The Best Places To Go Pumpkin Picking In California In 2025

Looking for the perfect California pumpkin patch this Fall? You’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of places to go pumpkin picking in California this year.

We have chosen theses pumpkin farms in California because they have lots of Halloween activities for you besides the pumpkin picking.

There are hay rides, jack ‘o’ lantern carving and our favorite – corn mazes!

So why not make a day of it and plan some Fall fun for the whole family?

If Fall is coming to an end while you are reading this, why not check out our guide to the US Polar Express train rides and start preparing for the festive fun.

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Little boy choosing a large pumpkin in a field.

These are the best places to go pumpkin picking in California

Wait… one last thing – make sure to check out our tips for pumpkin picking in California and remember to grab your pumpkin carving kit. Just a simple kit will give you great results.

Bates Nut Farm

All the pumpkins are grown at Bates Nut Farm, so if you want fresh pumpkins to pick, this is the place to do so. They have been running Fall activities for 50 years.

Bates also grows gourds and squash, and they have a zoo and other events during the fall for you to enjoy during pumpkin season like tractor rides, a straw maze and pony rides.

And, if you are a nut-lover, you can’t go to the nut farm without getting some nuts. Bates has a huge selection of nuts roasted at the farm, including cashews, almonds, peanuts, pistachios, and pecans.

They also sell candy, chocolate, fudge, and many more amazing snacks.

Where: 15954 Woods Valley Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082.
When: mid-September to the end of October. See details on the Bates Nut Farm pumpkin patch.
Tickets: Free admission; free parking on weekdays; $8 parking on weekends.

Oma’s Family Farm

Oma’s Family Farm is the perfect California pumpkin patch to visit with kids who want a pumpkin since they have a children’s package that comes with a pumpkin.

Also included with the price are pedal carts, animals, giant slides, and more that everyone will love. You should also be sure to try their delicious apple cider. Not included in the ticket is the wagon ride which is $5 per person.

Outside of the pumpkin season, you can visit the farm for their watermelon festival and to buy a Christmas tree.

Check out what’s in store for you by watching their YouTube Video.

Where: 14950 El Monte Rd, Lakeside, CA 92040.
When: September 27th to October 29th 2022. See here for details on the Oma’s Family Farm pumpkin patch for 2022.
Tickets: TBC; Parking is free. Tickets MUST be purchased online in advance.

Underwood Family Farms

Underwood Family Farms hosts an annual Fall Harvest Festival, and one of the highlights of the fest is their huge pumpkin patch, where you can pick pumpkins.

Other highlights at this pumpkin patch in California include a corn maze, wagon rides, and pull wagons. There is also live entertainment that kids and adults alike will love.

You should also check out the farm at other times of the year for events, like Christmas tree sales, and pick your own tomatoes and blueberries.

Where: 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021.
When: Daily in October from 9 am to 6 pm. Check out their Fall Harvest schedule with 5 weekends of themed events.
Tickets: $12 weekday admission; $18-24 weekend admission, and weekend tickets must be purchased online; kids under 2 are free; parking is free.

Underwood Family Farms pumpkin patch in California.

Photo credit: Underwood Family Farms

Tanaka Farms

Tanaka Farms is one of the most authentic places to pick pumpkins near LA. They have one of the only real pumpkin patches in Orange County.

They have a lot of pumpkins to choose from with unique varieties like Cinderella, Jarrahdale, Polar Bear, and more, plus all the classics.

And there’s an entertaining pumpkin cannon that you can use yourself, a straw bale maze, barnyard and wagon rides!

Where: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612.
When: TBC. Details of the Tanaka Farms pumpkin patch can be found here.
Tickets: $6 general admission; $10 parking pass required on weekends and Fridays after 12 pm; pumpkins and some activities like wagon rides, the barnyard exhibit, and activities cost extra.

Borchard Farms

Borchard Farms has a never-ending pumpkin patch full of all kinds of pumpkins, gourds, and squash. The farm also has a five-acre corn maze, farm animals, and more activities for families.

And, they host the annual California Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off Festival, which takes place in the middle of October.

You can go during the competition and admire the pumpkins that win awards like heaviest, prettiest, ugliest, and more, with awards for other fruits too.

Where: 142 Rodgers Rd, Salinas, CA 93907.
When: Daily from mid-September to the end of October.
Tickets: Admission is free; pumpkins cost extra.

Large pumpkin in a pumpkin field at Borchard Farms, one of the best places to go pumpkin picking in California.

Photo Credit: Borchard Farms

Smith Family Farm

At Smith Family Farm, there are so many sizes, shapes, and colors of pumpkins to choose from, and the best part is that you get to choose any pumpkin with the price of admission.

Your admission also includes live music, visits with farm animals and beehives, a pumpkin photo area, and a garden and recreation area.

As well as these U-Pick pumpkins in California, you can also find pomegranates and persimmons to pick at the farm, plus plenty more products for sale at the farm stand.

Where: 4350 Sellers Ave, Brentwood, CA 94513.
When: Daily in October. See here for more details on the Smith Family Farm Pumpkin Harvest.
Tickets: $12 admission includes a pumpkin of any size; cash and check only.

Horton Iris Garden and Pumpkin Patch

Horton Iris Garden and Pumpkin Patch is perfect for picking your own pumpkin directly from the field just outside of Sacramento, California.

The garden primarily focuses on growing flowers, and in the Fall, you can find Fall bouquets for sale or cut your own. A vase of Fall-colored flowers will make great decor with your pumpkin.

Where: 7440 King Rd, Loomis, CA 95650.
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October from 10 am to 5 pm.
Tickets: TBC.

Apple Hill | High Hill Ranch

The picturesque Apple Hill | High Hill Ranch has a fun pick your own pumpkin patch with a huge selection of pumpkins to choose from.

The pumpkins are great for baking, or you can buy a pumpkin pie at the farm, which is made using the same pumpkins you pick from the patch.

And, you can’t visit Apple Hill without trying some of their signature apple foods like apple donuts, pies, ciders, and apple-inspired crafts!

Where: 2901 High Hill Rd, Placerville, CA 95667.
When: Daily in the Fall. More details on the Apple Hill Pumpkin Patch in California here.
Tickets: Admission is free; pumpkins $0.69 per pound.

Greenspot Farms

The pumpkin patch at Greenspot Farms has traditional pumpkins and some unique ones like blue, ghost, and Cinderellas. They also sell plenty of other Fall crops like hay, corn, and gourds which are great for Fall decorations or crafts.

Greenspot also has a haunted trail and hayrides on the weekends leading up to Halloween.

For people of all ages, there are crafts, train and tractor rides, animals to visit with, and a hay maze.

Where: 10133 Ward Way, Mentone, CA 92359.
When: Daily in October from 9 am to 6 pm. More details on the Greenspot Farms pumpkin patch here.
Tickets: Admission and parking are free; pumpkins for purchase; cash only.

Pumpkins in a pumpkin field.

Banducci’s Family Pumpkin Patch

At Banducci’s Family Pumpkin Patch, you can enjoy pumpkins, gourds, and a corn maze from the family farm that has been selling pumpkins for more than 20 years.

With your admission fee, you get entry to the corn maze and access to the pumpkin patch so you can find your perfect pumpkin!

Where: 10747 Taft Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93311.
When: Daily in October.
Tickets: $5 per person; kids under 5 are free.