- calendar_month October 9, 2023
- folder Resources
Edited by: Danielle Torres | Contributor: Michael Juliano | Wednesday September 20 2023
If you’re yearning for a full-fledged farm experience, forget the humdrum pumpkin aisle at your local grocery store and head straight to Tanaka Farms. It’s the ultimate haven for all your favorite family-friendly fall activities and dare we say worth the trek to Irvine.
Nearly all activities are included in the admission price meaning you can access unlimited wagon rides, the Barnyard Educational exhibit (a.k.a. petting zoo), the corn maze and the U-pick pumpkin fields for $22. Plus, on weekends you can jump in on additional fun for $6 apiece with games, arts and crafts, mini ATV's, face painting, the veggie patch, shooting the pumpkin cannon or riding the bee train.
Just note that this patch gets very busy, so parking reservations are required in advance on weekends ($10). Look out for a sister patch in Costa Mesa that promises a more mellow experience (open Sept. 30).
Sept 16–Oct 31: Mon–Thu 9am–6pm; Fri, Sat 9am–9pm; Sun 9am–6pm; Halloween Day 9am–3pm
Photograph: Courtesy Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch
This former West Hollywood hot spot packed up its bags and moved over to Culver City a couple of years ago. The popular patch sticks out like a scarecrow in a squash garden: With rows of pumpkins, a giant hand-carved rocking horse, petting zoo and a mini straw maze, it’s like someone dropped off a piece of country farmland in the middle of a fast-paced, urban city.
This little slice of harvest also provides elaborate face painting, a super slide, pumpkin decorating, a spider bounce and food trucks. Ticket prices vary from $10 to $30 depending on the date (psst—weekdays are less) and activities begin at $1 each.
Oct 5–29: Daily 9am–9pm. (Activities close at 8:30pm).
Photograph: Courtesy Underwood Family Farms
Every October, Underwood Family Farms’ Moorpark location becomes an autumnal wonderland as it celebrates its annual Fall Harvest Festival with different events every weekend ranging from Wild West Weekend to All About Pumpkins. For the entire month, guests can come and be entertained by live music, animal shows, corn mazes and an endless amount of pumpkins.
Advance admission to the festival is $22 per person for the first weekend and then $26 for the following weekends in October. Weekday admission is $14 at the gate, free for children two and younger, and parking is free. Check the site for more details.
Sept 30–Oct 31: Daily 9am–6pm.
Photograph: Courtesy Monique Batac
Get lost. No really, get lost in Tapia Brothers Farm’s epic corn maze (an entire lot across from the patch itself) with a much-needed map and a sheet full of trivia questions ($10; closed Mon). The festive pumpkin patch also offers, you guessed it, pumpkins galore (with $3 admission), as well as a fresh farmers’ market, a petting zoo ($5), pony rides ($8) and an epic train ride. Be sure to check it out on the weekends so you have all the activities at your disposal.
Oct 1–31: Daily 9am-7pm
Photograph: Courtesy Pa's Pumpkin Patch
Who said county fair season is over? There’s no reason a pumpkin patch can’t bring back the same memories of booth games, carnival rides and sugary indulgences. Treat yourself to a weekend of classic festival favorites like giant slides, mirror mazes and more; all harvest-themed, of course.
Beyond a massive collection of varied pumpkins to choose from, the patch is also full of haystacks, corn stalks and gourds (for that epic Halloween party you’re throwing). Kids can enjoy a mini train ride, jump houses and face painting. It’s a little kid’s dream, so be prepared to take them to every single ride and game—you’ll be a shoe-in for the parent of the year award.
Must reserve your ticket online for entry. Admission tickets range from $2.50 to $20 with additional fees for activities.
Sept 29–Oct 31: Daily 1–5pm
Photograph: Courtesy Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkins
6. Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch
Things we particularly value right now: online ordering, delivery, and free parking. This seasonal pumpkin patch is thankfully offering all of the above at its three locations in West L.A. (11852 Santa Monica Blvd), Torrance (17520 Prairie Ave) and at the Original Farmers Market (6333 W 3rd St). That’s in addition to festive activities like pumpkin decorating, a spooky maze, pumpkin bowling and a bounce house. Admission is free!
West L.A., Torrance:
Oct 1–31: Mon–Thu 11am–8pm; Fri, Sat 10am–9pm; Sun 10am–8pm
Original Farmers Market:
Oct 20–31: Daily 11am–6pm
Photograph: Courtesy Forneris Farms
Forneris Farms is back again with its fall market, train ride and, of course, an impressive selection of pumpkins. A tractor with a series of train-style cars will take pumpkin patch goers on a narrated tour through the cornfields and around the farm. Everything is cash only (and the train will cost you an extra $15 on top of the $5 patch admission fee), but there is an ATM on site. Heads up: There’s no corn maze this year but the pumpkins, market and train are well worth the visit.
Oct 7–31: Daily 9am–6pm
Photograph: Courtesy Monique Batac
If you’re on a budget before the holidays and still looking for a lively pumpkin patch experience, Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch is definitely the spot for you. Admission is free during the week and only costs $2.50 on the weekends (only for those 15 years and up) and most activities cost $4 (some of the attractions like pony rides and face painting options can climb upwards from that). The patch boasts bounce houses, ponies, a petting zoo, train rides, obstacle courses, giant slides, a rock climbing wall and face painting.
Sept 30, Oct 1, 6–31: Hours vary by day.
Photograph: Courtesy of Monique Batac
There’s something about encountering a friendly llama that makes the trip to this tiny but charming patch so worthwhile. Maybe you’re not into the whole pumpkin picking thing or even Halloween at all, but interacting with these highly entertaining petting zoo animals is one memory you need to create. The patch itself sits under a large tent with piles of pumpkins available at a great price. You’ll find it all located in the Westfield Fashion Square lot, so there’s plenty of free parking available. Admission is free, too.
Sept 30–Oct 31: Sun–Thu 10am–8pm; Fri, Sat 10am–9pm
Photograph: Courtesy Whittier Pumpkin Patch
If you’re a Gateway Cities dweller looking to entertain your youngsters and buy some pumpkins while you’re at it, head to Whittier Pumpkin Patch. It’s a family destination where guests can pick from their bounty of pumpkins, reach new heights on their inflatable jumpers and slides, go mining for gems, paint pumpkins and then ride around on a tractor. Admission is free but the prices of the activities vary. Everything is cash only, but there’s an ATM on site.
Oct 1–31: Daily 9am–8:30pm
Photograph: Courtesy SkyPark at Santa’s Village
Go pumpkin picking in the pines as this Halloween-themed month of activities hits a perennially-Christmas theme park Lake Arrowhead amusement park. On weekends in October, pumpkins and hay bales will cover the grounds of SkyPark at Santa’s Village. Though the park is open select days during the week, the Halloween activities are limited to Saturdays and Sundays, that’s when you’ll find pumpkin picking and painting, trick-or-treating, costume contests, seasonal food and drink, puppet shows and so much more. Parking is $10 and adult admission is $49.
Oct 7–29: Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 10am–6pm
