options for carving or cooking up a scrumptious meal.
Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch has gone all out to replicate an authentic farm setting which has everything from hay bales to corn stalks and a petting zoo.
The activities for the little ones are plentiful, including straw mazes, carnival games, face painting and a whole lot of food stands.
Make sure to bring a camera to snap the city farm pumpkin haven!
Dates: October 5th to November 2nd
Timings: Sunday – Thursday 10 am to 8 pm, Friday – Saturday 10 am to 9 pm. Sahwn’s Pumpkin Patch highly recommends taking an Uber as there is limited parking. They also suggest coming through on a weekday as the patch’s new location is much smaller.
Check for updated days and hours of operation
Entry Fees: Free admission and Free parking
Location: 3443 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90034, United States
12. Pasadena Pumpkin Farm
The Pasadena Pumpkin Farm has a couple of activities for the little ones on its premises and has three sites across California.
The activities across all locations include pony rides, a petting zoo, huge slides and train rides to name a few.
Rest assured you will find it entertaining and end up spending at least an hour or two while you scout around finding the perfect pumpkin.
Dates: October
Timings: Monday – Friday 12 pm to 10 pm, Saturday – Sunday 10 am to 10 pm
Entry Fees: Free Entry
The locations across the state are:
Location: 900 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104, United States
Location: 5933 Telegraph Rd, Commerce, CA 90040, USA
Location: 21800 Hawthorne Blvd. Torrance, CA 90503
13. Speer Family Farms Pumpkin Patch
Speer Family Farms Pumpkin Patch is considered the best pumpkin patch in Northern California and is in two locations. The pumpkins are available in huge quantities!
There are plenty of activities organised by the Speer Family on the two farms. Jump houses, slides, zorbing and a petting zoo are some of the fun activities.
Dates: September 25th through November 1st
Timings: 10 am to 9 pm Daily
Entry Fees: $10 for Adults and $22 for Kids
Tickets for Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch
Location: 2171 Monarch St, Alameda 94501 United States
Tickets for West Valley Pumpkin Patch
Location: 3100 Corral Hollow Rd, Tracy, CA 95304, United States
15. Andreotti Pumpkin Farms and Pumpkin Patch
Serving California for over 90 years, the Andreotti Pumpkin Farms has so much to offer. It includes a vast area of You-Pick pumpkin fields as well as You-Pick sunflower fields.
Their focus on the farm is providing the best quality produce to its customers with sustainability farming at its core.
The concept at this farm is fairly simple. Stroll into the pumpkin patch or sunflower fields and pay for what you pick.
There are a handful of activities for the kids, such as hayrides, a 7-acre corn maze and a tractor museum.
There are plenty of pictures to capture by their tractors as well as the rustic truck and scarecrows. Not to mention the sea of pumpkins and sunflowers!
Dates: October 1st to November 30th
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm Daily
Entry Fees: Package Deal 1, 5 small to medium Halloween pumpkins for $40 per Person
Package Deal 2, includes 5 edible pumpkins for $40 per Person
Location: 800 Cabrillo Hwy N, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, United States
16. Forneris Farms
Forneris Farms harvests their pumpkins and lays them in rows on their pumpkin patch for visitors to pick up. The activities for kids included are corn mazes and train rides which come at an additional cost.
Once you have picked up the perfect pumpkin, visit the farm market to pick up Fall Decor and decorative winter squash without any entry fee.
Dates: October 5th to November 3rd
Timings: 9 am to 6 pm Daily
Entry Fees: $5 per person for the Pumpkin Patch, under age 2 is free with paid adult. Entry fee can be used as a discount towards the purchase of a $10 or more pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch area.
Location: 15200 Rinaldi St, Mission Hills, CA 91345, United States
17. Cool Patch Pumpkins
Cool Patch Pumpkins is home to the world record corn maze, which sets it apart from all the other pumpkin farms in California.
The You-Pick pumpkin patch has a selection of edible and non-edible pumpkins, squashes, gourds and plenty more.
On the weekdays, they have arranged a whole lot of activities such as a mini hay maze with an exclusive kid experience package, hay rides, corn baths and plenty of farm props to get creative.
