Go beyond the gourd with these Bay Area pumpkin patches that take shopping for a pumpkin to a new level
Pumpkin picking season has arrived, making it officially Fall. There are a ton of good places to find your perfect pumpkin all over the Bay Area, whether you are looking for that extra-large one to carve a masterpiece into or smaller pumpkins that your littles can paint and decorate. But the family fun doesn’t stop there: These patches come with a plethora of colorful autumn activities such as corn and hay mazes, hayrides, scarecrows, petting zoos and more, that will turn your pumpkin shopping trip into a whole day of entertainment.
The Best Pumpkin Patches in San Francisco
Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch: Country vibes meet the city when Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch opens at their two locations. A community staple since 1979, you’ll find a variety of pumpkins from Cinderella to gourds. Families can enjoy the hay maze, hayrides, and photo ops with cool scarecrows and more.
Dates: Sept. 25-Oct. 31 depending on the location
Online: clancystrees.com
The Guardsmen Pumpkin Patch: Snag your pumpkin from this volunteer-run patch and contribute to a worthy cause at the same time! The Guardsmen raise more than $1 million annually. Those funds allow the organization to send more than 1,750 kids to camp and outdoor education programs each year, and provide scholarships to more than 220 students at Bay Area private schools.
Dates: Oct. 20-Oct. 29
Online: pumpkinpatch.guardsmen.org
Related: Fall Road Trips from the Bay Area
The Best Pumpkin Patches in the East Bay
G&S Farms: Get lost this October at G&S Farms as you navigate their large corn maze and pick your perfect pumpkin from the vine. Kids will especially love their pumpkin cannons and movie nights.
Dates: Oct. 1-31
Online: gsfarms.net
Joan’s Farm: Fall family fun awaits at Joan’s Farm. You can explore a variety of pumpkins big and small, try your hand at pumpkin bowling, conquer a hay bale maze, ride the little blue train, meet a few friendly goats, and more. This is a cash-only pumpkin farm but there is an ATM onsite.
Dates: Sept. 30-Oct. 29
Online: joansfarm.com
Related: Get Lost in These Bay Area Corn and Hay Mazes
Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch: The Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch has everything you need for family fun. From local, valley-grown pumpkins to a petting zoo, bouncy houses and a four-story ship slide, this pumpkin patch is packed with activities for all ages.
Dates: Sept. 29-Nov. 1
Online: speerfamilyfarms.com
Piedmont Avenue Pumpkin Patch: Stroll through the Halloween store on Piedmont into a Pumpkin Wonderland. They carry more than 15 varieties of pumpkins, corn stalks, corn, gourds, straw, and straw bales. After you pick out a pumpkin, come into the store and purchase a carving kit and candles to make your Jack-o-Lantern unique. The pumpkin patch even has a Haunted House for those who dare to walk through it.
Dates: Sept.-Oct.
Online: pumpkinpatch.info
Westbrae Nursery: For a charming, cozy pumpkin-picking experience, head to the back of this nursery where the kids can pick out their favorite pumpkins. This community-minded nursery donates all proceeds to a local elementary school, which means you should definitely load up on as many pumpkins as your trunk can fit. Nearby Coffee Conscious is perfect for your hot cocoa and caffeine needs while Westbrae Biergarten is great for unwinding after.
Dates: Sep. 25-Oct. 31
Online: westbrae-nursery.com
Related: 33 Pumpkin Carving Designs That’ll Wow the Neighborhood
Smith Family Farm’s Pumpkin Harvest: Smith Family Farm has tons of pumpkins to take home and decorate, and their stand is stocked with a wide selection of summer and fall produce. Be sure to check out their special weekend events featuring live music and food trucks, too. Admission gets you one pumpkin and covers all activities on site such as visiting farm animals, a recreation area, and more. This spot is also a tomato farm, and for the opening day of this year’s pumpkin patch (Sat., Sept. 23) it will offer free samples of fresh tomato-based dishes to visitors.
Dates: Sept. 23-Oct. 31
Online: smithfamilyfarm.wixsite.com
Three Nunns Farm: With more than 40 varieties of pumpkins at Three Nunns Farm, you’re sure to find the perfect orange table centerpiece or fall porch attraction. Stop by for u-pick pumpkins, tractor rides, and the huge corn maze designed and cut by the farmers themselves.
Dates: Sept. 23-Oct. 31
Online: threenunns.com
G&M Farms: G&M Farms offers a whole lot of autumn-time fun that goes beyond picking your perfect pumpkin from their field or festive farm stand. There’s also a 6-acre corn maze and, on weekends: pony rides, pedal carts, a cow train, jumping pillows, and a hayride.
Dates: Oct. 1-31
Online: gmfarms.com
The Best Pumpkin Patches in the Peninsula
Arata Pumpkin Farm: One of the oldest pumpkin farms in California, (their first pumpkin was sold in 1932), Arata’s perks include a 6-acre corn field, pumpkin river, hay rides, and the infamous 2-acre Minotaur’s Labyrinth hay maze. Younger children can enjoy a small playland while adults and older kids can explore the haunted barn. Attractions range in price and you can buy tickets online.
