Pumpkin Farms & Harvest Festivals
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Pumpkin Farms & Harvest Festivals
Oct 2009
We would like to plumb the depths of the Bay Area's best harvest
activities and to share in the bounty of the fun activities your
family loves at this time of year. We would be willing to go a
little outside the bay area too for something really fun. We
have a 2nd grader and a kindergartener and are looking for
activities for our family and also for our sons'
classes to attend together with their families. (We are NOT
looking for Halloween specific activities).
We'd need to know the activity, where it is, and maybe some
contact info like a website.
Suzie
if you have never been to the Harvest Festival at Ardenwood Farms, you
will have a blast. This is my family's favorite harvest activity, even
still as teenagers!
October 10 and 11: Harvest Festival, Ardenwood Historic Farm
http://www.ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood
Love ardenwood!
We love Ardenwood Historic Farms in Fremont. It is a working historic
organic farm and has so much to offer during the harvest season. On
the weekends the naturalists offer a living history with victorian home
tour, working blacksmith shop, animal farm (pigs, goats, chickens,
sheep, etc)., and my favorite part the horse drawn train. They also
have a fruit/veggie stand at the entrance, and this year the pumpkin
patch is back for the month of October.
They are part of EB regional parks and their website is
http://www.ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood
Your kids are the perfect age to just love this place. I'm excited to
go every year.
A.
You *must* visit Ardenwood Farm's Harvest festival on October 10-11!
We've gone the past two years with our now five-year-old and our whole
family had a great time. You can pick Indian corn, press cider, ride on
a horse-drawn train, visit with farm animals
-- the list goes on and on. The first year we went they had a pumpkin
farm set up outside but last year that wasn't there. I'm not sure if it
will happen this year.
Wendy
Ardenwood Farm - http://www.ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood
Have fun!
Our family has gone to the Ardenwood Farm Harvest Festival in Fremont
for years. This year's event is Oct. 10-11. Ardenwood, part of the East
Bay Parks system, is a historical Victorian-era working farm, and
during the festival kids get to help with the corn harvest. There are
exhibits (e.g., apple cider pressing), crafts (e.g., corn husk dolls),
farm animals to visit, music, and food. It's a great time.
cindy
Sept 2009
I'm helping to plan a first grade field trip this fall, and I'm
searching for a pumpkin patch or apple orchard close to El
Sobrante (15-20 minutes away, I hope). Can you help with ideas,
please?
I've found great reviews of places 45 minutes away (Petaluma,
Brentwood, Clayton..), but no closer. I'm trying to find info
on the pumpkin patch that has previously been held near Golden
Gate Fields. Any other recommendations for pumpkin patches or
apple orchards with a more harvest, less hype feel?
Thanks so much!
sh
When my son was in kindergarten, we went on a class field trip to
Owayoh Old Apple Orchard, right in El Sorbrante. The kids had a great
time. It's at 4165 Garden Lane and the telephone number is (510)
223-4770. As I remember, it's pretty near the intersection El Portal.
Ann
Sept 2009
My son is now 2.5 years old and really excited to carve a
pumpkin. I'd like to take him somewhere that's more interesting
than just the grocery store to buy one, but my only ''natural''
experience is in Half Moon Bay, and for a variety of reasons I
don't think we can make it all the way down there. Can anyone
recommend a closer lot that's fun but convenient to
Berkeley/Oakland?
Looking for the great urban pumpkin patch
There are a bunch of pumpkin patches in Petaluma which is about
an hour and change from Berkeley/Oakland - some off the freeway
that are like playgrounds and others off the track a bit that
are like farms. We like Adobe, Petersons, and the Nicasio
Valley patches because they are less commercial - some less than
others.
We also like the G&M Farms corn maze and pumpkin patch in
Livermore (about 45 minutes) and the Tolay Fall Festival in
Sonoma (about 1.5 hours). G&M is more commercial but still very
kid friendly and fun. The Tolay event is so sweet and magical
that it shouldn't be missed. My website, www.kiddiekoncierge.com
will be publishing a full list of Halloween and fall happenings
soon, so check it out.
Kiddie Koncierge
Try the Smith Family Farm in Brentwood (or Antioch?) They have
animals to visit, and the chance to go out into the field and
get to your pumpkin while still attached to the vine. Look them
up online, my kinds LOVED this place when they were small and it
is about a 45 minute ride.
anon
Sept 2009
Re: Halloween Events & Activities
I would try to avoid Halfmoon Bay at any costs - too crowded - lenghty
drive with lots of traffic.
