Fall is upon us, which means the days will get a little shorter, and the temperature will become a little colder. But pumpkin spiced lattes return, and Halloween is right around the corner.
This also means that you’ll want to find the perfect pumpkins for your Thanksgiving Pumpkin pies or eerie Halloween decorations. If you’re traveling along the west coast or find yourself wandering around places in California for the season, you’ll have to go and check out some of the San Diego pumpkin patches.
Get into the season’s spirit and pick your own pumpkins; these are just 13 of the best pumpkin patches San Diego has to offer.
Psst…after a day of walking around your chosen pumpkin patch, head to one of these places to see the San Diego sunset.
Where to See Pumpkin Patches in San Diego
As the leaves begin to turn shades of fire and fall from the trees, San Diego pumpkin patches are a great fall activity and make for an excellent Halloween tradition. Finding the perfect pumpkin to take home is important for any Jack O’lantern lover so here are some of the best patches you can go to.
1. Bates Nut Farm
Location: 15954 Woods Valley Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082
The Bates Nut Farm has been a staple in the fall traditions for more than 50 years. Many fond memories have been created here with their pumpkin patch. You can see why with an amazing farm experience that includes pony rides, hay rides, and a corn maze.
There is also a farm stall that sells what the farm produces, a lot of nuts, but also different jams, fruit and fudge.
The pumpkin patch event runs from September 16th to October 31st. You can expect to fork out $8 per vehicle and enjoy the patch with very few expenses. They usually have some live music and food trucks at their events but keep tabs on their website for official details as the year unfolds.
2. Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch
Location: 842 CA-78, Ramona, CA 92065
Just outside the town of Ramona is the Mountain Valley Ranch pumpkin patch, with much more than just pumpkins on offer to keep you busy. This patch is only open for a month from the end of September to the end of October but they are open seven days a week so don’t worry about missing out.
There is an assortment of different pumpkins available as well as a giant corn maze to get lost in while trying to find the centre. For a little bit of excitement, there is a corn cannon that will launch a cob of corn into the air and even a petting zoo for some furry friends for your kids.
You will have plenty of Instax moments to capture as you venture around this beautiful ranch and with no admission costs, what is stopping you?
3. Oma’s Pumpkin Patch
Location: 14950 El Monte Rd, Lakeside, CA 92040
If you find yourself in Lakeside, Oma’s pumpkin patch has been a San Diego tradition for a long time. Of course, there are pumpkins but there is also a petting zoo, wagon rides and a playground.
Admission will cost anywhere between $8.50-$16.50, with each child under 13 getting admission along with a jack patch pumpkin and access to all play activities. Be sure to book your tickets and reserve your place online.
Oma’s is open from the end of September to the end of October from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00. This promises to be a fun-filled adventure with the family for the day.
4. Palomar Pumpkin Palooka
Location: 1200 Laurel Tree Ln, Carlsbad, CA, US 92011
This yearly event is a fun time for the entire family with hundreds, if not thousands, of pumpkins to choose from. Enjoy free entry into the pumpkin patch at Palomar Pumpkin Palooka and an array of activities to keep you and the kids entertained. There are inflatable slides, kid’s movie nights and even some archery to participate in.
Each year offers something a little bit different, so you can expect food trucks, music, movies and tons more. You’ll have to keep an eye on their Facebook page to stay looped in. They are open Monday to Thursday from 14:00 to 20:00 and 11:00 to 21:00 Friday to Sunday. Parking is free, but certain activities may be at an extra cost.
5. Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch
Location: 6710 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Mr Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch is a family-owned pumpkin patch in the La Jolla area that is a one-stop-shop for all things Halloween and pumpkin. If you are looking for a pumpkin adventure with your family then this is the place to go. You’ll have a large variety of activities and premium pumpkins waiting for you.
There is an on-site Halloween shop also for all your costume and decoration needs. Pop in on a weekend and you might even be spoiled with some live music and food trucks.
To add even more to the family atmosphere, you can navigate your way through the spooky maze and take those cute family snapshots at the photo booth.
Admission is free but the pumpkins and other activities have varying prices. This pumpkin patch is open in October, seven days a week from 11:00 until 20:00 and 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
6. Coronado Pumpkin Patch
Location: 1201 1st St, Coronado, CA 92118
Housing pumpkins that are all shapes, sizes and even colours for those who want something a little different, Coronado Pumpkin patch has something for everyone. This pumpkin patch is only open for two weeks, from the middle to the end of October so make sure that you don’t miss out.
There is a slime station and pumpkin decorating stations for the kids and even a corn box, it’s like a ball pit but filled with corn kernels instead. So, grab a cup of hot julian apple cider and take a walk through the patch to find the one you want to load into your wagon and take home.
7. Summers Past Farms
Location: 15602 Olde Hwy 80, El Cajon, CA 92021
Grab yourself a tote bag and fill it with some of your favorite pumpkins from Summers Past Farms. Stroll through a patch of field grown pumpkins that are all different shapes and sizes and pick the ideal one for your Jack O’Lantern. There is even a small corn maze for kids to find their way through.
Housing pumpkins that are all shapes, sizes and even colours for those who want something a little different, Coronado Pumpkin Patch has something for everyone. This pumpkin patch is only open for two weeks, from the middle to the end of October so make sure you don’t miss out.
