Here’s where to find the best pumpkin patches in San Francisco and beyond

The trees are shedding their leaves, the days are getting shorter and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is right around the corner. Around this time of year, it’s only natural that you’ll feel the urge to imbibe anything pumpkin spice-flavored and pick up an orange gourd of your own. You may even be called to wander through a maize labyrinth with family, friends or that special someone.

Sure, you can buy a pumpkin at Trader Joe’s or Safeway, but if you’re craving the full fall experience—haunted houses, petting zoos, hayrides and the like—you’ll want to venture beyond the city limits.

Here’s The Standard’s round-up of pumpkin patches not to miss and a few ghoulish grown-up adventures to explore in San Francisco and beyond.

Be sure to check websites or call in advance for the opening dates and hours, since some of these activities can be weather-dependent and have not yet released their opening date for the 2023 season.

A third-generation San Francisco company that got its start in selling fresh Christmas trees, Clancy’s became the first and only pumpkin patch in the city in 1979. You can expect just the basics here: pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks and other spooky season produce. Yet, with its expansive selection, ghoulish decorations and convenient location, it may be the easiest way to get your pumpkin fix.

Clancy’s
📍 2101 Sloat Blvd. and 1620 Seventh Ave., SF
🔗 Visit website 

The Petaluma Pumpkin Patch and Amazing Corn Maze has been voted one of the country’s best by the New York Times and for good reason—it can take up to 45 minutes to complete this maze. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times because there’s only one way out of this maze of maize and it can get downright dizzying. But don’t worry: There are second-story viewing platforms located within the maze if you’re desperate to orient yourself. And if overwhelming mazes aren’t your thing, there’s plenty else to do: pumpkin picking, farm animals, rides and more. 

Petaluma Pumpkin Patch and Amazing Corn Maze 
📍 450 Stony Point Road, Petaluma 
🔗 Visit website

Need to let out a little aggression? Watching a gourd splatter against the wall might be just the thing for you. G&S gives visitors access to their pumpkin cannons alongside the more traditional activities like picking pumpkins straight off the vine and an expansive corn maze. It’s a third-generation farm and the first farm to plant sweet corn in Brentwood. It’s still known for its sweet corn production—in particular, a variety called Brentwood Diamonds. 

G&S Farms

📍 1151 Chestnut St., Brentwood
🔗 Visit website 

If getting lost is your thing, this is the place for you. The Guinness World Record holder for largest corn maze, Cool Patch Pumpkins creates a new and unique corn maze every year that’s sure to keep you guessing. And it’s not only about the corn—you can do other activities like hayrides and pumpkin picking while you wait for your friends to find their way out of the labyrinth. On weekends, hot and cold food is available for purchase, too. 

Cool Patch Pumpkins

📍 6150 Dixon Ave. W., Dixon
🔗 Visit website 

A longtime favorite among the family set, Lemos Farm truly has it all: pony rides, train rides, petting zoo, haunted house, hayrides, play town and more—so much it bills itself as a “family friendly amusement park.” Because it’s a popular spot that can get very crowded, be sure to plan ahead and buy your tickets in advance. Reservations are recommended.

Lemos Farm
📍 12320 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay
🔗 Visit website 

Arata’s Pumpkin Farm’s picturesque setting along Half Moon Bay doesn’t prepare you for the fear and mayhem inside—namely, the minotaur waiting for you in the middle of the corn maze. This, and the creepy haunted barn, make Arata’s the best place to get spooked. Don’t worry, though; that minotaur will give you a special gift if you end up finding him in the middle of the maze. There are plenty of non-spooky options here as well, including a petting zoo, a train, pony rides and a hay wagon. You could spend all day at Arata’s.

Arata’s Pumpkin Farm
📍 185 Verde Road, Half Moon Bay
🔗 Visit website 

While many pumpkin patches showcase farm animals of the adorable and fuzzy, Webb Ranch ups the ante with an array of scaly—but not scary—reptiles. They also have an expansive traditional petting zoo, which features alpacas, goats, ducks, pigs, bunnies and sheep. Be sure not to miss the ducks with curly hair! Reservations are required on weekends.

Webb Ranch
📍 2718 Alpine Road, Portola Valley
🔗 Visit website