Best Pumpkin Patches in San Diego 2025

Autumn comes alive at one of our team’s absolute favorite pumpkin patches in San Diego, the pumpkin patch at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company in Carlsbad!

The aroma from food stalls at this pumpkin patch is tempting, and the weekend artisans only enhance the cultural vibe. A strawberry farm most of the year, for about a month and a half in 2025, visitors will be treated to one of the most beautiful pumpkin patches I could possibly recommend. They have pumpkins of all shapes and sizes yes, but also flowers, animals and more Instagram spots than I can count!

The family farm requires a general admission fee of $15 per person. But with a ticket in hand, you and your family will get to enter a realm of pumpkins, Marigold fields, and picture-perfect spots, with the giant pumpkins being one you won’t want to miss.

They offer a tractor ride for $10 per person where you can lap the property to see the lagoon, the freeway, and of course the pumpkin patch.

The Goat & Sheep Petting Zoo (extra $5 per person) is also a treat for kids, with Shetland Sheep and Nubian Goats enjoying visitors' affection. The Rabbit Pen (extra $5 per person) is another special experience reserved for visitors to the Carlsbad Strawberry Company.

Bounceland will be onsite with a variety of blowup houses and slides which are always a ton of fun and laughs for kids.

New in 2025, the Carlsbad Strawberry Company is welcoming Jurassic Fright, a walking path complete with animatronic dinosaurs, themed zones, and a prehistoric world that your like dino-lover kids will adore.

The annual corn maze is back in 2025 and I’m happy to see it! It provides a blend of fun and challenge over a pretty unbelievable 1.5 miles. It’s open all day, every day, or more specifically when the pumpkin patch is open and can be explored for $10 per person.

The Carlsbad Strawberry Company also teamed up in 2025 with the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation to create a pretty awesome (and terrifying cool) haunted corn maze.

Designed for teenagers and adults, corn maze admission is $25 per person, or $45 for a Fast Pass ticket that will eliminate any waiting. The maze is open on Friday & Saturday nights from 7pm to 10pm. Be sure to visit between Friday, October 3rd and Saturday, November 1st, 2025.

Dogs on a leash are allowed during pumpkin patch season, they have porta-potties on site, and parking is free in the dirt lot in front of the main entrance.

The pumpkin patch at Carlsbad Strawberry Company will be open for business from Tuesday, September 16th until Saturday, November 1st, 2025.

Why We Love It

The corn maze here is just big enough to pose a challenge for families but not so big that you ever end up feeling hopelessly lost, which made it one of the most fun corn mazes on our list.

Plus you can’t go wrong with a petting zoo!

Our Insider Tip

This is a fairly popular pumpkin patch, so if you’re hoping to pick out the perfect gourd, you’ll want to go early in the season before all the best ones have been picked over.

Do note that in addition to the aforementioned haunted corn maze, some additional attractions like the sheep and goats, rabbits, standard corn maze, tractor rides, miscellaneous food, activity vendors, and bounce houses have additional fees.

If you visit Liberty Station this fall, you’ll have the opportunity to check out one of my personal favorite pumpkin patches in San Diego, the Goff Family Pumpkin Patch.

Located next to the Loma Club putting green just inside the north entrance, across from SparkCycle, the Goff Family Pumpkin Patch has a large selection of pumpkins to choose from in varying colors, sizes, and shapes. So whether you’re looking for a small decoration for the front porch or a massive pumpkin for the whole family to carve and decorate together, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find a pumpkin you love.

The staff has always been super friendly to me and my kids, encouraging us to take photographs among the pumpkins and other fall decor like tractors and hay bales. Admission is free and the patch is dog-friendly for leased pets!

I love my new dog, as I know many of you out there do as well, and think 2025 will be the year he gets to join us for some fall pumpkin pictures!

