If you are looking for some fun this fall, there are farms and pumpkin patches all over the Los Angeles area where children and adults alike will find things to do. Local spots offer petting zoos, hayrides, face painting, even corn or hay bale mazes, in addition to great pumpkin picking. Here is your guide to the best spots to pick pumpkins in Los Angeles.
Pumpkin Patches in the San Fernando/Conejo Valley Area
- Calabasas Pumpkin Festival
- Juan Bautista De Anza Park, Calabasas, CA
- (818) 222-5680
- Open: October 15th and 16th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Take the Lost Hills exit from the 101 freeway and follow the signs to the Calabasas Pumpkin Festival. Your $5.00 admission includes access to inflatable rides & a giant slide, live bands, contests, reptile & nature shows, youth carnival games and a Sunday car show. In addition, there is plenty of food, beer, arts and crafts, balloons and pumpkins to purchase. Free parking and shuttle.
- Forneris Farms
- 15200 Rinaldi Street, Mission Hills, CA
- (818) 361-0714 Farm Market
- Open: October 1st through 31st; Pumpkin Patch and Farm Market Daily 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
The Fall Harvest Festival at Forneris Farms is sure to put a smile on any face. When it comes to variety, it offers one of the best pumpkin patches in the Los Angeles area, grown and harvested on the farm. In addition, you’ll find a corn maze ($7) and mini-maze for the kids, tractor-pulled train ride ($4), pony rides, petting zoo and more. Free admission and parking. Food, live entertainment and certain attractions are open on weekends only.
- Halloween Harvest Festival at Pierce College
- 20800 Victory Boulevard, Woodland Hills, CA
- (818) 999-6300
- Open: September 23rd through October 31st from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm Sunday through Thursday and 10:00 am to 12:00 am Friday and Saturday
If you’re looking for more than just a pumpkin patch, celebrate halloween at the Halloween Harvest Festival at Pierce College. You’ll find farm-grown pumpkins, kid’s activities, rides, farm animals, a corn maze, hay rides and more. In addition, for those really in the Halloween spirit, be sure to check out the "Factory of Nightmares" haunted house and the "Creatures of the Corn" haunted trail. Plus don’t forget Spookley the Square Pumpkin stage show. Festival admission is $5.00. Additional cost for some activities; multi-pass tickets available.
- Underwood Family Farms
- 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, CA
- (805) 529-3690
- Open: October 1st to 31st from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Talk about a lot to do. Along with a huge line up of fresh pumpkins (which Underwood Farms picks in advance) there is an endless amount of farm fun. Admission is $3 during the week and $12 on weekend. Weekend admission includes a tractor-drawn wagon ride, the corn maze & hay pyramids, animal center with fun hill, Craig's chicken show, kid's corral & play area plus live bands and themed-weekend entertainment. Plenty of photo opportunities and parking is free.
Pumpkin Patches in Northern Los Angeles County
- Lombardi Ranch
- 29527 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus, CA
- (661) 296-8697
- Open: Pumpkin Festival from October 2nd to October 30th weekends only starting at 9:00 am. Saturday until 6:00 pm, Sunday until 5:00 pm.
Every weekend offers something new at Lombardi Ranch. That includes live music from an assortment of bands, craft fair, bake sale, petting zoo, train and pony rides, corn maze, face painting and more. Some charges apply. Check their website for details.
- Nancy's Ranch
- 25039 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, CA
- (661) 255-6943
- Open: October 1st to 31st from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
If your only interest is in picking up a pumpkin or two, you live in Northern Los Angeles County and you don’t want to drive too far, Nancy’s Ranch has a wide selection of pumpkins, Indian corn and gourds.
Pumpkin Patches in East Los Angeles Area
- Great Pumpkin Fest at Cal Poly Pomona
- 4102 S. University Drive, Pomona, CA
- (909) 869-4906
- Open: October 15th and 16th from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
This is 19th Annual Pumpkin Festival for Cal Poly Pomona. There are thousands of pumpkins to choose from along with food, games and an insect fair featuring nearly 500,000 live and preserved insects (runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm). In addition, there is a corn maze, petting zoo, horse rides, entertainment and more activities for kids. Pancake breakfast Saturday morning from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Free admission and parking; prices for individual activities vary.
- Heritage Park Pumpkin Patch
- 5100 Via De Mansion, Laverne, CA
- (909) 593-2862
- Open: October 8th through October 30th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm (weekdays) and 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (weekends)
Tractor rides ($2), farm animals, country store, great photo opportunities, and a classic car show with live band on October 29th. If you go to the website there's a flyer with a money saving coupon that you can print off for $1.00 off any pumpkin over $8.00.
Pumpkin Patches in the South Los Angeles Area
- Cottone and Son’s Pumpkin Patch
- Del Amo Fashion Center Mall, 21573 Madrona Avenue, Torrance, CA
- (310) 375-6373 or (310) 429-8983
- Open: October 10th through the 31st from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
With plenty of parking for everyone, Cottone and Son’s Pumpkin Patch has been in business for well over 30 years. Along with a large selection of pumpkins, you’ll find jumpers, pony rides, a petting zoo and more. Visit their website to receive a coupon for $2.00 off a pumpkin worth $6.00 or more.
- Pa's Pumpkin Patch
- 6701 E Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA
- (562) 596-7741
- Open: September 30th to October 16th from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm (M-F) and 10:00 am to 9:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. October 17th to 26th from 10am to 9pm. October 27th to 30th from 9am to 9pm. October 31st from 9am to 6:30pm.
If you’re looking for a country fair-like atmosphere, Pa’s Pumpkin Patch offers haystacks, corn stalks and gourds along with a large variety of pumpkins. Plus you’ll find games, pony rides, petting zoo and more. Each ride requires one to three tickets. You can purchase ten tickets for $15.00 ($1.50 each) or individual tickets for $1.75 each. Free admission and parking.
Pumpkin Patches in West Los Angeles Area
- Mr. Bones
- 702 North Doheney, West Hollywood, CA
- (310) 276-9827
- Open: October 8th through 31st from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Sunday through Thursday, until 8:00 pm on Friday and Saturday
Right near the border of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, Mr. Bones offers pumpkins and seasonal decorations along with a Halloween boo-tique, a petting zoo, jumpin’ pumpkin, pony rides, face painting, straw maze and more. Prices and hours vary for each activity.
- Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch
- 5750 Mesmer Avenue, Culver City or 2300 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA
- (323) 325-6314 (before October 6th) and after (310) 341-4181
- Open: October 8th till Halloween from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm, Sunday through Thursday, and 9:00 am to 8:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. Santa Monica open October 12, 2011 till Halloween from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Another perennial favorite, Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch offers straw bales, gourds and corn stalks along with their pumpkins. And for the young as well as the young-at-heart there are pony rides, petting zoo, train rides, face painting, bouncer, and a straw maze. For further information on the Santa Monica location call (323) 325-6314 (before October 12th) or after October 12th (310) 586-6800.
One last reminder: be sure to check the website to get the full details before heading out to your favorite Los Angeles area pumpkin patch. Happy Halloween!
Deborah S. Hildebrand - Deborah S. Hildebrand is a freelance writer & HR consultant with 20+ years in human resources & a Bachelor's degree in Business.
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