The best pumpkin patches in Los Angeles

If you’re yearning for a full-fledged farm experience, forget the humdrum pumpkin aisle at your local grocery store and head straight to Tanaka Farms. It’s the ultimate haven for all your favorite family-friendly fall activities and—dare we say—worth the trek to Irvine.

Nearly all activities are included in the admission price meaning you can access unlimited wagon rides, the barnyard educational exhibit (a.k.a. petting zoo) and the corn maze for $20 to $22, depending on the day. Access to the U-pick pumpkin fields is included, as well, though the gourds themselves will cost you $1.39 per pound. Plus, on weekends you can jump in on additional fun for $6 apiece with games, arts and crafts, mini ATVs, face painting, the veggie patch, shooting the pumpkin cannon or riding the bee train.

Just note that this patch gets very busy, so parking reservations are required in advance on weekends ($10).  Look out for a sister patch in Costa Mesa that promises a more mellow experience (opens Oct 5).

Sept 14–Oct 31: Mon–Thu 9am–6pm; Fri–Sun 9am–6pm (until 9am in Oct); Halloween Day 9am–3pm

This former WeHo hotspot packed up its bags and moved over to Culver City a couple of years ago. The popular patch sticks out like a scarecrow in a squash garden: With rows of pumpkins, a giant hand-carved rocking horse, petting zoo and a mini straw maze, it’s like someone dropped off a piece of country farmland in the middle of a fast-paced, urban city.

This little slice of harvest also provides elaborate face painting, a super slide, pumpkin decorating, a spider bounce and food trucks. Ticket prices vary from $8 to $25 depending on the date (psst—weekdays are less) and activities begin at $1 each.

Oct 5–30: Admission times daily 9am–7:30pm. (Activities close at 8:30pm).

Every October, Underwood Family Farms’ Moorpark location becomes an autumnal wonderland as it celebrates its annual Fall Harvest Festival with different events every weekend ranging from Wild West Weekend to All About Pumpkins. For the entire month, guests can come and be entertained by live music, animal shows, corn mazes and an endless amount of pumpkins.

Advance admission to the festival is $22 per person for the first weekend and then $28 for the following weekends in October. Weekday admission (which drops some of the weekend-only entertainment options) is $14 at the gate, free for children two and younger, and parking is free. Check the site for more details.

Sept 28–Oct 31: Daily 9am–6pm. Fall Harvest Festival Sat, Sun only.

Get lost. No really, get lost in Tapia Brothers Farm’s epic corn maze (an entire lot across from the patch itself) with a much-needed map and a sheet full of trivia questions ($7–$10; closed Mon). The festive pumpkin patch also offers—you guessed it—pumpkins galore (with $3 admission), as well as a fresh farmers’ market and—on weekends only—a petting zoo ($5), pony rides ($8) and an epic train ride ($5). Be sure to check it out on the weekends so you have all the activities at your disposal.

Sept 28–Oct 31: Mon–Thu 9am–6pm, Fri–Sun 9am–7pm.

Who said county fair season is over? There’s no reason a pumpkin patch can’t bring back the same memories of booth games, carnival rides and sugary indulgences. Treat yourself to a weekend of classic festival favorites like giant slides, mirror mazes and more—all harvest-themed, of course.

Beyond a massive collection of varied pumpkins to choose from, the patch is also full of haystacks, corn stalks and gourds (for that epic Halloween party you’re throwing). Kids can enjoy a mini train ride, jump houses and face painting. It’s a little kid’s dream, so be prepared to take them to every single ride and game—you’ll be a shoe-in for the parent of the year award.

The patch has moved to the Lakewood Center and no longer requires a reservaion. Admission costs $5 for adults and $2.50 for kids, and additional activities range from $2.50 to $10.

Sept 29–Oct 31: Mon–Fri 3–9pm; Sat 10am–10pm; Sun 10am–9pm.

Things we particularly value these past few years: online ordering, delivery and free parking. This seasonal pumpkin patch is thankfully offering all of the above at its three locations in West L.A. (11404 Santa Monica Blvd), Torrance (17520 Prairie Ave) and Brea (480 N State College Blvd). That’s in addition to festive activities like pumpkin decorating, a spooky maze, pumpkin bowling and a bounce house. Admission is free, though activities cost extra.

West L.A., Torrance:
Oct 4–31: Mon–Thu 11am–8pm; Fri 11am–9pm; Sat, Sun 10am–9pm

Brea:
Oct 4–31: Mon–Thu 11am–8pm, Fri 11am–9pm, Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 11am–8pm

Forneris Farms is back again with its fall market, train ride and, of course, an impressive selection of pumpkins. A tractor with a series of train-style cars will take pumpkin patch goers on a tour through the cornfields and around the farm. Everything is cash only (and the train will cost you an extra $10 and the corn maze $15 on top of the $5 patch admission fee), but there is an ATM on site. And after taking a year off, its corn maze is back, this time around with a Peanuts theme (closed Tue–Thu).

Oct 5–Nov 3: Daily 9am–6pm

If you’re on a budget before the holidays and still looking for a lively pumpkin patch experience, Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch is definitely the spot for you. Admission is free during the week and only costs $2.50 on the weekends (only for those 15 years and up) and most activities cost $4 (some of the attractions like pony rides and face painting options can climb upwards from that). The patch boasts a bounce house, a giant slide, a petting zoo, train rides, and an obstacle course. Just a heads up that this year’s patch has moved farther south down the 405 into a smaller lot, so organizers suggest rideshare services if possible.

Oct 5, 6, 12–Nov 3: Hours vary by day.

There’s something about encountering a friendly llama that makes the trip to this tiny but charming patch so worthwhile. Maybe you’re not into the whole pumpkin picking thing—or even Halloween at all—but interacting with these highly entertaining petting zoo animals is one memory you need to create. The patch itself sits under a large tent with piles of pumpkins available at a great price. You’ll find it all located in the Westfield Fashion Square lot, so there’s plenty of free parking available. Admission is free, too.

Oct 2–Nov 3: Sun–Thu 10am–8pm; Fri, Sat 10am–9pm

2024 info TBA.

If you’re a Gateway Cities dweller looking to entertain your youngsters and buy some pumpkins while you’re at it, head to Whittier Pumpkin Patch. It’s a family destination where guests can pick from their bounty of pumpkins, reach new heights on their inflatable jumpers and slides, go mining for gems, paint pumpkins and then ride around on a tractor. Admission is free but the prices of the activities vary. Everything is cash only, but there’s an ATM on site.

Oct 1–31: Daily 9am–8:30pm

Go pumpkin picking in the pines as this Halloween-themed month of activities hits a perennially-Christmas theme park Lake Arrowhead amusement park. On weekends in October, pumpkins and hay bales will cover the grounds of SkyPark at Santa’s Village. Though the park is open select days during the week, the Hallowen activities are limited to Saturdays and Sundays—that’s when you’ll usually find pumpkin picking and painting, trick-or-treating, costume contests, seasonal food and drink, puppet shows and so much more. Parking is $10 and adult admission is $49. 

Oct 5–31: Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 10am–6pm