19 very festive L.A. and O.C. places to celebrate the great pumpkin
With limited fall foliage and the weather stubbornly warm, Southern California residents have to rely on another annual signal of a changing season: pumpkins.
We’re not talking about the plastic department store displays or pumpkin spice lattes — though L.A. has some good ones — which can appear as early as midsummer. The real SoCal autumn indicator is an open pumpkin patch, ready to usher in the fall season.
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Though a new pumpkin spot emerges every couple of years, the bulk of these businesses have spent decades carving out their place in the community. Accordingly, this year’s roster is filled with returning patches. Among them is Cougar Mountain Pumpkin Patch, run by Lisa Nassar, now in its 22nd year and part of a more than seven-decade family history.
“Now that my kids are involved, our family business spans three and a half generations,” says Nassar, whose company started in produce in 1949, branched to Christmas trees and finally landed in pumpkins in 2002. “We want to service our community through this fall tradition. We get the same families coming back each year; we get to see kids grow up.”
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In recent years, newer pumpkin attractions have leaned into technology, blending savvy light shows and strobing displays for an innovative take on the autumn tradition. But the majority cater to nostalgia, offering old-fashioned fun in a society often unsettled by a rapidly advancing tech landscape. Pumpkin patch staples such as crafts, mazes and petting zoos serve as screen-free entertainment — a reprieve for iPad babies and a reminder of days past for their parents.
With that in mind, here’s our list of must-visit spots for pumpkins and fall festivities throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties. With festivals, charming parking lot patches and full-fledged farms on offer, these 19 attractions are ready to kick-start your fall.
Boney Island
Hours: 6:30 to 10 p.m. select nights through Oct. 31.
Admission: $25 per person; $15 for kids 3-12; kids under 2 enter free but still need a ticket. Members pay $20 per person and $10 per child 3-12. Advance reservations are encouraged, but limited tickets will be available on-site during museum hours and at the gate on event night.
Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Fest
Activities cost $2 to $4 but are free for kids under 3 with a paid adult. Sales are cashless except for on-site food and craft vendors. Though the fest is open on Fridays, live music and agricultural demonstrations are weekend exclusives.
Hours: Open noon to 7 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends through Oct. 27.
Admission: On weekends, adult tickets are $10.80, while children 3-12, seniors, military and those with a Cal Poly Pomona Bronco ID pay $8.74. On Fridays, tickets cost $5.65 for adults and $4.62 for kids 3-12, seniors, military and those with a Cal Poly Pomona Bronco ID. Kids under 3 are free with a paid adult. Tickets are sold online, with a limited amount sold at the gate.
Calabasas Pumpkin Festival
Beyond the main patch, which sells a flurry of classic pumpkins, you’ll find professional carving, crafting and photo ops. Vendors sell everything from pumpkin pie to pumpkin beer — each food court booth is required to offer at least one pumpkin item. There is no ATM on-site, so remember to bring cash.
Free shuttles will run from parking lots on Agoura Road and Malibu Hills Road from 9:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Leashed dogs are permitted at the festival but prohibited on the shuttles and in the food court. Keep in mind that the event is primarily on asphalt, which can burn your pup’s paws if it’s a hot day.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20.
Admission: $10 if bought online in advance; $15 if bought the day of, both online and in person. A $1.50 processing fee applies. Children under 2 enter free.
Carved at Descanso Gardens
There’s more too. The Belgian art installation “Rhizome” — an overhead exhibit of neon ropes that mimic a tree’s roots — has been expanded this year in the Rose Garden Labyrinth. Debuting is the Beer Garden, which will serve snacks and drinks on the Main Lawn near the returning hay maze.
Hours: 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 4-30. Admission is staggered every 30 minutes, and visitors can stay until closing regardless of entry time.
Admission: Depending on the day, ticket prices are $28 to $38 for members and $35 to $45 for nonmembers. Entry for children 2-12 costs $18 to $23 for members and $25 to $30 for nonmembers. Children under 2 enter free but still need tickets. Admission is only sold online in advance.
Cougar Mountain Pumpkin Patch
Hours: 3 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays Oct. 1-31.
Admission: $2 per adult; $1 per child 2-15; kids under 2 enter free.
Fall Faire
Kids can pick up a bag for the Craft Crawl ($5), which sends them following the nature center’s trails in search of five crafts to work on. Afterward, browse the pumpkins piled on benches and hay bales to find the perfect purchase, accompanied by live music by Sweetwater Creek Band. This event draws big crowds, so carpooling or rideshare is recommended.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 13.
