Fall is just around the corner, which means pumpkin season is almost here! When the air starts to carry a chill and the days get shorter, you know we’re only a hop, skip, and a jump away from harvest season and Halloween. In Los Angeles, that means empty lots and fenced-off fields all over the city are transformed into family-friendly pumpkin patches. If you’re looking for the perfect pumpkin or just want to absorb every single moment of fall while you can, visiting a pumpkin patch or harvest festival is the perfect way to do it!
The 10 locations we’ve included on our list below have it all: thousands of pumpkins in all shapes, sizes, and colors; hay bales and farm animals; delicious food; and plenty of entertainment the the whole family is sure to enjoy. Some even allow you to pick your own perfect pumpkin! A visit to the pumpkin patch is a must-do for every family, but it also makes a great after-school activity for the kids and their babysitter or nanny. So dust off the wagon and hit up one of these amazing pumpkin patches this fall.
Gilchrist Farm Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Patch
Address: 30116 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus, CA 91390
Phone: 661-645-2517
Dates & Times: Sept. 30 – Oct. 31, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fees: Admission & parking, free | Activities cost between $5 – $10.
The Gilchrist Farm Harvest Festival is all of the best parts of fall rolled into one. Besides the pumpkin patch, they have tons of fun activities for kids and families, like mule-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, and pig races. Admission is free, and so are the pig races and goat-milking demonstrations. (Milking demonstrations are held Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m.)
Ticket prices range from $5 for face painting and entrance to the petting zoo, to $10 for pumpkin decorating. They also have a hay-bale maze, which is free with a canned food donation.
Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch
Address: 5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
Phone: 949-653-2100
Dates & Times: Sept. 29 – Oct. 31, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fees: Admission, $2 | Kids 2 & under, free | Activities cost between $2 – $15.
Tanaka Farms is a 30-acre working farm located about 40 miles outside Los Angeles. Starting in late September, the farm gets into the spirit with its pumpkin patch and Fall Harvest Festival. At Tanaka, you have the opportunity to walk the pumpkin fields and pick the perfect gourd right off the ground. In addition to amazing pumpkin hunting, Tanaka has wagon rides, a petting zoo, and even a pick-your-own vegetable patch, where you can pick and buy freshly grown produce. Every weekend in October, the farm has its Fall Harvest Festival, with fun activities like ATV rides, face painting, and even a pumpkin cannon.
Admission is just $2, and tickets for the activities are $1 each. (Activities require anywhere between two and 15 tickets.) The Food Shack is also open on weekends, so you can refuel with delicious food like barbecue and roasted corn.
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch
Address: 10100 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: 310-276-9827
Dates & Times: Oct. 6-30, Sunday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fees:
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Monday – Thursday, admission free
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Friday, admission free until 5 p.m. | 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., adults are $10 & kids 2-12 are $5 | All Friday night admissions include a $5 pumpkin voucher.
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Saturday & Sunday, admission is $15 per person | Weekend kids admission includes three activity tickets, and adult admission includes a $5 pumpkin voucher.
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Kids under 2, always free
No pumpkin patch roundup would be complete without Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch. Arguably the most famous patch in all of L.A., Mr. Bones has been entertaining kids and families since 1987. What started with the simple idea of bringing the farm to the city to celebrate the magic of Halloween has evolved into one of the best pumpkin patches and fall destinations around. Not only can Mr. Bones meet all your pumpkin needs, they also have tons of activities, food, and entertainment. Kids can explore the pumpkin or Tiki village, take a ride on a giant rocking horse, or slide down Mr. Bones’ super slide.
Some events are offered only during certain times, so make sure to check the website before heading out to see what’s open. Parking is available in their lot for $6. As an opening weekend special, Oct. 7 and 8, admission is $10 per person, with the same pumpkin voucher or activity tickets included with normal weekend admission.
Underwood Family Farms
Address: 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, CA 93021
Phone: 805-529-3690
Dates & Times: Sept. 30 – Oct. 31, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fees:
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Monday – Friday, admission $6
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Admission on Sept. 30 & Oct. 1 & 7-8, $15
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Admission on Oct. 14-15, 21-22, & 28-29, $20
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Kids under 2, always free
If you live in L.A., chances are you’ve made the drive up to Underwood Family Farms at some point. They’re well-known for their strawberry-picking excursions and well-stocked farmers market. But did you know they also have an amazing fall harvest festival and pumpkin patch? During the week, the festival is packed with activities that are all included with admission, like the pumpkin playhouse, tractor-drawn wagon rides, and corn maze. Their country store and patch are also open during the week. On weekends, the fun gets a boost with other ticketed attractions like duck races, cow train rides, and horse-drawn wagon rides, and free entertainment like the animal show. Several food vendors will also be selling delicious snacks and treats on weekends, so don’t forget to bring cash.
Tickets start at $1, and packages are available. Discounted tickets are available if purchased online, and there is a separate charge for some attractions.
The Pumpkin Factory
Address: 32335 Live Oak Canyon Road, Redlands, CA 92373
Phone: 909-795-8733
Dates & Times: Sept. 23-29, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Sept. 30 – Oct. 30, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. |
Halloween, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Friday & Saturday hours are extended to 9 a.m. –
10 p.m. beginning Oct. 13.
