The Best Pumpkin Patch to Visit in LA with Kids

Culver City: Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch

This well-loved pumpkin patch is a westside institution, drawing fans from near and far for thrills and chills since 1987. It’s even become somewhat of a celebrity haunt (pun intended!). Come enjoy a VIP experience (Sat. & Sun. only) with everything from complimentary wagons and photo ops galore at Pumpkin Village and hoist yourself up onto their giant rocking horses. Activity tickets are also available for a full slate of attractions like pony rides, super slides, face painting, bounce houses, and a petting zoo. And for you pumpkin-lovers, Mr. Bones has you covered with a wide assortment of standard and specialty pumpkins, tiny, giant, and even organic ones. You can have pumpkins delivered, decorate them on-site, buy a carving kit to bring home, or even commission a custom pumpkin with their master carver. 

When: Oct. 7-31; Daily, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $10/person & up; kids under 3 are free. Extra activities range from $1-17/person.

Good to Know: There is on-site parking (price varies), but there is also metered street parking. Wear closed-toed shoes with socks—there is an uneven wood-chip covered ground so sandals and flip-flops are not allowed.

10100 Jefferson Blvd.
Culver City
Online: mrbonespumpkinpatch.com

Related: All the Fun Things to Do with Kids in Culver City

Los Cerritos: Fallstivities Pumpkin Patch

Head here for a pumpkin patch filled with activities for all ages to enjoy that you won't find anywhere else. In addition to bounce houses and slide inflatables, an inflatable rock climb, a Euro bungee jump, and obstacle course, we've got our eyes on the lighted scooter track (age 5 & up) and Giant Tricycle Track. Read that again: A Giant Tricycle race track made just for big kids and adults (age 8 & up). It looks as fun as it sounds.

Don't miss the face painting, DIY color mask, and pumpkin display fun area that has a variety of photo ops with fun photo backdrops as well as to be announced movie nights. 

When: Sept. 30th-Oct. 30th; Mon.-Fri. 3:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Cost: Some activities are free, others start at $5 & go up from there.

Los Cerritos Center Mall (North side of Sears)
239 Los Cerritos Center
Cerritos
Online: fallstivitiespumpkinpatch.com

Related: 33 Pumpkin Carving Designs That’ll Wow the Neighborhood

Santa Monica: Shawn's Pumpkin Patch

A new location this year but the same fun you come to expect. At Shawn's, your city mouse can turn into a country mouse and experience the hunt for that perfect, long-stemmed, “chubby-faced” pumpkin! And as always, Shawns packs in extra fun with activities like a train, petting zoo, inflatable slide and bouncer, pony rides, carnival games, and more. Weekdays and early weekend mornings are the best times to beat the lines (and the heat).

When: Oct. 1-31 (closed Oct. 3-6 and Mondays except Oct. 31) 
Cost: Admission and parking are free; activities cost extra.

11650 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles
Online: shawnspumpkinpatch.com

Moorpark: Underwood Family Farms

Underwood’s beloved Fall Harvest Festival returns this year with family favorites like pick-your-own pumpkins (and other fruits and vegetables!), wagon rides to and from the fields, countless photo ops, corn mazes, a hay pyramid, harvester slide, animal experiences, and themed weekends with live entertainment! With 50 acres of scenic farmland to explore, there’s plenty of room to spread out and enjoy yourselves!

Good to Know: The best time to go is weekdays, but if you can only swing a weekend visit, tickets need to be purchased on-line (3 time-slots available) and in advance. 

When: Oct. 1-Oct. 31.; Daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: $14/person weekdays; children under 2 and parking are free. Many attractions are included with general admission, but some activities are an additional cost.

3370 Sunset Valley Rd.
Moorpark
Online: underwoodfamilyfarms.com

Tina's Pumpkin Patch

Located beside the Westfield Fashion Square (just off the 101), this is a super convenient and low-key spot for Valley residents and westsiders. With a petting zoo, pony rides, a mini train, and free straw maze, it's got plenty to entertain little ones and fill your camera roll with adorable snapshots. 