For a family time bonus idea, the pumpkin patch is a great spot for a picnic. The pumpkin patch sells handmade pizzas Friday thru Sunday from 12:00pm until close. And for the adults, the Tap Truck opens on Friday from 4:00pm until close and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm until close, serving tasty beer and wine!

We’ve given Goff Family Pumpkin Patch a special shout out on our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego because it’s the perfect example of a classic pumpkin picking experience to get the whole family in the fall festival mindset.

The pumpkin patch opens Friday, September 19th for the 2025 season and will remain open right up until Halloween on Friday, October 31st!

Why We Love It

OK, let’s start with the obvious - this pumpkin patch is centrally located in San Diego! Liberty Station is near the San Diego International Airport (SAN), so whether you’re coming from Pacific Beach like me, Chula Vista to the south, or even a bit further north in San Diego in say Oceanside in North County, you won’t have to go too far.

This pumpkin patch is our family's go-to as it’s not far from where we live and with a setup that’s very charming. Thanks to the Tap Truck, this isn’t just a spot for kids and their families - adults can have a fun fall-themed day too!

Our Insider Tip

The location in the middle of Liberty Station is a huge plus which offers a lot more to do after you’re done at the pumpkin patch.

Be sure to check out the ARTS DISTRICT while you’re there to see sculptures, murals, and other pieces by a rotation of featured local artists.+

New to our list in 2025, the Julian Farm and Orchard’s Harvest Fest is more than your average pumpkin patch.

Located east of Escondido and not far from the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, I personally know Julian for its famous apple pie. Some even call Julian the ‘Apple Capital of Southern California’. But as we enter October, pumpkins take center stage at the farm!

This is a BIG property with many activities to offer to families beyond just selecting a pumpkin. They have tractor rides, a scarecrow building contest, vending trucks, a petting zoo, ax throwing and even a rock wall climbing.

New in 2025, they’ve added sandboxes, Little Farmers John Deer Trikes, and professional face painting by Gaby's Facepainting on Saturdays and Sunday.

In addition you find a cider press demonstration, picnic areas and swings, yard games, kid play areas, antique tractors, photo stations and more!

In addition to pumpkins, they also sell flowers, raspberries, and strawberries. If you have teenagers, they might really enjoy the apple cannon! Yes you read that right! For $12 you can shoot 5 apples out of an apple cannon and watch them fly.

Julian Farm and Orchard offers alcohol and food through the Julian Food Truck with an exciting variety of independent vendors on Saturday and Sunday.

If you want to visit this massive property, make sure to be there between Friday, September 12th and Sunday, October 26th, 2025 from 10:00am until 4:00pm on Friday, Saturday or Sunday as they are closed during the week.

With so much to do for kids and parents, we decided to include a visit to the Julian Farm and Orchard’s Harvest Fest as one of the standout seasonal activities for our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego, alongside being a standout pumpkin patch.

Why We Love It

If you are interested in a full fall farm and pumpkin patch experience, a visit to the Julian Farm and Orchard’s Harvest Fest could be just what you’re looking for.

I just couldn’t believe how much they had to do from tractor rides to ax throwing, tasty food and vendors, to play areas for the kids and a petting zoo. And did I mention that the fall colors are beautiful? I think if you’re looking for a fun fall activity to enjoy with your whole family, you have to consider visiting this farm!

Our Insider Tips

The farm requires a ticket with General Admission costing $10 per person which includes access to the farm plus the picnic area, swings, selfie stations, kids play areas, sandbox, yard games and antique tractors. If you want to add in the petting zoo, tickets are $15 per person or with the petting zoo and tractor pull hayride, they are $20 per person.

If you want to go big, you can get an unlimited activity armband for $30 per person which adds in ax throwing, rock climbing and bell ringing to the fun! You just have to be at least 42” tall and 45 pounds to participate.

If you’re looking for a farm with free admission, then take your kids pumpkin picking at a family-owned business located right on the edge of San Diego’s foothills!

