Pumpkin Patches & Fall Activities
Pumpkin patch season is upon us! I’ve always loved Halloween and visiting pumpkin patches, but it’s only gotten more fun since becoming a mom. Levi’s enthusiasm mimics my own and it’s delightful. Truth be told, we go to at least three pumpkin patches each year. Forever chasing a New England fall, the parking lot “pumpkin patch” full of inflatable Halloween decor just doesn’t quite do it for me. These are my must-visit Bay Area pumpkin patches.
COSENTINO FAMILY FARM
The year Levi turned one, I discovered Cosentino Family Farm. Less than 15 minutes from us, on a suburban street where you’d never expect it to be, is the sweetest family farm stand with a cutest pumpkin coral. So while not technically a pumpkin patch, we go back every year because it’s sweet and quiet, and they seem to outdo themselves yearly with their setup. It’s always whimsical and packed with the best pumpkin varieties in all shapes, sizes and colors. We actually purchase most of our pumpkins from them because they really are that good and I like to support local businesses. I try to go on a weekday and it’s typically pretty empty although I do think word has been spreading over the years. It’s the perfect spot to grab some picturesque pumpkin patch photos of your little ones without having to chase them all over a huge pumpkin patch and compete with other people in the best photo spots. I can’t wait to take Henry this year. Honestly, we’ll probably go twice. Once with him on his own and once with both him and Levi.
PATCHEN PUMPKIN PATCH
The same year I discovered Costentinos, I also discovered that a local Christmas tree farm has just started doing a pumpkin patch. Set in the Los Gatos mountains, Patchen is well worth the drive and also keeps getting cuter and cuter. It feels the most like what I imagine might be set up in a small New England pumpkin patch, or at least what I’ve romanticized it would be like. Hay bales with plaid blankets draped across, little red wagons for toting your pumpkin finds and small shop. The pumpkins are reasonably priced, but the parking is limited! Definitely try to arrive early. It’s also a little more shaded in the morning.
Once I’ve done Cosentinos and Patchen, I feel somewhat satisfied in terms of aesthetic pumpkin patches that meet my fall mood and I can be more tolerant about visiting a pumpkin patch that has rides and other attractions for kids. Spina Farms is the popular one. Animatronic dinosaurs, hay rides, a train and corn mazes sound up your alley? This one may be for you. It definitely gets hot and crowded and I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who is looking for the quintessential New England pumpkin patch like myself, but if you have kids and want a pumpkin patch with lots to do, this one may be for you. I’ll likely take Levi as we went last year and he loved the train ride.
FILOLI HISTORIC HOUSE & GARDEN
Filoli isn’t a pumpkin patch, but a beautiful historic home and garden that we love to visit all year round. In recent years, they’ve begun to put on more and more events for families throughout the seasons. This year will be our first time doing their evening Halloween Nightfall event, so I can’t report on how it is until next week, but I’m sure it’ll be fun! However, the past few years I have gone in October and it’s always enjoyable to stroll the gardens any time of year, but they do also put out lots of pumpkin displays throughout which makes it feel festive even if you don’t go to the event.
This year I may attempt to take Levi to Lemos Farm in Half Moon Bay. I grew up going to the Half Moon Bay pumpkin patches, but they can get awfully crowded during the weekends and it has not been worth the drive for us in previous years with Levi’s nap schedule. But now that he’s no longer napping I may attempt it as I do think he’d have a blast. This is another one that I’d prefer to try to go to during the week to avoid the crowds. It’s been a while since I’ve been, but I think it’s got some of the attractions for kids like Spina, but with a bit more charm which of course I appreciate.
Down in Half Moon Bay you can also find Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm. On the coast, it’s an upgrade from a parking lot and not quite as busy as some of the other Half Moon Bay options. We also love the hay maze at Arata’s Pumpkin Farm.