The spooky season has arrived, and across Sonoma County, pumpkin patches are inviting children and adults alike to indulge in the rituals of autumn.
At Pronzini Farms in Petaluma, visitors can wander a haunted trail and Western village, and marvel at a Cinderella pumpkin coach. At Muelrath Ranches in Santa Rosa, they can climb aboard a hayride or waddle through a corn maze scaled to toddler proportions. And, of course, there are pumpkins to pick, alongside seasonal diversions and the requisite fall treat
Among the region’s perennial favorites is the Petaluma Pumpkin Patch on Stony Point Road, where generations of visitors have come in search of Halloween pumpkins — and to test their navigational skills.
The farm’s 4-acre Amazing Corn Maze, designed each year by owner and farmer Jim Groverman, has welcomed visitors to wind their way through the towering stalks since the patch opened in 1993.
A fourth-generation Sonoma County farmer, Groverman plants more than 150,000 corn seeds to create the course. He also grows 5 acres of pumpkins, including more than 50 varieties, as well as other squash.
Here are more places across Sonoma County to revel in the season.
Petaluma
Mickelson Pumpkin Patch
Open through Nov. 8.
The patch sells traditional and specialty pumpkins and offers activities including cornhole, giant Jenga, an apple cannon, a paintball gallery, corn pits, a 1-acre hay maze, grain train rides, a super slide and a jump zone. Food vendors are on site.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Open on Halloween, Oct. 31, the patch is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission ranges from free to $30.
5495 Redwood Highway South, Petaluma, 707-490-8088, mickelsonpumpkinpatch.com
Petaluma Pumpkin Patch
Open through Oct. 31.
The patch is celebrating its 34th season, continuing a fall tradition that draws locals and visitors to North Petaluma for pumpkins and its 4-acre Amazing Corn Maze. The patch also offers local food vendors and children’s activities, including pony rides, jump houses, face painting and a carnival fun slide.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. General admission is free; tickets for attractions range from $3 to $13.
450 Stony Point Road, Petaluma, 707-781-3132, petalumapumpkinpatch.com
Pronzini Farms Pumpkin Patch
Open through Oct. 31.
Set in a rural locale decorated with vintage vehicles, the patch offers pumpkins and a range of family attractions, including a haunted trail and Western village, a hay tower, giant slides, bounce houses, tractor rides, a petting zoo, a steer toss and a corn pit. Food vendors include Petaluma’s Sax’s Joint and Tacos Don Pepe, as well as Santa Rosa’s El Brinquito. Live music is scheduled from noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Admission ranges from free to $10, with many activities included. Punch cards for premium attractions range from $33 to $110. In October, guided tours of the haunted village run from 7-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Fright Night tickets cost $25 and are recommended for ages 12 and older. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
3795 Adobe Road, Petaluma, 707-778-3871, pronzinifarms.com
Pumpkins on Pikes
Open Oct. 17, 24 and 25.
Tara Firma Farms will host its pumpkin-carving fundraiser from 2-9 p.m. Oct. 17, 24 and 25. Participants can select a pumpkin, carve and decorate it on site, then mount their illuminated jack-o’-lanterns on pikes for a Halloween display. Food, drinks, live music and games will also be available.
Tickets cost $40 and include one pumpkin; children 3 and younger are admitted free. Purchase tickets online.
3796 I St., Petaluma, 707-765-1202, tarafirmafarms.com
Santa Rosa
Floating Pumpkin Patch
Open Oct. 17.
Ridgway Swim Center will host its 15th annual Floating Pumpkin Patch with two-hour sessions beginning at 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. on Oct. 17.
Participants can choose a bobbing pumpkin from the pool and decorate it at a nearby station. Games, crafts and prizes will also be available. Admission is $16 and includes a pumpkin; children younger than 2 are admitted free.
455 Ridgway Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-543-3421, srcity.org
Muelrath Ranches Pumpkin Patch
Open through Oct. 31.
The patch offers family activities with the purchase of a pumpkin, including a haunted house, picnic area, hay pyramid, toddler’s corn maze and narrated hayride. Refreshments are available for purchase.
Antique tractors from the Santa Rosa branch of the National Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association will be on display from 2-5:30 p.m. Oct. 17 and 18. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
3800 Walker Ave., Santa Rosa. 707-585-2195, muelrathspumpkins.com
Punky’s Pumpkins
Open through Oct. 31.
A hometown pumpkin patch since 1995, Punky’s offers pumpkins and other squash, along with Johnny Popper tractor hayrides, train rides, bounce houses, a giant slide, a disco corn pit and cartoon billboards for photos. Snow cones, cotton candy and fresh-squeezed lemonade are available on weekends. Picnic tables are available for those who bring lunch.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free; tickets for select attractions range from $2 to $5. All-day unlimited-access wristbands are $25.
50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, 707-579-8474, punkysadobefarm.com
Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch
Open through Oct. 31.
The patch offers a wide range of activities and a variety of pumpkins for sale. Attractions include a Barnyard Ballzone, an 8-acre corn maze, a hay bale pyramid, petting zoo, bounce houses, cornhole, pony rides, pumpkin tic-tac-toe and apple blasters.
General admission is $5 and includes access to several activities. Passes for premium attractions, including the corn maze, range from $12 to $30. Pumpkins are priced by size. Admission is free for children 2 and younger. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. The patch closes at 6 p.m. Oct. 31.
5157 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa, 707-582-3276, santarosapumpkinpatch.com
Sonoma
Larson Family Winery’s Pumpkin Patch
Open through Oct 31.
The winery combines fall activities with wine tasting for adults. Visitors can browse the patch for free, with pumpkins and gourds available for purchase. A canine costume contest is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25, with wine-related prizes for the three winning dogs. Tickets cost $5 for children and $20 for adults, including a glass of wine. Cornhole reservations cost $40 and include bottle service. Reservations are available on Tock.
23355 Millerick Road, Sonoma, 707-938-3031, larsonfamilywinery.com
Healdsburg
Orsi Family Vineyards Pumpkin Patch
Open Oct. 24.
This winery will host a Pumpkins & Pizza Pick-Up Party from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 24. The event will include live music, wine, small bites, wood-fired pizza and pumpkins to take home. Admission is free for wine club members and $25 for nonmembers. Reservations are availble on Tock.
2306 Magnolia Drive, Healdsburg, 707-732-4660, orsifamilyvineyards.com
Grandma’s Pumpkin Patch
Open through Oct. 31.
The patch offers locally grown pumpkins and traditional fall activities, including vintage tractors, a hay pyramid, baby animals and macaroni necklace-making. Class field trips cost $7 per student. The patch is ADA-compliant. Hours are 10 a.m. to dusk daily.
17740 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-293-5750, facebook.com/HealdsburgGranny
Thinking About Making Sonoma County Home?
Sonoma County offers more than beautiful vineyards and scenic landscapes. Its family-friendly farms, seasonal traditions, charming downtowns, and community events make it a wonderful place to explore throughout the year.
Thinking about making Sonoma County home? Excellerate Real Estate is here to help you find a property and community that fit your lifestyle.
Learn more at Excellerate Real Estate.
