East Bay Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Guide

The range of Bay Area pumpkin patches and farms is all over the map (as are the patches themselves). Though I like to get in, get out, and get a perfect pumpkin picture, I also love to visit a real farm if I have a whole day to spend making autumn magic.

Big thanks to Rancho Siempre Verde for sponsoring our guide to East Bay Pumpkin Patches. Opening for a fabulous farm fun fest for four weekends, Sept. 28-Oct. 20. They grow organic vegetables, fruit, flowers, Christmas trees, and pumpkins and love to share the space and produce with others.

Featured Pumpkin Patch: Rancho Siempre Verde (Pescadero)

The Rancho Siempre Verde Farm Fall Fest is the time to see the coast at its most beautiful, pick a few apples, cut your own sunflowers, swing overlooking the deep blue sea, ride a tractor, romp in the straw, and, of course, pick the perfect pumpkins. This is a low-key event to wander, harvest, picnic, and share the outside with people you love. Capacity is limited so that it remains an intimate event (without lines, traffic, or chaos) to maintain a more farm-than-amusement-park vibe.

Admission per car (with up to 6 people) includes:

• 3.5 hours of activities (swings, slide, tractor rides, picnic tables, and good vibes)
• Bounty of harvest goodies from the farm including:
  • Five pumpkins (1 large, 2 medium, and 2 small) of your choice
  • A bunch of farm-grown flowers
  • A bag of delicious farm apples (perfect for fall pies!)
• Parking

Location: 2250 Cabrillo Hwy (Highway 1), Pescadero
Open: Saturday & Sunday (9 am to 4:30 pm) during four weekends: Sep 28-29; Oct 5-6; Oct 12-13, and Oct 19-20.
Prices: The advance ticket price is $110, day-of ticket is $120 (when available, they are often sold out).
Website >

Mention {510} Families at the farm for an additional free small pumpkin.

In the (510), East Bay Pumpkin Patches

Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch. Speer Family Farms’ patch at Alameda Point has activities kids love with very little shade: tall inflatable slides, smaller bouncers, a mini train, and a small petting zoo. Activity access passes are the only way into the patch with additional fees for pumpkins, pumpkin shooting, and pumpkin painting. More about this urban patch here >
New Location: 2171 Monarch St, Alameda
Open: September 25 – November 1, 2024, from 10 am – 9 pm daily
Prices: Kids $22 | Adults $12 | Kids Under 2 – FREE
Website >

Westbrae Nursery Mini Patch (North Berkeley). This a sweet autumnal corner of the Westbrae Nursery is dedicated to pumpkins and hay throughout October. It is a darling photo op and a place to shop locally for pumpkins. No frills; pick up your gardening supplies and other plants while you’re here. Pumpkins are $5 to $25 with the proceeds going to the Cornell Elementary PTA.
Location: 1272 Gilman Street, Berkeley
Open Officially October 1 – Halloween from 9 am – 5:30 pm (but likely to have some set up sooner if you’re in the neighborhood!)
Prices: $5-$25 depending on size. No entry fee.
Website >

Wildwood Elementary Dad’s Club (Piedmont). Raising funds for Wildwood Elementary School, this volunteer-run patch includes a giant pumpkin guessing game alongside many different pumpkins to buy. It is a very small corner of Piedmont, but the vibe is cheerful and helpful. Open September 28-October 31. 898 Red Rock Road, Piedmont. Website >

The Backyard Wine and Beer Garden (Richmond). A family and dog-friendly outdoor eatery, The Backyard has created an urban pumpkin patch to offer seasonal spirit and keep toddlers busy while parents socialize. Opens for the 2024 season on October 5 with a Harvest Fest from noon to 8 pm (open Thurs-Sun) and runs through Halloween. Live music on weekends. 205 Cutting Blvd, Richmond

Richmond, Concord, and Antioch. Golden State Farms operates these pumpkin patches. They feature inflatable fun at additional fees. Hours, prices, and specific amenities vary. Operating dates tbd. More info on Instagram >

Fremont and San Lorenzo. Pick of the Patch operates several locations in the Bay Area including those in the East Bay that open September 14. They feature inflatable fun for kids ages 2 to 12 along with holiday orbs and are open until 9 pm or 10 pm depending on the date. Amusement activities cost extra. Click through to see hours, prices, and amenities at each.