When: Oct. 1-31; 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: Free admission and parking. Activities range from $3-$6.

Westfield Fashion Square (parking lot off Woodman & 101 Fwy.)
4725 Woodman Ave.
Sherman Oaks
Online: tinaspumpkinpatch.com

Encino: Tapia Bros Farm Stand and Pumpkin Patch

This farm-fresh market stand (known for its signature tomatoes, corn, strawberries, and stone fruit) will transform into a pumpkin patch come Oct. 1st. Their famous corn maze is returning this year where guests can wind and giggle their way through five acres of corn stalks. There will also be pony rides, a petting zoo, and a tractor-pulled train ride around the field. The patch itself will also be carefully decorated, perfect for snapping a few festive photos before picking up some popcorn, drinks, and homegrown produce at their fruit and veggie stand.

Good to Know: The corn maze is open Tues.-Sun. from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Pony rides, petting zoo, and train are available on weekends only from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

When: Oct. 1-31; Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Free admission and parking. Activities cost extra.

5251 Hayvenhurst Ave.
Encino
Online: https://www.facebook.com/TapiaBrosFarm

Irvine: Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch

Irvine Park Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch is fun for the entire family. Located just behind the train station, admission is free (although there is a park entrance fee, charged by the County of Orange for each vehicle ($3-7) that enters Irvine Regional Park). If you plan to visit on busy weekends, plan to arrive early in the morning to help avoid park entrance and parking delays.

Good to Know: On Sept. 24, they are hosting the Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off! Pumpkin growers will see if they have what it takes to win a prize for growing the biggest pumpkin. Cash prizes will be awarded.

When: Sept. 17-Oct. 31; Mon-Fri. 10 a.m-5 p.m; Sat. & Sun. 8 a.m-6 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend but there is a park entrance fee.

1 Irvine Park Rd.
Irvine
Online: irvineparkrailroad.com

Irvine & Costa Mesa: Tanaka Farms

Are you looking for that “farm-to-table” pumpkin experience? Then, you need the “U-Pick” option at Tanaka Farms, one of the only farms in Orange County with a real pumpkin patch. Take a wagon ride to fields of pumpkin varieties, like their carriage-shaped Cinderellas, deep-ribbed Fairytales, smooth white Polar Bears, and spooky blue Jarrahdales. Then, top off the fun with a visit to their barnyard for animal encounters and a stop at their produce stand, turned harvest holiday bazaar. And starting at noon on Fri. and throughout the weekend, Tanaka brings out their pumpkin cannon, ATV rides, food vendors and more!

Good to Know: Parking is free on weekdays but is $10/vehicle on weekends starting Fri. at noon. For weekend visits, you must purchase timed-entry parking passes ahead of time.

When: Sep. 17-Oct. 31.; Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $10/person; kids under 3 (and military) are free. Activities cost extra.

5380 3/4 University Dr.
Irvine
Online: tanakafarms.com

For those wishing for a smaller, more relaxed experience, check out Tanaka Farms' second location: the Hana Field Pumpkin Patch in Costa Mesa. You can spend as long as you like, wandering the U-pick pumpkins and flower fields for that perfect fall photo op. They also have a corn maze, flower picking (when available, depending on bloom availability), a small barnyard animal exhibit with chickens, bunnies, and goats, a play area, cow train, arts and crafts, "Shoot the Root" (shoots turnips!), and a pumpkin cannon. 

Good to Know: Parking is $10. You must purchase timed-entry parking passes online in advance

When: Oct. 1-31; Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: $10/person; kids under 3 (and military) are free. Activities cost extra.

