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 53rd Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival taking place on October 18-19, 2025. 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.
Check out the Festival's Schedule of Events for the full list of activities and locations. Don't miss the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off, happening on Monday, Oct 13th.
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 from September 26 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 15 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. Along with plenty of fun, you'll find a wide selection of pumpkins to choose from.
Admission to the patches is generally 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, ride the Pumpkin Express Train, take a scenic hay ride, wander the corn maze, or try the Pumpkin Blasters and the all-new Pumpkin Cups ride. Little ones can enjoy the barrel train and Dino Walk. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Admission is free, but rides and activities are ticketed. Parking is free Monday through Thursday, and $25 cash only Friday through Sunday (from noon until close).
- Address: 225 Laguna Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037, United States
- 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 your tickets in advance online or on the farm.
- Address: 185 Verde Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
- Phone: (650) 726-7548
- Hours: Sun – Thu 9 am – 6:30 pm & Fri – Sat 9 am-10:30 pm
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 9 am – 5 pm through October 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 9 am – 6 pm through October 31st.
Rancho Siempre Verde
Set along Highway 1 between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz, Rancho Siempre Verde offers a one-of-a-kind coastal pumpkin-picking experience framed by ocean views, rustic barns, and cypress groves.
This family-run farm combines fall fun with a relaxed, hands-on atmosphere. Each ticket (about $115 per car in advance) includes five pumpkins, a bouquet of flowers, and a bag of organic apples to take home. Visitors can cut their own flowers, craft a seasonal wreath, take a tractor ride through the fields, or let the kids enjoy swings, slides, and climbing structures scattered around the property. Peaceful picnic spots invite you to linger, and guests can purchase extra pumpkins, apples, flowers, or pre-made wreaths for a little taste of the farm to bring home.
- Address: 2250 Cabrillo Hwy N, Pescadero, CA 94060
- Phone: (650) 879-0904
- Hours: Open weekends, Sept. 27 – Oct. 26, 9 AM – 4:30 PM
Pastorino Farms
A Half Moon Bay tradition for more than 40 years, Pastorino Farms is a lively, family-friendly pumpkin patch that turns fall weekends into a full-on festival.
Beyond rows of pumpkins, visitors will find pony rides, train rides, inflatable jumpers, and a petting zoo — all set against a backdrop of colorful blooms and rustic farm charm. The flower shop and gift barn are packed with seasonal décor, while the photo ops (from the classic pumpkin displays to the vintage tractors) make it a favorite stop for families looking to capture those quintessential fall moments.
- Address: 12391 San Mateo Rd (Hwy 92), Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
- Phone: (650) 726-6440
- Hours: Open daily, late September – October, 9 AM – 6 PM
Rodoni Farms
Perched on a bluff along Highway 1 just north of Santa Cruz, Rodoni Farms delivers some of the most breathtaking pumpkin-picking views on the California coast. Rows of bright orange pumpkins stretch toward the Pacific, making this a favorite stop for photographers and families alike.
The experience here is simple and relaxed — no carnival rides, just coastal breezes, golden light, and plenty of picture-perfect moments. Visitors can wander the fields, pick their own pumpkins, and stop by the farm stand for fresh produce and seasonal decorations. Admission is free and pumpkins are priced by size.
- Address: 4444 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Phone: (831) 423-4814
- Hours: Open daily, late September – October, 9 AM – 5 PM
