SATURDAY
12
SEPTEMBER
16 Best Bay Area Pumpkin Patches for Families
Fall in the Bay Area means one thing for families: pumpkins. We compared every patch actually worth the drive — from Half Moon Bay's coastal farms to San Francisco's city lots, the East Bay, South Bay, Peninsula and North Bay ranchland — with what each is best for, free-entry options, mazes, pony rides and the real harvest events happening this season.
16 spots · Updated September 2, 2026 · verified links, refreshed weekly
Half Moon Bay pumpkin patches
Arata Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay's oldest patch (est. 1932) and home of the legendary Minotaur's Labyrinth hay maze — a genuinely hard 2-acre maze that's redesigned every year. Give the maze an hour.
2-acre hay maze · Pumpkin picking · Petting zoo · Pony rides · Train rides · Haunted barn
Free entry · paid attractionsVisit official site →Farmer John's Pumpkins
A classic, no-frills roadside patch on Highway 92 known for its giant pumpkins and picture-perfect coastal-farm look. Low-key and photogenic.
Pumpkin picking · Giant pumpkins · Roadside farm stand
Free admissionVisit official site →Lemos Farm
More mini fall-fair than plain patch — pony and train rides, a petting zoo and a (kid-friendly) haunted house. The go-to for younger, high-energy kids.
Pony rides · Train rides · Petting zoo · Goat yoga · Hay rides · Haunted house
Free entry · paid attractionsVisit official site →Pastorino Farms
A Highway 92 farm stand piled high with pumpkins, gourds, mums and fall décor — great for stocking up on Halloween and harvest decorating.
Pumpkins · Fall décor · Flowers · Farm stand
Free admissionVisit official site →
South Bay pumpkin patches
Queen's Pumpkin Patch
Saratoga's gentle-by-design patch, run since 1984 — farm-toned rides (cow train, ponies, bumper boats) with a deliberate no-scary-characters policy and inexpensive admission with a season-pass option.
Petting zoo · Cow train · Pony rides · Corn maze · Climbing wall · Bumper boats
Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch
The South Bay's best-known patch, in the open fields of Coyote Valley. Free to enter with pay-per-attraction tickets on-site — a classic, unfussy farm day.
Hay rides · Corn maze · Pumpkin blasters · Cow train · Farm animals
Free entry · paid attractionsVisit official site →
San Francisco pumpkin patches
Clancy's Pumpkin Patch
San Francisco's original patch, running since 1979 — two in-city lots (Sloat Blvd by the zoo, plus 7th Ave) with a mini hay maze and free parking. The rare patch that welcomes leashed dogs.
Mini hay maze · Hay rides · Pumpkin picking · Free parking
Free admissionVisit official site →
Oakland, Berkeley & Alameda pumpkin patches
Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch (Speer Family Farms)
The carnival-style patch, set on the old naval air station tarmac — admission (kids priced above adults) covers the inflatables, mini train and petting zoo, so treat it as a full play day rather than a quick pumpkin run.
4-story ship slide · Inflatables · Mini train · Petting zoo · Pumpkin slingshot
Piedmont Avenue Pumpkin Patch
Oakland's walkable neighborhood patch, 25 years on Piedmont Ave — an urban lot with a Halloween store and a haunted house that runs in both scary and kid-calibrated intensities.
Haunted house (scary & kid-friendly versions) · Halloween store · 15 pumpkin varieties
Free admissionVisit official site →Westbrae Nursery Pumpkin Patch
A worker-owned nursery whose back-lot patch hands 100% of pumpkin profits to a local elementary school — Berkeley's only true patch, and its most wholesome fall stop.
Pumpkin patch · Bake-sale weekends · Plant nursery
Free admissionVisit official site →
East Bay pumpkin patches
Ardenwood Historic Farm
Pick a pumpkin on a real 1870s farm — the East Bay park district's living-history estate adds corn harvesting, cider pressing and a two-day Harvest Festival. October weekends only; dogs aren't permitted.
1870s working farm · Corn harvesting · Cider pressing · Farm animals · Historic crafts
G&M Farms
The East Bay / Tri-Valley pick, with a big corn maze and hay rides alongside the patch — the closest full-size farm experience for Livermore, Pleasanton and Dublin families.
