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Monterey & Santa Cruz County Pumpkin Patches

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Nothing says fall on the Central Coast quite like a Saturday spent hunting for the perfect pumpkin. Whether your family likes a no-frills farm stand, a corn maze to get lost in, or a full day of hayrides, trains, and photo ops, there’s a patch within an easy drive. 

Before you head out, turn to page 32 for tips on choosing the perfect pumpkin, and keep those recipes handy for using it up once it’s home. 

This year’s list stretches from the Salinas Valley and Carmel Valley to the Santa Cruz coast, with a few worthwhile road trips to Pescadero, Morgan Hill, and Hollister. A few patches sell tickets online or charge for parking on weekends, and hours can change with the weather, so it’s worth a quick check of the farm’s website or social media before you load up the car.

Borchard Farms

  • 142 Rodgers Road, Salinas
  • www.borchardfarms.com
  • Open 11:00 am to 8:00 pm daily through October 31.
  • Open Friday, September 12

Find a large variety of pumpkins, gourds, and squash while enjoying the 5-acre corn maze, Ghost Town, the Haunted Barn, and lots of farm animals. You can even purchase an “Autumn in a Box” display with corn stalks, pumpkins, gourds, squash, and other festive decor for your office, restaurant, or family display. To make your display extra special have your pumpkin engraved with your logo or family name.

Crystal Bay Farm

Pumpkin patch opens October 1. Offering a wide variety of organic pumpkins and gourds for purchase. Stations set up for photos. Check their website for special activities and final operating days and times.

Earthbound Farms

  • 7250 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley
  • earthboundfarm.com
  • Monday-Saturday 8 am-6 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-6 pm

The Earthbound Farms pumpkin patch is open now, with special events planned for the weekends. Visit the farm’s events calendar or Instagram (@earthboundfarmstand) for specific event times. 

Everett Family Farm

  • 2111 Old San Jose Road, Soquel
  • everettfamilyfarm.com
  • Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm open daily late October 10 am-5 pm

You won’t find an official pumpkin patch but you will find a generously stocked farm stand with lots of pumpkins and squash.

The Farm

The pumpkin patch is open and pumpkins are also available for sale in the farm stand. Upcoming events: Maker’s Morning Pumpkin Painting, October 10; Fall Festival, October 24.

Gizdich Ranch

  • 55 Peckham Road, Watsonville
  • gizdich-ranch.com
  • 831-722-1056
  • Open daily 9 am-5 pm, open daily 2nd week of October

U-pick apples are open weekends only, 9 am-5 pm (credit or debit card only, no cash). You can also buy produce and pies and use the picnic area. 

Hacienda Hay & Feed

  • 7180 Carmel Valley Rd. Carmel, 93923
  • haciendacv.store
  • 831-293-8133
  • Hours vary depending on activity. Tues-Sat 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm and closed Monday

Pumpkin stand with a large variety of pumpkins and great photo opps. Plus, a fun hay maze.

The Great Pumpkin Patch

Offering a large variety of pumpkins and gourds in all sizes and shapes. An assortment of fun activities for both the children and parents to enjoy, including a petting zoo, hay and train rides, pumpkin slingshots, bumper boats.

THE PATCH AT 10 RIVER ROAD 

  • 10 River Road, Salinas 93908
  • Instagram: @thepatch10riverroad
  • Open 7 days a week

With an expanded lawn space, display area, and corn maze, this year’s pumpkin patch is bigger and better than ever. It’s fun for the whole family with hay rides, bounce houses, and more. Daily and seasonal passes available.

Post Street Farm

Urban farm with a wide selection of organic pumpkins, fall flowers and other seasonal goodies. Halloween photo ops, pet rabbits, bee hives and more.

Rancho Siempre Verde Pumpkin Patch

  • 2250 Carbrillo Highway, Pescadero
  • rsvtrees.com
  • 9:00 am-4:30 pm daily

The Rancho Siempre Verde Farm Fall Festival Pumpkin Patch is here and you can pick pumpkins, cut flowers, grab a peck of apples, make a fall wreath, have a picnic, take a swing on the swings, slide down the big slide, and enjoy farm activities all overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Tickets are per car (up to 6 guests): $115 online, $125 at the festival, and include five pumpkins, a flower bouquet, and apples. Purchase tickets online for Fall Festival held on Saturdays and Sundays through October 25.

Rodoni Farms

  • 4444 Coast Road, Santa Cruz,
  • North of Santa Cruz on HWY 1
  • www.rodonifarms.com
  • Open through Oct. 31, 11 am-6 pm

Come roam through fields of pumpkins located along the beautiful California Coast on Hwy 1. There are many to choose from, from traditional Howdens to Gallileos! Enjoy hay bales, scary cutouts, a 5-acre corn maze, and all the varieties of produce you can expect from an autumn harvest. Pumpkins and squash are half price on the honor system through November 30.

Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch

Free admission; attraction tickets are sold on-site only (no online sales). Parking is free Monday-Thursday, $30 cash only Friday-Sunday. Trains, new Bee Train, cow train, hayride with dino walk, corn maze, pumpkin blasters, plus a wide variety of pumpkins. Park Pass $45.

Swank Farms

  • 4751 Pacheco Pass, Hollister
  • www.swankfarms.com
  • Opens October 4, 2025
  • Thursdays 10 am – 6:00 pm
  • Fridays – Sundays 10 am – 10 pm

Tons of fun planned for the entire family. Kids will enjoy a 9-acre corn maze riddle hunt, pumpkin patch, sunflower field, farm animals, and much more. 


Choose and Carve A Boo-tiful Jack O’Lantern

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It’s pumpkin time! How can you make sure you pick the perfect pumpkin and transform it into a boo-tiful jack-o-lantern? Check out these handy tips with everything you need to know to create your family’s best-ever pumpkin.

Picky, picky

  • The best selection at pumpkin patches and in grocery stores will probably be available early this month.

  • No matter where you go, look for smooth pumpkins with no soft spots that indicate rot. It is also ideal to find one with a green stem, which means that the pumpkin has been freshly picked.

  • Try not to let your kids pick up the pumpkin by the stem. If the stem breaks off, it could take some of the outer pumpkin with it, making the inside rot faster.

  • Once you get your prized pumpkin home, store it uncarved in a cool, dry spot. Aim to crave your jack ’o lantern just a few days before Halloween. This will ensure that it does not decay too fast (boo, black spots!) and looks frightfully good on the big night.


Carving station

The mess from making a Jack-o-lantern is easier to handle on your patio or in your backyard than inside.

Never fear, though. Carving can be done indoors or out, especially with a well-prepared station. To make cleanup easier, line your tabletop with newspaper or cut open a plastic trash bag to spread over your surface. You will want to clean up quickly afterwards, too, since pumpkin flesh and seeds are super slippery.

Make it Boo-tiful

Have you ever seen a jack-o-lantern with black lines on its face? I know when my family uses permanent markers to sketch our design, we are usually left with a couple mistakes that we must live with or cut out. Here’s a tip I wish I knew years ago: try sketching your lines with a dry erase marker instead as their marks are erasable on pumpkins. Or use a template that you can attach directly to the pumpkin as a guide.

When it’s time to cut into your pumpkin, leave that to the adults as little ones should not handle anything sharp. Instead, give the kids big spoons or an ice cream scoop and let them scrape out the seeds. Save the seeds if you want to toast them later (more on that below).

Grown-ups, your goal should be to cut with short, controlled motions. Don’t forget to go slow. The best way to avoid a serious

hand injury is by taking your time.

Extra, Extra

Another useful tip is to give kids their own small pumpkin to decorate with glitter and glue or foam stickers while you carve the family’s bigger pumpkin. That way they will stay engaged and not lose interest.

If carving is more trick than treat for your family, then you can always paint your pumpkin instead. Note that you may need several coats to get the desired color and it can take a while for the paint to dry between coats.

Getting seedy

If you want to roast the seeds later, you’ll want to soak them in a big bowl of warm water. After swirling the seeds and attached goo around with your hands to separate them a bit, let them sit for at least 5 minutes. The goo sinks to the bottom while the seeds float to the top. Once dry, your seeds are ready for whatever sweet or savory recipe you find on the internet. Enjoy!

Katy M. Clark is a writer and mom of two who celebrates her imperfections on her blog Experienced Bad Mom.

Perfectly Pumpkin

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Pumpkin is the flavor of the season when Thanksgiving comes around, especially when used in desserts and sweet treats the whole family will enjoy.  Here are four delicious pumpkin treats your family will love!

Pumpkin Loaf

  • Nonstick cooking spray

  • 4 eggs

  • 3 1/2 cups flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking soda

  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 2 sticks butter

  • 2 cups sugar

  • 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree

  • 1 cup chocolate chips

  • 1 cup walnuts, chopped

  • Heat oven to 350 F.

  • Prepare loaf and muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray.


  1. In bowl, whisk eggs. Set aside.

  2. In separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together. Set aside.

  3. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add whisked eggs and mix until blended.

  4. Alternately add flour mixture and pumpkin puree to egg mixture, beating until blended. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.

