2026 guide · planning notes recorded September 1
Bay Area pumpkin patches 2026: the fun ones, the dog-friendly ones, and the ones with hayrides & pony rides
Planning notes. Check dates, prices, and availability with each provider.
These 2026 planning notes record dates and prices from the original guide (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.
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
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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
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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
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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
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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'
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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'
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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)
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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Loading seasonal dates…
⚠️
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.
🎃
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. 2026 festival reference
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.
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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.
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Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
Nicasio (West Marin)
Free entry, and everything under one sky: hayride, train, ponies, two age-split mazes, baby farm animals.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Clancy's Pumpkin Patch
San Francisco (7th Ave & Lawton)
Well-behaved dogs always welcome on leash — the easy in-city option.
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Rodoni Farms
Santa Cruz (coast side, Hwy 1)
Dog friendly in the u-pick field — leashed at all times, pick up after them.
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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.
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Apple Hill
Camino (~2.5h, near Placerville)
Dogs welcome at nearly every farm on a held leash — no tying Fido to a picnic table.
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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.
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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.
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Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
Nicasio (West Marin)
Tractor-pulled hayride, little train, pony rides — all at a free-entry patch.
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Pumpkin Patch at Webb Ranch
Portola Valley
Pony rides (12 & under), hayrides and tractor rides — weekends need a reservation; no tractor ride weekdays.
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Petaluma Pumpkin Patch & Amazing Corn Maze
Petaluma
Pony rides Sat–Sun from October, from $12.
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Bishop's Pumpkin Farm
Wheatland (~2h from SF)
Free hayrides into the pumpkin field, plus the BPF Line tram.
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Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay
Vintage tractor rides at a no-fee farm.
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G&M Farms
Livermore
Tractor-pulled hayride + cow train, weekends only.
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Arata's Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay
Ponies, hayride and train last season — 2026 dates to be confirmed.
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Pastorino's Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay
Pony, train and hayride were $6–$12 each last season — 2026 to be confirmed.
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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.
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Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay
No entry or parking fees at all.
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Petaluma Pumpkin Patch & Amazing Corn Maze
Petaluma
Free admission including the kids’ maze, straw mountain and animals; big maze $9.
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Rodoni Farms
Santa Cruz (coast side, Hwy 1)
No entry fee listed — pay for pumpkins; maze was last posted at $5.
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G&M Farms
Livermore
Free entry; maze $10 (under 5 free), tokens $5.
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Joan's Farm & Pumpkin Patch
Livermore
Free entry + $5 parking; activities $5 each.
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Bishop's Pumpkin Farm
Wheatland (~2h from SF)
Free admission every day; free hayrides; attractions from $1.
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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
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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.
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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'
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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 →