October is here, and in Los Angeles that means one thing for families: pumpkin patch season. If you are searching for a pumpkin patch Los Angeles locals actually recommend, you have plenty of choices, from full working farms with corn mazes to small urban lots with unbeatable photo backdrops. This guide rounds up 10 of the best pumpkin patches in and around Los Angeles for fall 2026, starting with five standout spots featured in the video below.
- Watch: 5 Pumpkin Patches Near Los Angeles (Video)
- What the Video Covers
- The 5 Pumpkin Patches in the Video
- 5 More Pumpkin Patches Worth the Drive
- Tips for Visiting a Pumpkin Patch in LA
- Pumpkin Patch FAQ
- My Take as an LA Local
Watch: 5 Pumpkin Patches Near Los Angeles (Video)
What the Video Covers
The video “5 Pumpkin Patches to Visit Near Los Angeles in Southern California” from the channel California Through My Lens tours five Southern California pumpkin patches, mixing big working farms with smaller urban spots. Here are the key takeaways in my own words:
The first stop is Mr. Bones in Culver City, an urban pumpkin patch right in the city with playful, over-the-top decor that makes it a favorite for photos. Next is Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark, the heavyweight of the group, a full fall festival with a corn maze, tractor rides, and pick-your-own pumpkin fields. The third is the Cal Poly Pomona pumpkin patch, a university farm stand where the produce is grown by students. Fourth is Live Oak Canyon in Yucaipa, which leans into the fun with pumpkin blasters, tractor rides, and a petting zoo. The video wraps at Tanaka Farms in Irvine, a real working farm where you can pick produce straight from the fields and stock up on fall treats.
The 5 Pumpkin Patches in the Video
1. Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch, Culver City
Mr. Bones is the city patch: compact, centrally located in Culver City, and dressed up with playful Halloween decor that photographs beautifully. If you live on the Westside and do not want to drive to a farm, this is your pick. It is the kind of spot where you come for the pumpkins and stay for the photos, with clever displays at every turn. Go on a weekday if you can, since small urban patches get crowded on October weekends.
2. Underwood Family Farms, Moorpark
Underwood Family Farms is the full fall-festival experience and the biggest name on this list. Its 29th Annual Fall Harvest Festival runs September 26 through October 31, 2026, at 3370 Sunset Valley Road in Moorpark, with festival hours of 9am to 6pm. Admission includes a gigantic pumpkin patch, pick-your-own fields, a corn maze, tractor-drawn wagon rides, pig races, an animal center, hay pyramids, and more, plus themed weekends like Farm Country Weekend (October 3 and 4) and All About Pumpkins Weekend (October 24 and 25). Weekday admission in October is $16 at the gate only; weekend tickets must be bought online in advance ($25 to $38 depending on the weekend) and walk-ins are not guaranteed. If you want the classic American fall-farm day, this is it. Plan your visit on the farm’s official Fall Harvest Festival page.
3. Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Patch, Pomona
The Cal Poly Pomona pumpkin patch is run through the university’s farm store, which gives it a different feel from the commercial patches: the produce is grown by students, and the vibe is low-key and authentic. It is a great stop if you are in the San Gabriel Valley or Inland Empire and want real farm-grown pumpkins without the festival crowds. Pair it with a browse of the farm store for seasonal produce.
4. Live Oak Canyon, Yucaipa
Live Oak Canyon in Yucaipa is the adventure pick of the five. Beyond the pumpkin patch itself, it offers pumpkin blasters, tractor rides, and a petting zoo, which makes it a strong choice if you have kids who need more than pumpkins to stay entertained. It is a bit of a drive from central LA, but that is the tradeoff for space: room to roam, big skies, and a genuine country feel.
5. Tanaka Farms, Irvine
Tanaka Farms is a real working farm in the heart of Irvine, and its 2026 pumpkin patch season runs September 12 through November 1. October hours are Monday through Thursday 9am to 6pm and Friday through Sunday 9am to 9pm, and reservations are required. Admission is $23 for ages 3 and older Monday through Thursday and Friday before noon, and $27 Friday afternoon through Sunday; pumpkins are sold separately at $1.39 per pound, and weekend parking passes are $12. Admission includes the pumpkin fields, unlimited wagon rides, the barnyard exhibit, a corn maze, and a kids play area. It is one of the only farms in Orange County with a real pick-your-own pumpkin patch, and the fall treats at the farm stand are worth the trip on their own. Check dates and book on the farm’s official pumpkin page.
