curated & link-verified · updated Sept 1 · re-verified weekly through Oct 31
Bay Area pumpkin patches 2026: the fun ones, the dog-friendly ones, and the ones with hayrides & pony rides
Every patch below was checked on its own official site — real 2026 dates, real prices (including the expensive ones), and honest “to be confirmed” markers where a farm hasn’t posted its season yet. Grouped by region first, then sliced by what you actually care about: fun density, dogs, rides, and free.
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October weekends peak — plan around the money traps
Spina Farms parking is $30 CASH on Fri–Sun (free Mon–Thu — go on a weekday if you can). Webb Ranch weekend activity admission requires a reservation (reservation site opens 9/7), and the weekend child ticket is $39.95. Bishop’s parking is $20 on October Sat/Sun ($10 Fri; free in Sept & Nov). Everywhere, mornings beat afternoons on October weekends.
Best near you
Grouped by region so the drive stays shorter than the visit. Patches that haven’t posted 2026 dates yet are marked — call before you go.
Peninsula
Half Moon Bay🐕 dog-friendly🎠 pony🚜 hayride🚂 train2026 dates TBC
Arata's Pumpkin Farm
2026 opening date to be confirmed — site still shows last season
Last season ran Jul–Sep daily 9–6:30; Oct Sun–Thu 9–6:30, Fri–Sat 9–10:30pm — confirm before you go
The Half Moon Bay classic with the Minotaur’s Labyrinth hay maze, a haunted barn, pony rides, a train and a petting zoo — plus picnic areas. Call (650) 726-7548 to confirm 2026 dates before making the drive.
What it costs: Per-attraction tickets + season passes; 2026 prices not posted yet
Dogs: Dogs welcome — well-behaved and on a leash
Details & directions →
Half Moon Bay🎠 pony🚜 hayride🚂 train
Lemos Farm
Sept 5 – Nov 15 · weekends 10am–5pm (plus select Sept weekdays; every day in Oct; weekends only in Nov)
The most little-kid-focused farm on the coast: pony rides (70 lb limit), hayrides, tractor rides, a train and a petting zoo. No corn maze, and the patch is pre-picked rather than u-pick. Deli Barn Kitchen on site with pumpkin ice cream, pie and bread — and outside food is allowed.
What it costs: Ticketed with online pre-sale — can sell out; dollar prices aren’t published, so check the ticket page before promising the ponies
Dogs: No dogs — dogs are not permitted on the farm
Details & directions →
Half Moon Bay🎠 pony🚜 hayride🚂 train2026 dates TBC
Pastorino's Pumpkin Farm
2026 opening date to be confirmed — site still shows last season
Last season: patch 9:30am–5:30pm, attractions Oct only 10am–4:30pm weather permitting — confirm before you go
Free-entry Half Moon Bay standby with ponies, a train, hayrides, a petting zoo, a haunted house and weekend face painting. Practical bits parents ask about: portable restrooms including an accessible one, food and pumpkin pies sold on site, and outside lunches are fine.
What it costs: Free entry, pay-per-attraction; last-posted prices were pony $12, petting zoo $10, train $6, hayride $6 — 2026 prices to be confirmed
Details & directions →
Half Moon BayFree🐕 dog-friendly🚜 hayride
Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm
Opens Fri Sept 4 · 9am–6pm, 7 days a week (closing date not posted)
A genuinely free, genuinely mellow Half Moon Bay farm with vintage tractor rides and hayrides. If your weekend crew includes a dog, this is the patch that actually wants to see them.
What it costs: No entry or parking fees — you pay for pumpkins
Dogs: The most dog-positive patch on the coast: 'everyone is welcome, including your canine pals' — plus Bernese Mountain Dog Day the first Sunday of October
Details & directions →
Portola Valley🎠 pony🚜 hayride🌽 corn maze
Pumpkin Patch at Webb Ranch
Sept 25 – Oct 31 · store + patch 10am–6pm daily · activity area 10am–5pm
The Peninsula’s big-production patch: pony rides (ages 12 and under), hayrides, tractor rides, a cornfield trail course (trail-style rather than a classic maze), a haunted house, a reptile zoo and a petting zoo. Weekend food and ice-cream trucks, vending machines, and outside food is allowed. Yes, the weekend child ticket is $39.95 — the priciest on this list — which is why the weekday tier exists.
