SAN DIEGO -- Living in paradise can sometimes make it hard to get into the holiday spirit. Sure, San Diegans can always sip on a pumpkin latte in 80 degree weather or throw on a wool sweater ... between the hours of 6 and 8 a.m. But when it comes to Halloween in America's Finest City, there's nothing quite like packing up the family for a fun-filled day trip to a pumpkin patch.
We're fortunate to be just a short drive away from so many wonderful local farms offering a wide array of activities for celebrants of all ages. So pack up your kids, parents, and even four-legged friends and enjoy our picks for the most perfectly pleasurable pumpkin patches.
- Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch- What originally began as a walnut farm has developed into an annual family tradition for many in San Diego and beyond. Visitors can grab a wheelbarrow and pick from an assortment of pumpkins. Then hop on a tractor hay ride through a straw maze. It's even leashed-dog friendly. 15954 Woods Valley Rd., Valley Center, CA 92082, (800) 642-0348
- Cross Family Farm Pumpkin Patch - If farm animals is on your family's list of musts, be sure to stop by the Cross Family Farm's barnyard this season. There will also be tractor-drawn hayrides, and cider pressing. 4381 CA-78, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070, (951) 313-0166
- Peltzer Pumpkin Farm - The whole family will love betting on who will win at the daily pig races. Will it be Notorious P.I.G., Kim Kardash'aham or Bacon Shelton? If pigs aren't your thing, maybe the child in your life would like a pony ride on Winnie or Little Horse. 39925 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA 92591, (951) 695-1115
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Pumpkin Station - No matter where you are in the county, there's likely a Pumpkin Station nearby. The stations feature giant slides, inflatables, a game center and more. If you'd prefer to stroll through a living pumpkin patch or explore a corn maze, visit one of Pumpkin Station's farms in Bonita and Rancho Bernardo.
Del Mar: 15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Del Mar, CA 92014
Mission Valley: 1640 1/2 Camino Del Rio, No. San Diego, CA. 92108
National City: 3030 Plaza Bonita Rd. National City, CA. 91950
Rancho Bernardo: 13421 Highland Valley Road Escondido, CA. 92025
Bonita: 5354 Sweetwater Rd., Bonita, CA. 91902 - Pumpkin Palooza at Suzie’s Farm - These Saturday events at the organic Suzie's Farm is bound to delight the music lover in your life. There will be live music during the mid-day, pumpkin carving and even an educational owl encounter where you can get a selfie with Hensen the owl. 2570 Sunset Ave., San Diego, CA 92154, (619) 662-1780
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