TL;DR: The best pumpkin patch in San Diego is the Goff Family Pumpkin Patch at Liberty Station, which offers over 10,000 pumpkins to choose from, along with activities like pumpkin carving, games, beer on tap, and fun family photo ops amidst the pumpkins and fall decor.
One of the clearest markers of fall in California is the start of pumpkin season. There’s no shortage of places to find beautiful pumpkins of all shapes and sizes throughout the entire state.
Many California pumpkin patches come with much more than just pumpkin picking.
With hay rides, carnival games, face painting, pony rides, and endless fall photo opportunities, pumpkin patch experiences are fun for the entire family throughout the season.
This list includes the best pumpkin patches in California and takes into account factors such as additional activities, location, cost, accessibility, and more to ensure you the best pumpkin experience this fall.
Get Your FREE California Travel Planner + printable checklists for 101 things to do in California!
Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch Irvine
Where: 5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine, CA
When: September 16 – October 30, 9 am to 6 pm (weekdays); 9 am to 9 pm (Fridays and Saturdays); 9 am to 3 pm (Halloween Day)
Tanaka Farms is a 30-acre family-owned farm that supports and feeds their local community year-round.
They’re also the only pumpkin farm in Orange County with a real pumpkin patch and U-Pick vegetable patch.
Offering many activities, including wagon rides, arts and crafts, and a pumpkin cannon, Tanaka Farms is a family favorite in Orange County.
The farm is open throughout the fall season.
Looking for more fun activities in the area? Read our guide to Halloween events in Orange County and the best things to do in Orange County.
Oma’s Pumpkin Patch
Where: Oma’s Family Farm, Lakeside, CA
When: September 27th-October 29th, Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-7 pm
Oma’s Family Farm is an excellent, longstanding pumpkin patch that’s been a tradition in Southern California for over 60 years.
If you’re looking for the best pumpkin patch in SoCal, Oma’s is a favorite amongst the San Diego community.
Tractor rides will escort you to the pumpkin patches, petting zoo, and straw maze with giant corn stalks.
Oma’s also hosts lots of live entertainment throughout the season.
This Southern California pumpkin patch is one for the books!
Looking for more fall activities in San Diego? Read our guides to Halloween activities in San Diego, the best San Diego haunted houses, and the best pumpkin patches in San Diego.
Bones Pumpkin Patch
Where: 10100 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA
When: Daily, October 5 – 29, from 9 am – 9 pm
If you’re in the greater Los Angeles area looking for the perfect pumpkin patch experience, Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in Culver City is fantastic for all ages.
There’s always something going on at Mr. Bones, so check the events calendar on their website.
Check out Mr. Bones Pumpkin Village, the Super Slide, the giant rocking horses, or the Itsy Bitsy Spider Bounce House.
Petting zoos with farm animals and pumpkin decorating make this perhaps the best pumpkin patch in Los Angeles.
There are live musical performances on select nights throughout October and special events such as the Trick-Or-Treat Spooktacular.
Pro tip: Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch is another great one if you’re right in the heart of LA.
Interested in more fall things in the LA area? Read our guides to Halloween events in Los Angeles and the best Los Angeles haunted houses.
Tina’s Pumpkin Patch
Where: 4725 Woodman Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA
When: September 30th-October 31st (Sunday-Thursday 10 am-8 pm, Friday & Saturday 10 am-9 pm)
Pumpkin patches with free admission and free parking are fun for the whole family. Just north of LA, Tina’s Pumpkin Patch in Sherman Oaks makes an excellent option for free family fun.
Tina’s features pony rides, a petting zoo open daily, giant slides, train rides, a free straw maze, an obstacle course, and food.
Who said fun has to break the bank?
Cool Patch Pumpkins
Where: 6150 Dixon Ave West, Dixon, CA
When: Throughout September & October, 9 am-8 pm daily
If you’re on the hunt for the best pumpkin patch in Northern California, Cool Patch Pumpkins is a strong contender.
What started as a family farmstand became a world-renowned pumpkin patch.
Not only are they home to hundreds of different pumpkins and gourds to choose from, but they also house the world-record corn maze!
The Guinness Book of World Records has featured this corn maze, as have many news stations and travel websites.
The maze alone makes Cool Patch one of the best pumpkin patches in California for adults.
Note: Corn maze guests must be 18+ to purchase tickets; an adult must accompany minors. There is also a mini corn maze for children.
Looking for more fall activities in the area? Read our guide to Halloween events in Sacramento.
Pumpkin King Pumpkin Patch
Where: 40004 Hwy 41, Oakhurst, CA
When: October 1st-31st; Monday- Friday 10 am to Dusk & Weekends 9 am to Dusk
Pumpkin King is a patch with free admission just outside of Fresno in the Yosemite region. Here, you can expect plenty of fun daily activities as well as the annual Fall Festival.
With a bounce castle, food trucks, a straw bale maze, and a vast pumpkin patch, Pumpkin King is a beautiful way to ring in the fall season.
Bobby Dazzler’s Pumpkin Patch
Where: 23300 County Road 99D, Woodland, CA
When: September 23 – October 31; Monday-Friday 12 pm – 7 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 7 pm
Bobby Dazzler’s is a fun-filled California pumpkin patch that has brought family fun to Northern California every year since 1982.