Summers Past Farms is in Flinn Springs in the Alpine area of California. While the farm hosts events throughout the year, it’s well known in the community for its excellent pumpkin patch and other fall celebrations.

In addition to pumpkin picking, Summers Past Farms has a corn maze and hay fort, both offering hours of fun for kids of all ages. The farm’s seasonal events and a cozy atmosphere make this spot more than deserving of recognition on our 2025 list.

New for 2025, visitors on Saturday October 18th, Sunday October 19th and Sunday October 26th from 11:00am until 3:00pm each day can have a brief meet and greet and five pictures with the adorable Highland cows. The photo booth and cow cuddling opportunity is $20 and something unique for the 2025 fall season.

During your visit you can also shop for a few early holiday gifts, at the on-site country store. There you’ll find home decor, seasonal treats, gift baskets, handmade soaps, and more.

For 2025, the pumpkin patch is open for the entire month of October, from the 1st until the 31st, while the gardens and store are open year-round. Hours are Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9:00am to 4:00pm; and Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm. Summers Past Farms is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

Why We Love It

Pumpkins are the main attraction, but you’ve got access to the whole farm. It’s a gorgeous spot to walk around and take some photos, especially by the lavender field when it’s in bloom.

Also, if you’ve never seen a Highland cow, the Scottish breed with a long shaggy coat is like a teddy bear met the cutest cow you’ve ever seen. In my opinion, a meet and greet with these gentile farm animals is well worth the admission cost.

Our Insider Tip

If you’ll still be in San Diego in early November, you’ll be just in time for Summers Past Farms’ bi-annual Antique & Craft Fair Vendors Day held on their spacious lawn area.

Scheduled for 9:00am until 3:00pm on Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd, you can expect 50+ craftsmen and artisans offering their crafts, collectibles and antiques.

Mr. Jack O' Lanterns Pumpkin Patch has moved locations a few times over the last few years. A few years ago I visited them in Belmont Park where they had pumpkins and carnival games for kids which fit perfectly with the historic Belmont Park and right there. They also had a location in La Jolla at one point.

In 2025, while they have Los Angeles locations in Brea, West LA and Torrance and even one in West Palm Beach, Florida, the only San Diego location of Mr. Jack O' Lanterns Pumpkin Patch in the Clairemont neighborhood at 3901 Clairemont Dr. San Diego, CA 92117.

This pumpkin patch has a large selection where you can pick the perfect size pumpkin, from huge 50+ pound giants to little decorative gourds. In addition to pumpkins, Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch also sells squash, hay, and corn stalks.

You can enjoy family-friendly activities during your visit such as pumpkin decorating or pumpkin bowling. You can also see farm animals at the petting zoo.

Kids can also play fall themed games and jump around in the bounce house. Adults and teens can snap a pic at the photo station, and play fall themed twists on classic games like “boo-loon” pop and candy corn hole or boosketball.

Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch also offers bookings for birthday parties, field trips, and a pumpkin carving service. They also offer the delivery and installation of full porch displays which can make your front door, home, or office into a fall wonderland!

Admission and parking are free - only pay for your pumpkin and tickets for activities!

It’s worth mentioning that after pumpkin season concludes, we’ll quickly be into the Christmas season and Mr. Jack O' Lanterns Pumpkin Patch will transform into Mr. Jingles Christmas Tree Lot at the same location. They’re also scheduled to have lots in 2025 in Balboa Park and La Jolla. Explore our Best Christmas Tree Lots in San Diego article to learn more about this lot and many more!

The Clairemont pumpkin patch opens at 12:00pm Monday through Friday and 10:00am on Saturday and Sunday, closing every day at 8:00pm. They open for the 2025 season on Friday, October 3rd and will be there until Sunday, November 2nd, 2025.

Why We Love It

The cute fall-themed games are the star attraction here. It’s nice that there’s more to do than simply buying a pumpkin, and parents will appreciate the opportunities to take photos to look back on when the kids are grown.

