> Check out the 2013 list of Pumpkin Patches in San Diego
Fall in San Diego means warm days, cool nights, Halloween fun and, of course, pumpkin patches! Browse the list below to find the perfect pumpkin patch near you.
Bates Nut Farm
Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center has been a Pumpkin Patch staple for as long as I can remember (the Bates family has owned the farm since 1921, and I have been going since the early 80s). Bates has plenty of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, tractor hayrides, a straw maze, pony rides and a petting zoo. During the weekends, why not get your face painted, try some rock climbing, and chow down on some BBQ and kettle corn while enjoying live entertainment.
Dates: September 27 – October 31, 2012
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: Varies, Ride Tickets start at $2. The Pumpkin Package for $9 includes 1 Jack-o-Lantern pumpkin, 1 tractor/hayride and 1 straw maze ticket.
Website: www.batesnutfarm.biz/content.php?content_id=1011
Julian Mining Company Pumpkin Picking Patch
Take the family on a day trip to Julian for apple pie from Mom’s and pumpkins from the Julian Mining Company. Even more fall fun awaits with Indian Camp, Tomahawk throwing and farm animals. Upgrade to the Harvest tour and enjoy a hayride, fresh apple cider and a petting zoo. In for a fright? Well then ride on the Night Time Spooky Hayride: Tale of the Doomed Miner on October 20 & 27 at 7:30 and 8:30 PM.
Dates: September 29 – October 31, 2012 (Saturday-Sunday)
Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: Regular Admission: Kids 3 and under free, Ages 4-13 – $3, Adults – $5. Harvest Tour: Kids – $6, Adults – $9. Spooky Hayride: Kids – $10, Adults – $15
Website: www.julianminingcompany.com
Lavender Hill Pumpkins
Looking for a no nonsense pumpkin picking outing? Then head to Lavendar Hill Pumpkins for a vast selection of pumpkins perfect for either carving or cooking.
Dates: September 29 – October 31, 2012
Hours: Weekdays – 2:00 to 5:00 PM, Weekends – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: Varies
Website: www.lavenderhillpumpkins.com
Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch
Up near the small mountain town of Romana is the Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch. Take some time to find the perfect carving or cooking pumpkin, get lost in the gigantic corn maze, launch an ear of corn out of a cannon, pet a few farm animals and add a few pictures of the kids on antique farm equipment to the scrapbook.
Dates: September 24 – October 31, 2012
Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost: Varies (Cash Only)
Website: www.mountainvalleyranch.com/pumpkinpatch.html
Norris Amusements Pumpkin Patches
Norris Amusements has North County covered with three locations in San Diego, Carlsbad and Escondido. Each location offers pumpkins and fun for the little ones with jumpees and carnival rides. Go to the San Diego or Escondido location on Tuesdays for Wristband Tuesday and enjoy unlimited rides. Make sure to pick up one of their coupons and save!
Dates: October 1 – 31, 2012
Hours: Varies by location
Cost: Varies, Wristband Tuesdays: San Diego – $20 and Escondido – $15
Website: www.norrisamusements.net/pumpkin
Oma’s Pumpkin Patch
Over in Lakeside, Oma’s Pumpkin Patch is offering fun for the whole family. The child admission includes a Jack Patch pumpkin, a bottle of water, covered hay rides, a hay bale maze, petting corral, kid-powered games and a large play area with the climbable Cottonseed Mountain.
Dates: September 25 – November 3, 2012 – Tuesday-Saturday
Hours: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Cost: $8 per child with one free adult per child. Additional adults are $4.
Website: www.omaspumpkinpatch.com
PB Pumpkins
City dwellers looking for pumpkins, gourds Indian corn and squash don’t need to go far thanks to PB Pumpkins three convient locations in Pacific Beach, La Jolla and Downtown (Downtown was closed for 2012). While pumpkin hunting, the little ones can enjoy a petting zoo, slides, jumpees, carnival games, a pumpkin carving and decorating station and more.
Dates: September 28 – October 31, 2012
Hours: Monday-Friday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Saturday-Sunday: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Cost: Varies, Activity Tickets – $3
Website: www.pbpumpkins.com
Pumpkin Station
All aboard…one of the seven convient Pumpkin Station locations (including the two actual farms) throughout San Diego County. At the Pumpkin Stations, kids can peruse for the perfect pumpkin while enjoying the kiddie rides, slides, inflatable play centers and petting zoo. At their two farms in Rancho Bernardo and Bonita, little pumpkin carvers will find a living pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm animals and a tractor-pulled haywagon ride.
Dates: Vary by location
Hours: Vary by location
Cost: Free admission, ride tickets start at $1 depending on location
Website: www.pumpkinstation.com
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
Family Pumpkin Patch & Fall Festival
Stop by the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum for hands-on education (don’t tell the kids), pumpkins and fun. While the pumpkin patch is open Tuesday through Sunday, stop by on Saturday for live music, a pumpkin carving station, hands-on gardening and other craft activities. The Family Fall Festival, October 6 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, will feature live music, food and craft vendors, hands-on activities, a jumpee and more.
Dates: September 22 – November 4, 2012 (Tuesday-Sunday)
Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost: Pumpkin Patch – Free with admission, Fall Festival – Free-$10
Website: www.sdcdm.org/special-events/family-pumpkin-patch-fall-festival
Summers Past Farms Pumpkin Patch
Head on over to Summer Past Farms Pumpkin Patch picking weekends for family fun including a jumpee, popcorn, corn-dogs and smoothies. On October 6, 7 and 13, the East County Breeders of Alpacas will stop by with their beautiful animals. The Alpine Education Foundation’s 3rd Annual Fall Festival will be on Sunday, October 21, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and will include a jumpee, carnival games, laser tag, a carnival course, 4h display, crazy hair and face-painting, music, and plenty of food.
Dates: October 3 – 31, 2012 (Wednesday-Sunday)
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: Varies
Website: www.summerspastfarms.com/events.htm
Suzie’s Farm Pumpkin Palooza
Make a day of it in San Diego’s South Bay with pumpkin picking at Suzie’s Farm. Bring a wheelbarrow to carry home plenty of pumpkins for carving and cooking picked right from the fields, fresh produce, jams and more. While harvesting your pumpkins enjoy music, food and a sunflower maze. Don’t forget the camera!
Date: October 20, 2012
Hours: TBD
Cost: Free Admission, Pumpkins Vary
Website: www.suziesfarm.com