FALLing Inlove with the Season - Fall 2018 Family Guide

After counting the days to my favorite season, and with Halloween right around the corner, I’ve created an inspiring family fall to do list.

1. Take your pumpkin to the patch to pick the perfect gourd. Check out our Pumpkin Patch Guide with 30+ options to choose from.

2. Carve a Pumpkin!!

3. Make apple picking a new family tradition.

4. Check out that fall foliage at Sycamore Grove Park in Livermore or Ed Levin Park in Milpitas.

5. Welcome the Monarch butterflies to Pacific Grove - Arriving in October, monarch butterflies cluster together on pine, cypress and eucalyptus trees in the Sanctuary.

6. Visit Halloween@Night at Gilroy Gardens - Discover a whole new kind of magical, mystical Halloween adventure this fall! (September 21 - October 28, 2018, Friday-Sunday, 5pm-10pm). 

7. Visit Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party in Felton (October 13-14, 20-21, 27-28, 2018).

8. Check out the Great Pumpkin Fest at Great America - Halloween activities for the entire family, trick-or-treat with the PEANUTS gang, race through a hay maze, decorate mini-pumpkins, color PEANUTS pictures, dance in a foam pit and more (Saturdays & Sundays, September 29 - October 28).

9. Celebrate Sunol’s Old Timey Hootenanny (October 20, 2018, 11am-4pm) as history comes alive with cowboys, games, activities, guided walks, pony rides, petting zoo and more. 

10. Check out Bay Area Discovery Museum's annual Halloween festival - Goblin Jamboree (October 20-21, 2018). Pony Rides, Glow in the Dark Trains, a Slime Room, a Potion Laboratory and more.

11. Fall means HARVEST FESTIVALS!!
Harvest the Indian corn and fill the corn-cribs, press cider, and enjoy old-time music and crafts at Ardenwood Harvest Festival (October 13-14, 2018).
The Martial Cottle Park Harvest Festival will feature family friendly activities that celebrate the harvest season and the agricultural heritage of Santa Clara Valley (October 6, 2018).
The Wildlife & Harvest Day in Cupertino will celebrate the harvest season and learn about local birds, nature, ecology, and wildlife. Lots of kid friendly activities included (October 20, 2018).

12. Take the family to an Halloween themed park - Spookville! Embark upon a monster-friendly adventure of happy haunting through Spookville. Immerse yourself into a “No Scare” World of Halloween as you explore iconic Halloween themed areas filled with Instagram-friendly, interactive installations screaming for selfies (we call Spookies). Guests of Spookville will also get to Meet & Eek with the cast of whacky monster characters (October 26-31, 2018).

Fall Fruit Picking – Make Apple Picking a new family tradition!

Apple picking season is almost here! Starting around Labor Day weekend and continuing through October, orchards around the bay area offer families the chance to pick their own apples.

Experience the most fun part of growing fruits, combined with fresh air, sunshine and a little sweat - it's a whole lot of fun for the kids and the entire family! Don't forget your camera!

The farms listed below are local farms, owned by local families that believe in providing healthier options to the community. Information about seasonal fruit picking gathered from their websites, so please check the calendar prior to your visit. 

Come back for updates throughout the season, as we will update the information regarding open and close dates, fruit availability and more.

Gizdich Ranch (55 Peckham Rd, Watsonville)
Apple U-Pick will open on September 14th, 2019 for about 3-4 weeks

www.gizdich-ranch.com

Apples varieties include Red-Delicious, Golden-Delicious, Newtown Pippin and Royal Gala.

After picking, take a self-guided tour of our apple orchard. If you're visiting on Saturdays (September-April only), you can watch the apples get pressed for juice!

When everyone's ready for lunch, picnic behind the sales barn and let the kids play. Read about our experience here.

Picking apples at Gizdich Ranch, September 2016

Live Earth Farm (172 Litchfield Ln, Watsonville)
Apple U-Pick will open in October
http://liveearthfarm.net/aboutus/buy-direct/farm-stand/live-earth-farm-u-pick-schedule/
When abundance in the field permits, U-Picks will be held on Saturdays and Sundays only from 10:00am – 3:00pm. Availability of crops varies from week to week – check the website for the status of available items. Discounts apply to produce the more you pick! Bring buckets, boxes, or other containers to harvest into, or purchase containers for a small fee.  Make sure to dress accordingly – layers, hats, sunblock. Load up the kids, pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it! No dogs other than guide dogs allowed in the orchard.

Clearview Organic Orchards (646 Trabing Rd, Watsonville)

Apple U-Pick will open on September 7th, 2019, through end of October.

www.clearvieworchards.com

Organic apples U-Pick will be open weekends beginning in September thru early November each year.