Fees: Tuesday – Thursday, admission free | Friday – Sunday, admission $5 | Kids under 2, free | Additional attractions priced separately
In November, Angelenos flock to Live Oak Canyon for apple picking. But did you know that they have more to offer than apples? The Pumpkin Factory’s pumpkin patch and harvest festival are a great reason to head out of the city for pumpkin hunting and fun! There is plenty to do on weekdays, when admission is free. They have pumpkin picking, a petting zoo, train rides, bounce houses, and more. On weekends, they also have ziplining, live entertainment, food trucks, and even a pumpkin blaster! Every day in October after 4 p.m., the pumpkin patch turns into a mini carnival, with mechanical rides and games for kids.
Attractions are ticketed, and tickets can be purchased at the patch. Packages start at $20 for 22 tickets. On Tuesdays in October after 4 p.m., you can also purchase unlimited-ride wristbands.
Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch
Address: 6815 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045 | 3443 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: 323-345-6314
Dates & Times: Oct. 6-31, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fees: Admission, free | Additional attractions priced separately
With two locations to serve Los Angeles, Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch makes finding the perfect pumpkin easy. While you’re on the hunt at the patch, there is plenty to do to keep kids and the whole family entertained. The best part: both locations have most of the same attractions, so you can’t lose no matter where you go. There will be bounce houses, pony rides, a petting zoo, a merry-go-round, giant slides, and face painting at both patches. The La Cienega location will also offer train rides and a kid’s play land, and the Sepulveda location will have a miniature roller coaster.
Each attraction is priced separately, and some attractions are available only during certain hours, so make sure to check the website before you go.
Tina’s Pumpkin Patch
Address: 4827 Sepulveda Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Phone: 818-495-8750
Dates & Times: Oct. 1-31, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fees: Admission, free | Additional attractions priced separately
Pumpkins, pony rides, and a petting zoo — what more can you ask for? If you’re looking for a farm-like patch in the Valley, look no further than Tina’s Pumpkin Patch. Known best for their Christmas tree farm during the holidays, Tina’s brings the same fun atmosphere to fall and Halloween during the month of October. Their pumpkin selection is top-notch, and there are plenty of activities and attractions for kids. The straw maze is free with admission, and they also have train rides, bouncers, pony rides, and a petting zoo. (Pony rides and petting zoo are open Friday afternoons and all day on weekends.)
Most activities are priced separately and not included in the free admission.
Forneris Farms Fall Harvest Festival
Address: 15200 Rinaldi St., Mission Hills, CA 91345
Phone: 818-730-7709
Dates & Times: Oct. 1-31, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fees: Admission, $15 | Kids 2 & under, free | Additional attractions priced separately
Another great option in the Valley is Forneris Farms. Every year during the month of October, Forneris Farms hosts its amazing Harvest Festival. Aside from their huge pumpkin patch and many varieties of pumpkins for sale, the farm has lots of fall-themed entertainment and attractions. During the week, kids can wander through the corn maze, take a ride on a train pulled by a tractor, and play in the Farm Frolic Area. On weekends, the farm also has face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo, and lots of yummy food vendors.
Many of the activities are included with admission, but the weekend attractions cost an extra $5-6 per person. When you’re there, don’t forget to take a picture of the kiddos on top of the hay-bale pyramid!
Calabasas Pumpkin Festival
Address: 3701 Lost Hills Road, Calabasas, CA 91302
Email: info@calabasaschamber.com
Dates & Times: Oct. 21-22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Fees: Admission, $5 | Kids 2 & under, free
The Calabasas Pumpkin Festival has been kicking off Halloween every year for over 40 years. Unlike the other patches on the list, this patch and festival is a two-day event, and those two days are jam-packed. A lot is included with your $5 admission: inflatable slides and bouncers, live entertainment, nature shows, a youth Halloween carnival, and more. They also have other activities, food, and items available for purchase, like face painting, derby car races, and of course, pumpkins! There are also parades and contests scheduled during the whole weekend, so make sure to check the website. Don’t forget to stop by the food court and get your fill of all things pumpkin, like pumpkin tamales and Brazilian pumpkin stew.
On Saturday, Oct. 21, kids 6 and under who are dressed in costume get in for free before 11 a.m.
Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Festival
Address: 4102 S. University Drive, Pomona, CA 91768
Phone: 909-869-2215
Dates & Times:
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Festival: Oct. 7-8, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Pumpkin Patch: Oct. 10-31, Tuesday & Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Thursday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fees:
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Festival admission: Adults, $4 | Kids ages 2-12, $3 | Kids under 2, free
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Pumpkin Patch admission: Free
No list of pumpkin patches would be complete without one of the largest patches in California. The Cal Poly Pomona pumpkin patch is filled with over 70,000 Cal Poly-grown pumpkins, so there are plenty to go around. One of the best parts is all pumpkins are just $5, regardless of size. You’ll definitely need a wagon to haul your loot back to the car after walking through the fields here. The weekend of Oct. 7-8, they host their annual Pumpkin Festival. In addition to the pumpkin patch, kids and families can enjoy games, attractions, a sprawling farmers market, and lots more.
Most of the attractions are included with admission, but some are priced separately, and tickets can be purchased at the festival. The festival can get pretty crowded, so definitely arrive early so you get the best pumpkin in the patch!