What it costs: Patch & store entry free. Weekend activity area: $39.95 per child (2–12), $15.95 adult/teen, $10.95 senior/military, under 24 months free. Weekdays: $16.95 child / $5.95 adult (no tractor ride weekdays). Parking free. Weekend activity admission requires a reservation — the reservation site opens 9/7.
Dogs: No dogs — 'please keep all pets at home'
Details & directions →
East Bay
ClaytonClosed as of 2026
Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm & Christmas Trees
Closed as of 2026 — the farm has retired
A Clayton institution since 1980, the Pine Lane farm has retired: the owners stepped back from day-to-day operations and the patch, hayrides and tree lot are closed. Listed here so nobody drives out on an old blog post — G&M Farms (Livermore) and Smith Family Farm (Brentwood) are the nearest East Bay alternatives.
What it costs: n/a — no longer operating
Retired — see the alternatives above
LivermoreFree🚜 hayride🌽 corn maze🚂 train
G&M Farms
Oct 2 – Oct 31 · Wed–Fri 3–7pm, Sat 10am–7pm (maze til 9pm), Sun 10am–6pm · closed Mon & Tue
The Tri-Valley’s homegrown patch: free entry, a big corn maze, tractor-pulled hayrides and a cow train on weekends, plus pedal carts and jump pillows. Haunted maze nights Oct 17 & 24 for the older kids. Weekday snacks (kettle corn, mini donuts, Icees) and weekend food trucks; cards and cash both work.
What it costs: General admission free · corn maze $10 (under 5 free) · attraction tokens $5
Dogs: No pets on premises — 'please leave all pets at home'
Details & directions →
LivermoreFree🌽 corn maze🚂 train
Joan's Farm & Pumpkin Patch
Oct 2 – Oct 31 · Tue–Sun 10am–6pm (activities close 5:30) · closed Mondays except Columbus Day
Old-school Livermore charmer: ‘The Maze’, the Little Blue Train, feed-the-animals, pumpkin bowling, an Old West Town and a farm equipment museum. Snack Shack does shaved ice, hot dogs and pumpkin pie, with weekend BBQ from the second weekend of October. Portable restrooms on site.
What it costs: Free admission · activities $5 each or $25/person unlimited wristband · parking $5 per car · cash & checks only (ATM on site)
Details & directions →
Brentwood🌽 corn maze2026 dates TBC
Smith Family Farm
2026 opening date to be confirmed — site still shows last season
A real working farm in Brentwood with a children’s corn maze, animal encounters, u-pick pomegranates and persimmons, live music and an observation beehive. Food trucks and weekend events in season — call (925) 625-5966 to confirm 2026 dates.
What it costs: Last-posted: $16 general admission including one pumpkin · cash and check ONLY — confirm 2026 pricing before you go
Dogs: No pets allowed
Details & directions →
Fremont🚂 train2026 dates TBC
Ardenwood Historic Farm
Park open year-round Tue–Sun 10am–4pm · Harvest Festival is in October, but 2026 dates are still to be confirmed
A working Victorian farm run by East Bay Parks: farm animals, festival corn-picking, and a narrow-gauge train that runs Thu/Fri/Sun in the Historic Season — included with admission. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms and a cafe on site. Harvest Festival tickets go through EBParks.org/Register once dates post.
What it costs: Historic Season entry: Tue/Wed/Sat $4 adult / $2 child; Thu/Fri/Sun $6 / $4; under 4 free. Special events $5–$30. Cashless · parking free.
Dogs: Dogs are not permitted in the park
Details & directions →
North Bay
PetalumaFree🎠 pony🌽 corn maze
Petaluma Pumpkin Patch & Amazing Corn Maze
Sept 25 – Nov 1 · Sun–Thu 10am–7pm, Fri–Sat 10am–10pm
Thirty-fourth year of the famous 4-acre corn maze, with u-pick pumpkins from the field, pony rides Sat–Sun from October (from $12), and a petting zoo. Food vendors on site; no outside food.
What it costs: FREE general admission — the children’s maze, straw mountain, farm animals and the patch cost nothing. Big corn maze $9 by day (5 & under free), $13 on Fri–Sat nights. Parking free.
