It’s harvest season, a magical time of pumpkins, apple pies, fresh cider, corn mazes, and of course, Halloween. The best way to experience all of this is by visiting a local farm or locally operated pumpkin patch. We’ve highlighted a dozen farms and pumpkin patches throughout California that we’ve either personally experienced or have heard wonderful things about. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but we hope these highlights will help guide you toward getting out and enjoying all that this abundant harvest season has to offer.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
FORNERIS FARMS
A working farm since 1986, Forneris Farms offers locally grown, vine-ripened fresh produce throughout the year at its market stand (cash only). Forneris Farms offers pumpkin picking every fall, and this year is no exception!
This is a cash-only venue, please come prepared.
Everyone over the age of 2 years of age is required to pay $5 for admission to the pumpkin patch.
That $5 can be applied as a discount to every orange pumpkin priced at $10 or more (not including gourds or other colored pumpkins).
Train rides into and out of the pumpkin patch are an additional $10 per person and include 1 field pumpkin as well as access to the photo fun-area.
The train ticket booth closes at 4:30 pm.
Due to COVID-19 the corn maze, petting zoo, and pony rides have been eliminated this year.
IRVINE PARK RAILROAD PUMPKIN PATCH
The Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch is located within the boundaries of Irvine Park. Admission is free, but the County of Orange charges an entrance fee of $3 per vehicle on weekdays and $5 on weekends. The pumpkin patch is operating differently this year!
Capacity will be reduced to allow more social distancing between customers. If capacity has been reached when you arrive, you will have to wait for another family to exit before your family can enter. Weekends and early morning weekend hours are highly recommended to avoid any lines.
An additional change this year is that while you may purchase a pumpkin, you will not be allowed to pick it. Instead, a staff member will help you with your purchase.
The pumpkin patch will continue to operate its train, hay wagon ride, and game booths.
Masks are required to be worn at all times and families are asked to remain 6ft feet away from other groups to respect social distancing guidelines.
TANAKA FARMS
Tanaka Farms, in the heart of Irvine, is one of the only farms in Orange County with a pumpkin patch. The farm produce market stand is in operation throughout the season as a drive-thru market social distancing guidelines apply* (please see notes below). Two pumpkin picking options are available this year. Reservations are required for both experiences.
The Drive-Thru Pumpkin Farm Experience is a brand-new experience available on Saturdays & Sundays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, thru October 31. This option is best for families who prefer to remain out of the public space as much as possible. You are able to drive your own vehicle (with a maximum height of 9.5ft) through a designated tour path of the farm, rather than ride in the farm wagon. You still have an opportunity to exit your vehicle along the side of the field, to pick a pumpkin. This option also allows you to enjoy the farm animal educational enclosure.
The U-Pick Pumpkin w/Wagon Ride is available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, thru October 31. With this option, you ride the farm wagon to take a tour of the farm. The farm has reduced its wagon capacity by 75-80% to honor social distancing guidelines. Wagons depart every 10 minutes. This option also includes a pumpkin you can pick from the field, as well as access to the educational farm animal enclosures.
*Masks are required for everyone over the age of 3 upon entrance and when interacting with farm employees. Please pay attention to their “you touch it, you pick it” rule for picking pumpkins.
UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARMS
Underwood Family Farms, Fall Harvest on the Farm, in Moorpark, is a large working farm in Ventura County that offers acres of pumpkins, with wagon rides into and out of the pumpkin fields, as well as viewing of popular attractions such as the Animal Center, the Giant Tractor Display, and the Hay Pyramid, as well as access to the Country Store.
Due to Covid-19 their animal show, corn maze, Fall Festival, play structure, and several other attractions have been canceled. Please visit their website for more information.
Social distancing guidelines are in place, as well as the limiting of capacity.
Families are encouraged to attend during the week, to avoid walk-up lines due to capacity limits. Families may also pre-purchase their tickets online to ensure entry.
Weekday admission is $8 and weekend admission is $15.
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
DUTCH HOLLOW FARMS
Dutch Hollow Farms in Modesto prides themselves on offering fresh seasonal produce and flowers, and enjoy giving local residents an opportunity to learn about farming. They offer several seasonal fall experiences for the community, including a pumpkin patch and as well as activities and games for children.
The farm is open 7 days a week, please check their website for hours, since they have recently changed them.
Entry to the pumpkin patch is free.
They have recently expanded their parking lot to create more space and parking is always free.
There is a bundled price for pumpkin canons, please see their website for pricing.
They have a 10-acre corn maze.
There is also a farm area with a petting zoo.
HILLCREST TREE FARM PUMPKIN PATCH
Hillcrest Tree Farm’s Pumpkin Patch, in Reedley, in Fresno County is a kid-friendly pumpkin patch that is open on weekends through November 1. Hillcrest has been incredibly busy this year and recommends its last weekend for guests who want to avoid crowds.
The farm is open on weekends, 10:00 am-5:00 pm.
The entry fee is by car, not per person.
You will still get charged if you walk in, per person, so driving in is preferable, cost-wise.
