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Favorite Pumpkin Patches in the West

Find the perfect pumpkin—classic orange, fairytale pink, or even made of glass—at these patches.

Pumpkins sit outside the green barn at Lemos Farm in Half Moon Bay, California.
The pumpkin patch at Lemos Farm in Half Moon Bay, California.
Courtesy Lemos Farm

September/October 2022 Issue

“My favorite pumpkin patch in the West is Lemos Farm in Half Moon Bay, California. It has pony and hay tractor rides, a haunted house, bouncy houses, old fashioned rocking horses, goats to pet, picnic areas, and a train ride through Cowboy Country. Lemos Farm even has a gravel pit with hydrolic machinery for kids to pretend they are digging up gravel. They also have a great snack area that has tasty pumpkin ice cream. It’s a favorite spot to come during Halloween.” —Keri Cochran

Klicker’s Pumpkin Patch in Walla Walla, Washington, is my favorite pumpkin patch. I grew up in Walla Walla, and we went there every year until we moved to Nevada in 1986. Starting in September each year, when I see the patches in Nevada being harvested, I can't help but think about autumn in Walla Walla, when the air turned crisp, and the childish mystery of bright colors exploded everywhere I looked—including the bright-orange pumpkins. No matter where I am, I will always fondly remember Klicker’s Pumpkin Patch.” —Teresa Gurries 

“The best pumpkin patches are in Half Moon Bay, California, where you can find the most colorful variety and most delicious pies. People flock here to attend the annual Art and Pumpkin Festival, which showcases all things fall, and even hosts a pumpkin contest with a cash prize for the biggest gourd.” —Barbara Graves

An orange glass pumpkin on display at the Palo Alto Art Center's Great Glass Pumpkin Patch in Palo Alto, California.
Pumpkins come in all colors and sizes at the Palo Alto Art Center's Great Glass Pumpkin Patch.
Keay Edwards

“For over 26 years, the Bay Area Glass Institute and the Palo Alto Art Center have sponsored California’s largest Great Glass Pumpkin Patch on the grounds of the Palo Alto Art Center, drawing thousands of visitors from around the country every year. More than 25 California artists take months to hand-blow and hand-craft the more than 10,000 beautiful glass pumpkins, which range from teeny-tiny to gargantuan. The pumpkins come in all colors and various shapes.” —Sarah Corneille

Wemple’s Pumpkin Patch in Milford, California, has tons of pumpkins, antique farm equipment, the best pumpkin pie, and a great view across Honey Lake and the valley.” —Teresa Pustejovsky

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“For 15 years, my family has been going to Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch in Napa, California. We spend the entire day there, choosing wagons full of perfect pumpkins in all sorts of colors—the fairytale pumpkins are always my favorite—climbing the giant haystack and sliding down the tube slides, ‘testing out’ the vintage tractors, and finishing with a tasty snack at the Stanly Lane Smokehouse. Our yearly tradition is something I look forward to as soon as the season rolls into fall.” —Lisa Wanket

“The best ever is Wemple’s in Milford, California. In October, the working ranch turns into a wonderful family-friendly place with corn mazes, tractor rides, animals, and pumpkins as far as the eye can see. The fresh burgers, pastries, and magical caramel apples keep your hunger at bay.” —Michele Salas