Try this one instead:
Pumpkin Patch Festival Returns to the Western Railway Museum
http://www.wrm.org/events/upcoming_events.htm
- first a train ride, then a pumpkin patch with great entertainment,
then back with the train. Bring a picnic! Get their early when it
opens.
This might not be on the right weekend but still worth checking
out: October 10 and 11: Harvest Festival, Ardenwood Historic Farm
http://www.ebparks.org/activities/events
Or check out Brentwood:
http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/CApsanfran.php
Or Clayton:
www.cvpumpkinfarm.com
have fun!
Stefanie
Oct 2008
Any suggestions on pumpkin patches that your family loved this
year? What did you especially enjoy about it? Our favorite
patch has closed and we need some better options for next year.
Thanks.
jolie
Smith Family Farms in Brentwood. I just went with my son on a
field trip. The teacher warned us that it was far away (we are in
Richmond)but quite worth it. And that it was. There was a barn
show, animals and a tractor pulled everyone in a wagon out to the
corn fields where the pumpkins were.
Very Pleased
We just went to a pumpkin patch in Livermore called Joan's (?) and
while it was not as great as the place we used to go (Cardoza's),
it did have a cute mini replica of an old western town, a small
corn maze ($3)and an old wooden fort maze (free). There are a few
picnic tables and those who knew better brought picnic lunches and
were hanging out for the day. We had to opt for the snack bar
which had very limited choices.
--still missing Cardoza's
We recommend Peter Pumpkin Patch on Spring Hill Road in Petaluma
near Two Rock. It's on the premises of a Spring Hill Cheese
Company, and they have a huge selection of pumpkins (pick your own
from the fields or from an area near the parking lot), delicious
organic pumpkin ice cream, various cheeses, tractor rides, a hay
maze, etc. We've gone the last two years and our three year old
loves everything about the place! The pumpkins aren't cheap but
the atmosphere is wonderful and the fact that they sell hot coffee
made it an appealing first-thing-in-the-morning stop for us. It's
less crowded in the morning.
Erin
We went to the Clayton valley pumpkin farm and my 2 little ones
had a blast. They have kids area which they loved especially the
hay bale maze. The pumpkins were cheap. It felt very authentic, no
jumpy houses. Here's the link: http://www.cvpumpkinfarm.com/ L.
Heath
We've always had good luck with the Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm.
It is huge. They have tractor rides, a hay maze, and a play area
for kids. My kids have been on field trips there as they do
plant/botanical education programs, too. They also have a
Christmas tree farm/lot, which we've never been to, but we may try
to hit it this year. It is a family-owned and -operated endeavor,
and my kids like going to someone's ''farm.'' It's a nice
experience for city dwellers. Here is their web site:
http://www.cvpumpkinfarm.com
Sept 2008
I am wondering if anyone has a particularly good recommendation
for a pumpkin patch place for an 11 y/o's birthday party? One
with a maze or rides, fairly nearby the Alameda/Oakland area
would be ideal. I understand Ardenwood in Fremont has no maze
this year.
Thanks.
birthday planner
The pumpkin patch in Livermore on Mines Road is amazing. Beautiful
rural surroundings/hills/oaks, big corn row maze, games, food, etc.
Feels like you have been transported to a different part of the
country. We go every year. And there are a lot of great wineries out
there as well -- so if some of the grownups want to slip away and do
some tasting, all the better. :) Bent Creek Winery on Greenville is
super (award winning reds and port, really friendly/nice tasting room).
Have fun!
Love hanging in Livermore
Sept 2008
We are having my son's 3rd birthday party in a few weeks, and
rather than make everyone drive out to a pumpkin patch, we decided
to make our own patch at home. Now, we are faced with buying about
30 pumpkins and I have no idea where to go for the best prices.
His party is on the 11th of October, and we plan to head out the
weekend before to pick up ALL the pumpkins. Thanks!!!
Audrey
Cheapest pumpkins are at Trader Joes. We like to go out to the
pumpkin patch for a fun outing and get a few pumpkins, but they
are expensive. I can't remember what they cost at Trader Joes
but if I remember correctly, they are one-half or one-third the
cost of the pumpkin patch.
