Best Bay Area Pumpkin Patches

Fall is upon us and I can’t resist a post on the best pumpkin patches in the Bay Area. In my original post I focused on more "rural" pumpkin patch options. Since then I've had a couple folks mention great options that are a bit easier to access. I've added those below as well as Uesegi's down in Morgan Hill.

While I do love Half Moon Bay, I personally try to steer clear of Highway 92 and the pumpkin metro created by Lemos Farms and Pastorino. The bouncy houses are great but if you want a slightly less crowded, slightly more rural pumpkin patch experience you may want to go a bit further afield.

Half Moon Bay

Bob's Pumpkin Farm, Half Moon Bay
One of the perennial favorite pumpkin patches is Bob's Pumpkin Farm, 5 miles south of the 92/1 intersection. It has all of the standard elements of a pumpkin patch--a hay bale pyramid, a few farm animals, a decent corn maze and lots of varieties of pumpkins and accessories like corn stalks. But what really distinguishes Bob's is its setting--it's on the east side of Highway 1, with uninterrupted 180 degree vistas of the Pacific Ocean less than a mile away.

Arata’s Pumpkin Patch - Arata's Pumpkin Patch is the oldest working pumpkin farm in San Mateo County with a great set of activities for kids including a maze, petting zoo, pony rides and a train (for kids under 9). Located six and a half miles south of the junction of Rt. 1 and Hwy 92, this patch offers a nice respite from the more crowded spots closer to Half Moon Bay and is always a hit with the kids.

East Bay:

Ardenwood Farm (Perry's Pumpkin Patch). This working farm and regional park offers a very nice pumpkin patch and great farm fresh veggies. They are no longer doing a corn maze but it is still a fine place to get a pumpkin and you can check out Ardenwood while you are there. There is also a Halloween train running some evenings. 34600 Ardenwood Blvd.,Fremont, CA 94555

The Piedmont Avenue Pumpkin Patch. There is a pumpkin patch on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland with pumpkins, straw bales, a haunted house and halloween products like wigs and carving kits. For the people in the East Bay who don't want to drive out to the country, this is a great patch. It is about two blocks from Fenton's Ice Cream so after visiting you can bring the kids there for a tasty treat. Thanks to Jon for the tip on this one!

North Bay:

Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch.
One of the few pick-it-off-the-vine pumpkin patches in Marin County, Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch at Nicasio Valley Farms offers organic pumpkins, hay rides, farm animals, jumpy houses, a farm stand, and BBQ on the weekends. Local 4-H-ers show off their animals on October 11. Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) Day is October 18, with kids' games and contests, and great food.
5300 Nicasio Valley Rd, Nicasio, CA 94946

Petaluma Pumpkin Patch. This does qualify as a mega-patch but many consider it one of the best spots in the North Bay. Just off Highway 101 in Petaluma, this place is known for their "A-Maze-ing Corn Maze". Supposedly it slows traffic up and down 101. Unlike some of the other places they open September 25th.

Peninsula and South Bay

Webb Ranch: A this is a great local option for people on the Peninsula particularly around Palo Alto. While close to town and right off 280, this spot has a nice rural feel. They have all the basics including the pumpkin patch, jumpy house, petting zoo, and haunted house. If you want a nice walk after your pumpkin picking, you can head across the street and walk up a paved path to the "Stanford Dish".

Uesegi Farms: Down in Morgan Hill, Uesegi's is a favorite of families because of their attractive grounds and wealth of kid activities. They have corn mazes, pony rides, train rides, petting zoo, carousel and more. The also grow sunflowers so you can take a stroll through the field of flowers.