Admission: Free
Forneris Farms
Then, visitors can venture to the Farm Frolic area for a hay bale pyramid, mini maze and the property’s two “Great Pumpkins.” One is a giant sculpture that guests can pose inside; the other is a real pumpkin that you can guess the weight of for the chance to take it home. The farm market is open for fresh produce and seasonal decor.
Admission: $5, which can be put toward a $10-or-more pumpkin from the patch. The corn maze is $15 per person. Children under 2 are free with a paid adult. Farm market entry is free. Cash only.
Hours: The pumpkin patch and farm market are open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Oct. 5 through Nov. 3. The corn maze is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday and Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Irvine Park Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch
Hours: Through Oct. 31. Weekday hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and weekends are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Patch entry is free, but the park’s gate entry is $3 per vehicle on weekdays, $5 per vehicle on weekends and $7 per vehicle on holidays.
Magic of the Jack-o’-Lanterns
Pro tip: Sept. 29 is Sensory Night. Lights and music will be dimmed to create a more comfortable environment for guests with sensory needs.
Hours: Evenings through Nov. 2. Hours vary by day, but visitors must choose an arrival time when they buy their ticket.
Admission: $29.99 per adult, $24.99 per child. Alternatively, a $44.99 “anytime” ticket waives the arrival time.
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch
Little ones can take part in an owl-themed scavenger hunt, ride on handmade giant rocking horses and go inside to the on-site tipi. Food and drink are sold on-site. Activity tickets are $1 each; bundle pricing also is available. Activities include pumpkin decorating ($12 to $15), a petting zoo and straw maze ($5 each) and face painting ($7 to $20).
Pro tip: Owner Lyra Marble recommends arriving during the late afternoon when the light is at its best, then staying past sunset for the perfect spooky vibes.
Hours: Weekdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 5-31, with closures on Oct. 8 and Oct. 15. Most activities close at 8:30 p.m, but face painting and pumpkin decorating close at 8 p.m.
Admission: $8 to $25, depending on date and arrival time. Tickets aren’t guaranteed at the door, so buy in advance online to secure a spot.
Mr. Jack O' Lanterns Pumpkin Patch
Hours: ; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday from Oct. 4 through Oct. 31.
Admission: Free
Nights of the Jack
Midway down the self-guided path, visitors navigate the central grounds to watch live pumpkin carving, buy Halloween gifts at the souvenir shop and stop by the Spookeasy for $8 beers or $16 specialty cocktails. A collection of L.A. food trucks rotates nightly, spanning several cuisines to satisfy any cravings. No pumpkins are sold, but you’ll find light-up toys and Halloween goodies at the souvenir shop.
Hours: 6 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 3-13, Oct. 15-27, Oct. 29-31 and Nov. 1-2. Time slots must be reserved with online admission.
Admission: Entry ranges from $26.99 to $49.99, depending on the day. Kids 2 years and under are free. On-site parking is $10.58 with included fees and can be bought with online admission.
Pa’s Pumpkin Patch
Note that the patch has moved from Long Beach to Lakewood, so be sure to head to the new address.
Hours: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays Oct. 1-31.
Admission: $5 per adult, $2.50 per child ages 2 to 5 and free for children under 2.
Robles Pumpkin Festival
Hours: 3 to 9 p.m. on weekdays, weekends 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 1-31.
Admission: $2 for those 12 and up; $1 for kids 11 and under
Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch
Pro tip: While a $4 petting zoo ticket typically gives you access for about six minutes, you can stay as long as you like if there’s no line — usually during the week.
Hours: Oct. 5-31, hours vary by day.
Admission: Free
Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 30, but Friday, Saturday and Sunday hours expand to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during October. Halloween hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission: $20 Monday through Friday morning, $22 starting Friday at noon through Sunday. Admission includes unlimited wagon rides and access to the corn maze, barnyard educational exhibit and the patch. Children under 2 and military with valid ID are free. A $10 parking fee applies from Friday at noon through Sunday. Paid parking must be reserved in advance and can be bought online with tickets.
Bonus: For added fun, hop over to the family’s second patch at Hana Field in Costa Mesa, where you can scour 8 acres of pumpkins for the perfect seasonal accouterments. This patch runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays to Sundays only from Oct. 5-27. Admission is $10 per person; parking is free.
Tapia Bros. Farm
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, 9 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday through Oct. 31. Weekend activities run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The corn maze is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Admission: $3, of which $2 can go toward a pumpkin purchase.
Tina’s Pumpkin Patch
Locally farmed in Santa Paula, pumpkins range from $3 to $80 for a hefty Big Mac, but owner Tina Callas says most average $8 to $10.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Oct. 31 and Nov. 2-3.
Admission: Free
Whittier Pumpkin Patch
Dog owners are welcome to bring their pup along, but pets must remain leashed or in carriers.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. through Oct. 31.
Admission: Free
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