Our Insider Tip

The 2025 Mr. Jack O' Lanterns Pumpkin Patch location in Clairemont is only about a 10 minute drive from one of the most popular attractions in the city, SeaWorld San Diego.

Right now they are celebrating fall with their all-age Halloween Spooktacular event that is full of special activities for kids, plus culinary treats for the adults.

You can even get a fantastic deal with a Go City San Diego pass using discount code GVSD5OFF. And from October 1st to October 13th, 2025, be sure to take advantage of the Kids Go Free in October with the Go City San Diego Pass promotion where you can get up to four free kids passes with the purchase of just one Adult Essentials Go City San Diego pass.

It’s literally the best Go City San Diego pass deal our team has ever seen and the only catch is that the kids passes must be used by October 31st, 2025.

At any of the five Pumpkin Station locations, you can do much more than just pick and carve pumpkins.

These locations offer some of the best kid-friendly ways to celebrate Halloween and the fall season. The range of games, rides, and activities on offer makes a visit to one of Pumpkin Station’s incredible pumpkin patches a standout attraction.

While all five of the Pumpkin Station pumpkin patches are located in San Diego, Bonito and Rancho Bernando are on farms, while the National City, Del Mar and Mission Valley varieties are stations.

If you want the full experience of selecting your own pumpkin from the field, head to one of the farms! You’ll get to visit the animals at the petting zoo and solve a corn maze. To really get you in the holiday spirit, they offer train rides and hayrides through their Christmas tree farm!

At station locations, kids can enjoy a variety of holiday themed activities. Carving and decorating pumpkins is a must, but children can also go on kiddie rides, slide down giant slides, play in inflatable bounce castles, and visit a petting zoo. The stations also include train rides and a Ferris wheel at each city location (Del Mar, Mission Valley and Plaza Bonita / National City) so they are a solid pumpkin patch experience choice as well!

The Pumpkin Stations are open in 2025 from Friday, September 26th until Friday, October 31st with the Del Mar Pumpkin Station location closing for the season on Friday, October 26th, 2025.

Why We Love It

With rides, inflatable play centers, huge slides, and tons of games, visiting a Pumpkin Station is an attraction in its own right and well worth the trip for any families visiting San Diego in the fall.

I personally like that if you’re coming from the coast or say Downtown San Diego, they have three locations that could work for you. And if you have a bit more time, you can visit one of their farm locations, enjoy an apple cider, live corn maze, and incredibly beautiful sunflower field which you just have to see to believe!

Our Insider Tip

Admission and parking at all of the five Pumpkin Station locations is completely free. You’ll only have to pay for pumpkins, food, and tickets which can be used for rides and experiences.

Bates Nut Farm operates year round in Valley Center in North County near Escondido. While it’s best known for its selections of nuts, dried fruits, and other snacks, during autumn it becomes a pumpkin paradise!

You can bring your family for the annual Pumpkin Patch event for traditional fall activities and long lasting memories. Bates Nut Farm has hosted its Pumpkin Patch event for over 50 years now, and it’s only gotten bigger and better each season.

The main attraction is the pumpkin patch itself, where various types of gourds grow in the fields. You can grab a wheelbarrow and pick from Jack O’Lantern, Big Mac, Cinderella, and Ghost pumpkin varieties, or pick up some squashes and gourds.

There are also plenty of activities for kids, such as a petting corral, pony rides, a straw maze, and a tractor hayride. You can get henna or face and body painting from Fancy Nancy Faces and listen to live music performances scheduled throughout the season.

Pumpkin picking and other activities are available from September 18th to October 31st in 2025, with this year’s scarecrow contest taking place on Saturday October 11th!

Why We Love It

Live music performances are the perfect complement to a day at a pumpkin patch. While there are lots of family-friendly activities here, we like that adults can also enjoy themselves too, and it’s common to see couples visiting as well.