Whether you want to pick your own apples or simply pick up some organic fruit from the “Apple Hut” to take home, Clearview Orchards is the place to create memories. Bring the whole family out for the Watsonville apple picking experience.

The orchards are in a beautiful terraced setting overlooking the valley of Watsonville. Only a mile from the ocean and La Selva beach, the air is fresh and there is nothing better than wandering around the orchards for some genuine Watsonville apple picking.

Apples varieties include the delicious Fuji, Gala Apples, Cameos, Johnagold, and Granny Smiths.

No dogs other than guide dogs allowed in the orchard; No picnic area available and no outside food allowed inside the orchard; Limited parking, no street parking, try to carpool.

Clearview Orchards

 A Day Trip: Apple Picking in Santa Rosa

Thinking about the fall, evening breezes, beautiful leaves changing colors, sipping pumpkin spiced latte, and apple cider, this is a great time for a family vacation in the beautiful Sonoma County. Whether you stay the night or just make a day out of it, it is a great area for apple picking!

 

Hale's Apple Farm (1526 Gravenstein Hwy N, Sebastopol)
Organic apples U-pick will be open daily from late September to October.
Hale’s Apple Farm offers more than 30 varieties of juicy, fresh apples (including 3 rare ones: Hudson’s Golden Gem, Golden Russet, and Bramley’s Seedling).
In addition, the farm also boasts a nice assortment of pumpkins, gourds, squash, tomatoes, and locally produced apple cider. 

Hale's Apple Farm

Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch (13128 Occidental Rd., Sebastopol)
www.farmtrails.org/farm/apple-a-day-ratzlaff-ranch
Organic apples U-pick will be open from late September to October, closed Thursday and Saturday.

Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch offers Gravenstein, Golden Delicious, and Rome apples. U-pick is offered September & October. We also process and sell fresh apple juice.

This ranch is a part of the Sonoma Farm Trails, make sure to check the website before your trip, as they have great events going on!

Gabriel Farm (3175 Sullivan Rd. Sebastopol)
www.gabrielfarm.com
Organic apples and pears U-pick will be open on weekends (Saturday and Sunday 10am-3pm) from late August to November.
Gabriel Farm reserves the u-pick experience for farm CSA members. Because of the high demand for the u-pick experience, and the limited size of our orchard, we decided to offer the experience to our committed customers who would like to establish an on-going relation with our farm and enjoy our various products during our 6-month harvest season. Price of membership is a case of our juice: for $36 you get 3 gallons of shelf-stable juice and the ability to pick and purchase whatever is in season. Farm memberships are purchased when you visit the farm and are renewed annually.
They also offer a variety of tours for groups and families. To book a tour you can email Lucy at: mcbrideolson@gmail.com or call the farm at (707) 829-0617.

Chileno Valley Ranch (5105 Chileno Valley Rd, Petaluma) www.mikeandsallygalebeefranch.com
Organic apples U-Pick requires booking a time slot online!
Chileno Valley Ranch includes an organic apple orchard, with varieties such as Orin, Pinova, Candy Crisp, and Jonagold. All the apple varieties are blind taste test winners, and can be purchased from the ranch during u-pick days.
Throughout the day, they offer farm tours so you can see the cows and sheep up close. You can even feed them fallen apples from the orchard, so nothing goes to waste.

Chileno Valley Ranch

You had a great day at the apple orchard, picking organic apples, and now you have too much apples at home? Here are a few apple recipes for kids and families to try. Whether you’ll let your children help out, or you’ll only let them lick the spoon, these recipes will be a great success!

2019 Bay Area Pumpkin Patch Guide

Its fall, ya’ll!

After counting the days to our favorite season, and with Halloween right around the corner, we’ve compiled a list of Bay Area pumpkin patches.

With 30+ options to choose from, a visit to a local pumpkin patch is the best fall family outing. Gather the kids, pick your pumpkins and enjoy the fall festivals.
Check out the list below, or use this map for easy navigation.

South Bay

Spina Farms (Santa Teresa Blvd. and Bailey Ave., San Jose)

Get ready for a spectacular sight as you wander through thousands of Spina-grown pumpkins. Fun family activities includes hay rides, train rides, barrel train rides, petting zoo and pony rides (Petting zoo and pony rides – weekend only).

