It’s time to romp through the hay for the perfect Halloween pumpkin. With patches popping up across the state, Californians have plenty to choose from.
The Golden State is one of the top six pumpkin-growing states in the nation, according to the USDA, with 120 million pounds of the winter squash cultivated in 2022.
So whether you are looking for a traditional orange pumpkin, an exotic one in a shade of blue or grey, a small gourd, or the elusive Great Pumpkin, there is a patch out there for you.
Let’s take a look.
The one with the dinosaurs
Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch in Morgan Hill has been a mainstay in the Santa Clara Valley for generations. Established in 1944, the patch has evolved to become a family destination with rides and attractions for all ages.
In addition to a pumpkin patch, there is the Spina Farms Express Train, cow train, hay ride, corn maze, dinosaur walk and rides. This year, the patch has added new food options, a Pumpkin Cup Ride, more giant prehistoric dinosaurs, and a 30-foot King Kong, perfect for picture-taking.
The one with the haunted corn field
Swank Farms Experience is just east of the Monterey Bay in Hollister. This farm has been the site of local family fun for 25 years and regularly draws tens of thousands of people to its annual fall season activities. Folks can stroll the 2-acre pumpkin patch, visit farm animals, go on rides, and partake in various fun, farm activities, including the famous Pumpkin Slingshot. There is also a corn maze, sunflower field and live music every weekend in October.
Swank Farms also hosts a unique haunted house called “Terror in the Corn,” a large corn field by the creek that ghouls and goblins have taken over. The attraction has been delivering jump scares for years and is not for the faint of heart. There is also a less spooky area for the kids.
The one with Mr. Bones
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in Culver City has a huge selection of pumpkins, gourds and squash, both conventional and organic, that is sourced from Northern California and Oregon farms.
Kids’ activities include face painting, pumpkin decorating, and a petting zoo. Guests can visit the Mr. Bones Pumpkin Village, slide down the Mr. Bones super slide and ride on Mr. Bones’ Giant Rocking Horses. The patch has an entertainment lineup for the older crowd that will get you shaking your bones.
The one with the giant pumpkin pyramid
Borchard Farms in Salinas boasts a pumpkin pyramid, corn maze, spooky decorations and a wide variety of pumpkins, gourds and other squash that beats the prices you will find at the grocery store.
Visitors can also see live birds and poultry on site, sit among giant pumpkins, and take advantage of many photo opportunities for perfect holiday pictures.
The one with the giant corn maze
Getting lost is half the fun at the corn maze at Dell’Osso Farm near Stockton. Founded by three brothers in the 1920s, this farm in Lathrop is an annual fall tradition and welcomes about 250,000 visitors yearly, according to its website.
More than just a pumpkin patch, though they have one of those too, the farm features a massive corn maze, haunted castle, carousel, zoo, pony rides and more.
This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: California’s top 5 pumpkin patches to explore this fall
Reporting by Roseann Cattani, Salinas Californian / Salinas Californian
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
