East Bay Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Guide - 510 Families

East Bay Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Guide

Over the years, I have noticed that 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. East Bay pumpkin patches come in many types: a pile at the market, a quick pumpkin picture, a carnival atmosphere, or a full day on the farm.

Big thanks to Rancho Siempre Verde for sponsoring our guide to East Bay Pumpkin Patches. Opening for a fabulous farm fun fest during 3 October weekends. RSV grows organic vegetables, fruit, flowers, Christmas trees, and pumpkins and love to share the space and produce with others.

wagon full of pumpkins and sunflowers on the farm
A wagon full of the autumn harvest at RSV | Photo: Jake Kosek Rancho Siempre Verde

Featured Pumpkin Patch: Rancho Siempre Verde

The Rancho Siempre Verde (RSV) 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.

view of the whole RSV pumpkin farm and fest
The Autumn Harvest celebrated on the coast is like no other | Photo: Rancho Siempre Verde

A prepaid $95 ticket for a single car (with up to 6 people) includes:

  • Five pumpkins (1 large, 2 medium, and 2 small) of your choosing.
  • 3.5 hours of activities (swings, slide, tractor rides, fall wreath-making materials, picnic tables, and good vibes)
  • A bunch of farm-grown flowers
  • A bag of farm-fresh delicious apples/pears
  • Parking

Location: 2250 Cabrillo Hwy (Highway 1), Pescadero
Open: Saturday & Sunday (9 am to 5 pm) during four October weekends: Sep 30-Oct 1; Oct 7-8; Oct 14-15, and Oct 21-22.
Prices: The advance ticket price is $95, day-of ticket is $105 (when available, they are often sold out). The price includes one car of up to 6 people & lots of fresh produce.
Website >

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

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

In the (510), East Bay Pumpkin Patches:

Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch: Located on Alameda Point, Speer Family Farms opens for the season on September 29 with activities that your kids will love: tall inflatable slides, human-size zorb balls, and a petting zoo. All-activity access passes are $22 for kids, and pre-registration is available online. More about this fun urban patch here>
Location: 2453 Hancock St, Alameda
Open: September 29 – October 31 from 10 am – 9 pm daily
2022 Prices: Kids $22 | Adults $10 | Kids Under 2 – FREE
Website >

Speer Family Farm pumpkin patch | Photo: Icarian
Speer pumpkin patch has a hay pyramid that kids can climb or just sit on  | Photo: Icarian Photography

Westbrae Nursery Mini Patch. Located at 1272 Gilman Street in Berkeley, a sweet autumnal corner of the Westbrae Nursery is dedicated to pumpkins and hay throughout October. It is a darling photo opp 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 >

small pumpkin patch
Mini patch at Westbrae Nursery | Photo: Pamela Nudel

Richmond, Fremont, or Concord. Pick of the Patch operates several locations in the Bay Area including those in the East Bay that open in mid to late September: Richmond, Fremont, San Lorenzo, Concord, and Antioch. 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.

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. (closed Mon-Weds). 205 Cutting Blvd, Richmond

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 late September or 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. Late October weekends only.

A corner near you. Some urban patches take over a few blocks in the near (510). And there’s always the grocery store!

Piedmont Avenue. The one on Piedmont Ave has been going strong for 25 years. Find pumpkins and spooky Halloween merchandise in mid-September. 4414 Piedmont Ave, Oakland.

Fabulous Bay Area Farms with Pumpkin Patches

If you are willing to drive an hour or two, there are many fantastic farms with a pumpkin patch on the premises that will welcome you. Prices and amenities vary greatly.

tractor on farm
Take a tractor ride around the farm to the pumpkin vines & corn mazes | Photo: Three Nunns Farm

Three Nunns Farm Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze, Brentwood

Three Nunns sells U-pick pumpkins right off the vine. A $12 fee (children two and under are FREE) gets you access to a tractor ride, two corn mazes, and the pumpkin patch. The larger of the two corn mazes takes about 15-30 minutes to navigate and there’s a more relaxed maze that takes about five minutes. While you’re on the farm, you can also pick pomegranates, corn, tomatoes, and flowers. Read about our visit here>
Location: 550 Walnut Blvd. Brentwood
Open: September 23 – October 31, 9 am to 6 pm daily
Prices: $12 admission (maze, tractor ride, slides) fee for ages 2+. Ride tickets: $3 each (corn coaster, melon cannon, etc.)  Pumpkins are $.75/pound or $1/pound for little ones.
Website >

G&M Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze, Livermore

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 at 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: 7 days a week Friday, October 7 through Monday, October 31. Hours and prices vary
Website >

G&S Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze, Brentwood

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 here>
Location: 2490 Sellers Avenue, Brentwood
Open: Open October 1-31, hours and prices vary.