Corn maze · Hay rides · Pumpkin patch · Farm animals
Free entry · paid attractionsVisit official site →Smith Family Farm
The far-East-Bay real-farm day trip — flat admission includes the activities and a pumpkin of any size. Cash or check only, and no pets; bring your own wagon.
Corn maze · Barnyard animals · U-pick · Live-music weekends · Food trucks
Peninsula pumpkin patches
Webb Ranch Pumpkin Patch
A convenient Peninsula patch just off I-280 with pony rides and farm animals — an easy, low-drive option for Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Woodside families.
Pumpkin patch · Pony rides · Farm animals
Free entry · paid attractionsVisit official site →
North Bay pumpkin patches
Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
Thirty years of certified-organic pumpkins grown on protected West Marin ranchland — free entry and parking, weekend hayrides and wood-fired pizza. Service animals only.
Certified-organic pumpkins · Hay rides · Pony rides · Petting zoo · Hay maze · Wood-fired pizza
Free admissionVisit official site →Petaluma Pumpkin Patch & Amazing Corn Maze
The North Bay's maze destination — a genuinely hard 4-acre corn maze that becomes a flashlight night maze on fall weekends, right off Highway 101. Free entry; no dogs.
4-acre corn maze · Night maze (Fri–Sat) · Free petting zoo · Carnival slide · Pony rides
Free entry · paid attractionsVisit official site →
On watch for 2026
- Andreotti Family Farms (Half Moon Bay) — Temporarily closed, and the farm's own website is down — its 2026 season is unconfirmed. If it reopens, 2026 marks the farm's 100th year. Status on Visit Half Moon Bay →
- The Guardsmen Pumpkin Patch (San Francisco) — No 2026 dates announced yet (last confirmed patch: 2024). A charity patch — every pumpkin funds Bay Area youth programs. Watch their events page →
2026 opening dates
Most Bay Area patches open the last weekend of September and run through Halloween. Farms announce exact dates in early September — until then, here is each patch's typical season:
| Patch | City | Typical season |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch (Speer Family Farms) | Alameda | Late September through November 1 |
| Arata Pumpkin Farm | Half Moon Bay | Late September through October 31 |
| Ardenwood Historic Farm | Fremont | October weekends; Harvest Festival the second weekend |
| Clancy's Pumpkin Patch | San Francisco | Late September through October 31 |
| Farmer John's Pumpkins | Half Moon Bay | October |
| G&M Farms | Livermore | Late September through October |
| Lemos Farm | Half Moon Bay | Fall patch in Sept–Oct; farm open weekends year-round |
| Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch | Nicasio | Late September through October 31 |
| Pastorino Farms | Half Moon Bay | October |
| Petaluma Pumpkin Patch & Amazing Corn Maze | Petaluma | Late September through November 1 |
| Piedmont Avenue Pumpkin Patch | Oakland | Mid-September through October 31 |
| Queen's Pumpkin Patch | Saratoga | Late September through early November |
| Smith Family Farm | Brentwood | Late September through October 31 |
| Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch | San Jose | Late September through October |
| Webb Ranch Pumpkin Patch | Portola Valley | October, typically open 7 days a week through Oct 31 |
| Westbrae Nursery Pumpkin Patch | Berkeley | Late September through October 31 |
Upcoming pumpkin & fall-harvest events
Live from our catalog — 14 upcoming, refreshed weekly.
Visit the Clean Water Program Booth at the Castro Valley Fall Festival to participate in activities about keeping our local waterways clean. Location: Castro Valley Blvd between Redwood Rd & Santa Maria Saturday, September 12, 2026 – Sunday, September 13, 2026 (10am – 6pm)
SATURDAY
26
SEPTEMBER
Northern California’s celebrated and beloved Great Glass Pumpkin Patch returns to Palo Alto for another spectacular year.
The biggest glass pumpkin patch in Northern California returns to the Palo Alto Art Center for its 31st year on Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th, from 10am to...