Whitney
The Piedmont Avenue Pumpkin Patch in Oakland has small pumpkins
for $1.00 a piece. They are located at 4414 Piedmont Avenue on
the corner of Piedmont and Pleasant Valley Avenue. Their phone
number is 510-967-9363. Oakland Pumpkin Patch that is a nice
place for cheap decorations also like spider webs and candles.
Halloween Lover
Just thought I'd mention the fact that they finally built a building on
the lot where the pumpkin patch was. I'd try the big Longs Drugs on
Pleasant Valley Rd.
its called progress
Sept 2007
We would like to take our children on a drive to a Pumpkin Patch again
this year. It seems that many we have gone to in the past have really
cleaned out our wallets. Are there any patches in Napa or Sonoma where
the kids can have fun, we can pick out a nice selection of pumpkins, and
it won't cost too much?
Jeanne
We always go to the pumpkin patch in Bolinas. It is on the main stretch of
road before you enter town. They have pumpkins in all different sizes. You
pick one out, compare the size to the display pumpkins (which have prices
on them) and toss your money in a lock box. We then head into town for a
picnic on the beach. I enjoy this place because it does not have all the
commercial Halloween stuff (i.e. jumpers, other junk to buy) but the kids
can run around.
Keep it real
Well, this isn't the cheapest, but I went to the most amazing hay fort and
pumpkin patch last year. It is at the Western Railway museum near
Fairfield. You ride an old motor car from the museum to the pumpkin patch.
There they also have the biggest hay fort imaginable! This thing has
slides, tunnels, ... SO fun! There's a petting zoo and crafts for sale. I
think it cost 2 to get in for an adult, so not cheap! But totally worth
it. Here's the web link:
http://www.wrm.org/events/upcoming_events.htm
hay fort crazy
We like Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farms. You can find them on the web at
http://www.cvpumpkinfarm.com . I don't think it costs anything to actually
check out the pumpkins. They charge for the train rides and a play area.
Again, I don't remember how much, but it didn't seem over the top at the
time. I've been there on field trips in the spring, too. It is a cool
place.
The Piedmont Avenue Pumpkin patch in Oakland on Piedmont Avenue at
Pleasant Valley Avenue is a great place to find pumpkins. They have
Halloween decorations in front and a pumpkin patch in the back... It's
right next to the Chevron Ken Bett's car wash. They are open 9-9 every
day so there's always time to bring the kids there. There's also a cute
haunted house there. Enjoy.
Jon
The Piedmont Avenue Pumpkin patch in Oakland on Piedmont Avenue at
Pleasant Valley Avenue is a great place to find pumpkins. They have
Halloween decorations in front and a pumpkin patch in the back... It's
right next to the Chevron Ken Bett's car wash. They are open 9-9 every
day so there's always time to bring the kids there. There's also a cute
haunted house there. Enjoy.
Jon
October 2006
I'd like to find a good pumpkin patch for an October outing with
toddlers -- the archives have recommendations for some places,
like Cardoza's, that aren't active pumpkin patches anymore and
I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations? Something attached
to a petting farm, and/or with hay rides etc. would be great.
-- in search of the Great Pumpkin
My partner volunteers a ton at the Western Railway Museum, so I
have to put in a plug for their pumpkin patch. The highlight is
the train ride out to the patch, which even my older kids (5 and
9 last Halloween) loved. Most of the kids were lots younger.
The other major attraction there was an enormous hay structure
with lots and lots of places to climb, quite high for the older
(5 and up) kids and lower for the younger ones.
Once you get tired of the patch, you can buy your pumpkins and
homemade treats, ride the train back and look at the museum.
They have a website with more details and directions, but they're
basically on the north side of Fairfield, about a 45 minute drive
from Berkeley
Heather
Check out Clayton Pumpkin Farm, about 30-40 mins away. But
worth it. We make the trip every year. My toddler loves it!
http://www.cvpumpkinfarm.com/
anon
Have you heard of Apple Hill? It is located outside of
Placerville. It is about a 2 hour drive from Oakland/Berkeley,
but it is worth the drive. You can probably get more
information about it online. Apple Hill is the name of an area
which has real farms that grow apples mostly. From October -
November they are open every weekend. Some are real working
farms and some places are real touristy. O'Halloran Farm has a
pumpkin patch where you even cut the pumpkin off the vine. They
also have apples! It is a really neat place.