  5. Pour batter into loaf and muffin pans. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

  6. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans.


Spiced Pumpkin Bars

  • 2  cups flour

  • 2  tsp baking powder

  • 2  tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1  tsp baking soda

  • 1/4  tsp salt

  • 4  eggs

  • 15 oz can of pumpkin

  • 1 2/3  cups sugar

  • 1  cup cooking oil

  • 3/4  cup chopped pecans (optional)

  • 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

  • 1/4  cup butter, softened

  • 1  tsp vanilla

  • 2  cups powdered sugar (sifted)

  • Pecan halves (optional)


  1. In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

  2. In a large mixing bowl beat together eggs, pumpkin, sugar, and oil on medium speed. Add the flour mixture; beat until well combined. If desired, stir in chopped pecans.

  3. Spread batter into an ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan.

  4. Bake in a 350° F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

  5. In a medium mixing bowl beat together cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, beating until smooth.

  6. Frost pumpkin bars. If desired, top with pecan halves. Cut into squares. Store, covered, in refrigerator up to 3 days.


Spiced Pumpkin Carrot Cheesecake Cupcakes

Serves 12

  • 1 box (14 ounces) pumpkin quick bread, divided

  • 1 cup carrots, shredded

  • 3 eggs, divided

  • 3/4 cup milk

  • 1/2 cup golden raisins

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil

  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

  • 2 tablespoons sugar

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 cup pecans, chopped

  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened


  1. Heat oven to 350 F. Line muffin tin with cupcake liners.

  2. In large bowl, stir 1/2 pumpkin quick bread package, carrots, 1 egg, milk, raisins and oil until blended.

  3. Fill each cupcake liner 3/4 full.

  4. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, remaining eggs, sugar and lemon juice until smooth.

  5. Spoon cream cheese mixture over cupcake batter.

  6. In medium bowl, use fork to combine remaining bread package mix, pecans and butter until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over cream cheese in each cup.

  7. Bake 25 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.


Pumpkin Caramel Spice Cake

  • Nonstick cooking spray

  • 1 box spice cake mix

  • 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin

  • 1 cup water

  • 1/2 cup canola oil

  • 3 eggs

  • 1 1/2 cups caramel sauce, divided

  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese

  • 2 tablespoons milk

  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  • 1 carton whipped topping


  1. Heat oven to 350 F. Lightly spray 9-by-13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

  2. In bowl, mix cake mix, pumpkin, water, oil and eggs until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan.

  3. Bake 30-33 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in middle of cake comes out clean.

  4. While cake is hot, using end of wooden spoon, poke holes throughout top of cake.

  5. In microwave, heat 1 1/4 cups caramel sauce.

  6. Pour sauce into holes of cake. Let cool completely.

  7. In bowl, mix cream cheese and milk. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing. Mix until smooth. Fold whipped topping into mixture.

  8. Spread frosting over cake, pressing frosting into holes of cake. Smooth out frosting.

  9. Drizzle remaining caramel sauce over frosting.


Find more dessert recipes at Culinary.net.

Pumpkin Crafts and Pumpkin Patches

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Fall is in the air and it’s time for pumpkin crafts and pumpkin patches. Read on for four fun pumpkin-themed crafts plus a list of Monterey and Santa Cruz Pumpkin Patches!

For toddlers: Little ones can explore colors and shapes and use their fine motor skills when you help them create an Easy Yarn Pumpkin Craft. You just need a few readily available items: orange yarn, glue stick, and brown and orange crayons. Draw a pumpkin shape on white paper with the orange crayon and add the brown stem. Help the child color the pumpkin and stem and then scribble glue stick all over the pumpkin. Then your little one can randomly place the yard bits on the pumpkin.

For complete instructions, click here.

For preschoolers: This papercraft pumpkin is great for practicing cutting and gluing skills. You’ll need some fall-colored paper, white paper, child safety scissors, and a few other household craft supplies. From there it’s easy gluing to line up the strips on the back paper and then adding the pumpkin cut out. Finish up with a pretty tulle and twine bow.

For complete instructions, click here.

For grade school-aged children: The Pumpkin Portrait is a great way to introduce older children to chalk pastels. They’ll learn how to blend colors and which color choices create a pleasing blend. It’s a great project for a group of kids of various ages because they will all be able to complete a portrait with different degrees of expertise.

For complete instructions, click here.

For teens and adults: The Book Pumpkin isn’t just adorable, it’s a frugal way to recycle and then decorate your home with items you already have. You’ll need a paperback book and some simple items like orange craft paint. Plus, you’ll need sharp scissors or a craft knife to cut the book.

For complete instructions, click here.

Parenting OC