Dogs: No dogs (posted right on the rules list)
Toddler-fit: the free kids’ maze + straw mountain mean a real outing at $0 if you skip the big maze.
Details & directions →
Nicasio (West Marin)Free🎠 pony🚜 hayride🌽 corn maze🚂 train
Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
Sept 25 – Oct 31 · Mon–Thu 10am–4pm, Fri 10am–6pm, Sat–Sun 9am–6pm
The West Marin all-rounder: tractor-pulled hayride, a little train, pony rides, TWO corn mazes split by age, and a petting-zoo lineup of calves, piglets, goats, lambs and chickens. Hank’s Pizza Oven, War Pigs Craft Kitchen BBQ and Silver Shaved Ice handle lunch.
What it costs: No charge for admission or parking
Details & directions →
🎃
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival — Sat–Sun Oct 17–18, 9am–5pm
Admission is free; parking is a nominal fee at nonprofit lots, and there’s a SamTrans shuttle option. Pets stay home — leashed service dogs only. Warm-up act: the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off on Mon Oct 12 at the IDES Grounds. Festival details →
Most fun
Our ranking by entertainment density — rides + animals + mazes per dollar. Full prices and hours are on each farm’s card above.
Bishop's Pumpkin Farm
Wheatland (~2h from SF)
Free admission, free hayrides, train + tram, petting zoo, maze, carousel, bakery — the most farm per dollar on this list.
Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch
Morgan Hill (Laguna Ave & Santa Teresa Blvd)
Free entry with a 30–45 min maze, hayrides, a train, pumpkin blasters and animatronic dinosaurs — just mind the weekend parking.
Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
Nicasio (West Marin)
Free entry, and everything under one sky: hayride, train, ponies, two age-split mazes, baby farm animals.
Pumpkin Patch at Webb Ranch
Portola Valley
The densest activity lineup on the Peninsula — ponies, hayrides, trail course, reptile zoo, haunted house — at the steepest weekend price.
Petaluma Pumpkin Patch & Amazing Corn Maze
Petaluma
The famous 4-acre maze headlines, but the free kids’ maze, straw mountain and animals carry the toddler hour.
Dog-friendly patches
Bringing the whole pack? These are the patches that say yes on their own websites — leash rules included. Everywhere else on this page either bans pets outright or hasn’t posted a policy.
Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay
The most dog-positive patch in the Bay — canine pals explicitly welcome, plus Bernese Mountain Dog Day the first Sunday of October.
Clancy's Pumpkin Patch
San Francisco (7th Ave & Lawton)
Well-behaved dogs always welcome on leash — the easy in-city option.
Rodoni Farms
Santa Cruz (coast side, Hwy 1)
Dog friendly in the u-pick field — leashed at all times, pick up after them.
Cool Patch Pumpkins
Dixon (~1h15 from the East Bay)
Very dog friendly but WEEKDAYS ONLY (service dogs always) — plan a Friday off, not a Saturday.
Apple Hill
Camino (~2.5h, near Placerville)
Dogs welcome at nearly every farm on a held leash — no tying Fido to a picnic table.
Arata's Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay
Dogs welcome on leash — but the 2026 opening date is still to be confirmed, so call before driving out.
Hayride, tractor & pony
When the pumpkins are secondary and the rides are the point.
Lemos Farm
Half Moon Bay
Ponies (70 lb limit), hayrides, tractor rides AND a train — the rides-first farm.
Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
Nicasio (West Marin)
Tractor-pulled hayride, little train, pony rides — all at a free-entry patch.
Pumpkin Patch at Webb Ranch
Portola Valley
Pony rides (12 & under), hayrides and tractor rides — weekends need a reservation; no tractor ride weekdays.
Petaluma Pumpkin Patch & Amazing Corn Maze
Petaluma
Pony rides Sat–Sun from October, from $12.
Bishop's Pumpkin Farm
Wheatland (~2h from SF)
Free hayrides into the pumpkin field, plus the BPF Line tram.
Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay
Vintage tractor rides at a no-fee farm.
G&M Farms
Livermore
Tractor-pulled hayride + cow train, weekends only.
Arata's Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay
Ponies, hayride and train last season — 2026 dates to be confirmed.