Admission Fee: Free, activities require tickets.

http://www.spinafarmspumpkinpatch.com/

Queen's Pumpkin Patch

Located on Sratoga Ave., close to 85, with lots of parking spots (in the lot and on the street), not crowded, and with super friendly and patient team.
Family friendly old fashion pumpkin patch, train rides, pumpkin painting, HamsterBalls, petting zoo, HayMaze, food, PUMPKINS and more. 

Admission Fee: Free entrance, free hay maze, petting zoo and pumpkin decoration station, hamsterballs and padddle boats are $8, cow train, green train and hay ride are $5 each.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/QueensPumpkinPatch

Webb Ranch (2718 Alpine Rd, Portola Valley)

Enjoy a day full of fun activities that both parents and children can enjoy. Every weekend enjoy the haunted house, bounce houses, face painting, hay rides, train rides, pony rides, petting zoo, and pumpkin slingshot. On weekdays only the bounce house and haunted house are open.

At the pumpkin patch you will find a great variety of different colors and sizes of organic pumpkin.

Admission Fee: Free, rides require tickets, most of them are $5 each.
http://www.webbranchinc.com/farmers_halloween.htm

Swank Farms (New location! 4751 Pacheco Pass Highway, Hollister)

Go into the field to find your perfect pumpkin, the challenge of "Maniac Maze" with confusing twists and turns, and try to find all 27 hidden spots to complete the story on your Game Map!

The Kiddy Corral has a Spookley Maze and other fun activities designed for younger kids: Giant Jumping Pillow, Pedal Karts, Cow Train, Pumpkin Slingshot, Corn Cannon, Mining, and more!

If you like to be scared, try the after dark experience Terror in the Corn, Notorious New Orleans, but defiantly not with toddlers!

From daytime fun to nighttime thrills there really is something for everyone at Swank Farms.

Admission Fee: $21.95, kids 2 and under - free. Preseason tickets available now for $15.95!!

http://swankfarms.com

Uesugi Farms (14485 Monterey Hwy #1, San Martin)

Take a nostalgic train ride, visit Morgania, where our scarecrows live, meet Pumpkin Pete and travel through some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring lands of Uesugi Farms, visit Pumpkinland, take a hay ride or cow train, get silly at the corn maze, enjoy the carousel, petting coral and much more!

Admission Fee: Free. There is a $7 parking fee on weekends. Attractions: Train - $4.5, Cow train - $4, Hay ride - $5 ,Butterfly valley - $4, Corn Maze - $2.5, Carousel - $4, Pumpkin blaster - $5, Petting zoo - $5, Pony ride - $6. Honey hut, Pumpkin Lab, Pumpkin pyramid, hay jump – free. Park passes available.

http://morganhillpumpkins.com/

ABC Pick of the Patch

ABC Pumpkin Patch usually include pumpkins for purchase and inflatables, with rate per 30 minutes or 1 hour, $12-20. Locations in Mountain View, Santa Clara, Los Gatos and San Jose:

3590 Benton Street, Santa Clara (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

Lawrence Square Shopping Center (3503 El Camino Real, Santa Clara) (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

Moonlight Shopping Center (2740 El Camino Real, Santa Clara) (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

2501 Tully Rd, San Jose (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

1832 Hillsdale Ave. San Jose (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

444 N Capitol Ave., San Jose (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

605 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

2310 Canoas Garden Ave. San Jose (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

Mountain View: 870 Leong Drive, Mountain View (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)
15600 Los Gatos Blvd, Los Gatos (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

Peninsula

Lemos Farm (12320 San Mateo Rd, Half Moon Bay)

Large pumpkin patches with hundreds of beautiful pumpkins for you to choose from. Ride the spooky Ghost Train (not too spooky, fun for the whole family), visit the Scare Zone with Haunted House for little kids.

Activities include haunted houses, pony rides, hay rides, ghost train rides, playtown, dig zone, wagon ride and petting zoo.

Admission Fee: Free. Pony rides - $10, hay rides - $5, ghost train rides - $5, playtown - $5, petting zoo - $1. Day passes are $15 per child and $5 per adult.

http://www.lemosfarm.com/seasonal/pumpkin-farm

Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm (850 Cabrillo Hwy N, Half Moon Bay)

Located just off of Highway 1 in Half Moon Bay, Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm offers a fun, family atmosphere in a relaxing country setting where everyone is welcome. Come see the diverse varieties of pumpkins, including the Atlantic Giant! Enjoy being outdoors on a working farm, with the sights, smells, and pleasure of pumpkins.

