It’s that time of year again – apples, pumpkins, and… pumpkin spice lattes?
If you’re in the mood to pick your own pumpkins for Jack O’Lantern carvings this year, look no further!
We’ve rounded up all of our favorite pumpkin patches in San Diego – from local favorites to family farms in Julian and Ramona. Pack a sandwich, take a road trip and get ready to make some memories with the entire family!
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Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch
Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch
Where: 6710 La Jolla Blvd. La Jolla, CA
Open: Oct. 1st – 31st, 2021
Mon – Thurs 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fri – Sat 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sun: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
La Jolla has its own pumpkin patch!
Mr. Jack O’Lantern’s offers premium pumpkins, games, activities, and attractions. Swing by on a weekend and you might catch live music or a food truck.
Items such as spider webs, halloween decorations, pumpkin carving sets, novelties, and more are also available to make it a one-stop-shop for all things Halloween.
Activities include a giant bounce house, haunted maze, corn hole, slides, bowling, ring toss, and tons more.
Bates Nut Farm
Bates Nut Farm
Where: 15954 Woods Valley Rd., Valley Center
Open: September 18 – October 31, 2021
Operating Hours: Open Monday through Friday 9am-5:30pm; Weekends from 8:30am-6pm
Phone: (760) 749-3333
The Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch has been open for nearly 50 years and is a serious San Diego favorite! Along with a pumpkin-picking patch, visitors can enjoy tractor hayrides, a straw maze, petting corral, and Snows Pony Rides.
Grab a wheelbarrow and pick from variety of pumpkins: Big Macs, Ghost, Cinderella, Jack O’ Lantern, minis, squash, gourds and other fall décor.
In addition, Saturdays and Sundays at Bates include live entertainment from 12pm-3pm, BBQ, kettle corn, food trucks, rock climb, bounce, slide and other family friendly events.
Julian Mining Company
Julian Mining Company
Where: 4444 Hwy. 78, Wynola/Julian
Open: “Weekends until Halloween, Saturday and Sunday 10 – 5” (updated for 2021)
Along with apples and pie, Julian is also known for its fall pumpkin patches!
The pick-your-own pumpkin patch at Julian Mining Co. is open every Saturday and Sunday during the season.
If you’re looking to spend more time here, they also have gem sluicing, gold panning, a petting zoo, and tomahawk throwing.
Mountain Valley Ranch
Mountain Valley Ranch
Where: 842 CA-78, Ramona
Open: September 25 – October 31, 2021
Operating Hours: Open seven days a week from 9am-6pm
The whole family can enjoy an assortment of pumpkins, gourds, and Indian corn. There is also a corn maze, a corn cannon, petting zoo, hay rides (weekends only), and pony rides.
Snacks and refreshments will be available on the weekends, as well.
Farm Stand West & Fran’s Original Farm Stand
Farm Stand West & Fran’s Original Farm Stand
Where: 2115 Miller Ave., Escondido;
and 1980 Summit Dr., Escondido
and 1980 Summit Dr., Escondido
All throughout the month of October they’ll be hosting a you-pick Pumpkin Patch. Head over to the Farm Stand West or the Original Farm Stand and pick your own bunch of pumpkins for the season.
Pumpkin Station
Pumpkin Station
Where: Multiple Locations:
Del Mar, Rancho Bernardo, Mission Valley, National City & Bonita
Del Mar, Rancho Bernardo, Mission Valley, National City & Bonita
Pumpkin Stations are in multiple locations throughout San Diego: Del Mar, Rancho Bernardo, Mission Valley, National City & Bonita.
Each spot also offers kiddie rides, giant slides, corn maze, inflatable play centers, petting zoos, game zones, and even school tours and party packages. As of 2021, all locations still have free parking and admission. Pumpkins are priced individually on size. Oh – outside food & drink welcome!
Summers Past Farms
Summers Past Farms
Where: 15602 Olde Highway 80, Flinn Springs 92021
Open: Starts Sept 25th, 2021
Operating Hours: Fall 2021 open Thurs – Sat 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Summers Past has been a country favorite since they opened in 1987.
Besides a large farm, the property also features an herbal soap shop, where they make their own in-house soap products. Wander through the pumpkin patch at Summers Past Farms throughout the month of October and pick your own pumpkin to take home.
Other activities include a bounce house, crafts, and snacks for everyone like popcorn, coffee, and smoothies.
Lavender Hill Pumpkins – Permanently Closed
Lavender Hill Pumpkins – Sadly, Lavender Hill Pumpkins permanently closed in 2020.
They were a super popular spot in Fallbrook; their u-pick pumpkin patch was located on a beautiful family-owned farm on a hillside. Mike and Libby Pierce took pride in growing a selection of varieties that produced unusually large or unique pumpkins. They will be missed.
