Fall 2026 guide
A local family field guide
San Diego Pumpkin Patch 2026
A simple, parent-made guide to pumpkin patches across San Diego County: compare the season, admission, and the kind of day each spot is best for, then open a full page when you are ready to plan.
Start here
Choose the kind of fall outing you want.
Some patches are quick, low-commitment seasonal stops; others are a full farm day with rides, animals, and paid add-ons.
A big activity day
A strong North County fall destination for families who want pumpkins, photo spots, and a more built-out seasonal visit near the coast.
- Season
- Open daily during pumpkin season
- Admission
- $20-$25 admission
- Pick pumpkins
- Walk through the Marigold and Celosia flower fields
- Visit the Hollandia Chocolate Milk Saloon
Parent tip: Best for mixed-age siblings and families planning a dedicated seasonal outing.
A classic farm outing
Valley Center
Pumpkin Patch at Bates Nut Farm
A classic North County fall outing with pumpkins farm atmosphere and extra seasonal activities for families who want more than a quick photo stop.
- Season
- Sep 17-Sep 30: daily 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Admission
- Free admission
- Pick pumpkins and browse the patch
- Visit animals and enjoy the farm atmosphere
- Check current seasonal activities and rides
Parent tip: Best for toddlers preschoolers and grade-school kids who want a fuller fall outing.
A quick seasonal stop
A convenient coastal North County pumpkin stop for families who want a seasonal outing without committing to a full farm day.
- Season
- Sep 25-Oct 31: open daily
- Admission
- Free admission
- Pick pumpkins
- Ride kid-focused attractions including the Del Mar carousel
- Visit the petting zoo
Parent tip: Good for toddlers preschoolers and younger grade-school kids.
Before you go
Seasonal details move quickly.
Hours, rides, parking, and attraction pricing can change as the season gets underway. Every listing links to the official venue page so you can make a final check before leaving home.
The guide
Find a patch near your weekend plans.
Browse by area
North County
A strong North County fall destination for families who want pumpkins, photo spots, and a more built-out seasonal visit near the coast.
- Season
- Open daily during pumpkin season
- Admission
- $20-$25 admission
- Pick pumpkins
- Walk through the Marigold and Celosia flower fields
- Visit the Hollandia Chocolate Milk Saloon
- Try the tricycle racetrack, hippity hop, block yard, sandbox, free games, hay pyramid, and farm learning displays
Parent tip: Best for mixed-age siblings and families planning a dedicated seasonal outing.
Carlsbad
Pumpkin Palooza
A lively urban Carlsbad pumpkin patch with rides, inflatables, carnival-style attractions, and a petting zoo, making it a strong option for families who want more action than a simple pumpkin stop.
- Season
- Sep 12-Oct 31, 2026
- Admission
- $3 admission; ages 2 and under free
- Pick pumpkins
- Try carnival games and inflatables
- Ride the small wagon ride
- Visit the petting zoo
Parent tip: Best for toddlers, preschoolers, and younger grade-school kids who want rides and active play.
A convenient inland pumpkin farm option for families near Rancho Bernardo, Poway, and North Inland, with sunflower fields, hay-wagon rides, and a corn maze.
- Season
- Sep 25-Oct 8: daily 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Admission
- Free admission
- Pick pumpkins
- Walk the sunflower fields
- Cut your own sunflowers
- Try the 8-foot corn maze
Parent tip: Great if you want a fuller farm-style fall outing closer to inland neighborhoods.
A quieter Ramona pumpkin farm for families who want a simpler fall outing with pick-your-own pumpkins, flower fields, open space, and a more local farm feel than the bigger commercial patches.
- Season
- Hours are not clearly posted yet for the 2026 pumpkin patch season.
- Admission
- Free admission
- Pick your own pumpkins from the vine
- Walk the farm and open outdoor areas
- Visit the flower fields if available during your visit
- Take fall family photos
Parent tip: Good fit for families who prefer a calmer farm stop over a more commercial pumpkin attraction.
A more rustic Ramona pumpkin patch for families who want countryside fall atmosphere, pumpkins, and a simpler farm outing away from the busier city stops.
- Season
- Pumpkin Patch opens September 26, 2026.
