Best Pumpkin Patches in San Diego 2023

At Pumpkin Station, 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 in our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego.

Pumpkin Station has 5 locations within California. Three are in San Diego, while two are in National City. Of the San Diego locations, Rancho Bernando is a full farm, while the Del Mar and Mission Valley varieties are stations.

If you want the full experience of selecting your own pumpkin from the field, head to the farm! 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.

Pumpkin Station operates from September 29th through October 31st each year. Hours are Sunday - Thursday 9 am to 7 pm with Friday & Saturday offering extended hours from 9 am to 9 pm.

Take your kids pumpkin picking at a family-owned business in San Diego’s foothills. Summers Past Farms is located at 15602 Olde Hwy 80, Flinn Springs in the Alpine area of California. While the farm hosts events around the year, it’s best known 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. Seasonal events and a cozy farm atmosphere make this spot more than deserving of recognition in our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego.

If you’re looking to pick up a few early holiday gifts, be sure to visit the on-site country store. Shop for home decor, seasonal treats, gift baskets, handmade soaps, and more.

For 2023, the pumpkin patch is open for the entire month of October, while the gardens and store are open year-round. Hours are Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9 am - 4 pm; and Sunday 10 am - 4 pm. Summers Past Farms is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

Fall fun awaits at Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch! This pumpkin patch has a large field where you can select 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.

Enjoy family-friendly activities during your visit. Decorate your pumpkin of choice, or try out pumpkin bowling. Run through the corn maze and see farm animals at the petting zoo. Kids can play fall themed games and jump around in the bounce house. Snap a pic at the photo station, and play fall themed twists on classic games like “boo-loon” pop and candy corn hole.

Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch also offers bookings for birthday parties, field trips, and other celebrations. All locations have free admission and parking - only pay for your pumpkin and tickets for activities.

Both the Belmont Park and La Jolla locations are open this year from October 1st to October 31st.

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

Visit the yearly Pumpkin Patch event for traditional fall activities and long lasting memories. Bates Nut Farm has hosted its Pumpkin Patch event for over 50 years, 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. 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. Get henna or face and body painting from Fancy Nancy Faces. Live music performances are scheduled throughout the season.

Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch is at 15954 Woods Valley Road in Valley Center, CA. Pumpkin picking and other activities are available from September 16th to October 31st in 2023, so it’s perfect if you’re looking to get an early jump on fall festivities. The pumpkin patch is open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm, Friday 9:00 am - 6:30 pm and Saturday & Sunday from 8:30 am - 6:00 pm.

Visit Liberty Station between September 22nd and October 31st, 2023 to check out the Goff Family Pumpkin Patch. This seasonal attraction is at 2830 Perry Road, San Diego CA, 92106. Hours are Sunday - Thursday 9am – 8pm and Friday - Saturday 9am - 9pm.

Goff Family Pumpkin Patch has a large selection of pumpkins to choose from in varying colors, sizes, and shapes. Find the perfect gourd for you, 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.

Take photographs among the pumpkins and other fall decor like tractors and hay bales. Admission is free, so bring the whole family, including leashed pets! This is a great spot for a picnic as well.

For a bonus to the fun, adults can have a drink or two at the Tap Truck, which is onsite every weekend from Friday to Sunday. The Tap Truck serves beer and wine.

Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch at 842 CA-78, Ramona, CA 92065 is a must-see farm if you’re celebrating the holidays in San Diego. This cozy little ranch offers visitors all the best traditional fall activities at its yearly pumpkin patch, which runs this year from September 23rd through 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. 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. Have fun carving a spooky jack-o’-lantern or paint your pumpkin with creative designs. Other activities at the ranch include pony rides and a corn cannon.

Looking for a fun way to celebrate Christmas in San Diego too? Mountain Valley Ranch also has a Christmas tree farm later in the season.

Head to Chula Vista for pumpkin picking fun at Tom’s Adventures Pumpkin Patch. Select pumpkins for carving in the lead up to Halloween, or pick up some festive decorations perfect for Thanksgiving celebrations.

The pumpkin patch has 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 here if you have a school trip or birthday party coming up. 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 Patch has free onsite parking and allows outside food and drink to be brought in for a scenic picnic. For the 2023 season, you can visit the pumpkin patch from October 1st to the 31st at 555 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 92078.

You can also visit the Christmas tree farm here later in the year. Hours are Monday-Friday: 3pm-9pm and Saturday-Sunday: 11am-9pm.

The “U-Pick” Pumpkin Patch at The Farm Stand West in Escondido opens for business on October 1st in 2023, and remains open through October 31st. It’s the perfect Halloween attraction to get the kids excited for the holiday and to pick up some decorations.

This family owned farm is located at 2115 Miller Avenue, Escondido, California 92025. Access to the pumpkin fields and other fall activities are available from 10 am - 5 pm every day. Buy classic fall treats like hot apple cider and pumpkin pie while you take a hayride around the farm. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are waiting to be picked out in the field.

As an added treat, The Farm Stand West also hosts an Artisan Makers Market at The Farmstand & Fall Festival on October 9th and 10th. This exciting weekend celebration has opportunities for hayrides and pumpkin picking alongside classic farmers market staples like fresh produce, homemade artisanal goods, and crafts.