I personally also love the food options at the Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch which you smell right when you arrive. Favorites include the turkey legs, rice bowls, and funnel cakes.

If you’re like me and like ice cream, I would highly recommend the Mariposa ice cream. This handcrafted treat is truly special and not to be missed!

Our Insider Tip

Make sure to head inside the store during your visit, where you’ll find everything from seasonal baked goods to barrels filled with assorted candies, plus cute farm-themed home decor. Most food products sold here are locally made.

One more local tip, consider visiting the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido when you’re in the area. It’s one of my family's favorite attractions in San Diego. You can use our discount code GVSD50FF to get a Go City San Diego pass for adults to get the lowest price for admission, and kids can get in free as part of the Kids Free San Diego program in October or Kids Go Free in October with the Go City San Diego Pass promotion.

California Farm Life Pumpkin Patch is making its first appearance on our 2025 list of the best pumpkin patches in San Diego and we think it’s an incredible addition.

Located in Ramona, a bit southeast of Escondido and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and northeast of Poway not far from one of my favorite hikes at Potato Chip Rock, this farm feels a bit more grown up that some of the others on our list.

Now don’t get me wrong, they are very family-friendly featuring a maze, tractor rides, pumpkin smashing and popcorn and kids slushies for the little guys. But they also have Flower and Pumpkin classes every Monday from 5:00pm until 6:00pm from September 22nd until October 27th and Pumpkin Succulent Classes every Wednesday from 5:00pm until 6:00pm from September 24th until October 29th.

Those classes can be booked on their website at $40 per person but well worth it to me!

The farm will be celebrating pumpkin season every day from Friday, September 19th until Friday, October 31st, 2025 with daily hours from 2:00pm to 6:00pm weekdays and 10:00pm to 6:00pm on weekends. And the staff is so nice that they advertise if these times don’t work for your family, contact them and they’ll see what they can do. That is amazing!

Why We Love It

California Farm Life’s Pumpkin Patch joined our list in 2025 because of their incredible selection of pumpkin varieties, genuine knowledge and care of the environment, and beauty of their farm during the fall and pumpkin season.

They have flowers including dahlia’s that make the area even more picturesque and pumpkins in the field on the vine that might be the best in town!

Our Insider Tips

It’s free to visit the pumpkin patch and you don’t need reservations either. They sell a ‘Golden Ticket’ daily pass for $20 per person or season ticket for $30 per person which includes all the rides and activities for kids.

They also will be hosting a Día de los Muertos event on Saturday, November 1st, 2025 with flowers, face painting, a market and more. If you’ve never experienced a Day of the Dead festival, my family especially loves the Día de los Muertos celebration in Old Town San Diego, but this one may need to be added to our list of Día de los Muertos celebrations across San Diego for 2025!

Coming from the city, if you head just past Santee or El Cajon, you’ll find the town of Lakeside and another new entry to our list for 2025, Oma's Family Farm’s Pumpkin Patch.

The site is very family-friendly with duck races, a hay maze, playgrounds, giant slides, a petting zoo and more! They also offer scenic tractor rides around the farm with Farmer Dave for just $5 per person.

For the adults, the have a gift shop with local fall treats, stunning candles, and holiday merchandise plus warm pretzels, ice cream, lemonade and other tasty food items at OmaGoodness Café. If you’re a military member, your ID will get you a free drink voucher for the café!

While the pumpkin selection is big, visiting Oma’s Family Farm is an experience by itself. There is a general admission fee that ranges from $16.50 per person during the week up to $21.67 on weekends. They offer a season pass for $46.51 if you want to visit a few times. Kids 2 and under are free!

They also offer premium ticket options like the Goat Gobbler Package which adds in feeding the goats for your kids, the Pumpkin Package which gets you your choice of a pumpkin from the Jack Patch Area or $5 off a larger pumpkin or the combo ticket which includes it all!

You’ll find the farm open for business Tuesday through Saturday from Saturday, September 27th until Saturday, November 1st, 2025.