$5 entry fee on the last weekend, 10/31 - 11/1.
$10 entry fee on premier weekends, including 10/24 -10/25.
Parking may become full on a premier weekend and result in people being turned away.
Pumpkins range in price from $1-$60
Train rides are $4 for ages 2 and up.
Hayrides are $3 for ages 2 and up.
Masks are required for entry, for everyone ages 2 and up, and while on the attractions.
MURRAY FAMILY FARMS
Murray Family Farms' pumpkin patch in Bakersfield is open from Noon to 7:00 pm, seven days a week. They offer a pumpkin patch, farm-fresh produce, a one-way corn maze, a storybook trail for little ones, and a sunflower patch.
General admission for ages 4 and above is $10.99 Monday through Thursday and $11.99 Friday through Sunday.
Admission for children ages 1-3 yrs of age is $6.99 Monday through Thursday and $5.99 Friday through Sunday.
Admission on weekends is required to be pre-purchased to help stagger admission and ensure the farm is not too crowded for proper social distancing.
Bring your own wagon - the farm is not providing wagons this year, as a COVID-19 precaution.
Masks are required for entry and while in close proximity to others.
The corn maze is designed to be one-way this year in order to help people remain socially distanced while in the maze.
Several activities have been canceled this year, including hayrides, the bounce pillow, and various crafts.
VOSSLER FARMS
Vossler Farms in Visalia is a large, thriving farm that offers many different types of fall activities this year, including a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, train rides, and a haunted trail attraction in the evenings called the Field of Screams.
The farm is open for the season until October 31.
Admission to the pumpkin patch is $1 for everyone aged 5 and older.
Train rides are $2 (all ages).
Hayrides are $3 (ages 4 and under are free).
Corn maze admission prices vary between $5 - $10 (please see the link above for exact pricing).
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
BOA VISTA ORCHARDS at APPLE HILL FARMS
Boa Vista Orchard at Apple Hill Farms, Placerville has been operating their family farm for over 5 generations and 100 years. They grow apples, Asian pears, berries, peaches, grapes, plums, and other seasonal fruits in addition to operating a winery offering apple and dessert wines. Onsite you will also find goods from the Boa Vista Bakery, ciders from the Boa Vista Cider Mill (hard ciders and non-alcoholic ciders), and a Farm Market that operates 363 days of the year.
The u-pick pumpkin patch at Apple Hill is open 8:00 am - 5:00 pm every day until Halloween.
Masks are required indoors, at the Farm Market and other indoor locations, such as the BBQ Grill & Deli.
Parking and entrance to the pumpkin patch are free. You just pick your pumpkin and pay for it!
Check out their Harvest Schedule to find out what apples, pears, and other fruit are currently being harvested.
DAVE’S PUMPKIN PATCH AT VIERRA FARMS
Dave’s Pumpkin Patch in West Sacramento is part of Vierra Farms which grows produce locally and participates in several farmers markets throughout the region every week.
Please visit their COVID page for more information on their requirements and practices this year. Since masks are required upon entry, Dave’s Pumpkin patch is offering free masks for customers who don’t have one at the time of entry.
With the exception of corn boxes and costume contests, most attractions are active this year, but waits may be longer due to social distancing.
Admission is $7 through the weekdays and includes various activities and attractions such as the hay pyramid, kiddie hay maze, pumpkin chunkin’, and a corn maze.
Admission is $16 on weekends.
Season passes are also available for $30 and include entry any day of the week.
Dave’s Haunted Corn Maze takes place on October 30 and 31 for $18.
DELL’OSSO FAMILY FARM
Dell’Osso Family Farm in Lathrop was founded by three brothers from Italy in 1920 and has been continuously run by the family since. The farm offers a full fall program of activities with admission.
They are open daily. Their hours of operation on weekdays are from Noon - 8:00 pm. On weekends they are open from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm.
Online tickets are encouraged to secure your spot. Admission may sell out.
The farm encourages families to come through the week and early on the weekends to secure walk-up admission.
General admission is one price for all ages over 2 yrs old. On weekdays it’s $15 and on weekends it’s $17.
Admission includes a corn maze, haunted house, train, pull-up bar challenge, animal displays, kiddie area, tire pyramid, western town, pillow jumping, spinning pumpkins, rat rollers, ball toss, giant super slide, speedway, and haunted village.
The Dell’Osso Family Farm has created a statement outlining their COVID-19 requirements and precautions. They require face masks and social distancing to be practiced throughout each family's time at the farm.
ROEMER PUMPKIN PATCH & CORN MAZE
The Roemer Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze in Sacramento encompasses 13 acres of planted pumpkins and is part of a working family farm that encompasses over 500 acres. Entrance and parking are free. Families just need to pay for their pumpkins.
Hayrides have been stopped this year due to Covid-19.
Wagons are still available for transporting pumpkins.
Wagons are in limited supply and it’s recommended that families bring their own.
There are no picnic tables to sit on, but families can sit on hay bales.
The corn maze is open this year.
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