You already know about our favorite pumpkin patches. Now it’s time to discover another fall favorite: super-cool corn mazes for the whole family! Get ready to lose yourself in the stalks at these nearby destinations. Read on for all the details on the best corn mazes in and near LA.
If it's a challenge you're looking for, Tapia Brothers Pumpkin Patch offers a huge corn maze (it's housed in its own lot across from the pumpkin patch and farm stand), complete with a map and trivia questions. In addition to the corn maze, little ones can enjoy a play area, bounce houses, a wagon ride, fresh-roasted corn and, of course, plenty fresh pumpkins to bring home. The corn maze and other fall festivities kick off Sept. 28 and go until Oct. 31. There are also weekend-only horse rides, starting Oct. 5.
Get ready for an adventure as you enter the corn maze under the rainbow at this Moorpark farm. The well-manicured maze is just the right amount of challenging for kids. Expect to spend about 20-25 minutes making your way through the stalks of corn—and don't fall for signs along the path intended to trick the family. At the end, there's a hay pyramid for corn conquerors to climb. Besides the maze, Underwood's Fall Festival is full of fun activities including a pumpkin patch, food vendors and play areas. The weekends welcome extra activities: ring the family for lives bands and a tractor drawn wagon ride. Also check out their website for special events including an Antique Tractor Day and Western weekend.
Forneris Farms in the San Fernando Valley prides itself on being the "original" corn maze of Southern California. These folks take their corn maze seriously with four acres of corn stalks that tower of your head and encourage everyone to "get lost on the farm." This year's maze has a "Country Farm" theme and if your family is feeling energetic and witty you can also try to solve the 12 riddles along the way; they call them the CORNundrums at Forneris Farms. If your witty sidekicks solve all 12 they can enter their riddle card for a chance to win a grand prize. Besides the corn maze, there's also a mini hay maze for little ones to wind their way through.
15200 Rinaldi St. Mission Hills 818-730-7709 Online: fornerisfarms.com
Cal Poly Pomona's Pumpkin Festival
Maybe you didn't know it, but Cal Poly Pomona boasts one of the largest pumpkin patches in Southern California as part of its agricultural program. There are over 70,000 pumpkins in this patch and every one—no matter the size—is just $5! On October 5 and 6 the pumpkin patch will host its annual Pumpkin Festival, which includes a must-visit corn maze with corn stalks over 12 feet high. Once your family makes it out, everyone will receive a button naming them a "maze magician." The festival also includes a petting farm, horse rides and lots of fun, interactive play that revolves around the notion of celebrating California agriculture.
The farm's fall pumpkin patch is a Hello Kitty fan's paradise. The adorable cat is event there to greet you at the corn maze, which is open through October 31 and is included with admission to the pumpkin patch. Little farmers can roam free, get a bit lost (with your supervision) and then make their way out in the end. Afterwards, reward them with a trip to the petting zoo. In addition to the corn maze, Tanaka Farms hosts a Harvest Festival every weekend where the family can enjoy pumpkins cannons, ATV rides and voting in the scarecrow contest. The Tanaka Farm Pumpkin Patch and Harvest Festival runs through October 31.
5380 3/4 University Dr. Irvine 949-653-2100 Online: tanakafarms.com
If you're looking to go big, Head to the Big Horse Feed and Mercantile down in Temecula and get lost in an 11-acre maze—the largest in Southern California. The corn maze and pumpkin patch are open every day of the week and the Harvest Festival is full of family activities every weekend. Besides the massive corn labyrinth, your fall-crazed adventurers can enjoy a hay ride, face painting, a corn cannon and more. Just remember that Temecula can be hot all through October, so bring a hat and sunscreen—those corn stalks don't offer much shade.