Pastorino's Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay
Pony, train and hayride were $6–$12 each last season — 2026 to be confirmed.
Free or under $10
A pumpkin outing doesn’t have to cost $40 a head. These get you in the gate for free — you pay for pumpkins and whichever extras you opt into.
Clancy's Pumpkin Patch
San Francisco (7th Ave & Lawton)
Free admission and free parking in the city.
Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay
No entry or parking fees at all.
Petaluma Pumpkin Patch & Amazing Corn Maze
Petaluma
Free admission including the kids’ maze, straw mountain and animals; big maze $9.
Rodoni Farms
Santa Cruz (coast side, Hwy 1)
No entry fee listed — pay for pumpkins; maze was last posted at $5.
G&M Farms
Livermore
Free entry; maze $10 (under 5 free), tokens $5.
Joan's Farm & Pumpkin Patch
Livermore
Free entry + $5 parking; activities $5 each.
Bishop's Pumpkin Farm
Wheatland (~2h from SF)
Free admission every day; free hayrides; attractions from $1.
Worth the drive (≤2.5h)
Destination farms that justify a half-day round trip — pack snacks, plan naps in the car.
Dixon (~1h15 from the East Bay)🐕 dog-friendly🚜 hayride🌽 corn maze
Cool Patch Pumpkins
Sept 19 – Oct 31 · daily 9am–8pm weather permitting (maze admission stops 8pm, gates close 10pm)
Home of the world-record giant corn maze — plan 1.5–2 hours, and know strollers and wheelchairs can’t go in the maze itself. Littles get the giant corn bath, hay castle and playhouses instead. Concession stand does tri-tip sandwiches and coffee; restrooms are portable toilets only.
What it costs: No patch entry fee. Corn-maze tickets are day-of purchase only, 5 & under free — the price isn’t published, so budget flexibly. Parking price not posted.
Dogs: Very dog friendly — leashed, WEEKDAYS ONLY; service dogs always permitted
Details & directions →
Wheatland (~2h from SF)Free🚜 hayride🌽 corn maze🚂 train
Bishop's Pumpkin Farm
Sept 4 – Nov 15 · Sept: Mon–Thu 10–7, Fri–Sun 9–8 · late Sept–Oct: Mon–Thu 9–8, Fri–Sat 9–10pm, Sun 9–8:30 · Halloween 9–7 · Nov: weekends 9–7, Mon–Fri 11–7
The valley’s beloved destination farm and worth the drive from anywhere: free hayrides into what they call the largest u-pick pumpkin field in the world, the BPF Line tram, Bishop’s Flying Service, the Weeland Petting Zoo, a corn maze, a carousel and Mrs. B’s Country Bakery (pumpkin apple muffins). Corn dogs and garlic fries on site, and outside food is allowed (no alcohol or live cooking). Plan a half day.
What it costs: Admission free 7 days a week · attractions ticketed $1–$8, wristbands $28–$35/day. Parking free in Sept & Nov; October Fri $10, Sat/Sun $20; free on Halloween.
Dogs: No pets — except 'Dog Dayz', the final Sat & Sun of the season in November, when all pups are welcome; service animals always
Toddler-fit: the hayrides into the pumpkin field are free — a full farm moment before you spend a dollar.
Details & directions →
Camino (~2.5h, near Placerville)🐕 dog-friendly🎠 pony
Apple Hill
Grower association of 50+ farms, open year-round; fall apple/pumpkin peak Sept–Nov. 2026: Locals’ Weekend Sep 12–13 · Hard Cider Trail Sep 12–Nov 1 · Handblown Glass Pumpkin Patch from Sep 18. Hours vary per farm.
Not one patch but a whole hillside of farms: u-pick apples and berries, pumpkin-patch growers, pony rides and face painting on the kids’ activity list, and lunch widely available across the ranches (tri-tip, tacos, pies). Pick two or three farms and make it a day.
What it costs: Per-farm pricing — the association itself charges nothing; check each farm before you go
Dogs: Dogs welcome at nearly every farm on a held leash — 'no tying Fido to a picnic table'
Details & directions →
Want the whole pumpkin day sequenced — patch in the morning, lunch nearby, an indoor backup if the coast fogs in?
Plan a pumpkin day with Phirky →