Hana Field
42 Anton Blvd.
Costa Mesa
Online: tanakafarms.com/hana-pumpkin-patch

Skyforest: Pumpkins in the Pines

Attention all 80s kids: There’s a pumpkin patch at Santa’s Village! (Yes, that Santa’s Village—the one whose catchy commercials captured our imaginations with “fun, forest, and fantasy all rolled into one!”) Today, Santa’s Village (a.k.a. Skypark at Santa’s Village) is an adventure theme park, offering biking, fishing, archery, ziplining, bouldering, mining, and much more alpine fun for the whole family! And during the Pumpkins in the Pines festival, Skypark treats guests to a fall celebration with special events like park-wide trick-or-treating; pumpkin painting in Santa’s Workshop, costume contests, light shows, themed skate parties, seasonal characters, and holiday treats throughout the park. 

Good to Know: On October 29th & 30th, bring your little ones to participate in Arrow’s Spooky Balance Bike Race.

When: Oct. 8 and runs every weekend through Oct. 30; 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $59/adults; $49/children (ages 4-12); free for children under 3 and adults 75 & up.

28950 California 18
Skyforest
Online: skyparksantasvillage.com/pumpkins-in-the-pines

Related: A Weekend of Fun with Kids in Lake Arrowhead

Redlands: Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm

Is it a pumpkin patch, animal farm, country fair, or garden oasis? Answer: Yes. If you’re looking for an escape from the city (and are up for a 60-90 minute drive), this destination is a must—Plus, it's close to the best apple picking around! There’s something for everyone here: From autumn fields, bursting with sunflowers and pumpkins; to carnival food, rides, and games; animal attractions; and photo ops galore. It's also the largest pumpkin patch in all of San Bernardino County.

When: Sep. 24-Oct. 31; Opens 9 a.m. on weekends and 4 p.m. on weekdays.
Cost: Prices vary depending on the day but range anywhere from $5 per person to $15 per child. Parking is free. Some activities cost extra.

32335 Live Oak Canyon Rd.
Redlands
Online: liveoakcanyon.com

La Cañada Flintridge: Descanso Gardens

Nights at Descanso Gardens will be aglow with festive pumpkins from the return of "Carved," a family-friendly event for all ages. Even though this isn't a buy-a-pumpkin event, you can get inspired by the hundreds of carved pumpkins that light up a 1-mile walk through Camellia Forest and Oak Grove. There will also be new, oversized photo ops with sculptures made of sticks and other natural materials. And don't miss out on exploring the whole garden, including their popular Pumpkin House and hay maze; and enjoy themed food and drink on this fun night out with the kids.

When: Pre-sale tickets are on sale now for members and Sept. 15 for non-members. The event runs from Oct. 7-31. from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. (Admission is by timed-entry tickets).
Cost: $32 & up; children under 2 are free, but still need a ticket. Parking is free.

1418 Descanso Dr.
La Cañada Flintridge
Online: descansogardens.org/carved

Pumpkin Festival at Cal Poly

Cal Poly’s College of Agriculture grows 40,000 pumpkins for this annual event, a smorgasbord of fall harvest traditions, including (obviously) a massive pumpkin patch, horse and pony rides, a petting zoo, duck races, a sunflower field, live music, games, a food court, and two corn mazes. What makes this festival different than some of the others is the focus on education (it’s a college, after all). Families can wander down “Ag Discovery Lane” to check out various live demonstrations of things like blacksmithing, soap-making, beekeeping, sheep shearing and live cow-milking (which’ll make your kid either appreciate—or abandon—their daily cup of milk). New this year: Pumpkin Land, a garden “gallery” of uniquely decorated pumpkins. And for an additional entrance fee, little bug-lovers will want to get a ticket for the festival’s Insect Fair, which has 500,000 live and preserved insects from around the world.

Dates: Oct. 1-30
Cost: Thurs. & Fri.: Adults, $6; children 3–12, $5; kids under 3 are free. Sat. & Sun.: Adults: $10; children 3–12, $7. Certain events require additional tickets on the weekends

AGRIscapes Center
4102 S. University Dr.
Pomona
Online: cpp.edu