This patch keeps the nostalgic pumpkin patch feeling alive with activities, games, rides, and attractions.
Ride the Cow Train and explore the Milo Maze. There are horse rides and pony rides, face painting, the corn bath, and, of course, pumpkin picking.
When winter comes, head back over here to pick up your Christmas trees.
Arata’s Pumpkin Farm
Where: 185 Verde Rd., Half Moon Bay, CA
When: Sunday – Thursday, 9 am – 6:30 pm; Friday – Saturday, 9 am – 10:30 pm
As far as California pumpkin patches go, Arata’s is among the oldest.
Arata’s Pumpkin Farm has been running since 1932 and is the longest-running sustainable pumpkin farm in San Mateo County.
Not only is it old, but Arata’s is also one of the best pumpkin patches in the South Bay, with one of California’s best selections of pumpkins.
They earn that title with unique attractions such as their world-famous Minotaur’s Labyrinth hay maze and a Haunted Barn.
You can also find the usual favorites here, including a petting zoo, pig races, hay rides, and train rides.
If you’re looking for other pumpkin patches in the area, I also highly recommend checking out Lemos Farm and Andreotti Family Farms Pumpkin Patch.
Want even more fall activities in the Bay Area? Check out our list of Halloween events in San Francisco and the best San Francisco haunted houses.
Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm
Where: 1415 Pumpkin Lane, Wheatland, CA
When: Daily, September 9th-November 5th, hours vary throughout the season
Over the course of their 50+ years in operation, Bishop’s has expanded to over 90 acres of pumpkins during the fall. And they invite the NorCal community to enjoy pumpkin-picking and activities all season long.
Enjoy the free hayride out to the patch, stroll through the sunflowers, ride the carousel, try the zipline, and find lots more activities during your visit.
Peltzer Pumpkin Farm
Where: 39925 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA
When: September 23rd – October 31st, Monday – Friday: 10 am-8 pm, Saturday + Sunday: 9 am-8 pm
The Peltzer family has been farming in Southern California since 1913.
After moving from their original family farm in Anaheim, where Disneyland now stands, the Peltzer family is nearing two decades in Temecula.
In the beautiful wine region, Peltzer Pumpkin Farm offers pumpkin picking, gem panning, a petting zoo, carnival games, and more.
It’s one of the best farms and pumpkin patches in the Valley.
Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch
Where: 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA
When: September 16 – October 31 (Weekdays 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Weekends 8:00 am – 6:00 pm)
Alongside a giant selection of pumpkins, the pumpkin patch at the Irvine Park Railroad offers a wealth of activities and attractions.
There will be carnival rides, games, face-painting, pumpkin bowling, wagon rides, a mini hay maze, and many more family activities.
Their Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off takes place on September 23. It’s one of the most fun days at the park, with pumpkin pies and other treats that locals bring for the celebration.
Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch
Where: 225 Laguna Ave, Morgan Hill, CA
When: September 25th – October 31st (Monday-Friday 10 am – 8 pm, Saturday & Sunday 9 am – 9 pm)
Known for their famous Pumpkin Blasters, Spina Farms offers plenty of activities and a giant selection of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes.
They’ve been operating for over 80 years and have been voted both the “Favorite Patch” and the “Biggest Patch” in the Bay Area.
The cow train, corn mazes, hay ride, and lots more fun await you at Spina Farms.
The Painted Pony Farm
Where: 15315 Santa Paula Ojai Rd, Santa Paula, CA
When: throughout September & October, by appointment only
The Painted Pony Farm is a family-owned farm offering pumpkin-picking tours for families, larger groups, and schools.
This farm dedicates itself to providing an authentic experience where you pick your own pumpkin right off the vine.
Throughout the different seasons, there are many activities like arts and crafts, games, a hay bale maze, and interacting with farm animals. They also offer apple picking during the fall.
**Underwood Family Farms is another great one in this area.
FAQs About California Pumpkin Patches
How much should I pay for a pumpkin?
On average, expect to pay between $5-$35 for a U-Pick pumpkin.
What is the biggest pumpkin patch in Southern California?
Live Oak Pumpkin Patch in Redlands is the largest pumpkin patch in California.
What time is the best to go to a pumpkin patch?
Anytime during the first half of October is the perfect time to head to the pumpkin patch.
If you go too soon, the pumpkins aren’t all fully grown. Go too late, and the selection will be more picked through.
What do you recommend for carving pumpkins?
Your best bet is a kit that offers multiple sizes and shapes of knives. Something like this one will allow you to make all kinds of fun designs.
Get Your FREE California Travel Planner + printable checklists for 101 things to do in California!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Taylor Neal
Taylor is a multi-disciplinary artist, writer, yoga instructor, and frontline worker who spends most of her time in her van (Vannigan) winding through the coastal and mountain roads of California where she feels most at home. From navigating the realities of van life to the fluctuations in diverse climates and landscapes, Taylor is excited to bring everything she’s learned about California to fellow wanderers seeking beauty and adventure.
Looking for more travel recommendations in California? Check out these related articles below!
Best Ghost Towns in California
A Guide to National Parks in California
Where to Experience Christmas in California
Best Places for Snow in California
Best Things to Do in California
Pin this image for future reference