5 More Pumpkin Patches Worth the Drive
The video covers five, but the LA area has plenty more. Here are five additional patches worth knowing about, drawn from this season’s local roundups:
Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch, Brea. Running October 2 through November 1 at 480 N State College Blvd, this is a convenient Orange County option with a big selection.
Pumpkin City, Laguna Hills. Open October 1 through 31 at 24203 Avenida De La Carlota, a classic family-run patch with rides and carnival-style attractions.
Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch, Orange. Open September 12 through October 31 at 1 Irvine Park Rd, inside Irvine Regional Park. The train ride through the park in fall is a bonus.
Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch, Costa Mesa. Open October 1 through 31 at 88 Fair Dr, an easy stop if you are already in the area.
Nights of the Jack. If you want pumpkins after dark, this nighttime jack-o’-lantern trail is a completely different experience from a daytime patch, and pairs perfectly with a day at one of the farms above. For even more Halloween-season ideas, see our guide to Halloween events in Los Angeles.
For Orange County dates and prices in one place, the 2026 Orange County pumpkin patch roundup is a useful companion to this guide.
Tips for Visiting a Pumpkin Patch in LA
Go early in October. The best selection of pumpkins is in the first two weeks, and the biggest festival weekends sell out. Underwood and Tanaka Farms both require advance online tickets on weekends, so do not just show up.
Chase the golden hour. As a photographer, I will tell you the last 90 minutes before sunset is when a pumpkin patch looks its best: warm low light, long shadows, glowing orange pumpkins. Midday sun in an open field is harsh and flat.
Bring cash for extras. Admission usually covers the patch and basic activities, but food, pony rides, face painting, and specialty attractions are often ticketed separately.
Wear boots, not white sneakers. Working farms are dusty, and pumpkin fields can be muddy after watering. You will thank yourself later.
Check what is included before you go. Every patch prices differently: some charge per person, some are free entry with pumpkins priced by size or weight. A quick check of the official site saves surprises at the gate.
If you are planning your whole month, our roundup of October events in Los Angeles and things to do in LA this weekend will keep your calendar full.
Once you have picked your pumpkins, keep the Halloween spirit going after dark with our guide to the 21 best Halloween movies to watch in 2026 for your October movie nights.
Pumpkin Patch FAQ
Which pumpkin patch near Los Angeles is best for families with kids?
Underwood Family Farms is the top family pick: the Fall Harvest Festival includes a corn maze, tractor-drawn wagon rides, pig races, an animal center, and themed weekends, all designed for kids. Tanaka Farms is another strong choice, with wagon rides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, and a kids play area included with admission.
Do LA pumpkin patches require tickets or reservations in advance?
Many do on weekends. Underwood Family Farms sells weekend tickets online only during the Fall Harvest Festival, and walk-ins are not guaranteed admission. Tanaka Farms requires reservations for its 2026 pumpkin patch season. Smaller urban patches are usually walk-in friendly, but check the official site before you drive.
When do pumpkin patches in Los Angeles open?
Most open in mid to late September and run through Halloween. For 2026, Tanaka Farms opened September 12 and Underwood Family Farms opened September 26; both run through October 31 (Tanaka through November 1). For a broader view of the season, browse our insider’s guide to Los Angeles.
My Take as an LA Local
I have lived in Los Angeles for decades. I grew up in Hacienda Heights, in the hills east of the city, and my father grew up in Hollywood, so the rhythm of fall in this town is in my bones. October here has its own energy: the light shifts, golden hour comes earlier, and the whole city leans into Halloween season.
In 27 years as a photographer in LA, I have learned that fall is secretly one of the best seasons to shoot here. Summer light is beautiful but predictable; October light has mood. A pumpkin patch at golden hour is a gift to any photographer: saturated color, texture everywhere, dust in the air catching the light. Some of my favorite personal photos from this city were taken in exactly these conditions, low sun over an open field.
My honest advice: pick one big farm day and one small patch visit. Do Underwood or Tanaka Farms on a weekday morning for the full experience without the crowds, then hit a city patch like Mr. Bones in the late afternoon for photos when the light is doing all the work. That is the LA fall done right.
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What is your family’s pumpkin patch tradition? Which patch are you visiting first this October? Tell me in the comments, I read every one.