Classic Pumpkin Patch, Castro Valley. Classic Pumpkin Patch is a fun place to get lost in the hay and find your perfect pumpkin. Amusement rides, too. Usually opens in early October.

Dig Deep Farms at Ardenwood, Fremont. The Ardenwood Historic Farm Pumpkin Patch is a fun place to enjoy an afternoon in the sunshine with a few things to climb on and farm-time amusements. October 12-27, 2024 10 am to 4 pm, weekends only.

Piedmont Avenue. The gift shop-turned-pumpkin patch on Piedmont Ave has been going strong for 25 years. Find pumpkins and spooky Halloween merchandise starting in mid-September. 4414 Piedmont Ave, Oakland.

Fabulous Bay Area Farms with Pumpkin Patches

If you are willing to drive an hour or two, you can lose yourself on a fantastic farm with a welcoming pumpkin patch and a farm stand of other produce. Prices and amenities vary greatly.

Livermore & Brentwood Pumpkin Patches

Shadelands Pumpkin Patch (Walnut Creek). Find pumpkins, puzzles, arcade games, corn hole, petting zoo, and a few rides. 
Location: 2660 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek
Open: October 3-31 from 9 am to 9 pm daily
Website >

G&M Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze (Livermore). About 70 minutes from Berkeley, G&M Farms has a corn maze and pumpkin patch. Extra features like hayrides, pedal carts, a cow train, bouncy pillows, and pony rides are only available on weekends. Check out our visit to G&M Farms.
Location: 487 East Airway Boulevard, Livermore
Open: September 30-October 31 Wednesday through Sunday only, hours and prices vary.

Moore Pumpkin Patch (Livermore). A reasonably priced pumpkin patch ($5 per person), Moore Pumpkin Patch is open for most of October. Additional attractions like rides, jumpers, and animal visits cost extra. They also have another location in San Ramon.
Location: 2180 Cayetano Court, Livermore
Open: October 7-October 31, daily. Hours and prices vary
Website >

Joan’s Farm Pumpkins and Fort Maze (Livermore). About 80 minutes from Berkeley, Joan’s Farm comes highly recommended. There will be farm animals (sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys, and chickens!), lots of pumpkins, Old West Town, a fort maze, and a giant corn maze. Right near Livermore Wine Country.
Location: 4351 Mines Road, Livermore
Open: October 4-October 29, 10 am-6 pm, closed Mondays, except Columbus Day
Prices: No admission price, but pumpkins and activities cost $5 each or $25 for an unlimited wristband. Cash only, ATM on site.
Website >

Three Nunns Farm Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze (Brentwood). About 90 minutes from Berkeley, Three Nunns sells U-pick pumpkins from the vine. The larger of the two corn mazes takes about 15-30 minutes and there’s a smaller one you can do in 5. While on the farm, you can pick other produce and flowers. For 2024 there are small rides and a melon launcher (these cost extra). Read about our visit to Three Nunns >
Location: 550 Walnut Blvd. Brentwood
Open: September 21-October 31, 9 am to 6 pm daily
Prices: $15 admission (maze, tractor ride, slides) fee for ages 2+. Ride tickets: $4 each (corn coaster, melon cannon, etc.)  Pumpkins are $.75/pound or $1/pound for little ones.
Website >

G&S Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze (Brentwood). 90 minutes + from Berkeley, G & S Farms will get you lost in a large corn maze before or after you select your pumpkin from the vine with a few other fun seasonal activities like the pumpkin-chuckin’ cannons. Read about our super fun visit to G&S Farms >
Location: 2490 Sellers Avenue, Brentwood
Open: Open in October, hours and prices vary.

