10 California Pumpkin Patches You Can Still Visit In 2020

CALIFORNIA — Picking out the perfect pumpkin is a beloved Halloween and fall tradition for both children and adults. And while tick-or-treating is not recommended this year, visiting an outdoor pumpkin patch is still relatively safe.

While many pumpkin patches are closed this year due to the pandemic, there are many landmark patches that will carry on the tradition, socially distanced, of course. Many patches are also offering curbside pickup, with others converting to a drive thru experience.

So grab your mask, your camera, your family — and start planning your pumpkin patch adventure this October.

Here are the top 10 pumpkin patches to visit across The Golden State in 2020:

1. Cool Patch Pumpkins and Corn Maze - Dixon

This famed pumpkin patch is home to one of the world's largest pumpkin patches, spanning nearly 45 acres. In Octobers past, the Solano County Sheriff's Office has even received calls from frantic visitors who weren't able to make it out of the maze, according to ABC News.

This year, the maze will be open but with widened paths to ensure social distancing. And there will be pumpkins of all shapes and sizes to choose from for those who would rather skip the challenge.

Open daily: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Weather Permitting

6150 Dixon Ave. West, Dixon, CA 95620

2. Swank Farms - Hollister

Swank Farms is a real working farm known not just for their elaborate pumpkin displays, but for their ever expanding sunflower fields. Grab the family or your housemates and spend some time taking photos by their pumpkin walls and hay bales — and don't forget your mask.

Open daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

600 Acquistapace Rd, Hollister, CA 95023

3. Bonita Pumpkin Farm & Attractions - Bonita

This well known pumpkin farm has it all, even coronavirus couldn't stop the Halloween tradition at this farm. Aside from the picnic area, which is closed this year, this patch offers a tractor hay wagon photo prop, a train ride, a corn maze, a petting zoo and an opportunity to cut your own sunflowers.

Parking and admission are free.

Open daily:

Oct. 1 - Oct. 16 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Oct. 17 - Oct. 31 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

5354 Sweetwater Rd., Bonita, CA. 91902

4. Tanaka Farms - Irvine

Tanaka Farms is one of Orange County's premiere pumpkin patches, and despite so many closures this year, this one will be open. It may look a little different though, as they are introducing a drive-thru pumpkin farm experience from Sept. 21 to Oct. 30.

The patch also offers a "U-Pick Pumpkin with Wagon Ride" running Sept. 21 through Oct. 31.

Curbside pick-up is also available.

Open daily:

9 a.m. - 4:45

1 Irvine Park Road, Orange

5. Carlsbad Strawberry Co. - Carlsbad

San Diego's beloved Carlsbad Strawberry Co. is open this year and they've added a new attraction: apple cannons. Yes, you heard that right. And if you hit the target, a tractor bell, you'll win a free t-shirt.

The patch also offers a haunted corn maze and tractor rides open Fridays and Saturdays.

Prices for Fall season are below:

• $5 Admission - Children 5 and under will be free
• $10 Corn Maze Ticket
• $20 for bucket of 12 apples to shoot
• $25 Haunted Corn Maze Ticket
• $7 Tractor Ride - Adult
• $5 Tractor Ride - Children (Ages - 4-11)

Open daily Through Nov. 8 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Haunted Corn Maze: Fridays & Saturdays - 7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

1050 Cannon Road, Carlsbad, CA

6. Greenspot Farms Pumpkin Patch & Haunted Hayrides - Mentone

Visit this quaint pumpkin patch and working farm in the Inland Empire this October and take a fear-filled ride on their haunted hayride. The farm is also home to a host of animals and bees for visitors to marvel at.

Pumpkin Patch & Hayrides: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Haunted Hayride: 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

10133 Ward Way, Mentone, CA

7. Joan's Farm and Pumpkin Patch - Livermore

This farm in Livermore is your choice if you want to stay in the East Bay. The farm has plenty of pumpkins, an Old West town, Fort Maze, a petting zoo, an Antique Farm Equipment Museum and Joan’s Cafe.

Bring your camera because there are photo opportunities galore. They prefer cash, so stop at the ATM before you arrive, or there is an ATM at the farm.

Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

4351 Mines Road, Livermore, CA 94550

8. Mr. Jack O' Lanterns Pumpkin Patch - Hollywood / La Jolla

Mr. Jack O'Lanterns is family owned and will be open in both Hollywood and La Jolla this year. The patch will offer a host of different pumpkins, carving kits, games and other socially distanced and COVID-19 conscious surprises.

Open both locations Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Hollywood, CA 1841 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028

La Jolla, CA 6710 La Jolla Blvd., San Diego, CA 92037

9. Nights Of The Jack - Calabasas

Okay, so this isn't a pumpkin patch but it's a completely COVID-19 safe way to view thousands of hand-carved and illuminated Jack O'Lanterns this Halloween. King Gillette Ranch has converted their famed Nights Of The Jack event to a drive-thru experience.

Large scale pumpkin installations and detailed artist depictions of movie stars, sports heroes and animated characters will also be on display.

One vehicle ticket is $69 for up to seven people, so pile in and don't miss the ultimate spooky experience. Buy tickets here.

Open Oct. 1 through Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. on select nights.

26800 Mulholland Hwy., Calabasas, CA

10. Dave's Pumpkin Patch - Sacramento

Vierra Farms, established in 1989 hosts one of California's favorite pumpkin patches. Dave's doesn't just offer a buffet of pumpkins to choose from, the patch also boasts a giant hay pyramid, pony rides, a kiddie hay maze, a petting zoo, hay rides, a pumpkin chuckin' activity, pumpkin princesses, a giant jumping pillow "bigger than some houses," and a corn maze.

Admittance is free but attendees who wish to ride ponies or jump on the giant pillow can purchase tickets here.

Open Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

3010 Burrows Ave, West Sacramento, CA 95691

SEE ALSO

Best Orange County Pumpkin Patches 2020

Fear Overload Halloween Haunt To Open For 2020 In East Bay

Livermore Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch Not Opening For Halloween 2020

Halloween Haunts, Fun & Pumpkin Patches 2020: San Diego County

10 Bay Area Haunts To Visit This October