Lisa W
Hi!
I know a great one! Clayton Pumpkin Farm in Clayton. It is
wonderful! They have animals, pumpkins, a train, corn maze and
a lot more... They opened last weekend. Can get crowded so I
would go 1st thing or later afternoon. Have fun! Here is their
website www.cvpumpkinfarm.com
samantha
Ardenwood Historical Farm! First, its not a pumpkin patch
(although there is one right outside of the farm...and you can
pick your pumpkin after you have a GREAT day of fun at the farm)
but it is a GREAT place to celebrate autumn and a GREAT place for
babies - adults! It is part of the East Bay Regional Parks
district and is located in Fremont on what was an old farm.
Although they have activities year round, on October 14th & 15th
they are having their annual Harvest Festival. You can pick
(free) popcorn and decorative corn right from the field, they
have a REAL horse pulled train, old steam tractors that pull
wagons, chickens, peacocks etc., craft activities for older
children (making clothespin dolls, bean bags etc.), live
bluegrass music, and best of all for toddlers (I have twin
toddlers that I am taking this year), ACRES TO RUN AROUND ON!!
There are also places to picnic although you can buy food there
too. The best part is that it is non-commercial, people in
historical costumes, and it just gives you that warm,
non-cynical, fuzzy autumn feeling. Plan for a whole day!
Nancy
Someone on BPN just posted a message about this within the past
month and it looks great and we are going. here's the post:
For the past 2 years we've taken our now 3.5-yr old & 2-yr old
to Smith Family Farm in Brentwood. It has just enough
activities for the kids to make it a perfect little day trip.
There's admission but children under a certain age are free.
(Don't remember what that age was.) Activites on the farm
include: seeing animals, a barn sing-a-long, an indian village
with a native americanm that talks about indian life, a hay
bail tunnel & hay bail maze for kids & a fun corn maze for the
big ''kids''. The funest part is that visitors take a tractor-
pulled wagon ride to the punpkin patch where you get to pick
out your own pumpkins. They also have a little general store &
veggie stand. You can bring a picnic (& cake). They have
tables. Visiting Smith Family Farm will be our family tradition
for several more years. Some of the decorations are a little
hokie, but the kids LOVE it. Here's a link to an article about
the farm:
http://kron4.com/Global/story.asp?s=547249
http://www.smithfamilyfarm.com/
Andi
I highly recommend Smith Family Farm past Antioch off hwy 4-
about 50 minutes from Berkeley. Very fun for toddlers as well as
older. They have animals (but not petting,)a great 15 minute
show in the barn- fiddling and homemade instruments old-time
music and at the end all the children are invited to play music
on stage together. Also a replica Miwok village to show what was
there before farms. And a corn maze, and a hay tunnel. You take
a hayride out to the pumpkins and choose one per person. We've
gone three times over the past 4 years and always love it.
Chris
We really love the Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm, though it is a
bit far from Berkeley - like maybe an hour. It has a train, and
there are goats and a Llama, and maybe some other animals. It
also has a Kids play area that costs $3 per kid, but is oodles of
fun -- the highlight is the bean pot - HUGE kiddie pools filled
with beans that the kids can dive right into. There is also a
maze made out of haystacks that is lots of fun. My son, now 5,
has remembered our annual visit and can't wait to go
back...www.cvpumpkinfarm.com
Shahana
October 2006
My 2-year-old is crazy about pumpkins right now and his dad and I
would like to take him to visit a pumpkin farm on an upcoming
weekend between now and Halloween. I checked the website and all
of the recommendations are 5+ years old. We'd love a place that
offers lots of pumpkins, of course, but also fun activities for a
toddler. I was thinking something along the lines of a hay ride
or petting zoo. We'd like to go somewhere within about an hours
drive from the Berekely area but we'd probably be willing to
drive farther for something really exceptional.
Wendy
Try Perry Farms next to the entrance of Ardenwood Park in
Fremont. They have tons of pumpkins in a fields, piles of hay
for kids to climb on, hay rides around a real farm, and a corn
maze. They are very friendly and it is a great farm experience
for little kids.
I recommend Lemos Farm in Half Moon Bay. Great for toddlers!
http://www.lemosfarm.com/
Have fun!
