As the hallmarks of fall pop up all over SoCal — apple cider delights, seasonal decorations, Spirit Halloween stores — October is the perfect time to check out the bountiful harvest of pumpkin patches.
Luckily for Long Beach and Signal Hill residents, they don’t have to stray too far to satisfy their pumpkin patch desires, with lots of options within an hour of the cities.
If you’re having trouble deciding which ones are worth checking out, we’ve got you covered. (All pumpkin patches are already open unless otherwise noted.)
Pa’s Pumpkin Patch is more than just piles of jack-o-lanterns, a couple bails of hay and sparse strings of lights. This annual pumpkin pop-up offers a variety of family-friendly activities, like inflatable bounce houses, slides and mechanical rides. Plus, the seasonal ambience is set with gourds, corn stalks and tasty treats at the snack bar.
Reservations are not required but they do enforce a wait if they reach full occupancy. Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for kids 13 years old and under. Children ages 3 and under receive free admission.
Pa’s Pumpkin Patch is located at 500 Lakewood Center Mall and is open Mondays through Fridays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Explore the vast El Dorado Frontier all month long at El Dorado East Regional Park. With the unlimited ride wristband ($29), attendees can explore all 8 attractions, including the train ride, carousel and bounce houses within the park celebrating a Halloween theme. All-day admission is $5 and kids ages 13 and under receive free entry.
El Dorado Frontier is located in Long beach at 7550 E Spring St., and is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Opens Oct. 11).
Known for its Christmas light spectacles, produce markets and strawberry picking tours, Tanaka Farms also has special plans for spooky season. The 30-acre farm will be filled with wagon rides, a U-Pick veggie patch and pumpkin fields, a corn maze and a barnyard educational exhibit. On the weekend, attendees can also enjoy arts and crafts, festival games, farmer golf and the pumpkin cannon. Admission is $20 and reservations can be made in 30-minute intervals.
Tanaka Farms is located in Irvine at 5380 3/4 University Dr. and is open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.
Head behind the Railroad and find an Orange County pumpkin patch with train rides, hay rides, panning for gold, pumpkin ring toss, cookie decorating, pumpkin decorating, a haunted house, hay maze, photo ops and face painting. Admission is free and activity tickets are $8 each. Visitors to this pumpkin patch will have to pay an entrance fee for Irvine Regional Park ($3 on weekdays and $5 on weekends per vehicle).
Irvine Park Railroad is located at 1 Irvine Park Road and is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This patch at The Outlets at Orange has a boatload of activities suitable for younger children, with nearly a dozen bounce houses, an inflatable obstacle course, and character visits from the likes of Mickey, Minnie, Bluey and more. There will also be live music, themed photo setups, DIY coloring and pumpkin decorating kits available for purchase. Admission is free, however most activities are not.
Fallstivities Pumpkin Patch is located in Orange at 20 City Blvd. West. Its hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch
This pumpkin patch chain shows up all over Southern California, with its closest location from Long Beach being in Torrance. It’s both a great place to enjoy festive activities such as pumpkin bowling, candy corn hole and pumpkin smashing, as well as to purchase Halloween decorations for your home. Admission is free.
Mr. Jack O’Lanterns is located in Torrance at 17520 Prairie Ave. and is open Mondays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Opens October 5
Kids can run wild at Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch, with priced attractions like the bungee trampoline, bounce house, pony rides, a petting zoo and more. This pumpkin patch also provides ample space for a wide variety of photo ops, a mini straw maze and face painting.
Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch is located in Los Angeles at 3443 South Sepulveda Blvd. with hours that differ depending on the week.
Residing in Laguna Hills, Pumpkin City is a fun-filled carnival with all-day entertainment like puppet shows, live music, amusement rides and game booths. While enjoying their Orange County outing, 21+ attendees are invited to also check out Pumpkin City’s beer garden. Admission and activity tickets are sold only at the festival.
Pumpkin City is located in Laguna Hills at 24203 Avenida de la Carlota and is open Mondays through Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Opens October 9
Claiming to be SoCal’s oldest pumpkin patch, originally opened in 1976, Placenta Pumpkin Patch hosts a range of old-fashioned farm fun with tractor rides, baby animals, gold mining and other fun activities such as human hamster balls and carnival games. Entry is $2 for adults and free for children; parking is also free.
Placentia Pumpkin Patch is located in Placentia at 300 Yorba Linda Blvd. and is open Wednesdays & Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Established in 1987, Mr. Bones in Culver City contains a straw bale maze, petting zoo, food trucks and live entertainment. Purchase activity tickets to try out all of the activities or accrue Pumpkin Bucks to ensure you go home with your desired pumpkin. Tickets vary from $10-$25 depending on the day.
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch is located in Culver City at 10100 Jefferson Blvd. Hours vary by the specific day and can be perused here.
