So many pumpkins at Tanaka Farms! Photo courtesy of the farm

Best Giant Pumpkin Patches near Los Angeles 

1. Tanaka Farms — Irvine

Open September 17 - October 31, 2022
Tanaka Farms is one of the few patches where LA kids can actually pick a pumpkin off the vine! Weekdays feature a tractor-pulled wagon ride past farm animals and a pumpkin cannon en route to pumpkin and vegetable picking. Parking passes (purchased online, in advance) are required Fridays starting at noon, and all day Saturday & Sunday; the rest of the week parking is free. For a smaller, more intimate pumpkin patch experience, Tanaka has a second location: Hana Field. Yep, this is the spot that has flowers in the summer. In the fall, the fields grow pumpkins and flowers, and there are plenty of activities for the whole family, such as a barnyard animal exhibit, a cow train, arts and crafts, and more.

2. Underwood Farms — Moorpark

Open September 24 - October 31, 2022
Moorpark's pick-your-own paradise once again has its annual harvest festival and pumpkin patch, complete with a 40-acre pumpkin patch with wagon rides and loads of entertainment—like a ride-through corn trail, pig races, animal viewing, and a misting tunnel to cool off after picking veggies in the sun. Admission is higher on weekends, but parking is always free.

3. Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Patch — Redlands

Open September 24 - October 31, 2022
Early birds can take advantage of the Sneak Peek Weekend from September 16 - 18 and be the first to enjoy all the fun! Located in Redlands off of the 10, Live Oak Canyon Pumpkins Patch claims to be Southern California's largest outdoor pumpkin patch, and after seeing it, we won't argue! There are loads of rides and attractions, including train rides, a sunflower garden walk-through, a tractor-pulled hayride, photo ops at over 10 stations, a spiderweb play net, an aqua pillow, and even the world's largest rocking horse. And, of course, there are plenty of pumpkins: select the perfect pre-picked gourd or take a trip to the u-pick field. Live Oak also has a spectacular corn maze.

RELATED: Best Fall Festivals in Los Angeles for Families

 
Pick Pumpkins right from the patch. Photo courtesy of Cal Poly Pomona College

4. Cal Poly Pomona College of Agriculture Pumpkin Festival — Pomona

Open Thursday - Sunday, October 1-30, 2022
Cal Poly Pomona's Pumpkin Festival is now almost in its 30th year. The drive east is rewarded with a large patch, a corn maze, games, a petting farm, horse rides, live music, contests, storytelling, and more. Family packs are cheaper when purchased in advance on the website, and all tickets must be purchased online. The pumpkin patch is one of the largest in California, with over 70,000 pumpkins.

5. Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch — Orange

Open September 17 - October 31, 2022
Your kids will thank you for bringing them to a place that offers a plethora of activities. You can start by riding the Pumpkin Train and going on a hayride before choosing a pumpkin, as well as playing a few carnival games and taking some fun photos. The Pumpkin Patch is located just behind the train station and admission is free, but the County of Orange charges a gate entrance fee ($5 weekends, $3 weekdays) to drive into Irvine Regional Park. There is a fee for many activities, but also plenty of free ones.

6. Pumpkin City's Pumpkin Patch — Laguna Hills

Open September 30 - October 31, 2022
Pumpkin City opened its doors over 40 years ago and is known for celebrating the October Halloween Season. Guests wander through countless pumpkins of all shapes and sizes in a farm setting. Attractions include a petting zoo, kiddie amusement rides, puppet shows, and the Pumpkin City Diner. Don't forget to take pictures with the costumed characters.

7. Pumpkins in the Pines at Skypark at Santa's Village — Skyforest

Open weekends October 1-31, 2022
The weekend drive up to Lake Arrowhead is well worth the trip when your destination is Pumpkins in the Pines at Santa's Village. The park is open Thursday through Monday but the activities around Pumpkins in the Park are only open on the weekend. Activities include picking your pumpkin from the patch, painting your pumpkin, seasonal food and drink, trick-or-treating across the park, a daily costume contest, cookie decorating, a puppet show, and much more. For a special treat, plan your visit on October 29 for Monster Mash skate night.  

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The pumpkins grow as big as the babies at Forneris Farms. Photo courtesy of Maz M., via Yelp

Top Valley Pumpkin Patches

8. Forneris Farms — Mission Hills

Open October 8-31, 2022
Forneris Farms promises to have pumpkins this October, but other activities are still TBD. There won't be a petting zoo or pony rides, but other entertainment is still being determined. Parking and entry to the farm, corn maze, and pumpkin patch are free.

9. Toluca Lake Pumpkin Patch — Toluca Lake

Open last week of September - October 31, 2022
Valley-dwellers can find an impressive selection at the Toluca Lake Pumpkin Patch; colors and shapes vary much more widely than we thought possible. Little kids can get up close and cuddle animals at the petting zoo, wander the mildly haunted maze, carve pumpkins, and enjoy little tyke rides. On the weekends there are pony rides and camel rides as well. And don't forget to enjoy the renowned Halloween lights.

RELATED: 30 Fall Day Trips from Los Angeles— Plus Weekend Getaways

 
Forget Charlie Brown, you can meet the Great (giant) Pumpkin at Tapia Bros. Photo courtesy of Tapia Bros.

