As the spooky season draws nigh, local pumpkin patches ready their gourds and prepare an assortment of autumnal activities for the whole family. From late September through Halloween, they will offer a variety of pumpkin-picking opportunities, as well as attractions such as corn mazes, hay rides, petting zoos, jump zones, festive seasonal fare and even wine tastings.
The famed Petaluma Pumpkin Patch on Stony Point Road opens tomorrow, Sept. 20, the first of the season in Sonoma County. Since 1993, locals and visitors alike have traveled in droves to the north Petaluma patch — not only to pick their favorite pumpkin for Halloween, but also to challenge their sense of direction when navigating owner and farmer Jim Groverman’s 4-acre Amazing Corn Maze.
A fourth generation Sonoma County farmer, Groverman carefully designs the corn maze each year, planting over 150,000 corn seeds for the unique course. Groverman also sustainably grows 5 acres of pumpkins, including over 50 varieties of the gourd and other squash.
As one of the oldest family-run pumpkin patches in the county, the Petaluma Pumpkin Patch, now in its 32nd year, has long been a reliable fall retreat for gourd picking, maze walking, pony rides and more. Open the last Friday of September through Nov. 1.
Scroll on below to find more pumpkin patches in Sonoma and Napa counties and start plotting your 2024 autumn adventures.
Sonoma County
Petaluma Pumpkin Patch
Opens Sept. 20 for its 32nd season. The pumpkin patch boasts a 4-acre corn maze and a large assortment of pumpkins to pick, making it a sought-after patch come autumn. Plus, the patch has local food vendors on site and offers children activities, such as pony rides, jump houses, face painting and a carnival fun slide.
450 Stony Point Road, Petaluma, 707-781-3132, petalumapumpkinpatch.com
Mickelson Pumpkin Patch
Opens Sept. 21 through Halloween, Oct. 31. The patch will have a large variety of traditional and specialty pumpkins for sale from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Activities include cornhole, giant Jenga, an animal farm, apple cannon, paintball gallery, corn pits, a 1-acre hay maze, grain train rides, a super slide and a jump zone. Admission to attractions range from free to $30. Food vendors will also be on site.
5495 Redwood Highway South, Petaluma, 707-490-8088, mickelsonpumpkinpatch.com
Pronzini Farms Pumpkin Patch
Open daily from Sept. 28 through Oct. 31. The patch offers a variety of pumpkins in a rural setting, enhanced by decorated vintage vehicles. Attractions include a haunted trail and western village, hay maze, giant slides, jump zone, tractor rides, petting zoo, steer toss and corn pit. On weekends, there will be live music from noon to 6 p.m. and the Cowgirl Café will be open, offering barbecue foods. Admission ranges from free to $7, with plenty of activities included in admission, and punch cards for other attractions range from $31.25 to $106.25.
3795 Adobe Road, Petaluma, 707-778-3871, pronzinifarms.com
Pumpkins on Pikes
Tara Firma Farms will present its magical Pumpkins on Pikes fundraiser from 2-9 p.m. over three weekend days, Oct. 12, Oct. 19 and Oct. 20. Participants can pick a pumpkin to carve and decorate on site, then mount their lit jack-o’-lanterns on pikes for a glorious Halloween display. Food and drink, plus live music and games, will be available. Tickets are $40, which includes one pumpkin. Children 3 and under can attend free. Purchase tickets online.
3796 I St., Petaluma, 707-765-1202, tarafirmafarms.com
Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch
Opens Sept. 28 with a wide assortment of activities, in addition to its range of pumpkins for sale. Attractions include a Barnyard Ballzone, 8-acre corn maze, hay bale pyramid, petting zoo, bounce house, cornhole, zipline, hay rides, pumpkin tether ball and country tire swing set. Open daily through Halloween, closing at 6 p.m. Oct. 31. Keep an eye out for the pumpkin patch’s Oktoberfest 8k run/walk, which is followed by a Bavarian-style party with food, drinks and live music.