Smith Family Farm (Brentwood). Smith Family Farm is old school with a country fair vibe and is open for October harvest activities. Guests can pick a pumpkin and then enjoy a corn maze (a huge one or a smaller one for the little kids), a butterfly habitat with frogs and caterpillars, and a picnic area. They suggest you bring your own wagon. Read about our terrific visit to Smith Family Farm >
Location: 4350 Sellers Avenue, Knightsen
Open: September 28 – Halloween, daily from 9 am-5 pm (plan to arrive no later than 4 pm)
Prices: The $15 admission price includes all activities (live music, barnyard animal area, herb garden, game area, pumpkin galleries, photo ops, observation beehive, and special events) as well as one pumpkin of any size from our patch. Additional charges for food and drink, souvenirs from the country store, and arts & crafts items on weekends.
Website >

Cool Patch Pumpkins (Dixon). About an hour and 15 minutes from Berkeley, Cool Patch Pumpkins is open from 9 am to 8 pm, weather permitting. Cool Patch boasts a world-record corn maze, pedal cars, hayrides, and lots of pumpkins. Pricing $5-$22 for activities and maze (Children 5 & under Free for the maze!) Open daily from the end of September to Halloween. 6150 Dixon Ave W, Dixon, CA. Website>

Pumpkins in Half Moon Bay, South Bay & Beyond

Lemos Farm (Half Moon Bay). About an hour from Berkeley, Lemos Farm has all the autumnal activities ready for your family. Purchase an advance ticket to visit Lemos Farm in the morning or afternoon. Tickets include pony rides, train rides, hayrides, car barn, a petting zoo, a haunted house, a barn slide, a hay maze, and an entrance to the pumpkin farm (OMG!). Not cheap, but totally wonderful. Goat yoga must be purchased separately.
Location: 12320 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay
Open: August – November 24 (Wed. to Sun. in September, daily in October, and weekends in November)
Website >  Learn more about our festive visit to Lemos Farm >

Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm (Half Moon Bay). A little over an hour away, Farmer John’s is a giant, pet-friendly pumpkin farm. Open September 6 – Halloween, from 9 am to 6 pm daily.
850 Cabrillo Highway N., Half Moon Bay. Website >

Arata’s Pumpkin Farm (Half Moon Bay). Arata’s Pumpkin Farm and Hay Maze typically has all the seasonal activities you could wish for such as ponies, hayride, animals, etc. Pay for the activities a la carte ($5 to $10) or with a day pass ($45 – $85). This is a very popular farm, so expect crowds! Open daily as of mid-September, 185 Verde Rd, Half Moon Bay Website>

Pastorino’s Pumpkin Farm (Half Moon Bay). Open mid-September through Halloween for pumpkins. Beginning in October, Pastorino’s offers hay rides, train rides, ponies, pet and feed farm animals, giant slides, and jumpers. On the weekends they also offer a haunted house, face painting, and a field of pumpkins to choose from. Pricing $5-$15 for attractions. 12391 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay. Website >

Rancho Siempre Verde (Pescadero). About 90 minutes from Berkeley. Famous for its Christmas Trees, Rancho Siempre Verde hosts an epic Pumpkin Picking Festival during four weekends: Sep 28-29; Oct 5-6; Oct 12-13, and Oct 19-20.with a price of $110 per car (or $120 if you wait to buy in person) you’ll get 5 pumpkins (1 large, 2 medium, and 2 small) of your choosing, 3.5 hours of activities (swings, slides, tractor rides, picnic tables, and good vibes) a bounty of goods from the farm, including a big bunch of flowers, a bag of delicious farm grown apples, and parking. Extra pumpkins, flowers, apples, and pre-made autumn wreaths will be available for purchase with a credit card.

