You would never be able to tell from the way San Francisco dwellers act that there isn’t much of a fall season in the Bay Area. Sure, some of the leaves change colors, but fall on the California coast doesn’t compare to what the East Coast brings. Yet that doesn’t change the collective fall spirit. October is a month full of kitschy pumpkin lattes, cozy knit sweaters (for nighttime), apple-picking in the Central Valley, and carving pumpkins. Of course, in order to carve a pumpkin, you must first purchase one.
Everyone knows about the famous Half Moon Bay pumpkin patch, Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm, off of Highway 1. It’s fall heaven. There are all different types of pumpkins, a hay pyramid, and idyllic spots at which to take photos for Instagram — but not everybody has a car for a day-trip out of the city. The good news is that the city is full of wonderful pumpkin patches too. Here are our favorites.
1. Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch
Brought to you by the same people who put on one of the city’s most beloved Christmas-tree lots, Clancy’s also has an adorable pumpkin patch every October. Fun fact: it was opened in 1979 as the city’s first pumpkin patch. Today, it’s full of gourds of all shapes and sizes, sugar pumpkins, Cinderella pumpkins, striped pumpkins, and cornstalks. This year, Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch has a new location, at 2101 Sloat Boulevard, next to the San Francisco Zoo. Word on the street is that one can go on a hay ride at the patch, which makes it perfect for kids — and Instagram feeds too. This pumpkin patch is open from Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
2101 Sloat Boulevard | clancystrees.com
2. The Great Pumpkin Patch at Emerald Forest
The Great Pumpkin Patch at Emerald Forest is a lovely San Francisco–based, family-owned, and family-operated urban farm. This lot is full of winding paths with a diverse selection of pumpkins, from mini ones to bigger gourds. You’ll find a “Gothic couple cutout,” a hay maze you can crawl through, and a bounce house, which could be fun if you’re stoned. Also located on Sloat Boulevard, this pumpkin patch is two blocks north of Stonestown Galleria and is open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
317 Sloat Boulevard | emeraldforestchristmastrees.com
3. Bay Natives Pumpkin Patch
Nestled within the old shipyards of Mission Bay is a little haven for nature — Bay Natives Nursery. Indeed, this quaint nursery has been educating San Franciscans about native plants and promoting native-plant landscaping since 2005. Lucky for us, it puts on a seasonal pumpkin patch too. According to the website, the pumpkins are sourced from Spinosa Farms near Gilroy. There isn’t a hay ride, but there are chickens — including one that lays blue eggs. And there are also goats. If you’re not into pumpkins, at least go for the goats. The nursery is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day.
10 Cargo Way | baynatives.com
4. Pomeroy Center Pumpkin Patch
Just because it’s not the holiday season yet doesn’t mean we aren’t ready for a little holiday cheer. Holiday cheer and do-gooding should be spread year-round. The Pomeroy Center Pumpkin Patch is an amazing pumpkin patch that raises awareness about a vulnerable population in our city: children, teens, and seniors with disabilities. The Pomeroy Center provides people with programs and services that encourage self-expression through different educational and vocational programs. All the proceeds from the annual pumpkin patch support the center’s programs. There are pumpkins; there are crafts; and it is always guaranteed to be a good time.
207 Skyline Boulevard | prrcsf.org
5. Speer Family Farms Pumpkin Patch
If you live in Oakland, don’t worry — you don’t have to BART to the nearest pumpkin patch in San Francisco. Instead, you just have to make your way to Alameda. Located at Alameda Point, the Speer Family Farms Pumpkin Patch offers plenty of locally sourced pumpkins, a petting zoo, and more. The patch is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily this month.
2453 Hancock Street | speerfamilyfarms.com