5157 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa, 707-582-3276, santarosapumpkinpatch.com
Muelrath Ranches Pumpkin Patch
Opens Sept. 28 through Oct. 31. The Muelrath pumpkin patch offers free family-fun activities with the purchase of a pumpkin. It includes a haunted house, picnic area, hay pyramid, pumpkin slingshot, toddler’s corn maze and a narrated hayride. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Keep an eye out for historic tractors from the Santa Rosa branch of the National Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association on display.
3800 Walker Ave., Santa Rosa. 707-585-2195, muelrathspumpkins.com
Punky’s Pumpkins
Punky’s has been a reliable hometown pumpkin patch since 1995, offering a wide selection of pumpkins and other squash. Attractions at Punky’s include Johnny Popper tractor hay rides, train rides, bounce houses, a giant slide, corn pit, hay maze and cartoon billboards for fun photo ops. Snow cones, cotton candy and fresh squeezed lemonade will be available on weekends. Bring a lunch to enjoy at the patch’s picnic tables. Opens Sept. 29 for the season and will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and on Halloween from 11 a.m. to dusk.
50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, 707-579-8474, punkysadobefarm.com
Floating Pumpkin Patch
The Ridgway Swim Center will host its 13th annual Floating Pumpkin Patch on Oct. 19, with two separate, two-hour sessions in the day (the first starting at 1:30 p.m. and the second starting at 3:45 p.m.). Participants can pick a favorite bobbing pumpkin from the pool and dress it up at the decorating station. There will also be other games, crafts and prizes available for kids all afternoon. Entry fee is $12 (pumpkin included); children under 2 enter free.
455 Ridgway Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-543-3421, srcity.org
Larson Family Winery’s Pumpkin Patch
The winery’s pumpkin patch returns Oct. 3 through Oct. 31, pairing family fun activities with wine tasting opportunities for adults. The patch is free to roam, and pumpkins, gourds and flint corn will be available to purchase. The winery will also host a canine costume contest from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 27, with wine-related prizes for the top three costumed pups. Wine tastings are $35-$50; reserve on Tock.
23355 Millerick Road, Sonoma, 707-938-3031, larsonfamilywinery.com
Orsi Family Vineyards Pumpkin Patch
This Healdsburg winery is bringing back its annual pumpkin patch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 5. The event is free to attend and activities include grape stomping, lawn games, face painting and a complimentary pumpkin to take home. Snow cones will be available for purchase, as well as wine by the glass or bottle. Reserve a spot on Tock.
2306 Magnolia Drive, Healdsburg, 707-732-4660, orsifamilyvineyards.com
Grandma’s Pumpkin Patch
Enjoy an old-fashioned experience at Grandma’s Pumpkin Patch. The patch includes vintage tractors, a hay pyramid and climbing structure for kids to explore, as well as a pumpkin decorating station, farm animals and shaded picnic tables. Admission is free. Opening date to be announced, check Facebook page for updates.
17740 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-293-5750, facebook.com/HealdsburgGranny
Papa’s Pumpkin Patch
Pick pumpkins under serene redwoods at Papa’s Pumpkin Patch. Opening date to be announced, check Facebook page for updates.
13110 Occidental Road, Sebastopol, 707-874-9070, facebook.com/PapasPumpkinsPatch
Napa County
Stanly Lane Smokehouse Deli
The family-owned Stanly Lane Smokehouse will temporarily convert into a deli (meaning no barbecue for now) as the owner focuses on running the Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch, a Napa tradition for over 40 years. Features at the scenic patch include thousands of pumpkins, farm animals and antique farm equipment. The patch opens Sept. 28 and will be open through October, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. There is no admission fee.
3100 Golden Gate Drive, Napa, 707-224-2575, stanlylanesmokehousedeli.com
ABC Tree Farms & Pick of the Patch Pumpkins
The Napa County location of this West Coast tree farm and pumpkin patch business opened Sept. 18 and will stay open daily through Halloween. Attractions include pony rides, petting zoos, a paintball range, and inflatable games and rides for children ages 2-12. Prepackaged foods and refreshments will be available at the ticket kiosk. Admission and parking is free; pumpkins and tickets for games and rides are available for purchase.
4225 Broadway, American Canyon, 408-393-6303, abctreefarms.net