Autumn is one of the most magical seasons in San Diego, CA. The city comes alive with culinary festivals, harvest activities, and everyone’s fall favorite – pumpkin patches! As the leaves begin to change, and the evenings grow cooler, pumpkin patches begin to sprout up and open their doors throughout the city and surrounding neighborhoods. From fun urban farmers' markets to picturesque farm settings – pumpkin patches are the place to go to get in the autumn spirit in San Diego County.
Summer might be the season when San Diego experiences the most tourism, but locals know that pumpkin season is the best time of all in America’s Finest City. Peak tourist season starts to wind down towards the end of August, while the weather remains warm and sunny. Temperatures tend to hover somewhere in the 70s, the surf is at its best, and the ocean is often still warm enough for swimming.
As tourist season wraps up and kids head back to school, hotel prices become more affordable, and popular attractions won’t be as crowded. It's easy to see why September and October are ideal times to visit San Diego and one of the favorite seasons for San Diego residents. From National City to Liberty Station and beyond, get into the fall spirit at a family-owned pumpkin patch with pumpkin picking, autumn treats, and even checking out a jack-o-lantern or two.
If you’re in Southern California during the fall season, don’t skip a visit to one of the region's many pumpkin patches. Choosing the perfect pumpkin is an activity for the whole family and a wonderful way to get outside and enjoy San Diego’s gorgeous sunshine.
San Diego pumpkin patches offer more than simply a place to choose the most adorable gourd – you can participate in fall fun like tractor rides, corn mazes, petting zoos, pony rides, peep the changing colors of the leaves, and tasty fall treats and seasonal delicacies that will make your mouth water. Get ready to celebrate the season with this guide to the best pumpkin patches in San Diego.
When Do Pumpkin Patches Open in San Diego?
The first pumpkin patches in San Diego County will begin to open their doors in the first week of September and stay open through early November, offering you plenty of time to experience multiple locations throughout the sunny days of autumn. As the days grow shorter, the nights cooler, and the leaves begin to turn vibrant hues more and more pumpkin patches and farm stands selling fall produce begin to sprout up in San Diego and surrounding neighborhoods.
By the time October rolls around, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Choosing the perfect pumpkin patch is just as important as picking your own pumpkins. Keep this list of the best pumpkin patches in San Diego handy as summer draws to a close, and get ready for farms, fall, and fun in San Diego!
The Best Pumpkin Patches in San Diego
Bates Nut Farm
Location:
15954 Woods Valley Road
Valley Center, CA
Hours of Operation:
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Mon-Thurs: – 9am – 5:30pm
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Friday: 9 am – 6:30 pm
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Sat-Sun: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Cost:
Free on weekdays
$8 parking on weekends
Bates Nut Farm has been a favorite spot for San Diego locals for generations. The farm itself has been around for over 100 years and is located about an hour outside of downtown San Diego. The gorgeous ranch property was purchased by Gilbert and Beatrice Bates in 1921, and their descendants have kept the dream alive. Bates Farm attracts thousands of visitors each fall, many of whom return year after year.
Bates Farm is a popular place to visit throughout the year to purchase nuts from around the world. The retail store space is filled with antiques and sells nuts, candy, dried fruit, chocolate, and other gourmet treats. The property hosts a variety of events throughout the year including dog shows, car shows, craft fairs, and food festivals.
Bates Nut Farms Pumpkin Patch is undoubtedly one of the best in the city. It opens around the middle of September each year. The opening date in 2023 will be Saturday, September 16th. On a visit to the Bates Pumpkin Patch, you can enjoy activities like hay rides, a straw maze, pony rides, and petting zoos. Each Friday there is a fall festival from 3:30 – 6:30 pm with face painting, crafts, a bouncy house, and more. Weekends offer more activities like rock climbing, photobooths, balloon art, and live music.
Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch
Location:
842 Highway 78
Ramona, CA 92065
Hours of Operation:
Daily from 9 am – 6 pm
Cost: Free!
Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch is a mainstay in the San Diego pumpkin scene with a 25-year track record of providing fall fun on the farm. The property is located 40 miles from downtown San Diego in the town of Ramona and can be reached in just over an hour. The area was once referred to as The Valley of the Sun by the indigenous people from the area and is a popular spot for outdoor recreation like hiking, fishing, and horseback riding.