This world-record corn maze is based on a different theme each year. For example, it has given honour to the hard work and dedication farmers put in throughout the year to grow to produce without compromising on quality.
Children under 5 can access the maze for free with an accompanying adult at $20 per person.
It can get busy over the weekend. However, the exclusive food, drinks and a wide selection of pumpkin delights make it worth it.
Dates: September through October 31st
Timings: 9 am to 8 pm Daily
Entry Fees: Check Cool Patch activity prices
Location: 6150 Dixon Ave W, Dixon, CA 95620, United States
18. Peltzer Pumpkin Farms
Pumpkin picking at the Peltzer Pumpkin Farms is a great family experience. With an array of pumpkins, Peltzer Pumpkin Farms have gone all out like the other pumpkin farms in California to make sure the little ones and grownups alike have a memorable day.
The activities include a petting farm, Peltzer mining, pony and train rides, pumpkin painting, mini John Deere carts and a Tractor Museum which is free to visit.
The tickets for the attractions are $1 each.
Check Peltzer Farms for more details on activities
Dates: September 22nd – October 31st
Timings: Monday – Friday 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday – Sunday 9 am to 8 pm
Entry Fees: Farm entry is $2 per person on weekdays, $4 on weekends,
Children under 2 years old are free with a paid adult
Location: 39925 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA 92591, United States
To Sum Up Pumpkin Farms In California
You will be sure to have a memorable Fall with our comprehensive list of pumpkin farms in California.
There is a possibility some pumpkin farms in California may be closed due to unpredictable weather or strong wind. It is worth calling ahead to ensure it’s open.
One of the most enjoyable ways to welcome Fall is by visiting a pumpkin patch. It’s an activity everyone can enjoy, whether it’s a family affair or a group activity with friends.
Locate the nearest and best pumpkin farms in California using this map.
Map Of Pumpkin Farms In California
Reasons To Visit Pumpkin Farms In California
- A scenic pumpkin patch is a perfect place to take pictures if you love photography. Fall vibes and vibrant colours will make an impressive Instagram post for a memorable moment to cherish.
- Pumpkin Spice! Pumpkin Pies! Foodies will love the pumpkin patches, they have lines of food trucks offering homemade pumpkin spice and other festive treats.
- Get creative ideas and inspiration for carving your pumpkin.
- It’s simply fun to explore pumpkin patches in California and you’ll have a day well spent out on the farms whether you’re a local or even just passing through on a road trip.
What To Wear When Visiting The Pumpkin Farms In California?
Make sure to wear a good pair of boots as you’ll be spending most of your time outdoors stomping in the best pumpkin patches in California.
Here Are Some Simple Tips For California Pumpkin Picking
- It is always best to choose a pumpkin with a deep orange colour.
- A pumpkin is ripe when it sounds hollow – check to see if it is hollow.
- Make sure the bottom of the pumpkin isn’t mushy or soft.
- Ensure the pumpkin’s stem is firm and secure.
Pumpkin Carving Tips
- When you visit a pumpkin farm in California and choose a pumpkin to carve, soak it for about 10 minutes in water before carving. When carving, it is most effective to use a small serrated knife, a metal spoon and a thumbtack.
- A knife should be used to level the pumpkin’s bottom. To put a candle in your pumpkin, you may want to carve a hole in the bottom and place the pumpkin on top.
- A metal spoon works well for scooping out the seeds once the top is opened. Instead of cutting straight through the pumpkin, use a sawing motion if you need to carve tiny details.
- If you are creating an elaborate design, you should sketch it out on paper. After taping the pumpkin design, poke holes along the design with a thumbtack. By using this method, the pumpkin will not have visible lines after it has been carved.
- The golden rule is to carve your pumpkin on the same day you plan to display it.
If you have reached this far, we appreciate you taking the time to read all the information. If you have visited any of the pumpkin farms in California, please do tell us about your experience, we would love to hear from you in the comments.
If you have been planning to hit the highway and do something different, perhaps a road trip during Fall with the family and kids could also be a perfect getaway.
Or if you are around the below areas, be sure to check out some of the best pumpkin patches they have in store.
Pumpkin patches in Oregon l Pumpkin farms in Florida l Best pumpkin patches in Maryland
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