Fall is here and once again our hunt for the Great Pumpkin is renewed.
The annual ritual has us thumping the round, warm weather squash. It is said that in our country, the carved pumpkin was first associated with the harvest season long before it became a Halloween icon.
Plump pumpkins pulled from the patch will soon morph into scary jack-o’-lanterns.
Can Thanksgiving and that perfect pumpkin pie be far behind?
PUMPKIN PATCH LOCATIONS
Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch: Families can enjoy a full day of activities including fall photo opportunities, face painting, games, hay rides, a bounce house, a haunted house, and a giant hay maze. Other activities at the park include bike rentals, pony rides, paddle boating and the Orange County Zoo. Admission, free. Parking and activities not included. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange. Information: 714-997-3968 or irvineparkrailroad.com
Johnson Brothers Pumpkin Patch and Harvest Festival: In addition to pumpkins, guests can select from squash, gourds, Indian corn, scarecrows, harvest wreaths and other decorative items. Activities include slides, bouncers, rides, farm animals and a 60 foot obstacle course. Admission, free; attractions $3-6. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday. 15500 Jeffrey Road, Irvine. Information: 949-733-0650 or johnsonbros.net
Pumpkin City: One of the oldest pumpkin patches in Orange County, this pumpkin patch at the Laguna Hills Mall features a petting zoo, pony rides, games, a puppet show and costumed characters. Hours: 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 24155 Laguna Hills Mall, Laguna Hills. Additional locations in Anaheim and Rancho Santa Margarita. Information: 949-768-1103 or pumpkincity.com
The Pumpkin Factory: Choose from thousands of pumpkins at this pumpkin patch at the Westfield Main Place Mall or Westminster Mall while kids enjoy bounce houses, a super slide, carnival games, a petting zoo and more. Admission: free; various prices for activities. Various hours of operation, Monday-Sunday. 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana or 1025 Westminster Mall, Westminster. Information: 800-719-4420 or thepumpkinfactory.com
Pumpkin Palooza at Zoomars Petting Zoo: For over 30 years, Zoomars has invited guests to interact with pigs, sheep, llamas, cows, rabbits, goats and an emu. During the month of October, a pumpkin patch will be featured in the center of the zoo. Other attractions include pony rides, train rides and mining for gold. Admission: Adults, $10; seniors, $9; children, $8; military, $7. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. 31791 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano. Information: 949-831-6550 or zoomars.com
Tanaka Farms: See acres of pumpkins, travel through a corn maze and take a wagon ride at this family farm. Other activities include a petting zoo, games, ATV rides, crafts, a scarecrow contest, a pumpkin cannon, face painting and more. $2. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Sunday. 5380 University Drive, Irvine. Information: 949-653-2100 or tanakafarms.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
Costa Mesa Scarecrow and Pumpkin Festival: The Orange County Model Engineers invite families and businesses to construct and decorate a scarecrow to be entered in the 4th annual scarecrow contest. Festival activities include pumpkin picking, fire truck rides, train rides, face painting and more. Admission: free; scarecrow entry fee, $10-50. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 15-16 at Fairview Park. 2500 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa. Information: 949-436-5460 or costamesahistory.org/scarecrow
Environmental Nature Center Fall Faire and Pumpkin Patch: Enjoy food from local Orange County restaurants, games, pony rides, face painting and a petting zoo. Visitors can also purchase native plants in addition to pumpkins. Event includes presentations from the OC Bird of Prey Center, the Youth Singers of Orange County and Angela Vincent. Admission: Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 16. 1601 E. 16th St., Newport Beach. Information: 949-645-8489 or encenter.
