Nothing says fall like a visit to a pumpkin patch, complete with picking out the perfect pumpkin, snacking on autumnal treats, and enjoying a variety of exciting and engaging activities like hayrides, corn mazes, and more. There are several Bay Area Pumpkin Patches perfect for an afternoon of fall celebrations. Here’s a collection of some of my favorites!
Located in Marin County, Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch is a classic pumpkin patch with sprawling acreage of pumpkins to choose from. On weekends, you’ll find convenient food trucks, including shave ice to keep everyone cool during October heat waves.
Little ones will be entertained by farm animals, a hay maze and face painting. Live music can be enjoyed on select weekend days.
Piedmont Avenue Pumpkin Patch in Oakland has been selling beautiful pumpkins at their spot on Piedmont Avenue since 1996. While you can expect to find the classic, round, orange pumpkins, they also have over 15 varieties of pumpkins available in all sorts of colors, sizes, and shapes. They also sell corn stalks, gourds, straws, and straw bales for all of your fall decor needs. Once you’ve picked out your pumpkin from the lot, check out their store for carving kits and candles that will make your jack-o-lantern shine!
While you’re there, check out the Piedmont Avenue Haunted House! Don’t worry. There are two options: one for those who love the thrills, secrets, and adrenaline of a haunted house, and a less scary version for younger kids and adults that are more easily spooked (the less scary tour leaves the lights on and shuts off the scary creatures.) Now everyone can enjoy feeling brave and saying they’ve conquered a Haunted House!
Get all of your fall festivities in one spot! Not only will you find pumpkins at Ranch Siempre Verde, you’ll also get fresh apples, make a fall wreath, cut fall flowers to bring home and pick up organic produce. There’s plenty of entertainment for your little ones including a giant slide, swings and a tractor ride.
Purchase your admission online to reserve a time. Pricing is by the car (good for 6 people) and admission covers 5 pumpkins, flowers, apples and 3.5 hours of time to enjoy the ranch. You’ll find this pumpkin parch along Highway 1, between Half Moon Bay and Pescadero.
Speer Family Farms in Alameda knows that visiting a good pumpkin patch is about more than just picking out the perfect pumpkin; it’s about having fun, making memories with your family, and spending time outdoors! That being said, they have plenty of pumpkins just waiting to be brought home with you for carving, decor, baking, or whatever else your seasonal needs may be.
When you visit the Speer Family Farms pumpkin patch, you’ll also have access to a variety of entertainment, like their inflatable jump houses, lots of fun slides, a mini train, and a petting zoo! Grown-ups can enjoy the “Adult Chill Area” (because grown-ups deserve to have fun at pumpkin patches, too!) With hay bales, fun face-in-the-hole boards, and plenty of pumpkins, it has plenty of great photo ops, too!
Webb Ranch is not only a peninsula favorite for horseback riding and U-Pick berries, it’s also a top notch pumpkin patch! They grow most of their organic pumpkins onsite and the rest come from patches in Half Moon Bay. Families can buy unlimited activity day passes to enjoy the corn maze, bounce houses, haunted house, petting zoo, hay ride, and more. All these activities are sure to make for a fun day for the whole family! Plus, you can pick up some organic produce while you’re there and be set for the week. Note that parking is free and no dogs are allowed.
At Smith Family Farm in Brentwood, autumn is the best time of year. Not just because of all of the pumpkins, the cool breeze, or the brightly colored trees, but also because it’s a time to be with family before all of the chaos of the holiday season begins, making cozy memories and gathering together. That’s why their pumpkin patch is more than just a pumpkin patch; your general admission ticket includes live music performances, encounters with farm animals, a pumpkin house family photo area, and so much more. Plus, your admission includes a pumpkin of any size or variety from their patch!
But pumpkins aren’t the only fall crop Smith Family Farm grows; you can also participate in their award-winning U-Pick, harvesting your own pomegranates and persimmons. Their fruit stand is also stocked with a variety of summer and fall produce, dozens of varieties of rare heirloom pumpkins, and everything else you need for your autumn decor.