- Admission
- Confirm before going
- Pick pumpkins
- Enjoy a country pumpkin patch setting
- Look for family farm attractions like the corn maze and animal areas if operating
- Take fall family photos
Parent tip: Good fit for families who like a classic country pumpkin patch feel.
Valley Center
Pumpkin Patch at Bates Nut Farm
A classic North County fall outing with pumpkins farm atmosphere and extra seasonal activities for families who want more than a quick photo stop.
- Season
- Sep 17-Sep 30: daily 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Admission
- Free admission
- Pick pumpkins and browse the patch
- Visit animals and enjoy the farm atmosphere
- Check current seasonal activities and rides
- Take fall photos
Parent tip: Best for toddlers preschoolers and grade-school kids who want a fuller fall outing.
Browse by area
Coastal & Central
A convenient coastal North County pumpkin stop for families who want a seasonal outing without committing to a full farm day.
- Season
- Sep 25-Oct 31: open daily
- Admission
- Free admission
- Pick pumpkins
- Ride kid-focused attractions including the Del Mar carousel
- Visit the petting zoo
- Try slides, jumpee areas, and play-center attractions
Parent tip: Good for toddlers preschoolers and younger grade-school kids.
A very photo-friendly Liberty Station pumpkin stop with free entry, easy food options nearby, and a simple fall outing feel for families who do not need a full farm day.
- Season
- Sep 18-Oct 31: daily
- Admission
- Free admission
- Pick pumpkins
- Take fall photos
- Walk around Liberty Station before or after your visit
- Bring a picnic or grab nearby food
Parent tip: Great for quick seasonal photos and letting kids pick pumpkins without committing to a long drive.
Browse by area
East County
An East County pumpkin farm with a simple $7 admission that includes farm play, animals, a scavenger hunt, and tractor rides. Pumpkins and food are extra.
- Season
- Last weekend of September-Oct 31: open daily 10:00 AM-8:00 PM
- Admission
- $7 per person; ages 2 and under free
- Pick pumpkins
- Explore the huge hay maze scavenger hunt
- Ride the tractor ride
- Visit farm animals
Parent tip: Strong value if your kids like simple farm play more than carnival-style add-ons.
El Cajon
Pumpkin Patch at Summers Past Farms
A gentler garden-style fall outing for families who want pumpkins, a corn maze, and a quieter East County atmosphere instead of a bigger commercial patch.
- Season
- October
- Admission
- Free admission
- Pick pumpkins
- Try the corn maze and kid games
- Browse the gardens and gift shop
- Grab drinks or snacks from the coffee bar
Parent tip: Best for families who enjoy browsing gardens and a slower seasonal visit.
Lakeside
Pumpkin Patch at Oma's Family Farm
A fun East County fall option for families who want a real farm setting with pumpkins and a more rustic seasonal day out.
- Season
- Sep 26-Oct 31: Thursday-Saturday 9:00 AM-8:00 PM
- Admission
- $23.95 general admission ages 3-79; ages 2 and under free
- Pick pumpkins in a real farm setting
- Feed goats and visit the petting zoo
- Try duck races jumping pillow corn crib barnyard bouncer playgrounds trike track giant slides basketball sand pit and the Back 40 field
- Take fall photos
Parent tip: Best for kids who like farm settings and outdoor wandering.
Browse by area
South Bay
A South Bay pumpkin farm stop with more to do than the city locations, including sunflower fields, a corn maze, hay-wagon rides, and a petting zoo.
- Season
- Sep 25-Oct 8: daily 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Admission
- Free admission
- Pick pumpkins
- Walk the sunflower fields
- Cut your own sunflowers
- Try the 8-foot corn maze
Parent tip: Good for families who want a more farm-style fall outing without heading to North County.
National City
Pumpkin Season at Plaza Bonita Pumpkin Station
An easy mall-area pumpkin stop with rides, slides, a jumpee, and petting zoo, making it convenient for younger kids and short South Bay outings.
- Season
- Sep 25-Oct 31: Monday-Friday 3:00 PM-9:00 PM
- Admission
- Free admission
- Pick pumpkins
- Ride the Ferris wheel, swing ride, sky fighter ride, car ride, and kids train
- Try the giant slides and mini slide
- Bounce in the train jumpee
Parent tip: Best for toddlers and preschoolers who like simple rides and quick seasonal fun.