Best Giant Pumpkin Patches near Los Angeles 

So many pumpkins at Tanaka Farms! Photo courtesy of the farm

1. Tanaka Farms — Irvine

Open September 14 - October 27 & 31, 2024
Tanaka Farms is one of the few pumpkin patches where LA kids can actually pick a pumpkin off the vine! Weekdays feature a tractor-pulled wagon ride past farm animals and a pumpkin cannon en route to pumpkin and vegetable picking. Parking passes (purchased online, in advance) are required on Fridays starting at noon and all day Saturday & Sunday. Parking is free for the rest of the week.  

For a more intimate pumpkin patch experience, Tanaka has a second location: Hana Field. Yep, this is the spot that has flowers in the summer. In the fall, the fields grow pumpkins and flowers, and there are plenty of activities for the whole family, such as a barnyard animal exhibit, a kids' play area, a cow train, arts and crafts, and more. Keep in mind this smaller patch is only open on weekends, starting October 5 and running through October 27, 2024. 

2. Underwood Family Farms — Moorpark

Open September 28 - October 31, 2024
Moorpark's pick-your-own paradise once again has its annual Fall Harvest Festival and pumpkin patch, complete with a 40-acre patch with wagon rides and loads of entertainment—like a ride-through corn trail, pig races, animal viewing, and a misting tunnel to cool off after picking veggies in the sun. Admission is higher on weekends, but parking is always free. 

3. Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Patch — Redlands

Open September 20 - November 2, 2024
Located in Redlands off of the 10, Live Oak Canyon Pumpkins Patch claims to be Southern California's largest outdoor pumpkin patch, and after seeing it, I won't argue!

There are loads of rides and attractions, including train rides, a sunflower garden walk-through, a roller coaster, a tractor-pulled hayride, photo ops galore, a spiderweb play net, an aqua pillow, and even the world's largest rocking horse. And, of course, there are plenty of pumpkins: select the perfect pre-picked gourd or take a trip to the u-pick field. Live Oak also has a spectacular corn maze.

RELATED: Best Fall Festivals in Los Angeles for Families

 
Pick Pumpkins right from the patch. Photo courtesy of Cal Poly Pomona College

4. Cal Poly Pomona College of Agriculture Pumpkin Festival — Pomona

Open September 28 - October 27, 2024
Cal Poly Pomona's Pumpkin Festival celebrates its 30th year. The drive east rewards with a large patch, a corn maze, games, a petting farm, horse rides, live music, contests, storytelling, and more. Family packs are cheaper when purchased in advance on the website, and all tickets must be purchased online. The pumpkin patch is one of the largest in California, with over 70,000 pumpkins.

5. Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch — Orange

Open September 14 - October 31, 2024
Your kids will thank you for bringing them to a place that offers a plethora of activities. You can start by riding the Pumpkin Train and going on a hayride before choosing a pumpkin, as well as playing a few carnival games and taking some fun photos. The Pumpkin Patch is located just behind the train station, and admission is free, but the County of Orange charges a gate entrance fee to drive into Irvine Regional Park.

6. Pumpkin City's Pumpkin Patch — Laguna Hills

Open October 1 - October 31, 2024
Pumpkin City opened its doors over 40 years ago and is known for celebrating the Halloween Season. Guests wander through countless pumpkins of all shapes and sizes in a farm setting. Attractions include a petting zoo, kiddie amusement rides, puppet shows, and the Pumpkin City Diner. Don't forget to take pictures with the costumed characters.

7. Pumpkins in the Pines at Skypark at Santa's Village — Skyforest

Open weekends, October 5 - 27 & 31, 2024
The weekend drive to Lake Arrowhead is well worth the trip when your destination is Pumpkins in the Pines at Santa's Village. Pumpkins in the Park is only open on the weekend. Activities include picking your pumpkin from the patch, painting your pumpkin, seasonal food and drink, trick-or-treating across the park, a daily costume contest, cookie decorating, a puppet show, and much more. For a special treat, plan your visit on a Saturday and stay for Monster Mash skate night.  

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The pumpkins grow as big as the babies at Forneris Farms. Photo courtesy of Maz M., via Yelp

Top Pumpkin Patches in the Valley

8. Forneris Farms — Mission Hills

Open October 5 - November 3, 2024 
Forneris Farms promises to have pumpkins this October, as well as a corn maze and train ride (for additional tickets). There is an entry fee per person to play around in the patch, but kiddos two and under are free. Forneris Farms only takes cash, so stop by your bank ATM on the way over. 

9. Gilchrist Farm — Santa Clarita 

Open September 28 - October 31, 2024 
Gilchrist Farm hosts an annual harvest festival with a pumpkin patch open daily. The farm offers free parking and free admission. The real celebrations occur on weekends in October when the farm features wool spinning demonstrations, goat milking demonstrations, pig races, live music, concessions, and more.