You can purchase pumpkins, gourds, and Indian corn all grown on-site. Activities include a corn maze, corn cannons, petting zoos, and pony rides. The living pumpkin patch opens around September 24th and stays open 7 days a week until Halloween.
Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch
Location:
6170 La Jolla Blvd,
La Jolla, CA 92037
Hours of Operation:
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Closed: Monday
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Tues – Thurs: 11 am – 8 pm
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Friday – Sat: 10 am – 9 pm
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Sunday: 10 am – 8 pm
Cost: Free
Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns is a family-run business established in 2010 with multiple locations around California. If you’re looking to stay close to the city, visit their location in La Jolla which is only about 16 miles from the San Diego city center.
Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns pumpkins are wonderful and this spot offers tons of fun for the whole family, in addition to pumpkins you can enjoy activities like pumpkin painting, candy corn hole, farm animal meet and greets, fall crafts, and more. Fun lovers of all ages will love trying their luck at onsite pumpkin bowling. If you’re looking to book a fun fall birthday party for your little pumpkin, Mr. Jack’s is a great option.
You’ll find pumpkins of all sizes and shapes at this urban pumpkin patch – from tiny decorative pumpkins to 50-pound giants! There is also a pop-up shop that sells Halloween costumes and décor. Mr. Jack’s opens on October first and there is free onsite parking.
Palomar Pumpkin Palooza
Location:
1200 Laurel Tree Ln
Carlsbad, CA, US 92011
Hours of Operation:
Mon – Thurs: 2 pm – 8 pm
Fri-Sun: 11 am – 9 pm
Cost: Free admission and free parking
Palomar Pumpkin Palooza is a favorite fall destination for local families and is only a 35-minute drive from downtown San Diego. There are hundreds of pumpkins to choose from in the pumpkin patch and all sorts of special activities and events throughout the season.
The event changes from year to year, but if past Pumpkin Paloozas are any indicator, it is bound to be a lively time. There are often food trucks set up, live music, petting zoos, bounce houses, and archery. On weekend nights you can catch fun Halloween movies outdoors on a giant projector screen.
Julian Mining Company
Location:
4444 State Hwy 78
Julian/Wynola, CA 92036
Hours of Operation:
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Friday: 11 am - 3 pm
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Saturday: 11 am - 4 pm
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Sunday: 12 pm - 4 pm
Cost: $10 per person
Fall is the perfect time of year to make the hour-long scenic drive to Julian, and many local families make the trip to Julian Mining Company’s annual pumpkin patch each year. Throughout the year, Julian Mining Company is a favorite destination for gold panning and learning about various stones and gems, but during Autumn it transforms into a mini fall festival.
Adults will love sipping on some delicious warm apple cider and soaking up the sunshine, while kids will love choosing their own pumpkin, apple picking, cider pressing demonstrations, and meeting the farm animals. There are plenty of activities to excite the adults too – including tomahawk throwing! An admission fee of around $10 includes 10 tickets which can be used for pumpkins, games, and activities.
Peltzer Pumpkin Farm
Location:
39925 Calle Contento
Temecula, CA 92591
Hours of Operation:
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Mon-Fri: 10 am - 8 pm
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Sat-Sun: 9 am - 8 pm
Cost:
$2 on weekdays and $3 on weekends.
Peltzer Pumpkin Farm is located about an hour outside of San Diego in the town of Temecula. The gorgeous property is also home to a farm and winery. This pumpkin patch opens around the last week of September and the opening weekend is an event that you shouldn’t miss!
There is live music, food trucks, and tasty treats. Adults will love the welcomed pumpkin patch addition of boozy fall beverages and kids can enjoy train rides, panning for gems, kiddie rides, carnival games, and a petting zoo.
If you love Peltzer Pumpkin Patch, you can even purchase a season pass for $50 that includes admission for a family of up to five on weekdays all season long.
