The 9 best pumpkin patches in Los Angeles

Want to take your pumpkin picking up a notch? Make your way to Tanaka Farms in Irvine for a Hello Kitty-themed farm experience (admission $4) featuring festive activities like wagon rides, a corn maze, petting zoo and sunflower fields. Just note that this themed patch gets very busy, so parking reservations are required in advance on weekends ($10). Plus, if you want to stock up on more than pumpkins, the U-pick vegetable patch is open daily for your merry picking.

Sept 21–Oct 31: Daily 9am–6pm.

When it comes to celebrity sightings, you probably wouldn't think of visiting the local pumpkin patch. But at longtime favorite Mr. Bones, Hollywood stars and their offspring can't stay away from the Halloween fun. This family-owned, Los Angeles mainstay would pop up every year in Beverly Hills before recently moving to its new location in Century City. You can expect the beloved Pumpkin Village featuring festive activities like bounce houses, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, live entertainment and food trucks to fuel your pumpkin picking.

Oct 5–30: Sun–Thu 9am–8pm; Fri, Sat 9am–9pm.

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. Scavenge through the maze for the answers and once you've found them all, submit your name in a drawing for a chance to win a cash prize—an early treat for your navigation efforts. The festive pumpkin patch also offers—you guessed it—pumpkins galore, as well as a fresh farmers’ market (with addicting kettle corn), a mouth-watering roasted corn stand, kids play area, bounce houses, hay wagon ride, and tractor-pulled train. Be sure to check it out on the weekends so you have all the activities at your disposal.

2019 info to-be-announced.

Forneris Farms is back again with a four-acre cornfield maze, weekend pony rides, live entertainment and, of course, an impressive selection of pumpkins. Tractor rides will take pumpkin patch goers on a narrated tour through the cornfields and around the farm. Kids can enjoy their own harvest haven by running through a hay bale mini maze, climbing the hay pyramid and getting wild in the giant pumpkin jumper (always a good outlet for the inevitable sugar rush). If you’re not stopping by the petting zoo, playing harvest-themed games for prizes or leading the quest for that perfect pumpkin, take advantage of the refreshments and solid people watching opportunities. Pony rides, the petting zoo and face painting are weekends only. Everything is cash only, but there is an ATM on site.

Sept 28–Oct 31: Daily 9am-6pm.

Every October, Underwood Family Farms becomes an autumnal wonderland as it celebrates its annual Fall Harvest Festival with different events every weekend ranging from Western 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. Admission to the festival is $16 per person for the first two weekends and then $22 for the following weekends in October. Weekday admission is $8, free for children two and younger, and parking is free. Check the site for more details.

Sept 28–Oct 31: Daily 9am–6pm.

There’s something about encountering a friendly llama that makes the trip to this tiny but charming patch so worth while. 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. Young pumpkin patch-goers can enjoy a pony ride, free straw maze and inflatable slide. The patch is located in a sizeable (somewhat desolate) lot, so there’s plenty of free parking available.

Oct 4–31: Sun–Thu 10am–8pm; Fri, Sat 10am–9pm.

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. Like most patches, admission is free and activity prices usually range from $3–$9 with most falling toward the cheaper end. Last year, the patch boasted giant slides, obstacle courses, merry-go-rounds, bungee jumps, petting zoos, train rides and more—it should really be called a pumpkin carnival. If it's anything like past years, the massive size of this pumpkin patch, jam-packed with countless pumpkins and activities for all ages, guarantees tons of pre-Halloween fun.

Oct 4–31: Sun–Thu 9am–8pm; Fri, Sat 9am–9pm.

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, fun houses 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. Parking is free and discounts can be found on Groupon and Yelp.

Sept 27–Oct 31: Mon–Fri at various hours (check site for schedule); Sat, Sun 10am–9pm.

If you're an SGV dweller looking to entertain your youngsters and buy some pumpkins while you are at it, head to Whittier Pumpkin Patch. It is a family destination where guests can pick from their bounty of pumpkins, make a furry companion at the petting zoo, reach new heights on their inflatable jumpers and then ride around on a pony. Admission is free and the prices of the activities vary. Everything is cash only, but there's an ATM on site.

Oct 1–31: Daily 9am–9pm.

What's Halloween without a few good scares? The best haunted houses in L.A. run the gamut from big-budget theme park productions to more homegrown horrors. Whatever thrills you, we've got it in our list of the city's best haunted houses and attractions.