SUNDAY
27
SEPTEMBER
Guided by the Garden staff, you’ll get a quick overview and tips to get started, then enjoy a relaxed, self-paced environment to bring your creation to life. Whether you’re looking for a creative way to celebrate the season, refresh your home décor, or enjoy a unique outing with friends, this workshop is the perfect op…
FRIDAY
2
OCTOBER
Join us for the Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch at Santana Row, October 2nd- 4th. Stroll through thousands of hand-blown glass pumpkins crafted by Bay Area Glass Institute artists and other...
Learn the ins and outs of pumpkins during the fall season! Prepare to get messy as we clean, touch, and explore pumpkins.
Dive into the floating pumpkin patch, decorate your pumpkin, and enjoy an evening at the pool. Costumes are encouraged! Pre-registration is required for pumpkins ($5 each). Register at www.cityofmartinez.org/register
SATURDAY
3
OCTOBER
Celebrate the season at our Harvest Festival. Enjoy music, delicious food, family-friendly activities, and plenty of fall fun for the whole community.
ARDENWOOD - Join Dig Deep Farms in Ardenwood Historic Farm for the annual Pumpkin Patch! There will be many pumpkins to choose from as well as arts/crafts, games and activities. For pumpkin patch field trip inquiries, please email info@digdeepfarms.com Fee: $5/adult, $2/ child (ages 3-11), and free/under 2 years. Pleas…
Annual Fall Festival. Food Booths, Game Booths, Saturday Dinner, Sunday Breakfast, Live Entertainment, Raffle. Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
7
OCTOBER
Grades K-5. Register. Get in the spooky spirit by joining us for an evening of painting pumpkins! Enjoy all the fun of decorating a pumpkin without the mess of carving it. Pumpkins, paint, and other decorating supplies will be provided. Dress for a mess! Supplies will only be provided for the registered, age-appropriat…
MONDAY
12
OCTOBER
Pumpkin fever is sweeping through Half Moon Bay as anticipation reaches a boiling point for one of autumn’s most thrilling spectacles: the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Set for Monday, October 12th, in the picturesque “World Pumpkin Capital” of Half Moon Bay, California, this legendary contest—dubbed th…
SATURDAY
17
OCTOBER
54th Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, October 17 & 18, One of America’s Most Iconic Festivals Returns “CELEBRATING THE GREAT & ALMIGHTY GOURD” One of America’s most iconic festival brands, the all-star lineup includes over 250 booths showcasing handcrafted works from talented artists creating fine art and home déc…
FAQ
When do Bay Area pumpkin patches open in 2026?
Most Bay Area patches open in late September and run through Halloween, October 31. Farms typically announce exact opening dates in early September — the big farm patches (Spina Farms, Lemos Farm, Arata, G&M Farms) reliably run the whole month of October.
Which Bay Area pumpkin patches are free?
Fully free admission: the Highway 92 farm stands in Half Moon Bay (Farmer John's, Pastorino Farms), Clancy's in San Francisco, Westbrae Nursery in Berkeley, Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, and Nicasio Valley in Marin — you only pay for the pumpkins. Most of the big farm patches (Spina, Lemos, Arata, G&M, Petaluma) are also free to enter, with pay-per-attraction tickets for rides and mazes.
Are Bay Area pumpkin patches dog friendly?
Mostly no — working farms with animals on site typically restrict dogs. Nicasio Valley allows service animals only, and Petaluma Pumpkin Patch, Smith Family Farm and Ardenwood explicitly say no dogs. The clear exception is Clancy's in San Francisco, which welcomes well-behaved leashed dogs.
Which pumpkin patches have corn mazes?
The Petaluma Pumpkin Patch runs the region's biggest — a 4-acre corn maze that becomes a flashlight night maze on fall weekends. G&M Farms in Livermore, Spina Farms in Coyote Valley, Smith Family Farm in Brentwood and Queen's in Saratoga also run corn mazes, and Arata in Half Moon Bay has the famous alternative: the Minotaur's Labyrinth, a genuinely hard 2-acre hay-bale maze redesigned every year.
Is it better to go on a weekday or weekend?
Weekdays in October are far quieter, and some farms charge for parking or require reservations only on weekends. Weekends bring the full experience — all attractions running, food vendors, and peak-season crowds, especially the two weekends before Halloween.
Less searching. Better weekends.
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