Try Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm in Clayton (www.cvpumpkinfarm.com) or Joan's Farm
and Pumpkin Patch (www.joansfarm.com). Both have great activities for kids.
anon
On Saturday we took my 2- and 5-year-olds to a pumpkin farm 6 miles south of
Half Moon Bay (www.aratapumpkinfarm.com) and loved it. There was a maze made
out of straw bales that probably covered 3/4 acre and we spent 20 minutes just
running around in there. We also did the hay ride and the pony ride. We tried the
petting zoo, but the goats scared my kids (they were too eager to be fed). Then we
pulled red wagons into the field and picked up our pumpkins. The activities were
not cheap (I think we spent $35 for the four of us to do all of these things over a
period of about 1.5 hours), but it was really fun. Whether you to Arata or not, if you
plan to go to Half Moon Bay do it this weekend. Don't wait. It gets crazy out there
as Halloween approaches.
Liz O.
Perry's Organic Produce (http://www.perryfarmsorganic.com) next
to Ardenwood Historic Farm
(http://www.ebparks.org/parks/arden.htm or
http://www.fremont.gov/Recreation/ArdenwoodPark/) in Fremont is
probably a good bet. I know they have a pumpkin patch and a corn
maze, and I think they have hayrides, too. Plus, Ardenwood Farm
has farm animals and a horse-drawn train. Enjoy!
Ardenwood fan
The Western Railway Museum in Suisun (off Hwy 12) is a
wonderful, magical place to take your kids to in the weeks
before Halloween. They provide (historical) train rides and
starting on October 14th (weekends only) the ride will take you
to a pumpkin patch that feels like you're in the middle of
nowhere. There is a hay ride and a couple of animals to pet.
There is a huge hay maze with some slides (well, that's what
they had the previous years and I assume they have a similar
thing this year). It is a bit pricey: $12 for adults and $9 for
children 2 and up, but this includes the train ride. Our kids
have always loved this place and we make it a point to go there
every year! Here's the link with more info:
http://www.wrm.org/events/upcoming_events.htm
JOJ
Sept 2006
I'm racking my brain trying to come up with a creative spot for my
almost-5-year-old's October birthday. Has anyone done a pumpkin-patch party? I'm
thinking of a bigger patch that's got some extra things to do, maybe Ardenwood?
I'd love to hear about your experiences.
Thanks!
Karen
For the past 2 years we've taken our now 3.5-yr old & 2-yr old
to Smith Family Farm in Brentwood. It has just enough
activities for the kids to make it a perfect little day trip.
There's admission but children under a certain age are free.
(Don't remember what that age was.) Activites on the farm
include: seeing animals, a barn sing-a-long, an indian village
with a native americanm that talks about indian life, a hay
bail tunnel & hay bail maze for kids & a fun corn maze for the
big ''kids''. The funest part is that visitors take a tractor-
pulled wagon ride to the punpkin patch where you get to pick
out your own pumpkins. They also have a little general store &
veggie stand. You can bring a picnic (& cake). They have
tables. Visiting Smith Family Farm will be our family tradition
for several more years. Some of the decorations are a little
hokie, but the kids LOVE it. Here's a link to an article about
the farm:
http://kron4.com/Global/story.asp?s=547249
Debbie
September 2005
We would like to take my daughter's toddler class to a pumpkin
patch this year. Is there anything close to
Berkeley/Kensington? It doesn't have to be a Pick-your-own
place. Just somewhere the kids can see and touch pumpkins and
pick one out to take home. The places listed in the archives
are too far to take the little ones and be back by naptime.
Thanks!
shari
When my kids went to preschool at Claremont Day Nursery in
Kensington, the school did a sort of ''rent-a-patch'' where some
group brought pumpkins and spread them out in empty lot/field
across from the school. The kids got to pick through the
impromptu ''pumpkin patch'' and the remaining ones were just
packed back up and taken away. You could call them and ask how
they did it.
D. Moran
There is usually a pumpkin patch next to the freeway on the
Golden Gate Fields side in Berkeley between University & Gilman.
October 2004
Does anyone have recommendations for a farm with a u-pick
pumpkin patch in or near the East Bay that also has fun
Halloween activities for kids?