G & M Farms in Livermore has a HUGE pumpkin patch with pumpkins of all sizes, perfect for finding the one that calls to you as the pumpkin of the season. Kids will love getting to interact with farm animals and wandering the straw bale maze, and on weekends, there are pony rides, pedal carts, and a Hayride! They also have the legendary Cow Train, which is kind of like a merry-go-round but with cow wagons. Just keep in mind that a lot of the non-pumpkin-related activities are only open on weekends, making a Saturday or Sunday visit worth your time!
Joan’s Farm and Pumpkin Patch in Livermore has all sorts of pumpkins – from the mini ones that fit in the palm of your hand to the enormous ones you may need two people to get to the car. They also carry Indian corn, gourds, and wheat bundles, so your fall decor isn’t limited to just pumpkins. Their friendly team will help you pick out the absolutely perfect pumpkin for whatever your need or idea!
While you’re there picking out your pumpkins, stop by their Snack Shack for shaved ice or a slice of pumpkin pie, and then wander through the Hay Bale maze (an autumn tradition!) You can get to know the farm animals while feeding them a treat and explore the old farm equipment museum for a look at what life used to look like down on the farm. Keep in mind that Joan’s Farm and Pumpkin Patch is cash only, so you may want to swing by the bank first (although there are also ATMs on site!)
Lemos Farm isn’t just a celebration of fall – it’s a celebration of Halloween! While their pumpkin patch is always stocked with a variety of pumpkins in different shapes, sizes, and colors, there is so much to do and see when you visit. They transform their farm into “Halloween Palooza,” covering it in hay, spooky decor, and other ghastly touches. You can enjoy a scoop of pumpkin ice cream or a slice of pumpkin pie, or award-winning pumpkin bread as you partake in some of their spooky attractions.
Whether you enjoy a good old-fashioned hayride or prefer a tour of the Haunted House, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Lemos Farms. They have pony rides, train rides, a petting zoo, and of course, plenty of pumpkins to pick from the patch. Be sure to bring a camera, and don’t be afraid to break out your costume a little early for your visit!
Click here for more Half Moon Bay pumpkin patches.
Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch is a Morgan Hill pumpkin patch that has been around for more than 80 years, so it’s been a bay area family tradition for some families. The recently moved locations a little down the road from where they used to be in order to support expanded offerings. Now they offer a even more family fun activities for all ages. From Instagram-worthy photo setups to train rides for the littles to a corn maze and pumpkin blasters, there is something there for the whole family to enjoy. They also offer group rental reservations for parties and other festivities.
While ABC Tree Farms may be named for their Christmas tree sales a little later in the year, their Pumpkin Patch, known as Pick of the Patch Pumpkins, offers Bay Area locals and visitors a place to pick out their perfect pumpkin. A third-generation family-owned and operated business, they now have over 18 pumpkin patches throughout California, so be sure to double-check that you’re planning to attend the one closest to you!
When you visit one of their many pumpkin patches around the Bay Area, you can purchase a wristband for your child to take advantage of their inflatable amusements, including slides, jumpers, play areas, and even an obstacle course for kids ages 2 – 12. You can also pick up pumpkin carving kits and other fall souvenirs or simply stop by to browse the pumpkins and grab a prepackaged snack. It’s a fabulous place to get ready for Halloween and all of your pumpkin needs!
Be sure you celebrate the fall season with a trip to one of these awesome Bay Area pumpkin patches! It’s the perfect way to get in the spirit of fall and to find that perfect pumpkin(s) to bring home and remind you of your beautiful day at the pumpkin patch.
If you’re looking for additional ways to make some memories with your little one, why not book some family portraits? I’m a Bay Area photographer as well as a mom myself. I understand how chaotic this season of parenthood can be, and I love getting to let families freeze time so they can actually enjoy it. If you’ve been considering booking a session, I would love to connect to tell you all about my process! Contact me today to find out more.
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