When summer gives way to fall, one fruit jumps into center stage. From morning lattes to breads and scones to many people’s favorite pie, the pumpkin is the star of the fall season . And pumpkin patches are places where you can not only pick up a fresh pumpkin but where families can enjoy fun adventures and make epic memories. Right about now you are thinking, “so where is the best pumpkin patch near me?” And hopefully, on this list of some of the best pumpkin patches in Southern California, you will find your next favorite spot for all things pumpkin.
1. Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch , Irvine - September 16 to October 30, 2023
5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612, USA
Tanaka Farms is one of Orange County’s only pumpkin patches where you can pick your own pumpkins right from the patch. And that’s just the beginning. Enjoy wagon rides, arts and crafts, a corn maze, a produce and snack stand, and even a pumpkin canon at this popular pumpkin patch in Irvine. Admission tickets are $20 to $22, depending on the day and time, with a $10 parking pass required on weekends. This year is the farm’s 25th anniversary and that means 25 percent off admission for the first two weeks!
2. Irvine Park Railroad , Orange - September 16 to October 31, 2023
1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869, USA
If you are looking for the best pumpkin patches near Irvine, CA, this park belongs near the very top of the list. While the pumpkins don’t actually grow here, this is still a super-fun pumpkin patch that families adore. Depending on the day, there are myriad of activities such as far painting, a hay maze for littles, carnival games, pony rides, paddle boats, and lots and lots of picnic and photo opportunities! Entrance is free, but you will need to pay for parking ($3 on weekdays, $5 on weekends, and $7 on holidays). Activity tickets are $7 each.
3. Underwood Family Farms , Moorpark - September 30 to October 31, 2023
3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021, USA
One of my favorite farms in general is also a local favorite when it comes to pumpkins. Underwood farms is a large, picturesque farm with lots of activities for families, including pumpkin picking, live music on weekends, tractor rides, petting zoos, and more. This is definitely one place worth bringing your camera and spending some time. General admission Monday through Friday is $14 and can only be purchased at the gate. Weekends are themed events starting at $28 and tickets must be purchased online.
4. Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch , Culver City - October 5-29, 2023
10100 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232, USA
When it comes to pumpkin patches near Los Angeles, Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch is anything but your typical low-key event. You will find a Pumpkin Village, a Super Slide, a Tipi Village, giant rocking horses, a tiny bounce house for the littlest guests and a bigger one for older kids, a straw maze, petting zoo, face painting, and quite possibly a few LA faces you will recognize. Admission prices vary by date and time, ranging from $10 to $30. Ride tickets are $1 and can be used any time you visit.
5. Fallstivities Pumpkin Patch , Cerritos - September 30 to October 30, 2023
239 Los Cerritos Center, Cerritos, CA 90703, USA
Fallstivities is another spectacular pumpkin patch near Los Angeles - more festival than patch! In addition to tons of activities, guests will enjoy candy apples and other snacks, beverages, and photo booth props to capture fun memories. Free and small-fee activities include a Big Trike Track, inflatable rock wall and obstacle course, motor scooters, slides and bounce houses, face painting, pumpkin and mask painting, and more! Check the
Fallstivities website for ticket prices.
6. Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Festival at AGRIscapes , Pomona - September 29 to October 30, 2023
The Huntley College of Agriculture at Cal Poly Pomona grows some 40,000 pumpkins and attracts up to 120,000 visitors! Visitors can cut their own pumpkins from the vine, find their way through two corn mazes, wander through a sunflower maze, spend time in the petting farm, play games, take tractor-pulled hay wagon rides, listen to live music, and purchase food and beverages from on-site vendors. You could easily spend all day at this pumpkin patch and festival in Pomona! Tickets for this event usually sell out, so it is recommended to buy them online ahead of the date you plan to visit. Admission starts at $8 for kids 3 to 12 and $10 for adults on weekends, with $4 discounts available on Value Fridays. Children under 3 are free with a paid adult ticket.
7. Frosty’s Forest , Chino - September 29 to October 30, 2023
14861 Ramona Ave, Chino, CA 91710, USA
Frosty’s Pumpkin Patch in Chino is another true pumpkin festival with lots of inflatables, carnival rides, pony rides, a sunflower labyrinth, a corn maze, animal viewing zoo, a corn cob beach, and a one-of-a-kind photo op path featuring art, backdrops, and sculptures by local artists. You will also find any size, shape, and color of pumpkin, including heirloom pumpkins, for purchase. Admission to Frosty’s is free on Mondays, $5 for adults and free for kids 14 and under on Tuesday through Thursday, and $10 on Friday through Sunday (kids 3 and under are always free).
8. Palomar Pumpkin Polar Palooza , Carlsbad - September 16 to October 30, 2023
1200 Laurel Tree Ln, Carlsbad, CA 92011, USA
If you are farther south and looking for pumpkin patches near San Diego, there is a great one in Carlsbad, and I mean, the name alone suggests a uniquely good time! A thrilling 50-foot slide is just one of the exciting inflatables that include bounce houses, an obstacle course, and more slides. Visit the cuties at the petting zoo, take a wagon train hay ride, and play epic games like pumpkin bowling and pumpkin sling shot! There is a snack shack daily and on weekends, grab a delicious meal from an on-site taco truck. The highlight may be “Movies in the Patch” every weekend - families can bring chairs and blankets and enjoy a flick under the stars every weekend night at sunset. Admission is free and wristbands and tickets can be purchased for inflatables and other attractions.
Ready for a pumpkin adventure? Just pick one (or several) of these over-the-top pumpkin patches in SoCal, pack up the family, and head out. We want to know which one is your favorite!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.