Save $10 and secure your spot for the autumn pumpkin festival with an advance purchase >

Mention {510} Families at the farm for an additional free small pumpkin.

Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch (Morgan Hill). An hour forty from Oakland, Spina Farms has 3 trains, hayrides, a pumpkin blaster, and a fruit stand. Look for the 30-foot gourdzilla and a fleet of other dinosaurs.
Location: 225 Laguna Ave, Morgan Hill
Open: September 27 – Halloween, daily
Prices: Admission to the patch is free. Buy individual tickets for train rides and the corn maze, or buy a Park Pass for $40 to save a bit. Parking is free on weekdays but $10 Friday – $20 Saturday-Sunday (CASH only).
Website >

Marin and Sonoma County Pumpkin Patches

Grossi Family Farm, Novato. About 45 minutes from Berkeley, this newer pumpkin patch has four acres of pumpkins to choose from. Admission $5 Saturday & Sundays ages 2 and up. FREE on weekdays Wednesday-Fridays! Lots of farm-related attractions included in the price to keep your kiddos busy (nothing inflatable).
Location: 3666 Novato Blvd., Novato, overlooking and directly across the street from Stafford Lake Bike Park
Open: September 28 – Halloween
Website >

Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch, Marin County. Almost an hour from Berkeley, this beautiful 12-acre farm in Marin County has a traditional pumpkin patch with lots of fun activities (BBQ, hayride, face painting, petting zoo, and live music).
Location: 5300 Nicasio Valley Rd, Nicasio
Open: September 28 – October 31, Monday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 6 pm.
Prices: No admission fee, cash only for activities and pumpkins.
Website >

Mickelson Pumpkin Patch, Petaluma. Almost an hour from Oakland, Mickelson Pumpkin Patch carries a large variety of specialty (funky-looking) pumpkins, a grain train, an enormous hay maze, apple cannon, mini paintball, and a giant jump zone. Look for a new shaded beer garden. Prices vary ($8 – $30).
Location: 5495 Redwood Hwy South, Petaluma
Open: Daily September 21 – Halloween until 8 pm or later.
Website >

Petaluma Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze. With free activities for kids such as an epic corn kernel pit to jump in and a huge mountain of hay bales to climb, Petaluma Pumpkin Patch is worth the drive. There are farm animals to visit as well. The 4-acre corn maze has only one way out, so kids MUST be accompanied by adults at all times. Viewing platforms allow guests to appreciate how large the maze is. Pick pumpkins off the vine or from their curated shopping area.
Location: 450 Stony Point Rd, Petaluma
Open: September 30 – Halloween
Website >

Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch and Giant Corn Maze. Just over an hour from Berkeley, Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch features a hayride and more exciting attractions like an 8-acre corn maze (with nighttime access on the weekends), farm animals, and autumnal treats. Wristbands for full access, or pay a la carte for some activities. Sounds fun, and a lot!
Location: 5157 Stony Point Rd, Santa Rosa
Open: September 28 – Halloween
Website >

Muelrath Ranches, Santa Rosa. Just over an hour from Berkeley, this pumpkin patch offers 20 different pumpkin varieties; free hayrides; pumpkin slingshot; and a toddler corn maze. No admission price on weekdays, just the price of your pumpkin. Friday and Saturday evening events require $12 tickets and sound like a big ol’ festival.
Location: 3800 Walker Ave, Santa Rosa
Open: Daily in October from 10 am to 6 pm
Website >

Talk to me, East Bay. Do you like to head out to the country to pumpkin fields on genuine farms? Do you prefer little patches within your part of town? Or do you just head to the grocery store for your gourds? Where do you get your pumpkins?!

Thanks again to this year’s guide sponsor, Rancho Siempre Verde, a small family farm that has been cultivating their piece of soil with close friends for 55 years.

[Photo credits as noted]