By Jamie Ferrell

Happy fall, San Francisco! Spooky season is here, and there’s no shortage of fun stuff to do… especially when we live right near Half Moon Bay, the pumpkin capital of the world! Whether you’re looking for family activities with kids or getting ahead of your Halloween decorating, these excellent Bay Area farms and pumpkin patches have got you covered.

Joan’s Farm & Pumpkin Patch

The impressive pumpkin patch at this beautiful farm is just the beginning. They also have a snack shack with pumpkin pie, nachos, and hot dogs; a hay bale maze; pumpkin bowling; farm animals to feed; a large inflatable slide; a farm equipment museum; an old west town; and picnic tables. Come for the pumpkins, stay for a fun time!

Hours: 10am-6pm, October 1-31 (closed Mondays, except October 10)

Location: 4351 Mines Rd., Livermore

Lemos Farm

This enormous farm in Half Moon Bay has awesome pumpkin picking as well as a haunted house, pony rides, train rides, hay rides, a petting zoo, and a deli. Their impressive pumpkin patch is in full swing and you can get pre-sold tickets online.

Hours: 10am-5pm Wed-Sun in September, daily in October, and weekends only in November through November 20.

Location: 12320 San Mateo Rd. (Hwy 92), Half Moon Bay

Arata’s Pumpkin Farm

This legendary sustainable farm started all the way back in 1932! They grow about 3,000 tons of pumpkins annually, so you’ll have plenty to pick from. Other attractions include an epic hay maze, a haunted barn, hay rides, a petting zoo, and pony rides. This year they’re offering a VIP package that gets you premium parking, an all-access wristband, and access to a semi-private area with refreshments and a bottle of wine per family.

Hours: 9am-6:30pm daily; open until 10:30pm Friday and Saturday nights in October

Location: 185 Verde Rd., Half Moon Bay

Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch

San Francisco’s very first pumpkin patch is still living up to the hype 42 years after selling its first pumpkin! They offer Munchkin pumpkins; Cinderella pumpkins; Sugar Pie pumpkins; and blue, white, and striped pumpkins. They make it easy to get your pumpkins and fall décor right here in San Francisco.

Hours: 9am-9pm daily, October 1-31

Location: 2101 Sloat Blvd and 1620 7th Ave, San Francisco

The Guardsmen Pumpkin Patch

The Guardsmen Pumpkin Patch will be up at Fort Mason Center for a short stretch in October. Each day will have a special fall theme, and guests can enjoy amazing seasonal craft cocktails and food while picking out their pumpkin. Proceeds will go to support at-risk youth.

Hours: October 13-23, 5pm-9pm Monday-Thursday, 5pm-10pm Friday, 9am-10pm Saturday-Sunday.

Location: Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco

Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch (Speer Family Farms)

This expansive pumpkin patch in the East Bay is great for families. In addition to the pumpkins, you’ll find a 4-story ship slide, bouncy houses, a petting zoo, human hamster balls, a mini train, space balls and an “adult chill area.” They’ll be selling pumpkin shooters at $10 for 3 shots and hosting pumpkin painting for $5 plus the price of your pumpkin. Tickets are $20 for kids and $10 for adults.

Hours: 10am-10pm daily September 17 – November 1

Location: 2453 Hancock St., Alameda

Piedmont Avenue Pumpkin Patch

This quaint spot claims to be “Oakland’s oldest and cutest pumpkin patch.” It’s a great spot for fall pumpkin décor, as they carry 15 different varieties of pumpkin including Muskins, Atlantic Giants, orange, red, white, bumpy, ribbed, green & multi-colored. They also have corn stalks, gourds, straw bales, pumpkin carving kits, spider webs, giant spiders, skeletons, and scarecrows.

Hours: 8am-8pm daily through October 31

Location: 4414 Piedmont Ave, Oakland

Smith Family Farm’s Pumpkin Harvest

Smith Family Farm offers excellent pumpkin picking opportunities each year, as well as U-Pick for other seasonal produce. Be sure to check out the observation beehive, an herb garden where you can make your own bouquet to take home, a hay ride, and a seasonal fruit and vegetable stand. Fall weekends usually bring special events including live music, cooking demos, cornhole tournaments, an antique tractor expo, and more.

Hours: TBD

Location: 4350 Sellers Ave., Brentwood

Three Nunns Farm

This impressive farm in Brentwood has 40 varieties of pumpkin to choose from, but their claim to fame has got to be their massive corn maze. They charge 75 cents per pound and $1 each for tiny pumpkins. You can also enjoy $12 tractor rides which will take you to their two corn mazes and more. Visit the farm stand upon arrival to get the low-down and purchase seasonal produce.

Hours:  9am-6pm daily, September 17 – October 31

Location: 550 Walnut Blvd., Brentwood

Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm

This impressive pumpkin patch has over 60 varieties of pumpkins including the enormous Atlantic Giants, which can weigh over 1500 pounds! You’ll also find fall décor including corn stalks, mini pumpkins, hay bales, and more. Reservations are not required and there are no entrance or parking fees.

Hours: 9am-6pm daily, September 9 – October 31

Location: 850 North Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay

Cool Patch Pumpkins

This amazing U-pick pumpkin patch has edible and nonedible pumpkins, gourds, squash, and more. But Cool Patch is especially worth the drive for its enormous world record-holding corn maze! The maze is unique each and every year, but we have yet to see the 2022 design.

Hours: Through October 31

Location: 6150 Dixon Ave West, Dixon

** This article was originally published by Secret San Francisco. CLICK HERE to view the full article.

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