Explore the 6 Best Pumpkin Patches in Northern California To Embrace The Fall Season
Northern California encompasses the Bay area, Sacramento, and the San Joaquin Valley. This region of the state has a moderate oceanic to continental climate and more annual rainfall than SoCal. The weather during fall in Northern California is absolutely perfect. In October, you can expect temperatures to hover between 65 and 75 degrees, with mild, sunny days and chilly nights. During this time of the year, you can also experience leaf peeping from late September to early November. And what better way to take in the fresh fall air than to check out a family farm? Explore these six best pumpkin patches in North California this fall season and learn all about their activities!
Next, check out this list of the best pumpkin patches in Southern California.
1. Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm
The Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm is north of Sacramento in Wheatland, where they are open seven days a week from early September to early November. This family-run, real-working farm provides one of the largest fall experiences in the state, from an enormous pumpkin patch to abundant activities. Visitors can visit the petting zoo, take a hayride, get lost in the corn maze, take a spin on the carousel, and watch the pig races. Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm also makes delicious food, such as hand-dipped corndogs, pumpkin apple muffins, garlic fries, and cider slushies.
2. Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch
From late September to the end of October, you can visit the pumpkin patch at Spina Farms in Morgan Hill, south of San Jose. Spina Farms is excellent for the whole family and features a dinosaur-themed fall event, where you will find hay rides, train rides, two corn mazes, and pumpkin blasters. You can also check out live music events on their new stage! There are many photo spots placed around the farm and beautiful natural scenery from the fields of sunflowers. This pumpkin patch can get pretty crowded on the weekends, so aim for weekdays if possible.
3. Cool Patch Pumpkins
Located in Dixon, California, outside of Vacaville, Cool Patch Pumpkins is a favorite fall attraction for Northern California residents. This farm provides one of the largest corn mazes in the country, with twists, turns, bridges, and multiple checkpoints. Many claim it takes one to two hours to complete, so bring water and comfortable shoes! You can also pick your pumpkin right off the vine, take a tour in a hay truck, or swim in corn. Make sure you grab some freshly squeezed lemonade and kettle corn before you leave!
4. Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch
This Santa Rosa-based pumpkin patch has everything you could want in a fall experience and more. With a $5 general wristband admission, you get access to the petting zoo, corn hole, ball zone, corn play box, and more games. But this attraction also has jumping pillows, inflatable slides, bounce houses, a corn maze, pumpkin blasters, hay rides, pony rides, and Zorb water balls. The pumpkin patch has a variety of pumpkins and gourds for visitors to pick themselves. The Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch is a reasonably priced fall attraction for the whole family. Don’t forget to grab some goodies on your way out, like caramel apples, funnel cakes, and chili cheese nachos.
5. Fantozzi Farms
Located southwest of Modesto in Patterson, California, Fantozzi Farms is known for its annual corn maze and pumpkin patch. This place is tons of fun for friends and family, and you can spend a whole day exploring and playing. Along with the pumpkin patch, visitors can check out the corn maze, goats, tractor rides, giant trampolines, pig racing, and much more. For older kids and adults, you can check out the Haunted Maze on select nights in October. Walk through the dark corn stalks and wait to see what pops out!
6. The Haunted Pumpkin Patch
Northeast of Sacramento in Grass Valley, The Haunted Pumpkin Patch is open every day in October. This attraction is very family-friendly and features a little pumpkin patch, fresh cider, and a haunted house. You can choose different levels for the haunted house, such as mild for children and high for adults. Little kids can walk through the set, ask questions, and see the decorations, while adults and teens can be scared by the paid actors!
A Recap of the 6 Best Pumpkin Patches in Northern California
Rank | Best Pumpkin Patches in Northern California | Location |
---|---|---|
#1 | Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm | Wheatland |
#2 | Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch | Morgan Hill |
#3 | Cool Patch Pumpkins | Dixon |
#4 | Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch | Santa Rosa |
#5 | Fantozzi Farms | Patterson |
#6 | The Haunted Pumpkin Patch | Grass Valley |