Why We Love It

Oma’s Pumpkin Patch feels very classic to me and is a nice mix of the city pumpkin patches and the country style farm pumpkin patches on our list. It features lots to do for kids like tractor rides and petting zoo plus a quality selection of pumpkins and other seasonal goods.

It’s the kind of place where you can bring your young kids, let them run around the play areas, grab a pretzel and a drink and just enjoy San Diego’s fall weather!

Our Insider Tips

Unlike past years, Oma’s Family Farm won’t be selling Christmas trees this season. So that means that if you want to experience all the farm has to offer in 2025, pumpkin season is your best bet!

Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch in Ramona is a location I’d recommend if you’re celebrating the holidays in San Diego. This cozy little ranch offers visitors all the best traditional fall activities at its annual pumpkin patch, which runs in 2025 from Saturday, September 27th through Saturday, October 31st. Stop by any day of the week from 9am - 6pm for pumpkin picking and other fun and games.

There’s no cost for admission to Mountain Valley Ranch, so it’s a great addition to the Best Free Things to Do in San Diego. You can walk through the barn and corn maze, take photos of the kids among the pumpkins, and see farm animals up close and personal at the petting zoo.

Of course, the main event here is the large pumpkin field where you can select a pumpkin to take home and decorate. The ranch always seems to have the perfect pumpkin for carving a spooky jack-o’-lantern or painting one with a creative design. Other activities at the ranch include pony rides and a corn cannon.

If you’re already thinking beyond Halloween, the Mountain Valley Ranch also has a Christmas tree farm later in the season. It’s never too early to think about Christmas in San Diego!

Why We Love It

Fun additions like the corn canon and pony rides make this a standout pumpkin patch for parents with younger kids. We think it’s worth a visit even if you’ve already picked up a pumpkin from another farm this season and are in the area.

I also must say that the corn maze is pretty awesome and gets great reviews from visitors each year!

Our Insider Tip

The weekends tend to draw bigger crowds, but the farm has snack and refreshment stands, and hayrides are only given on weekends too - so if you’re planning to stay for an hour or two, there’s a little more to do on Saturdays and Sundays.

If you live in southern San Diego, head to Chula Vista for pumpkin picking fun at Tom’s Adventures Pumpkin Patch. There you can select pumpkins for carving in the lead up to Halloween, or pick up some festive decorations perfect for Thanksgiving celebrations.

And new in 2025, Tom’s Adventures Pumpkin Patch has two new locations near Carlsbad in Vista and San Marcos.

The pumpkin patches have multiple varieties of pumpkins to choose from. These include pams, big macs, sugars, gourds, minis, and edible fresh-grown squashes. The smaller mystics variety of pumpkin is perfect for kids to decorate, but there are plenty of huge pumpkins available as well.

You can also host a special event at one of their pumpkin patches if you have a school trip or birthday party coming up. You’ll get to enjoy your own private corner of the farm with Halloween themed decor, plus the fun and games available to all visitors.

Tom’s Adventures Pumpkin Patches have free onsite parking, a $1 per person entry fee, and allows outside food and drink to be brought in for a scenic picnic. For the 2025 season, you can visit the pumpkin patch from Friday, September 26th until Friday, October 31st.

You can also visit the Christmas tree farm hosted in the same location later in the season!

Why We Love It

Of all the entries on this list, Tom’s Adventures has one of the greatest varieties of pumpkins and gourds. It’s a great pick if you’re looking for a more unusual type of pumpkin, though there are lots of classic big orange ones too.

Our Insider Tip

While some of the pumpkin patches on our list allow you to bring your dog, Tom’s Adventures Pumpkin Patches do not. Service dogs are always welcome but they ask that if your dog is along for the ride that they stay in your car in a shaded area.

The family owned “U-Pick” Pumpkin Patch at The Farm Stand West in Escondido opened for business on Wednesday, October 1st in 2025, and will remain open through Friday, October 31st. It’s the perfect Halloween attraction to get the kids excited for the holiday and to pick up some decorations.