10. Tapia Bros. — Encino

Open daily in October 2022
The other side of the Valley greets the Great Pumpkin at the decades-old, family-run Tapia Bros. urban farm stand. The competitively priced pumpkins, squash, and gourds are accompanied by some adorable farm animals just waiting to be admired. There are plenty of photo ops so you can capture your fall memories. Bonus for us California crunchy-types—Tapia Bros. has non-GMO crops. No admission fee.

11. Tina's Pumpkin Patch — Sherman Oaks

Open October 1-31, 2022
This Valley patch is squeezed between the 101 and the Galleria. Tina's is definitely a city patch, but it still manages to pack in plenty of entertainment, including a petting zoo, pony rides, a mini train, and several bouncers such as a slide, bouncer, obstacle course, and baseball.

12. Prancers Pumpkin Patch — Santa Paula

Open October 1 - 31, 2022
Prancers Farm is a real 30- acre pumpkin patch, with 15 acres of pick-your-own pumpkins. There's no shortage of other entertainment as well, including wagon rides, farm animals, cornfield photo ops, barrel train rides, hay pyramids, corn maze, sunflower maze, and more. Be sure to purchase tickets in advance, online.

RELATED: Fall Bucket List for Los Angeles Kids

City kids can learn that pumpkins grow out of dirt, not hay bales! Photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins

Favorite Westside Pumpkin Patches

13. Mr. Bones — Culver City

Open October 7-31
One of the most popular seasonal lots in town is Mr. Bones, who loaded up his truck and moved from Beverly (Hills, that is) to Culver City in 2015. The patch's newer location is much bigger, making room for life-size pumpkin houses, face painting, a hay maze, a petting zoo, giant slides, a couple of bounce houses, and more. Special activities and entertainment are available on some dates; check the website for activities, pricing, and ticket packages.

14. Lopez Ranch Pumpkins — Venice

Soft opening the first weekend of October, check Facebook for details
Pumpkins near the beach? That's enough reason to head over to Venice and enjoy this veteran pumpkin patch that has been cultivating pumpkins for over 50 years. Check out the beautiful Halloween decor and indulge in activities such as pumpkin decorating, getting your face painted, and going into a giant pumpkin called "The Big Pumpkin."

15. Shawn's Pumpkin Patch — West LA 

Open October 7-31, closed Mondays
Whoever Shawn is, we crown him king of the parking lot pumpkin patches.  This year, the patch has changed locations and added even more cool activities for the whole family to enjoy, such as bungee jumping, rock wall, and face painting. Admission is free (parking is, too), with charges for the various forms of entertainment: A straw maze, petting zoos, pumpkin decorating, pony rides, a super slide, giant rocking horses, and several bounce houses. We recommend calling ahead to check on animal-related activities, as the hours for these activities are limited.

16. Palisades YMCA Pumpkin Patch at Simon Meadow — Pacific Palisades

Open October 1-31
One of our family's favorite patches has long been the unpretentious and inviting patch at the front of Temescal Gateway Park in the Palisades. Simon Meadow, as the grove is called, is a corner of the park controlled by the Palisades YMCA, and the pumpkin patch there is large, tree-filled, and fenced in – in short, perfect for a play date. No one counts how long or how often your kids visit the bounce house or walk through the hay maze, and the location makes for great photo ops—as does the late afternoon sun filtering through the trees. Admission and parking are free, and pumpkin purchases support the YMCA.

RELATED: Find Fall Foliage Near Los Angeles

There's more than pumpkins at Whittier Pumpkin Patch. Photo courtesy of the patch

Best Pumpkin Patches from Mid-City to & the Eastside

17. Mr. Jack O'Lanterns Pumpkin Patch — Mid-City, Torrance, West LA

Open October 1-31, 2022
Mr. Jack O'Lanterns has Mid-City (and West LA and Torrance) families covered. Choose from a huge variety of pumpkins (from baby Jack Be Little pumpkins to 50-pounders!) and take part in activities like pumpkin bowling, pumpkin decorating, bounce houses, and more. Mr. Jack O'Lanterns is also keeping popular offerings of online ordering, and delivery.

18. Whittier Pumpkin Patch — Whittier

Open October 1-31, 2022
This small Eastside patch brings pumpkins a little closer to the city for lots of families, with free admission and plenty of a la carte entertainment. Before picking the perfect pumpkin, kids can enjoy pumpkin painting, a petting zoo, a bounce house, tractor rides, and sliding the giant slide. Wagons are available to borrow for free.

Best South Bay Pumpkins Patches

19. South Bay Galleria Pumpkin Patch — Redondo Beach

Opens the last week in September; check the website for details before visiting
The patch at South Bay Galleria includes a trackless train, video games, and other activities. It's not a farm visit, but it's one-stop shopping for pumpkins, clothes shopping, and dinner al fresco. It's been relocated this year to the north side of the center.

 
Pick a pumpkin where the atmosphere feels like a day at the fair. Photo courtesy of Pa's Pumpkin Patch

20. Pa's Pumpkin Patch — Long Beach

Open September 30 - October 31
This patch offers fun for the whole family in a country fair-like ambiance. Enjoy pony rides, snack bars, a petting zoo, and plenty more. Reservations are required and can be made online. There is plenty of free parking, which is always a nice bonus in Los Angeles!

Originally published September 14, 2011