The orange in autumn leaves falling from the trees isn’t the only sign the season is changing.
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Pumpkin patches across Southern California are popping up, paving the way for spooky celebrations ahead of Halloween and Día de los Muertos. These events aren’t just about pumpkins and differ from Halloween’s horror-focused side.
Many include family-friendly carnival rides, corn mazes, petting zoos and photo ops. Most charge an affordable admission fee, but you’ll need to buy additional tickets for other special attractions. It may be a good idea to bring cash and your cards so you can do everything on your fall outing.
Here are 12 pumpkin patches to check out in Orange County and Los Angeles County. Be sure to check the website for the most accurate details. And if you’re looking for pumpkin patches in the Inland Empire, click here!
It’s time to pick your perfect pumpkin at an Inland Empire pumpkin patch
Orange County
Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch
5380 University Drive, Irvine. 949-653-2100; tanakafarms.com; daily through Nov. 1, weather permitting; hours vary.
This daily pumpkin patch offers wagon rides, barnyard educational exhibits, a u-pick veggie patch and a games area featuring arts & crafts, face painting, farmer mini golf, mini ATVs and more. Admission is $23-$27.
Irvine Park Railroad
Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange. 714-997-3968, irvineparkrailroad.com; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends, through Oct. 31
Activities include wagon rides, train rides, a bounce house, cookie decorating, John Deere kids racing, pumpkin decorating, face painting, panning for gold, a haunted house and a hay maze. Reservations are required for October weekends. Park entrance is $3 per vehicle on weekdays, $5 on weekends, and admission is $16-$22 per person.
Pumpkin City, Laguna Hills
24203 Avenida de la Carlota, Laguna Hills; 949-449-4189, pumpkincity.com; 12:30-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 1-31.
This location has thousands of pumpkins in every shape and size. Attractions include carnival games, a beer garden, live entertainment, a petting zoo, gem mining, seasonal food, dedicated photo spots, and more. Free before 4 p.m. and $10-$14 after and on weekends.
Hana Field in Costa Mesa Pumpkin Patch
427 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa; tanakafarms.com; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Oct. 3-Nov. 1.
This fun attraction for dinosaur lovers features a Jurassic Fright Corn Maze with dinosaurs. Other attractions include flower fields, camel rides, barn animal feeding, a tractor show on Oct. 3, and a Pumpkin and Pups event on Oct. 10 where dogs will be up for adoption. Admission is $23-$27 and a $12 parking pass is required on Friday-Sunday.
Pumpkin Factory, Main Place Mall
2800 N Main St., Santa Ana; thepumpkinfactory.com; 5-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 2-31.
The Pumpkin Factory is reopening at the Main Place Mall and will feature attractions including games, foods, and a petting zoo. Admission is Free Wednesday & Thursday and $5 Friday–Sunday. Kids 2 and under are free. Parking is free.
Seasonal Adventures, Orange County Fairgrounds
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. seasonaladventures.com; 4-9 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 4-10 p.mFriday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 1-31.
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This pumpkin patch at the Orange County Fairgrounds creates a fall ambiance with scarecrows, cornstalks, Indian corn, and straw bales, plus fresh pumpkins in all shapes and sizes, including squash and gourds. Other attractions include mechanical rides, blow-up slides, obstacle courses, bounce houses, a petting zoo, and a train.
Admission is $25 and children under two are free. Parking is free Monday-Thursday and $15 Friday-Sunday.
Los Angeles County
Carved at Descanso Garden
1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge; 818-949-4200, descansogardens.org; 6-10 p.m., Oct. 2-Nov. 1.
This annual festive fall celebration on the grounds of this 150-acre botanical garden features glowing jack-o’-lanterns, stained-glass houses and spooky sculptures, giant hand-carved pumpkins, illuminated railroad displays, and more. Tickets are $29-$52; children ages 2-12 are $19-$37. Members can get discounted tickets.
El Dorado Frontier Pumpkin Patch
El Dorado East Regional Park, 7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach; theeldoradofrontier.com; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, through Oct. 31 and 3-7 p.m. on Fridays beginning Oct. 9.
Attractions include carnival rides, photo ops, a treasure hunt and pumpkin popcorn buckets. General admission is $5 and ticket packages are $25-$50.
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch
10100 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City; mrbonespumpkinpatch.com; hours vary by date, Oct. 2-30.
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch has been in Los Angeles and features a pumpkin village, petting zoo, live entertainment, and a birds-of-prey show on weekends. Admission is $10-$20.
Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch, Torrance
17520 Prairie Ave., Torrance; mrjackolanternspumpkins.com; Noon- 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. 8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 2-Nov. 1.
Activities include pumpkin decorating, photo stations, pumpkin bowling, tumbling tombstones, candy corn hole, a petting zoo, bounce houses, pumpkin putting, a pumpkin smash, “Boo”sketball, pumpkin carving station.
Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch, West Los Angeles
11404 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; mrjackolanternspumpkins.com; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. 8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 2-Nov. 1.
Attractions include pumpkin decorating, photo stations, pumpkin bowling, tumbling tombstones, candy corn hole, animal viewing, bounce houses and an RIP ring toss.
Tapia Bros. Farm
5251 Hayvenhurst Ave., Encino; tapiabrothers.com; 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Through Oct. 31.
The Tapia Bros. Farm pumpkin patch offers a corn maze, pony rides, train rides, a farm stand and a petting zoo. Not every attraction is open daily. Admission is $3-$4.
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