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), pollinator garden, the corn maze, kids’ play area and photo ops for $23 to $27, 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 with add-ons that allow you to play games, pick veggies from a patch, shoot the pumpkin cannon and ride the bee train.

Just note that this patch gets very busy, so parking reservations are required in advance on weekends ($12). Look out for a sister patch in Costa Mesa that offers a more mellow experience, flower fields and a “Jurassic Fright” corn maze perfect for dino lovers (opens Oct 3).

Sept 12–Nov 1: Daily 9am–8pm, last entry 6:30pm

This former WeHo Halloween hot spot packed up its bags and moved to Culver City over a decade ago. The popular patch sticks out like a scarecrow in a squash garden: With rows of pumpkins, giant hand-carved rocking horses, a pumpkin village, a 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 heaven also provides elaborate face painting, a super slide, pumpkin decorating, a spider bounce and food trucks. Ticket prices vary from $12 to $23 depending on the date (psst—early mornings and weekdays are less), and activities begin at $1 each. Your ticket price comes with credit toward a pumpkin purchase, as well.

Oct 2–31: Admission times vary but range from 9am–9pm to 10am–10pm and 9am–5pm on Oct 31. (Most activities close at 8:30pm, face painting and pumpkin decorating close at 8pm.)

Get lost. No really, get lost in Tapia Bros. Farm’s epic corn maze (it takes up an entire lot across from the pumpkin patch itself), which comes with a much-needed map and a sheet full of trivia questions ($12; closed Mon). The festive patch also offers—you guessed it—pumpkins galore (with $4 admission), as well as a fresh farmers’ market and—on weekends only—a petting zoo ($5), pony rides ($8) and an epic train ride ($6). An on-site food vendor sells fairground favorites like funnel cakes and roasted corn.

Sept 26–Oct 31: Mon–Thu 9am–6pm, Fri–Sun 9am–7pm.

Every October, Underwood Family Farms’ Moorpark location becomes an autumnal wonderland as it celebrates its annual Fall Harvest Festival with different events every weekend—think Wild West, antique tractors and “All About Pumpkins” weekends. There’s also live music, animal shows, pig races and more on the weekends, but you can enjoy wagon rides, a corn maze, pumpkin house, hay climbing pyramids, a wooden train and country store—and, naturally, an endless amount of pumpkins—all month long.

Advance admission to the festival is $34 per person for the final four weekends in October. Weekday admission is $16 at the gate, free for children 2 and younger, and parking is free. Check the site for more details.

Sept 26–Oct 31: Daily 9am–6pm. Fall Harvest Festival activities Sat, Sun only.

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, a mirror maze and more—all harvest-themed, of course.

Beyond a massive collection of pumpkins of every shade and variety to choose from, the patch is also full of haystacks, cornstalks and other gourds (for that epic Halloween party you’re throwing). Children can enjoy a mini train ride, bounce 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 shoo-in for the parent of the year award. And for the first time in years, the patch is staying open on Halloween itself for a special trick-or-treating experience.

The patch has moved from Long Beach to the Lakewood Center Mall and no longer requires a reservation. Admission costs $5 on weekdays and $10 on weekends for adults, and $3 for kids ages 4–12 any day of the week. Tickets for the rides and games start at $2.50; an unlimited ride wristband is available for $40.

Oct 1–31: Mon–Fri 4–9pm; 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 Los Angeles–area locations: 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, pumpkin bowling, a petting zoo, bounce houses and “candy corn hole.” Admission is free, though activities cost extra—you can buy tickets for those on-site. If all these locations seem a bit far, Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns will also be popping up at the Original Farmers Market on the weekend of October 17 and 18.

West L.A.:
Oct 2–Nov 1: Mon–Thu 11am–8pm; Fri 11am–9pm; Sat 10am–9pm; Sun 10am–8pm

Torrance:
Oct 2–Nov 1: Mon–Thu noon–8pm; Fri 11am–9pm; Sat 10am–9pm; Sun 10am–8pm

Brea:
Oct 2–Nov 1: Mon–Thu noon–8pm, Fri noon–9pm, Sat 10am–9pm, Sun noon–8pm

Original Farmers Market: 
Oct 17, 18: Sat, Sun 11am–7pm

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. It’s $4 to enter the petting zoo (and an extra dollar for food to share with the animals), and $4 apiece for a train ride, bounce house, slide and obstacle course. Pony rides (offered Wed, Thu afternoons and all day Fri—Sun) are $8, but the straw maze is free, so it balances out nicely.

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 parking lot, so there’s plenty of free parking available. Admission is free, too.

Oct 1–Nov 1: 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. Admission only costs $4 (and only for those 12 years and up), and $2 of that can be used toward your pumpkin purchase. Most activities cost $5 (some of the attractions, like face painting, pony rides and a bungee trampoline, can climb upward of that). The patch boasts a pumpkin bounce house, a giant slide, a petting zoo and train rides. Just a heads-up that this year’s patch has again moved locations. You’ll find it at 6229 Bristol Parkway in Culver City.

Oct 3–Nov 1: Hours vary by day.

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 a bounty of pumpkins, reach new heights in the “jumper zone,” 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 1–30: Daily 10am–9pm

Forneris Farms is back again with its fall market and an impressive selection of pumpkins. But, this year, the train ride, themed corn maze and all other activities are on pause—which means no entry fee, on the bright side. If you want to purchase a pumpkin or winter squash, the farm only takes cash, but there is an ATM on site. 

Oct 3–Nov 1: Daily 9am–6pm

A couple of hours up the coast, you’ll find a mini Copenhagen by way of California: Solvang, which has been named the best small town in the West. It’s particularly picturesque in the fall, and leading up to Halloween, this pumpkin patch sells 64 different varieties of the orange gourd, ranging from Wee-B-Littles to pumpkins weighing hundreds of pounds. Admission to the patch and parking are both free. Also on the property is a 14-acre corn maze ($15) with a scavenger hunt, a kids’ maze ($5) and an after-dark edition ($20) on select nights. Once you find your way out, snack on freshly grown and popped popcorn and kettle corn.

Go pumpkin picking amid pine trees as this Halloween-themed month of activities hits a perennially Christmas theme park in Lake Arrowhead. On weekends from October 3 to 31, 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 Halloween activities are limited to Saturdays and Sundays. That’s when you’ll find pumpkin picking and painting, photo ops, a Sleepy Hollow puppet show, a Monster Mash light show, costume contests and trick-or-treating. Adult admission is $59, and parking is $15 when purchased online. 

Oct 3–31: Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 10am–5pm