Jennifer
Cardoza's Pumpkin Farm in Petaluma is amazing...great for all
ages from the hay bale maze (shorter than corn for the kids)
jumpy houses and hayrides to the 50 acres of real pumkin patch!
beautiful surrounding in a valley in Petaluma...
cut and paste to:
http://www.hauntedbay.com/reviews/cardozapumpkin2003.shtml
moniz
Clayton Valley Pumpkin Patch - it's a haul from Berkeley, and
you aren't actually picking them off the vine, but there are a
tremendous number of pumpkins on the patch to choose from, as
well as a very lovely children't play area with a bean pot that
will keep all ages happy for HOURS. It has a train, and
animals, and a maze as well. It costs around $5 for the fun,
but the pumpkins are reasonably priced, if I recall correctly.
Check them out at http://www.cvpumpkinfarm.com/. For other
local pumpkin patches,
http://www.thewavemag.com/pagegen.php?pagename=halloween_2002&name=halloween_pumpkin , but I don't
know about them personally.
beanpot mamma
I loved Smith Family Farms, my daughter went last year for a
class trip (and many parents came too.) You get a hay ride out
to the pumpkin patch and back, and after the kids choose their
pumpkins they also got to pick some tomatoes or whatever was
ready for picking. They have activities in the barn, and ponies
and other animals. A very nice family and staff runs it. It was
really fun , and ended up being well worth the drive (it's in
Knightsen, beyond Antioch I think 50 miles from Berkeley,)
There's enough to do besides picking out a pumpkin, plus it was
neat to get it from a real patch where they actually grew them.
Chris
October 2001
Does anyone know of any pumpkin patches where you can actually pick (off the vine) your own pumpkins?
Lots of recommendations for places on the website, but its not clear if they are prepicked or not. Thanks.
Hilary
East Bay Moms has an annual outing to McClelland's Two Rock Pumpkin Farm near Petaluma (this year we'll be there 10/28). It's about an hour from Oakland, but it's a terrific farm where you take a wheelbarrow and pick your own pumpkins right from the vine.
Lee
Regarding Pumpkin Patch Picking, consider going to Ardenwood in Fremont.
It's a real working ranch and they have a nice big pumpkin patch, plus they
also have holiday oriented activities throughout the year, from celtic
celebrations to teas.
Marianne
October 1999
Last year we went to a great pumpkin patch in Marin but darned if I can
remember the name of it. Can anyone help? It started with a "C" and was off
of route 37. There were pony rides, a jumping castle, a fruit stand, hay ride
and food to purchase and tons of pumpkins. Help!
Thanks...Diana
Just wanted to throw in a recommendation for the pumpkin patch at Ardenwood
Farm in Fremont. It's not too flashy but they have a great selection of
pumpkins. There is also a corn maze, a hay maze (for those under 4-feet
tall), and a "tunnel of darkness." We had a great time. You can also visit
the farm while you are there, but you have to pay admission. From the East
Bay, take 880 to the Dumbarton Bridge exit, then follow the signs to Ardenwood.
Randal
The Ardenwood Historic Farm has a nice Pumkin Patch where you can also get a
tractor ride to tour parts of the farm. On the farm there are also sheep,
goats and bunnies that kids can pet, along with pigs, chickens, horses and
other animals typical of a farm. It belongs to the East Bay Regional Park
system and takes about $4-5 per person to get in, but the ground is big and
very beautiful and it's well worth it.
Chris
The pumpkin patch you seek is Cardoza's in Petaluma. In fact, I was
there yesterday! It's a great place, with an enormous pumpkin patch
(the view of it as you drive down a hill toward it is impressive!), a
nice picnic area, and a petting zoo. I was there with my playgroup
of children around one year old and they really seemed to enjoy the
animals and little gourds that they could get their hands around.
The walkers and crawlers also enjoyed moving around the huge pumpkins
and squashes that are lying around in the grass - they're great to
climb over! Admission is free, and parking is free during the week
but $1.00 on weekends. I'd highly recommend the place is you're up
for a drive. Plus, the scenery is lovely. Have fun!
To those interested in Cardoza pumpkin patch:
Directions: From Marin take 101 North to 37 East. Take a left at first
streetlight onto Lakeville Road, then follow signs for about 5 miles.
Its hard to tell from the map whether folks coming from the East Bay
should go through Marin or take 80 East to 37 West to Lakeville Rd. Use
your judgement!
Gretchen
There's a similarly great pumpkin patch in Clayton, out past Walnut Creek
and Concord. Has some animals, though not to pet, and a play area
with a hay maze (dark).
