Best Pumpkin Patches in the West

In search of a great pumpkin

Pumpkin patches are more than just farms to pick your pumpkins from. They make for day-long excursions with kids and offer a host of activities like corn mazes, hayrides and much more. Here is a sampling of some of West USA’s best pumpkin patches:

OREGON

Sauvie Island

Located about 10 miles northwest of Portland, The Pumpkin Patch offerings include pick-your-own pumpkins, corn and hay mazes, and hayrides.16511 N.W. Gillihan Rd.; (503) 621-3874.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Half Moon Bay

Hunkered down on the coast about 20 miles south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is famous for its mammoth pumpkin festival (October 19–20) and even bigger pumpkins. Two of our favorites: Bob’s Pumpkin Farm (5 miles south of Half Moon Bay on State 1; 650/726-4567); and Farmer John’s Pumpkins (State 1 just north of State 92; 650/726-4980).

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Orange

At the 5-acre Peltzer Farms Pumpkin Patch, train rides, hayrides, pony rides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, and even pig races compete with pumpkins for your attention. 8415 E. Chapman Ave.; (714) 289-0137 or www.peltzerfarms.com.

COLORADO

Erie

Home of Colorado’s Longest-Running Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch, the Anderson Farms are open daily for Fall Festival, Terror in the Corn and Zombie Paintball Hunt. 6728 County Road 3 1/4.; (303) 828-5210 or andersonfarms.com.

ARIZONA

Queen Creek

In the metro Phoenix area, the pumpkin patch at Schnepf Farms comes complete with train rides, entertainment, and food. 24810 S. Rittenhouse Rd.; (480) 987-3100. www.schnepffarms.com

by James Boone, Bonnie Henderson, Susan Lendroth and Lisa Taggart for Sunset