Fall is a beautiful season filled with cinnamon and pumpkin spice aromas all around. A time to wear cozy sweaters and see the foliage change colors. Here in San Diego, unless you live in some parts of the county with different types of trees (not palm trees!) there is another way to experience the harvesting season: pumpkin patches.
What is better than pumpkin patches? Free admission Pumpkin Patches where you can enjoy yummy treats, and hayrides, you even get to pick out your own pumpkin for you to carve, decorate or cook (prices may vary per pumpkin patch).
Bates Nut Farm
More than 50 plus years of fall traditions and memories have been created at the Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch. Family and friends enjoy the tractor hayrides, & straw maze. We have a petting corral and Snows Pony Rides!
Grab a wheelbarrow and pick from a variety of pumpkins: Big Macs, Ghost, Cinderella, Jack O’ Lantern, minis, squash, gourds, and other fall décor. Check our calendar for details and schedule. Dogs on a leash are welcome at the farm.
- Where: 15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center, CA 92082.
- Region: North Inland.
- When: September 17 – October 31, 2022.
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Cost: Free Admission on September and October weekdays. Pumpkin and activity prices vary. $8 parking on October weekends.
Goff Family Pumpkin Patch at Liberty Station
The Goff Family Pumpkin Patch makes its second annual debut at the Sellers Plaza putting green in Liberty Station, located on the corner of Historic Decatur Road and Perry Road. Amidst a half-acre footprint, the month-long pop-up will feature over 10,000 pumpkins for ‘picking,’ festive family photo ops, lawn games, beer on tap each Friday & Saturday, plus more!
- Where: Liberty Station, 2830 Perry Road, San Diego CA, 92106.
- Region: Point Loma.
- When: September 23 – October 31, 2022.
- Hours:
- Friday-Saturday: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- Sunday-Thursday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
- Cost: Free admission. Pumpkins vary.
Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch
Up near the small mountain town of Ramona is the Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch. Take some time to find the perfect carving or cooking pumpkin, get lost in the gigantic corn maze, launch an ear of corn out of a cannon, pet a few farm animals and add a few pictures of the kids on antique farm equipment to the scrapbook.
- Where: 842 Hwy 78, Ramona, CA 92065.
- Region: East County.
- When: September 24 – October 31, 2022.
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Cost: Free admission. Pumpkins vary.
Pumpkin Station
Visit a Pumpkin Station location (including the two actual farms) throughout San Diego County. At the Pumpkin Stations, kids can search for the perfect pumpkin while enjoying the kiddie rides, slides, inflatable play centers and petting zoo. At the two farms in Rancho Bernardo and Bonita, little pumpkin carvers will find a living pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm animals and a tractor-pulled hay-wagon ride.
- Where:
- Ranch Bernardo Farm – 13421 Highland Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92025
- Bonita Pumpkin Farm – 5354 Sweetwater Road, Bonita, CA 91902
- Mission Valley Station – 1640 1/2 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego, CA 92108
- Del Mar Pumpkin Station – 15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Del Mar, CA 92014
- Plaza Bonita, National City Pumpkin Station – 3030 Plaza Bonita Rd. National City, CA. 91950
- Region: County Wide.
- When: September 30 – October 31, 2022.
- Hours: Vary by location.
- Cost: Free admission, pumpkins vary.
The Farm Stand West
All throughout the month of October, The Farm Stand West will be hosting a you-pick Pumpkin Patch.
- Where: 2115 Miller Ave., Escondido, CA 92025.
- Region: North Inland.
- When: Opens October 1, 2022.
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Cost: Free admission, pumpkins vary.
PB Pumpkin Patch
Serving up local farm fresh fun since 1992, PB Pumpkin Patch has a large selection of pumpkins ranging from small to large, plus Indian corn, gourds, corn stalks, and a free pumpkin carving and painting area with stencils, paint kits, stickers and candles. All while enjoying free hot apple cider and shaved ice for kids!
- Where: 870 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109.
- Region: Mission Bay & Beaches.
- When: October 1-31, 2022.
- Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
- Saturday-Sunday: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
- Cost: Free admission, pumpkins vary.
Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch
The perfect pumpkin awaits at this family-owned pumpkin patch, along with a spooky maze, photo booth, animal kingdom, boo-loon pop, and more, which make for an unparalleled family experience.
In addition to the large variety of premium pumpkins, Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch features a Halloween costume and decoration shop, making for a one-stop shop for anything and everything Halloween! Items such as spider webs, Halloween decorations, pumpkin carving sets, novelties, and more are available to make your shopping experience easy, convenient, and affordable.
- Where: La Jolla – 6710 La Jolla Blvd., San Diego, CA 92037.
- Region: La Jolla.
- When: October 1-31, 2022.
- Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- Saturday-Sunday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- Cost: Free Admission. Pumpkin and activity prices vary.
Source: City of San Diego Tourism Authority.