Admission Fee: Free.

http://www.farmerjohnspumpkins.com/

Arata's Pumpkin Farm (185 Verde Rd, Half Moon Bay)

You can lose yourself in the 6 acre corn field and Pumpkin River. Try to challenge yourself in the 2 acre world famous Minotaur's Labyrinth Hay Maze, take a walk on the wild side and adventure into the Haunted Barn, relax and enjoy yourself on Hay Ride, or you can let the kid's play in the Play Land playground with Miniature Hay Maze, on the Children's Train Ride or have fun with the animals in the Petting Zoo.

Admission Fee: Free, attraction prices vary.
http://www.aratapumpkinfarm.com/

ABC Pick of the Patch

ABC Pumpkin Patch usually include pumpkins for purchase and inflatables, with rate per 30 minutes or 1 hour, $12-20. Locations in San Carlos and San Mateo:

San Carlos: El Camino Real between Central Ave and White Oak Way, San Carlos

1863 S.Norfolk St, San Mateo

4140 S.El Camino Real, San Mateo

East Bay

Perry Family Pumpkin Patch (34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont)

J.E. Perry Farms is a working vegetable farm and pumpkins are one of many crops growing on the farm this time of year. Come on out and see a real working farm and search for the perfect pumpkin.

Fun activities include kids maze, tire patch, hay pyramid for great climbing fun and more.

Admission Fee: $1.00, Children 2 and under – Free.

http://perryfarmsorganic.com/

Orchard Nursery (4010 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette)

Enjoy maker's market, live music, farm animals, pumpkins, kids activities and more.

Admission Fee: Free.
http://www.orchardnursery.com/
 

G&M Farms (487 E Airway Blvd, Livermore)

Find your way through the maze, then enjoy G&M Farms’ huge Pumpkin Patch with pumpkins of all sizes. The little ones will love G&M’s farm animals and the free straw bale maze and corn box. Weekends feature Pony Rides, Pedal Carts, and the new attraction The Barnyard Blasters! Don’t forget to ride G & M Farms’ famous Cow Train!

Admission Fee: Cornfield maze pricing is $7-10, kids 5 and under – free.

http://www.gmfarms.com/mazeandpatch.php

Joan's Farm and Pumpkin Patch (4351 Mines Rd, Livermore)

Maze, Old West Town, Hay Ride, Farm Animals, Gem Panning, Antique Museum, Pumpkins, Gourds, Indian Corn, Corn Stalks, Straw Bales, Nuts, Refreshments, Gift Shop, and more.

Admission Fee: $5.00 per activity or $25.00 per wrist band for unlimited activities.

http://www.joansfarm.com/

Speer Family Farms: Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch (2153 Ferry Point, Alameda)

Family owned and operated farm. All of the pumpkins are sourced locally from small to medium sized farmers. Visit the pumpkin patch for a variety of pumpkins and choose the one to take home!

Attractions include 4 story ship slide, petting zoo, jumpy houses, kid play areas, mazes and more.

Admission Fee: Free, attraction ticket prices vary.

http://speerfamilyfarms.com/

Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm (1060 Pine Ln, Clayton)

Different varieties of pumpkins to choose from and lots of wonderful photo opportunities!

Attractions include the Plumpkin Playland (giant tunnel of straw, 3 giant pots filled with lima beans, a Farmer’s Phonebooth, “Ball Return”, and more), Little Carver’s Barnyard (play area with the popular old-fashioned games), train rides, farm animals, and more.

Admission Fee: Free. Attraction tickets: Plumpkin Playland - $7-9, Little Carver’s Barnyard - $7-9, train rides - $3, petting zoo – free.

http://www.cvpumpkinfarm.com/

ABC Pick of the Patch

ABC Pumpkin Patch usually include pumpkins for purchase and inflatables, with rate per 30 minutes or 1 hour, $12-20. Locations in the East Bay:

4020 Fremont Hub, Fremont (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

15555 East 14th Street, San Leandro (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

1090 Oak Grove Rd., Concord (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

1550 Solano Way at Marsh Drive, Martinez (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

Delta Fair Blvd. at Century Blvd., Antioch (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

4000 San Pablo Ave, Hercules (NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 31)

North Bay

Smith Family Farms (4350 Sellers Avenue, Brentwood)
The Pumpkin Harvest is much more than just a pumpkin patch. Included in the admission fee are live music performances, encounters with farm animals, an observation beehive, an herb garden where you can make a bouquet to take home, a replica Native American village and a natural atmosphere you can only find on a real, working farm. Our mile-long hayride takes visitors to our pumpkin patch, where each visitor gets their own pumpkin of any size. Pumpkins are free with admission, with additional pumpkins for sale at our fruit stand. 

Admission Fee: 
https://jkdevera2.wixsite.com/smithfamilyfarm/pumpkin-harvest