Life is Gourd.

Fall is here! (Just in case you’ve been living under a rock and missed the onslaught of Pumpkin Spice.) Everything about this year has been, well, off… but luckily we will always have this fall mainstay. The time-honored tradition of pumpkin-picking benefits from being outdoors in open space. It’s the perfect outing in these socially-distanced times! Check out the list below to find a pumpkin patch near you! Or make a day of it and head down to Half Moon Bay for an outdoor activity that might make you almost feel like the world is back to normal.

Joan’s Farm and Pumpkin Patch

If you’re in Alameda County and looking for a nice, quiet, pumpkin-picking experience, check out Joan’s Farm and Pumpkin Patch! Located on an actual farm, it offers photo opportunities with old farm equipment, smiling goats, and an Old Western Town. You can even spend some time getting lost in their maze! Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am-6pm at 4351 Mines Rd, Livermore, CA 94550.

Speers Family Farm

If you’re on the other side of Alameda County, check out the Speers Family Farm in Oakland! With fun for kids and parents alike, it is a great place to go pick your pumpkin for the season! The Speers Farm is being very cognizant of the current pandemic, enforcing mask-wearing, social distancing, and a limited capacity to particular attractions. Owned by native Oaklanders with all pumpkins sourced from local farmers, this is the patch to go to if you’re in the area and want to support local! Open daily from 10AM to 9PM at 1911 Telegraph Ave in Oakland.

Queen’s Pumpkin Patch

If you’re down in the South Bay, head on over to Queen’s Pumpkin Patch in Saratoga! This patch boasts, “Family friendly old fashioned pumpkin patch… with a cow train, giant pumpkin slingshot, paddle boats, pumpkin painting, petting zoo, hay maze, food, pumpkins and more!”. Head to 12985 Saratoga Ave in Saratoga any time from 9am to 9pm daily.

Pick of the Patch Pumpkins

If the above patches are too far out of your way, check out Pick of the Patch Pumpkins, which has locations all over. From the South Bay to the East Bay to the North Bay to the Peninsula, there’s a patch for any location. And, bonus, in a couple of months, if you’re planning to buy a Christmas tree, you can head out to the same location where they’ll transition to tree farms. 

Three Nunns Farm

For a full-on harvest experience, make your way to Three Nunns Farm in Brentwood where picking a pumpkin takes on a very literal meaning! At this farm, you actually get to pick your pumpkin right off the vine. And for only $0.50 per pound of pumpkin, this hands-on pumpkin patch (plus its two corn mazes!) is a worthwhile place to spend an afternoon! Open daily from 9am – 6pm at 550 Walnut Blvd. in Brentwood!

Half Moon Bay Day

If you’re making a day of it, make your way down to Half Moon Bay, where fall seems to be a way of life! You’ll have your pick of top-notch pumpkin patches to get in the autumn mindset.

Arata Farms

Down at Arata Farms, they do a pumpkin patch right! With a two-acre minotaur hay maze (give yourself at least an hour to get through), a classic petting zoo, and hay rides, the pumpkins might even become an afterthought. Visit Sunday – Thursday from 9am – 6:30pm or Friday – Saturday 9am – 10:30pm at 185 Verde Rd. in Half Moon Bay.

Farmer John’s Pumpkins

Nothing says classic fall quite like the name, Farmer John’s Pumpkins. Right in the heart of Half Moon Bay, this patch boasts a diverse variety of pumpkins all grown on site! You’d be amazed at how many pumpkin varieties sounds like children’s stories. Cinderella and Jack Be Little are just the start. No wonder this time of year always feels a little bit more magical! Head down any day of the week from 9am – 5pm at 850 North Cabrillo Highway (1 mile North of Hwy 92, on the Ocean side) in Half Moon Bay.

Andreotti Family Farms

Finally, head down to Andreotti Family Farms where they’ve been farming artichokes since 1926! Don’t worry, they made pumpkins an integral part of their crops years ago and offer a great selection of pumpkins and other produce, as well as a full corn maze to spend some time getting lost in! Make a reservation ahead of time if you want to get into their reservation-only lower pumpkin patch! Visit Andreotti’s 7 days a week from 10am – 5pm at 800 Cabrillo Highway North.

Happy Pumpkin Picking! ????