Access to the pumpkin fields and other fall activities are available from 10:00am – 5:00pm every day. Classic fall treats like hot apple cider and pumpkin pie are available while you take a hayride around the farm.

Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are waiting to be picked out in the field on this incredibly scenic farm in northwest San Diego!

Why We Love It

This is a true local farmstand with a huge offering of seasonal baked goods (including a dedicated line of gluten-free desserts) and year-round fresh grown produce. You can feel good about supporting a family-owned local business while also celebrating the holidays.

Our Insider Tip

The Farm Stand West offers u-pick fresh persimmons during October and November, which is often running during pumpkin patch season and is another fun activity to do while you’re there.

Also, don’t miss the Fall Festival which they’ve held since 1979. It includes tractor rides, seasonal produce and a wide selection of fall treats that are just down right delicious.

I promised you a couple family-friendly fall activities and the Pumpkin Express is the first one I’d like to share!

The annual Pumpkin Express Halloween Celebration invites kids and parents to embark on a fall-themed train ride along the San Diego and Arizona Railway.

The event is put on each year by the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association. It begins with a train ride from the Campo Depot but also includes time to explore the rooms of the museum and learn about railway history on the West Coast.

This is a ticketed event with both Classic Coach and First Class seating available. In First Class, you’ll get access to a snack bar and even have a chance to step outside and admire the view while riding the rails.

2025 Classic Coach prices are $18.95 for kids and $24.95 for adults with a 10% military discount available. First Class seats are available for $33.95 for kids and $39.95 for adults.

Every toddler or child ticket also comes with a complimentary pumpkin, and kids can decorate their pumpkins in the Display Building after the train ride. The pumpkins are grown right outside the museum on their own pumpkin patch, and additional pumpkins can be purchased for $10 each.

As this is a Halloween celebration, riders are highly encouraged to come in costume. Both kids and adults can show off their creative, silly, and spooky costumes throughout October.

Why We Love It

Though I haven’t had a chance to check out the Halloween Celebration myself yet, I’ve heard from other parents that this is a lot of fun, especially if you have smaller kids who aren’t old enough for the rides and games at other farm stands.

Our Insider Tip

While the Pumpkin Express is a kid-friendly activity, the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association also offers an adults-only Halloween-themed activity.

The Sip & Scare Sunset Special that runs on Saturdays in October features spooky ghost stories and complimentary cocktails.

Climb aboard a themed ghost bus and listen to costumed actors weave tales from the spookier side of San Diego’s history on the San Diego Haunted Ghost Tour by Bus.

Though the tour starts in Old Town San Diego, you’ll get to see a number of locations around San Diego, each of which are alleged to have some ghostly activity. On the tour, we visited 5 different locations and got to hop off and go inside 4 of them.

We explored Villa Montezuma, Horton Grand Hotel, El Campo Santo Cemetery in Old Town, and the famous Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House. Though I didn’t glimpse any ghosts myself, the creepy atmosphere was noticeable, especially at the Gaslamp Museum. There was also a stop at the Whaley House though we didn’t go inside.

Unlike some of our other favorite ghost hunting tours in San Diego, the goal of this Haunted Ghost Tour wasn’t to scare us or to hunt for ghosts but to simply share stories. It’s a good choice for families with kids or anyone who might be a little too frightened for tours that promise genuine ghost encounters.

Why We Love It

When I went on this bus tour with my wife recently, our guide started by saying he wasn’t a ghost hunter but a storyteller, and that all of his stories are 100% true. We were entertained the whole time, and the way the tour leaned into the presentation aspect made it tons of fun.

Our Insider Tip

If you have the chance, try the Pale Hunter ghost bus which takes the theatricality to the next level. It aims to be the most immersive of the current fleet of buses and provide a new and improved experience for tour attendees.