Joan’s Farm Pumpkins and Fort Maze, Livermore

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: September 30-October 29, 10 am-6 pm.
Prices: No admission price, but pumpkins and activities cost $5 each or $25 for an unlimited wristband. Cash only, ATM on site.
Website >

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 their own 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 here>
Location: 4350 Sellers Avenue, Knightsen
Open: September 23 and is open daily from 9 am-5 pm through Halloween (leave by 4:55, 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. The only additional charges you may encounter at the Pumpkin Harvest are for food and drink, souvenirs from the country store, and arts & crafts items on weekends.
Website >

Pumpkin Patches Worth the Drive!

kid on a pumpkin pile
Climb on top of the biggest pumpkins | Photo: Rancho Siempre Verde

Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch, Marin County

A beautiful 12-acre farm in Marin County with a traditional pumpkin patch with lots of fun activities (BBQ, hayride, face painting, petting zoo, and live music). No admission fee, cash only for activities and pumpkins. Open September 23 through October 31, Monday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 6 pm. Website >

Grossi Family Farm, Novato

A newer pumpkin patch with lots of attractions. They have four acres of pumpkins to choose from and are located at 3666 Novato Blvd., Novato, CA, overlooking and directly across the street from Stafford Lake Bike Park. Admission $5 for 3-13 year olds, with lots of farm-related attractions included in the price to keep your kiddos busy (nothing inflatable). Open September 30 through Halloween. Website >

Mickelson Pumpkin Patch, Petaluma

About an hour from Oakland. Open daily from September 23 through Halloween at 5495 Redwood Hwy South, Petaluma. Carries a large variety of specialty (funky-looking) pumpkins and a grain train, hay maze, apple cannon, mini paintball, and a jump zone. Prices vary ($8 – $30). Pony rides on weekends. Website >

Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch and Giant Corn Maze

Just over an hour from Berkeley. Open September 30 through Halloween at 5157 Stony Point Rd, Santa Rosa. Hayride and more exciting attractions like an 8-acre corn maze (with nighttime access on the weekends), farm animals, and autumnal treats. The ultimate wristband was $24 in 2022. This year they’re also holding Oktoberfest at The Patch! This activity-packed day begins with a 8K run/walk, followed by a Bavarian-style Oktoberfest for adults and children featuring beer mile races, an Orange Theory obstacle course, Kids Pumpkin Run, plus Pumpkin Patch activities, games and live music. Sounds fun! Website >

Muelrath Ranches, Santa Rosa

Just over an hour from Berkeley. Open from September 30 through Halloween from 10 am to 6 pm. The pumpkin patch offers 20 different varieties of pumpkin; free hayrides; pumpkin slingshot; and a toddler corn maze. No admission price, just the price of your pumpkin. Friday and Saturday evening events require $12 tickets and sound like a big ol’ festival. Website >

Arata’s Pumpkin Farm, Half Moon Bay

Open as of mid-September, Arata’s Pumpkin Farm and Hay Maze typically has all the autumnal 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! Website>

Learn More about our visit to Arata’s Farm >

Arata's Pumpkin Farm corn field and hay maze
Get lost in Arata’s Pumpkin Farm cornfield and hay maze | Photo: Soni Bedi

Lemos Farm, Half Moon Bay

Open from September 2 through November 19 (Wednesday to Sunday in September, daily in October, and weekends in November), 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 entrance to the pumpkin farm (OMG!). Not cheap, but totally wonderful. Goat yoga must be purchased separately. Website >  Learn more about our festive visit to Lemos Farm >

Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm, Half Moon Bay

Open September 8 through Halloween, Farmer John’s is a giant, pet-friendly pumpkin farm open from 9 am to 6 pm daily. Website >

Pastorino Farms, Half Moon Bay

Open September 15 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. Website >

Rancho Siempre Verde, Pescadero

girl sliding down a tube slide
Slide down this tube slide, swing on many wooden tree swings, chase your siblings through the fields, cut your own flowers, and ride a tractor! | Photo: Rancho Siempre Verde

Famous for its Christmas Trees, Rancho Siempre Verde hosts an epic Pumpkin Picking Festival throughout October weekends from September 30 through October 22 with a price of $95 per car (or $105 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, fall wreath-making materials, 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 wreaths will be available for purchase with a credit card.

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

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

teen with fall wreath
Make or buy a seasonal wreath at the RSV Farm Pumpkin Picking Festival | Photo: Rancho Siempre Verde

Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch, Morgan Hill

Opens September 25 through Halloween with trains, hayrides, a pumpkin blaster, and a fruit stand. Buy individual tickets for train rides and the corn maze, or buy a Park Pass for $30 to save a bit. Parking is free on weekdays but $10 Friday – Sunday. View Website >

Cool Patch Pumpkins, Dixon

Open daily from September 30 to Halloween. 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!)  Check out our visit here>>

Dell’Osso Farm Pumpkins & Corn Maze, Lathrop

Open daily from September 30 to Halloween. Driving two hours to Lathrop, CA will lead you to a fun giant corn maze experience at Dell’Osso Family Farms. Attractions include pumpkin blasters, pig races, a haunted castle, and a modified kids’ zone. Hours and prices vary. View 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?!

pumpkins in the farm fields and tractor
Loading pumpkins for the RSV festival | Photo: Jake Kosek via Rancho Siempre Verde

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

[Photo credits as noted]

xxx

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3 thoughts on “East Bay Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Guide”

  1. Pingback: Fall 2023 Events & Resources for Bay Area Families – A Green Lifestyle Blog for Bay Area Parents

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