8. Pacific Beach Pumpkin Patch
Location: 870 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
If you are looking for a huge selection of pumpkins in Pacific Beach then this pumpkin patch should be your first stop. Would you believe that they sell pumpkins that are up to 100lbs big? To add to the fun, there is a free pumpkin carving and decorating area for kids, or that inner child in yourself, to let your artistic side flourish.
Grab yourself a carving or decorating kit, a free hot apple cider and get creative with your significant other or family. They are open from 1 October every day from 10:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and 08:00 to 22:00 on weekends with free admission for all throughout.
9. Julian Farm and Orchard
Location: 4381 CA-78, Santa Ysabel, California 92070
The Julian Farm is primarily a mining company but is also known for its farm that makes incredible apple pie from their apples. They are also known for their fall pumpkin patch that comes past every year. Offering a few unique extra activities while picking out your pumpkin, Julian Farm normally opens mid September so mark your calendars.
Some of the extra activities include a cider press, gem sluicing, a petting zoo and even tomahawk throwing for the adults. They are only open on weekends, Fridays from 11:00 to 15:00, Saturday from 11:00 to 16:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 16:00 with no reservations required. Admission is around $10 per person which includes 10 tickets per person to use on pumpkins and activities.
If this petting zoo has your kids wanting more then maybe a trip to the San Diego Zoo will fulfill that curiosity.
10. Peltzer Pumpkin Farm
Location: 39925 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA 92591
Opening on 25 September, the Peltzer Farm is perfect for families and friends with events for all. This farm hosts an event that can’t be missed, the opening day with live music, and a food truck alley filled with delicious local food and adult beverages to go along. For the kids, there are a ton of activities like train rides, a petting zoo, gem panning and carnival games.
Entry into the event is free but entry into the pumpkin patch is $3 per person with the attractions and rides also being an additional cost. If you plan on visiting more often, they now offer a pumpkin pass for $50 for a family of five that lasts all season. Peltzer is open weekdays from 11:00 to 20:00 and weekends from 09:00 to 20:00.
11. Carlsbad Strawberry Company
Location: 1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Don’t let the name fool you, yes Carlsbad might be known for producing strawberries in the warmer months but come fall, this is replaced with an immense amount of pumpkins.
You will find what most other farms have, a maze and tractor rides but there is an activity that makes this place stand out. You can take a break from pumpkin hunting and buy a bucket of apples to shoot out of an apple cannon.
This is a bit of a drive from San Diego but they are open daily from 09:00 to19:00 until early November, the last day of pumpkin season. Admission is $5 with the activities also having various prices. You can always take a tour of Lego Land while you are in the area as well and make the best out of the drive up.
12. Bonita Pumpkin Farm
Location: 5354 Sweetwater Rd., Bonita, CA. 91902
Are you looking for those Insta-worthy moments? Because the Bonita Pumpkin farm offers plenty of those. Pick out your pumpkin from the vast range of different shapes and sizes while walking through a living pumpkin patch. Your kids can even pluck one from the earth themselves.
Take a ride on a hayride and cut your own fresh sunflowers on your visit as well, before taking on the eight-foot-tall corn maze. Bonita Farm is open from September 29. Up to October 12 it is open only from 09:00 to 18:00 and then from October 13 to October 31, 09:00 to 21:00 for the second half. Admission is free but each activity ranges between $2 and$4 per person.
13. Pumpkin Express
Location: 750 Depot St, Campo, CA 91906
The Pacific Coast Railway Museum plays host to their annual Pumpkin Express ride. Jump in their eerie decorated vintage railway cars and take a ride through the San Diego County mountains. If you take a walk inside their building, they have a full Halloween display with two haunted trains and a pumpkin patch.
There is a cast of ghosts and ghouls to really keep you on your toes while navigating these creepy trains. You are encouraged to come dressed up in your best scary outfit to really immerse yourself into the mood of the event. Train tickets range from $5 for toddlers to $18 for adults with children and toddler tickets each including a pumpkin.
14. Goff Family Pumpkin Patch
Location: 2830 Perry Road, San Diego, CA 92106
Goff Family Pumpkin Patch is a local family-run pumpkin patch in Liberty Station that a husband and wife team opened when they got married in 2021 as a way to connect with neighbors. It will be open between September 22 – October 31.
The patch has over 30,000 pumpkins, lawn games and lots of photo opportunities. Tap Truck will be in attendance selling beer and wine and guests are welcome to bring in their own food. Admission to Goff Family Pumpkin Patch is free.
Where Will You be Picking Your Pumpkins This Fall?
There are plenty of pumpkin adventures to go on during this time of the year, all with a little twist that makes them unique. Visiting one of these pumpkin patches is a beautiful way to create some everlasting memories with your family and loved ones.
Everyone loves a little adventure and some of these patches will be a bit of a trip but they are worth it. For the real adventurous, why not plan an entire trip and stop at a few on your way to visit Yosemite in October?
I covered all of the costs associated with writing this article. However, this pumpkin patches in San Diego post includes affiliate links. That means if you click through and end up making a purchase I will receive a small commission. I wanted to make sure you were aware of this.
Note – it wasn’t easy to find photos of pumpkin patches in San Diego. I found most of the photos for this post on Facebook. Once a pic is on facebook it is in the public domain. However, if one of these photos is yours just put a comment on this post. I would be very happy to add a photo credit and provide you with a back link to your website/facebook page etc.
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.