Fall in the Bay Area means one thing for families: pumpkins. We track 550+ local sources and pulled together the patches actually worth the drive — from Half Moon Bay's coastal farms to the South Bay, East Bay and Peninsula — with what each is best for (toddlers vs. maze-lovers), the attractions on offer, and the real harvest festivals happening this season, refreshed every week.
Arata Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay · Late September through October 31 · Best for Bigger kids & maze lovers
Half Moon Bay's oldest patch (est. 1932) and home of the legendary Minotaur's Labyrinth hay maze — a genuinely hard 2-acre maze that's redesigned every year. Give the maze an hour.
2-acre hay maze · Pumpkin picking · Petting zoo · Pony rides · Train rides · Haunted barn
Free entry · paid attractionsVisit official site →Farmer John's Pumpkins
Half Moon Bay · October · Best for Photos & a classic patch
A classic, no-frills roadside patch on Highway 92 known for its giant pumpkins and picture-perfect coastal-farm look. Low-key and photogenic.
Pumpkin picking · Giant pumpkins · Roadside farm stand
Free admissionVisit official site →G&M Farms
Livermore · Late September through October · Best for East Bay / Tri-Valley families
The East Bay / Tri-Valley pick, with a big corn maze and hay rides alongside the patch — the closest full-size farm experience for Livermore, Pleasanton and Dublin families.
Corn maze · Hay rides · Pumpkin patch · Farm animals
Free entry · paid attractionsVisit official site →Lemos Farm
Half Moon Bay · Fall patch in Sept–Oct; farm open weekends year-round · Best for Toddlers & young kids
More mini fall-fair than plain patch — pony and train rides, a petting zoo and a (kid-friendly) haunted house. The go-to for younger, high-energy kids.
Pony rides · Train rides · Petting zoo · Goat yoga · Hay rides · Haunted house
Free entry · paid attractionsVisit official site →Pastorino Farms
Half Moon Bay · October · Best for Decorating & fall décor
A Highway 92 farm stand piled high with pumpkins, gourds, mums and fall décor — great for stocking up on Halloween and harvest decorating.
Pumpkins · Fall décor · Flowers · Farm stand
Free admissionVisit official site →Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch
San Jose · Late September through October · Best for South Bay families, all ages
The South Bay's best-known patch, in the open fields of Coyote Valley. Free to enter with pay-per-attraction tickets on-site — a classic, unfussy farm day.
Hay rides · Corn maze · Pumpkin blasters · Cow train · Farm animals
Free entry · paid attractionsVisit official site →Webb Ranch Pumpkin Patch
Portola Valley · October, typically open 7 days a week through Oct 31 · Best for Peninsula families
A convenient Peninsula patch just off I-280 with pony rides and farm animals — an easy, low-drive option for Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Woodside families.
Pumpkin patch · Pony rides · Farm animals
Free entry · paid attractionsVisit official site →
Upcoming pumpkin & fall-harvest events
Live from our catalog — 2 upcoming, refreshed weekly.
Monday, October 12
Pumpkin fever is sweeping through Half Moon Bay as anticipation reaches a boiling point for one of autumn’s most thrilling spectacles: the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Set for Monday, October 12th, in the picturesque “World Pumpkin Capital” of Half Moon Bay, California, this legendary contest—dubbed th…
Saturday, October 17
54th Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, October 17 & 18, One of America’s Most Iconic Festivals Returns “CELEBRATING THE GREAT & ALMIGHTY GOURD” One of America’s most iconic festival brands, the all-star lineup includes over 250 booths showcasing handcrafted works from talented artists creating fine art and home déc…