Categories: Food & Wine

Pumpkin Patches Near Los Angeles

“PUNKINS!! I love punkins! I want to hug it,” was my son’s reaction to the big orange squash as a toddler. Despite moving on to “selekins, mummies, and freakensteins,” he still appreciates a good patch. Here are some around town.

Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival

Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark is a real working farm about an hour from the city. They host a whole Fall Festival Extravaganza with pony rides, pumpkin patches, hayrides, and games.

The ninety degree heat didn’t stop people from coming. When we arrived at 10 am the place was already hopping.

First we took a turn around the pumpkin patch on the cow train. Next we watched an informative animal show featuring favorite farmyard characters. We visited the petting zoo, where the kids enjoyed chasing the chickens, lambs and goats for a hug and then we fed the emus, turkeys and other exotic animals. While we had some lunch under a shady tree, we were able to watch the pig races and listen to a band. Before heading home, we tried our hand at the corn maze, and were grateful to find our way back to the entrance before the kids melted down.

Located at 3370 Sunset Valley Road in Moorpark, the farm holds its Fall Harvest Festival Oct. 1-31, from 9-6 everyday. Admission is $12 per person over age 2 on the weekends and $3 during the week. Many of the rides, games, and activities cost between 2 and 5 dollars each.

Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch

It’s not a working farm, but Mr. Bones has many activities for kids and is more centrally located. The patch even has a free valet on weekends, and–who knows–you might spot a celebrity parent or two pumpkin-carving with their children. Plus, the patch does their part to help the environment. Besides donating part of its profits to local environmental groups, it’s carbon neutral, partially solar powered, and it sells only pumpkins from sustainable farms in California and Oregon.

Activities include a big pumpkin bouncy, a giant slide, a straw maze and giant rocking horses made by the owner’s family. They also have face painting and pumpkin decorating.

Located at 702 N. Doheny Drive in W. Hollywood , open daily from 9 to 7 (8 on Friday and Saturday) beginning Oct. 8. On the weekends, the entrance fee is $2 for kids, and $4 for adults, but the fee goes toward the purchase of a pumpkin or other Halloween treat. On weekdays, admission is free. Some of the activities cost extra, between $3-15.

Palisades-Malibu YMCA Pumpkin Patch

If you are looking for something a bit more low key, check out the patch sponsored by the YMCA in Temescal Canyon Gateway Park. It’s very picturesque with scores of orange and white pumpkins spread out in a woodland setting with the Santa Monica Mountains as a backdrop. Many parents take photos for seasonal cards there. The patch has a scarecrow contest, and all proceeds benefit the Y. The kids had a great time and we saved our wallets some stress.

Located at the corner of Sunset and Temescal Canyon Blvd in the Pacific Palisades, the YMCA pumpkin patch is open starting October 8, Mon-Fri 2:30-6, Sat-Sun 10-6. Parking and admission are free.