Dates: Oct. 1-Oct. 31
Online: aratapumpkinfarm.com
Lemos Farm: Right in the heart of Half Moon Bay, this just might be the grandest of all the area pumpkin patches. Why? Lemos Farm has a nice mix of fun for all ages in the form of a great selection of pumpkins, bounce houses, goat yoga, pony rides, and a haunted train ride. Costs vary by attraction but you also have the option of purchasing unlimited-access passes for $15 adults, $25-$30 kids.
Insider Tip: the haunted attractions have two scare zones: one for the younger ones and one for adults and older children.
Dates: Sept. 2 through Thanksgiving
Online: lemosfarm.com
Related: 16 Kid-Friendly Day Trips Worth the Time & Effort
Webb Ranch Pumpkin Patch: A quick drive down I-280 brings you to the home of this family-owned and operated farm featuring a pumpkin patch with more than 20 varieties of organic pumpkins. You can still expect the on-site hayrides, ponies and reptile exhibit but they have added a farm-themed obstacle course and haunted house in their corn maze.
Good to Know: The corn maze is free; all other extras require tickets. Reservations are required for weekends.
Dates: Sept. 22-Oct. 31
Online: webbranchinc.com
Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch: Enjoy rolling fields of more than 60 varieties of pumpkins and squash at Farmer John’s in Half Moon Bay. Surrounded by nature’s beauty, be sure to capture their specialty pumpkin, the Atlantic Giant, for the Gram. You will also find an astounding pumpkin display, an authentic Native American Teepee, and an animal exhibit.
Dates: Sept. 8-Oct. 31
Online: farmerjohnspumpkins.com
Blue House Farm: This lovely u-pick farm can be found between Half Moon Bay and Pescadero and currently offers u-pick strawberries, as well as other produce for purchase from the farm stand.
Dates: Sept. 30-Oct. 31
Online: bluehousefarm.com
Related: The Best U-Pick Apple Orchards
The Best Pumpkin Patches in the South Bay
Rodoni Farms: Come visit this third-generation family farm on 100 acres of fun. You’ll find fields of pumpkins located along the beautiful California Coast on Highway 1. They also have hay bales, scary cutouts and a 5-acre corn maze! Grab some fresh Brussels sprouts on the stalk, artichokes, corn stalks, and gourds.
Dates: Sep. 30-Oct. 31
Online: rodonifarms.com
Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch: Bordered by bright yellow sunflowers, this farm is filled with an abundance of pumpkins and sunflower fields. Families can enjoy a ride on the Spina Pumpkin Express Train, the Barrel Train, and the new Cow Train, and take a hayride or get lost in the corn maze. And don’t worry—the pumpkin blasters are back this year.
Dates: Sept. 25-Oct. 31
Online: spinafarmspumpkinpatch.com
Queens Pumpkin Patch: Get those arms ready for pumpkin picking and a few rounds on the giant pumpkin slingshots for added fun. This modest spot in Saratoga has much to offer families in the fun arena including a cow train, paddle boats, bumper boats, climbing wall and hayrides.
Dates: Oct. 1-Oct. 31
Online: queenspumpkinpatch.com
Where to Go Pumpkin Picking in Marin / North Bay
Nicasio Valley Farms: Located just 35 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge, Nicasio Valley Farms offers 12 acres to explore and find that perfect pumpkin. From face painting and hayrides to live music and BBQ, there is something for everyone.
Good to Know: This spot is cash only.
Dates: Sep. 23-Oct. 31
Online: nicasiovalleypumpkinpatch.net
Santa Rosa Patch: This award-winning pumpkin patch has 45 varieties of pumpkins available to go home with you along with a 5-acre corn maze, a hay pyramid, corn hole, John Deere pedal trike races and more. They even offer a petting zoo and giant inflatable pillow to tire the kids out before you head home.
Dates: Sept. 30-Oct. 31
Online: santarosapumpkinpatch.com
The Petaluma Pumpkin Patch: The Petaluma Pumpkin Patch is all about fun on the farm. There are animals to pet, a corn kernel “sandbox” to explore, a 500-bale haystack pyramid to climb, and two corn mazes—one for little tykes and one for older kids. If you go for the big corn maze, make sure to take your toddlers to the potty beforehand, as most folks need around 45 minutes to find their way out!
Insider Tip: You can beat that 45-minute corn maze average by taking in the bird’s eye view from the second-story viewing platform and mapping your way out beforehand.
Dates: Sep. 22-Oct. 31
Online: petalumapumpkinpatch.com
The Best Pumpkin Patches for Day Trips near San Francisco
Swank Farms: The hunt for the perfect pumpkin is only half the fun at Swank Farms. The pumpkin patch features two giant jumping pillows (one just for little kids), a double slide, a cow train, pig races, a sunflower field, and a giant corn path. Admission to the pumpkin patch is free but you can purchase a pass for activities and also experience the Trail of Lights and Frights.
Dates: Oct. 1-Oct. 31
Online: swankfarms.com
Dell’Osso Family Farm: There’s no shortage of Halloween spirit at this farm and we’re ready for it. Grab your general admission wristband to check out the massive corn maze, haunted castle, Dell’Osso Express Train, Hay Ride, Mystery Tour, Scarecrow Ride, Goat Walk, Duck Races, Tire Pyramid, and more. Add on adventures like pig races and pumpkin painting for the whole family.
Dates: Sept. 30-Oct. 31
Online: dellossofarm.com
Make sure to capture all the fall fun—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.
