Pumpkins have been a part of American fall traditions as far back as anyone can remember. Between jack o’lanterns, Thanksgiving decorations, and different kinds of desserts, most families get pumpkins every year. And what better place to get those pumpkins than a pumpkin patch? Pumpkin patches can be a fun way to start the fall season. With so many pumpkin patches scattered around Orange County, almost everyone has a favorite. Huntington Beach High School (HBHS) students wanted to share theirs.
Pa’s Pumpkin Patch
Pa’s Pumpkin Patch has been loved for over 40 years. The patch is riddled with holiday fun from themed games, huge inflatable slides, photo ops, a petting zoo, and pony rides.
”I like Pa’s Pumpkin Patch because I feel like it’s very well put together and decorated perfect for the holiday season,” said Landon Mariano, a senior at HBHS.
There is also room for the whole family with rides for younger audiences and a “toddler tent” with activities for your little ones. And of course, there is a huge selection of long-lasting pumpkins that can stay looking good through all your festive activities
“The best way I would describe it is kind of like a little fall carnival pumpkin patch,” said Mariano.
In the past, the patch resided in Long Beach, but this year you can find them at The Lakewood Center. Though they are somewhere different, the new location is still a place for families to enjoy the fall season together.
Tanaka Farms
Tanaka Farms, located in Irvine, California, offers a slightly different experience as they allow visitors to pick their pumpkins right out of the pumpkin patch they’re grown in! They sell produce year-round and kick off the fall season in early September with their pumpkin patch full of huge, well-grown pumpkins.
”Their pumpkins are like top tier. They are grown there and nurtured there. It feels like there’s someone who goes and checks on each pumpkin every two hours. They’re such large pumpkins,” said Lynh Tran, an HBHS senior.
On the weekdays Tanaka Farms has wagon rides, corn mazes, veggie patches, barnyard educational exhibits, and of course pumpkins. Come the weekend, they also offer arts and crafts and a pumpkin cannon for visitors. While they have a huge fall season, they also have other produce through other months.
“There’s the strawberry season that’s cool as well, I like going then as well,” said Leon Hall, a junior at HBHS
As fun as everything is for high schoolers, there is also room for the littles here.
“They also have a little tractor you can go on. That was always fun when I was little,” said Hall.
This patch can hold anything from fun with the whole family, to date night, to just going to explore a farm. They are interactive and encourage learning of the farming process.
Irvine Park Pumpkin Patch
From The Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off to train rides and “mini digger” tractors, Irvine Park Railroad has it all. Admission into this patch is free along with their haunted house, hay maze, and many photo opportunities. With prepaid tickets visitors can play carnival games, decorate pumpkins and cookies, get face paintings, and more. There’s stunning scenery all decorated to the nines. Full of fun activities, you can easily spend a day or two here.
“The pumpkin patch is a part of Irvine Park and they set up a haunted house. The Irvine Park train runs and if I remember correctly you can ride a horse,” said Lindsey Fisher, an HBHS senior.
It is a perfect place to not only celebrate fall but to celebrate the people you love. Irvine Park railroad can be such a place of connection letting families and friends grow closer between pumpkin patches, Christmas train rides, and numerous things to rent all year.
“The experience is something I hold really close to me and it’s one of the biggest fond fall memories for my family,” said Fisher.
This patch opened September 14th and is open until October 31st but the railroad has events around the year you can stop by if you miss out on pumpkins this year.
This is just the tip of the iceberg with many other patches around. Even if SoCal still has a super hot fall, there’s always fun to be had at pumpkin patches, you can start off your fall season off strong. Stay safe out in the heat, and remember to have fun, happy fall!