During the week, kids can still enjoy pony rides, archery, axe throwing, gold mining, a hay bale maze, wagon rides, and a farm train. We make it a tradition to go to this one every year. 

RELATED: 30 Fall Day Trips from Los Angeles— Plus Weekend Getaways

 
Forget Charlie Brown, you can meet the Great (giant) Pumpkin at Tapia Bros. Photo courtesy of Tapia Bros.

10. Tapia Bros. — Encino

2024 Open dates TBD
The other side of the Valley greets the Great Pumpkin at the decades-old, family-run Tapia Bros. urban farm stand. The competitively priced pumpkins, squash, and gourds are accompanied by some adorable farm animals waiting to be admired. There are plenty of photo ops so you can capture your fall memories. Bonus for California crunchy types—Tapia Bros. has non-GMO crops and an impressive corn maze. 

11. Tina's Pumpkin Patch — Sherman Oaks

Open October 2 - 31 & November 2 - 3, 2024
This Valley patch seasonally squeezes between the 101 and the Galleria. Tina's is definitely a city patch, but it still manages to pack in plenty of entertainment, including a petting zoo, pony rides, a mini train, and several bouncers such as a slide, bouncer, obstacle course, and baseball.

12. Prancers Pumpkin Patch — Santa Paula

Open September 27 - October 31, 2024
Prancers Farm is a 30-acre pumpkin patch with 15 acres of pick-your-own pumpkins. There's no shortage of other entertainment, including wagon rides, farm animals, cornfield photo ops, barrel train rides, hay pyramids, corn maze, sunflower maze, and more. Be sure to purchase tickets online in advance.

RELATED: Fall Bucket List for Los Angeles Kids

City kids can learn that pumpkins grow out of dirt, not hay bales! Photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins

Favorite Westside Pumpkin Patches

13. Mr. Bones — Culver City

Open October 5 - 30, 2024 
One of the most popular seasonal lots in town is Mr. Bones. This large pumpkin patch includes life-size pumpkin houses, face painting, a hay maze, a petting zoo, giant slides, a couple of bounce houses, and more. Special activities and entertainment are available on some dates; check the website for activities, pricing, and ticket packages. Make sure to buy your tickets in advance online- this fun spot sells out fast. 

14. Lopez Ranch Pumpkins — Marina del Rey

2024 Open Dates TBD 
Pumpkins with a beautiful view? That's enough reason to head over to Marina del Rey and enjoy this veteran pumpkin patch that has cultivated pumpkins for over 50 years. Admire the beautiful Halloween decor and indulge in activities like pumpkin decorating, face painting, and going into a giant pumpkin called "The Big Pumpkin."

15. Shawn's Pumpkin Patch — West LA 

Open October 5 - November 2, 2024 
Whoever Shawn is, we crown him king of the parking lot pumpkin patches. The beloved patch has a new location for 2024 and brings back all the cool activities, such as bungee jumping, pony rides (on select days), and face painting. An admission fee per person over 15 years old applies on weekends. Weekdays are still free. There are also additional charges for various forms of entertainment like carnival games, a petting zoo, and a train ride. 

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There's more than pumpkins at Whittier Pumpkin Patch. Photo courtesy of the patch

Best Pumpkin Patches from Mid-City to & the Eastside

16. Mr. Jack O'Lanterns Pumpkin Patch — Mid-City, Torrance, & West LA

Open October 4 - 31, 2024
Mr. Jack O'Lanterns has Mid-City (and West LA and Torrance) families covered. Choose from a huge variety of pumpkins (from baby Jack Be Little pumpkins to 50-pounders!) and participate in activities like pumpkin bowling, pumpkin decorating, bounce houses, and more. Mr. Jack O'Lanterns is also keeping popular offerings of online ordering and delivery. 

17. Whittier Pumpkin Patch — Whittier

2024 Open dates TBD
This small Eastside patch brings pumpkins closer to the city with free admission and plenty of a la carte entertainment. One benefit of this spot is that it is open until 8:30pm daily, so kids can enjoy an October evening roaming through the pumpkins. Before picking the perfect pumpkin, kids can enjoy pumpkin painting, gem mining, a bounce house, tractor rides, and sliding the giant slide. Complimentary Wagons are available to borrow.

Best South Bay Pumpkins Patches

18. Deluca Farm — San Pedro 

2024 Open dates TBD 
A charming farm in the hills of San Pedro offers pumpkins in the fall and Christmas trees in the winter. Deluca Farm will keep the whole family entertained with carnival games, farm animals, tractor races, photo opportunities, and plenty of pumpkins for the picking. 

19. Pa's Pumpkin Patch — Lakewood

2024 Open dates TBD
This patch offers fun for the whole family in a county fair-like ambiance. Enjoy pony rides, snack bars, a petting zoo, and plenty more. Reservations are required and can be made online. There is an admission fee.   

Originally published September 14, 2011