It’s that time of the year again! The Autumn tradition is to head out to your favorite pumpkin patch, and pick your perfect pumpkin! Carve it up for Halloween or turn it into pumpkin pie! It’s something that everyone in the family can enjoy. Silicon Valley has many places for you to choose the best pumpkin, and entertain the kids as well. It’s as American as pumpkin – I mean – apple pie!
When it comes to the best pumpkin patches, Half Moon Bay deserves a special mention. After all, Half Moon Bay proudly holds the title of "Pumpkin Capital of the World" and hosts the annual "Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival." Don't miss this year's 52nd Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival taking place on October 19-20, 2024. The fun includes:
- The Great Pumpkin Run has been a tradition in Half Moon Bay for many years and takes participants along the beautiful Coastal Trail overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
- "Farmer Mike" has become a beloved fixture at the Festival. for more than three decades, festival-goers have eagerly gathered around his elevated stage, as he intricately sculpts enormous pumpkins into awe-inspiring masterpieces.
- The world's largest pumpkin sculpture, the creation of creative genius Peter Hazel, will also be at the festival. This unique mosaic sculpture, crafted from steel, cement, and ceramic tile, stands 11 feet tall, stretches 12 feet in length, and weighs an astonishing 10,000 pounds.
You can find the schedule and locations of all activities on the Festival website. This year's World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off will be held on Monday, Oct 14th.
For more Halloween fun, please check my blogs Spookiest Haunted Attractions in Silicon Valley and Best Trick or Treat Spots in Silicon Valley!
Queen's Pumpkin Patch
Check out all the fun waiting for you at Queen's Pumpkin Patch in Saratoga! Perfect for all ages, from toddlers to grandparents, this family-friendly spot offers a variety of activities that capture the essence of the season. Hop on the cow train, navigate the hay maze, or test your skills in their massive obstacle course. Paddle around in bumper boats or climb their 24-foot rock wall for a challenge. There’s also pumpkin painting, hamster balls, a petting zoo, and a photo op with giant hay characters. Take a scenic hay ride through the pumpkin and sunflower fields, and don’t forget to pick from a huge variety of pumpkins and gourds in all shapes and sizes. For a final thrill, try their pumpkin slingshot—five pumpkins per ticket to see how far you can launch them!
- Address: 12985 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070
- Phone: (408) 252-9820
- Hours: 9 am – 9 pm everyday through Halloween
ABC Farms & Pick of the Patch Pumpkins
You don’t have to go far to find the perfect pumpkin! ABC Farms & Pick of the Patch Pumpkins, a third-generation family business that has been operating for over 70 years, has over 18 locations around the Bay Area, including seven in the South Bay. Each location offers fun activities, including inflatable amusements for kids ages 2 to 12 and “memory lanes” for capturing seasonal photos. Don’t miss the haunted house at their original patch on Tully and East Capitol Expressway. Along with plenty of fun, you'll find a wide selection of pumpkins to choose from.
Admission to the patches is free, though there’s a charge for some amusements, food, and drinks.
- Address: Located throughout the Bay Area including the South Bay, East Bay, and Peninsula, with multiple locations in Santa Clara and San Jose. Check the ABC Farms website for a complete list of locations, activities and hours. Some locations offer pumpkin delivery.
- Phone: (408) 393-6303
- Hours: Hours vary by location. Click on the link for information about hours.
Spina Farms
Spina Farms, located in Coyote Valley between San Jose and Morgan Hill, hosts one of the largest pumpkin patches in the Bay Area. Choose from over 25 unique pumpkin varieties and take a ride on the new Spina Pumpkin Express Train, or enjoy a scenic hay ride through the sunflower fields. For the "little pumpkins", there's a fun barrel ride. If you're up for more adventure, explore the corn maze and try launching pumpkins from giant cannons! Food and drinks are available for purchase. Parking is free Monday through Thursday, and $10 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Please note, no dogs are allowed.
- Address: Santa Teresa Blvd at Bailey Ave, San Jose, CA 95141
- Phone: (650) 763-6935
- Hours: Open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM on select days, with special events and promotions throughout October. Be sure to check the calendar on their website for the complete schedule.
Webb Ranch Pumpkin Patch
Family-owned and operated Webb Ranch in Portola Valley offers over 30 acres of organically grown pumpkins and a wide variety of fall decorations. Activities include bounce houses, a corn maze, a haunted house, farm obstacle courses, tractor hay rides, and both petting and reptile zoos. The patch is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, with reservations required on weekends. Parking is free, but can be limited, especially on weekends. Food trucks are available on weekends, and outside food is allowed. For more details, visit their website here.
- Address: 2718 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028
- Phone: (650) 854-6334
- Hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)
Arata Pumpkin Farm
Established in 1932, Arata Pumpkin Farm is the oldest working pumpkin farm in the Bay Area. With pumpkins of all sizes and varieties, there’s something for everyone. Beyond pumpkins, you can test your skills in the famous two-acre Minotaur’s Labyrinth hay maze, explore the six-acre cornfield, or enjoy a scenic hay ride. For thrills, check out the haunted barn. Kids will love Play Land, complete with a mini hay maze, train ride, guided pony rides, and a petting zoo. Picnic areas, found throughout the farm, are great places to relax and refuel.
You can buy you tickets in advance online or on the farm.
- Address: 185 Verde Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
- Phone: (650) 726-7548
- Hours: Sun – Thu 9am – 6:30pm & Fri – Sat 9am-10:30pm
Lemos Farm
Lemos Farm offers a fun-packed experience for all ages! Pick pumpkins from their amazing patch and enjoy activities like pony rides, train rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, and even Goat Yoga. Savor pumpkin ice cream on the ghost train or enjoy pumpkin pie during a hay ride. In October, the farm transforms into a Halloween extravaganza with live music, themed activities, and photo ops for the entire family. Be sure to purchase an admission pass online, as walk-in tickets are limited.
- Address: 12320 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
- Phone: (650) 726-2342
- Hours: Open daily 9am – 5pm to Oct 31st to Thanksgiving. Open weekends only in November.
Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm
Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm is located on a working farm where you can learn everything you want to know about pumpkins directly from Farmer John. If all you want is pumpkins without all the other activities, this is the place for you. You will find more than 60 varieties of pumpkins and squash, including their Atlantic Giant, which can weigh anywhere from 250 and 500 pounds! Farmer John's sells pumpkin seeds for the green thumb to plant in their own backyard. Take your camera for the many photo opportunities, including the giant pumpkin display, authentic Native American Teepee, vintage tractor, and rolling fields of pumpkins. Dogs are welcome on the farm.
- Address: 850 N Cabrillo Highway (1 mile North of Hwy 92), Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
- Phone: (650) 726-4980
- Hours: Open daily 9am – 6pm to Oct 31st.