Pacific Beach Pumpkin Patch
Location:
870 Garnet Avenue
Pacific Beach, CA 92109
Hours of Operation:
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Mon – Fri: 10am – 10pm
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Sat-Sun: 8 am – 10 pm
Cost: Free
Are you looking for a great pumpkin patch without leaving the action of San Diego? Pacific Beach Pumpkin Patch is the perfect pick for you! You can reach Pacific Beach from downtown in about 14 minutes, and if you’re traveling via public transportation this is a great option.
Opening on October 1st, this pumpkin patch boasts the largest selection of pumpkins in the area and even sells pumpkins up to 100 pounds! Kids will enjoy free pumpkin carving and painting stations. There are food and beverages for purchase on-site, but you will also receive a cup of free hot apple cider and shaved ice for children.
In addition to pumpkins, you can buy carving kits, gourds, Indian corn, straw bales, and more.
Carlsbad Strawberry Company
Location:
1050 Cannon Rd
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Hours of Operation:
Mon – Sun: 9 am – 6pm
Cost: $6 per person
Strawberries make way for pumpkins during the autumn months at Carlsbad Strawberry Company. Opening on September 18, this pumpkin patch can be visited through November 6th making it a great option for post-Halloween fun. Located a little over a half hour from San Diego, this farm has hundreds of pumpkins to choose from in the pumpkin patch, as well as activities for kids and families.
Take a hayride, get lost in the corn maze, play some games, or try shooting a bucket of apples from the unique apple cannon. The gorgeous fields of marigold flowers make for the perfect photo op to brighten up your Instagram feed. For additional fees, you can take a tractor ride around the property or get spooky in the haunted corn maze.
Oma’s Pumpkin Patch
Location:
14950 El Monte Rd
Lakeside, CA 92040
Hours of Operation:
Daily from 10 am – 7 pm
Cost:
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Weekday rates are $18 per child and $9 per person over 14
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Weekend rates are $21 per child and $13 per person over 14
San Diego families have loved visiting Oma’s Pumpkin Patch for 20 years. A yearly trip to Oma’s is a tradition for many in the area. The pumpkin patch and farm are in the Lakeside neighborhood about 30 minutes from San Diego and open for the season in late September. You can pick pumpkins right from the vine and then adventure around the farm for fun activities like pedal carts, climbing Cottonseed Mountain, a corn maze, a petting zoo, and wagon rides.
There are some great playgrounds for kids, making this a perfect all-day activity for little ones. Kids’ admission also includes a jack patch pumpkin, petting corral, and plenty more activities for the little ones.
Adults will love soaking up the autumn sun with a cup of hot apple cider while the kids play.
Summers Past Farms
Location:
15602 Olde Highway 80
Flinn Springs, CA 92021
Hours:
-
Thurs – Sat: 9 am – 4 pm
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Sunday: 10 am – 4 pm
Cost: Free
If your fall adventure calls for total immersion in nature and you’re longing to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a day, head to Summers Past Farms. The pumpkin patch is open for the entire month of October and features various shapes and sizes of pumpkins grown in the fields. There is a small corn maze and hay fort-building activities for kids.
Summers Past Farms has a quaint and picturesque landscape, perfect for immersion in nature (and plenty of photo ops) about a half hour from downtown San Diego along historic Old Highway 80.
More San Diego Pumpkin Patches
Visiting a pumpkin patch is a perfect way to embrace the beautiful autumn months in San Diego, soak up some sunshine, and get into the spirit of Halloween. On a visit to any of the best San Diego pumpkin patches, you’re sure to create long-lasting memories for the entire family, so why not visit a few?
You can expect plenty more fall activities, premium pumpkins, and even things like a corn cannon, spooky maze, and even a petting zoo at some locations. Don’t miss your shot to experience lots of local farm fresh fun along with Halloween decorations and pumpkin stations.
If you’re looking for even more fall family fun, check out this list of even more pumpkin patches surrounding San Diego County!
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Tom’s Adventure Pumpkin Patch
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Mellano Farm Stand
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Goff Family Pumpkin Patch
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California Farm Life Pumpkin Patch
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Pumpkin Station (multiple locations)
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Fallbrook Pumpkin Patch
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The Farm Stand West U-Pick Pumpkin Patch
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Bonita Pumpkin Farm
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Pumpkin Express
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Coronado Pumpkin Patch
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PB Pumpkin Patch
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Carlsbad Pumpkin Patch