Ardenwood charges $5-$6 for adults and something for older children.
The basic attractions are a wagon ride, a horse-drawn train ride,
a period activity you can watch (blacksmith or outdoor cooking), and
a house tour. It's a work in progress right now, and there isn't
all that much to do or see. They haven't developed exhibits or
activities that are going to teach younger kids much about 19th
century farming. The phone line has extensive information and
schedule, so it's a good idea to use that to time your visit with
a special event.
Bob
I read about these two pumpkin-Halloween places in the Valley Parents
newspaper, but don't have first hand knowledge about them. Elaine
1. Halloween Pumpkin Harvest - Smith Family Farms, Sellers Rd. btw. Sunset
& Delta Rd., Brentwood.
Open daily Oct. 6-31. Mon-Fri 9-1; Sat-Sun 9-5. Admission $4.50 weekdays
and $5.50 weekends.
510-634-4739 or 625-3544.
Features horse-drawn or tractor-driven hayride to a pumpkin patch, farm
animals, live entertainment, scarecrow display, storytime in the big barn,
picnic area.
2. Pumpkin Farm (and Christmas trees) at Clayton Valley - 1060 Pine Lane, 2
mi. east of downtown Clayton on Marsh Creek Rd. Open every day in October,
9 am-8 pm. No phone # listed.
Features trackless train, "plumpkin" playground, tunnel of straw, scarecrow row.
Elaine
Vacaville has a really nice one with pumpkin ice cream, live
music/comedy, and a scarecrow contest located in a maze of haystacks
that was quite creative and enjoyable (may scare younger children
however). They have pumpkins everywhere and you can carve them on
site.
Naomi
There's a nice pumpkin farm just north of the dumbarton bridge
on Paseo Padre Rd. I believe it's called Oak Hill farms. My
daughter's kindergarten class went there yesterday. They have
Hay rides, don't know about animals. The pumpkin farm is at the
intersection of Paseo Padre & Patterson Ranch Rd. I remembered
this because if you continue down Patterson Ranch Rd, you'll be
at Coyote Hills Regional Park. This is a great park for kids &
adults. 1/2 mile walk to an Indian Village setup, a very good
visitor's center. Paved walks around the hills (great for
bikes, (occasional 10-20 foot inclines steeper than comfortable
for my 5yo who's just learning to ride her bike ;) and a wooden
boardwalk that goes all around a marsh (read duck heaven). Lots
of Geese and ducks come in late fall and nest here. I definitly
recommend making a day of it.
-=-Dave
Ardenwood Farm is part of the East Bay Regional Park system and is
a working farm that uses old-fashioned technology. They have hay rides
and old farm machinery, crafts and other activities. I know that they
are open on the weekends and I believe they have special activities
or weekends around Halloween and Christmas. Ardenwood is located in Newark
right off the 880 Freeway at the exit for the Dunbarton Bridge.
Call the East Bay Regional Parks system for more info. I know that
they send out a brochure each year describing the nature walks
and craft making opportunities in all the East Bay Parks. I think
there may be an entrance fee, but I don't remember it being more
than a few dollars and probably only applies to adults and teens.
Debby
I thought I'd share the information I have about the Hoes Down, the annual
harvest festival that takes place at Full Belly Farm. This is a fun
event, with tons of stuff going on for kids as well as adults: swimming
in the creek, grinding grain, farm tours, natural dying, various workshops
(gardening, etc), music, dancing, food, hay bale fort, and more! I'd
personally describe it as like an old fashioned county fair with an
alternative agriculture twist - with something of a folk festival/outdoor
market feel.
Once you get in all the activities are free, but you might want pocket
money for the food booths, crafts, and farmers market area.
Here's the basic info:
October 4th
11 am - 11 pm
location: Full Belly Farm, in Guinda on Hwy 16. Take 80 to 505 and get
off at 16 (Esparto) and head north... you'll see signs along 16 for the
Hoes Down.
Cost: adults $8, kids ages 2 and up $3
For more info: 916-796-3464 (or you can email me)
This is a benefit for the Committee for Sustainable Agriculture
Additional stuff:
Camping is available Saturday night - $10 per car
There is a bus tour of local organic farms on Sunday from 10-3 which
costs extra and required pre-registration at the phone number above.
Come join the fun!
-Charis
this page was last updated: Sep 22, 2012
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