Looking for fall fun in SLO County? These 8 local farms let you pick your own pumpkins
Fall is here, which means less daylight, more pumpkin spice lattes and — hopefully — cooler temperatures.
It’s the perfect time to visit one of San Luis Obispo County’s many pumpkin patches.
The Central Coast has a number of spots where you can hand-pick your own pumpkins for jack-o’-lanterns and pies, while enjoying family-friendly activities ranging from hay rides to corn mazes to apple picking.
Here’s a guide to a few of our favorite haunts ahead of Halloween. All are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
SLO Creek Farms
Located just off Highway 101, SLO Creek Farms offers seasonal pumpkin and apple picking. You can buy organic produce, hard cider and apply brandy at the family-owned farm stand.
Where: 6455 Monte Road, San Luis Obispo
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday
Info: 702-245-3135 or slocreekfarms@live.com
The Pumpkin Patch
The Pumpkin Patch sells more than 70 varieties of locally grown pumpkins. Visitors can search the fields for their favorite gourds, wander through a four-acre corn maze or pick their own flowers.
Where: 2315 Biddle Ranch Road, San Luis Obispo
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Info: instagram.com/thepumpkinpatchslo or facebook.com/thepumpkinpatchslo
Brookshire Farms
This family-friendly pumpkin patch offers a slew of fall activities including hay rides, a “Peanuts”-themed corn maze, and, of course, pumpkin picking. Admission costs $15 Tuesday through Friday and $22 on weekends. Children ages 2 and under get in free.
Where: 4747 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo
When: Noon to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; corn maze and farm activities are open 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Info: 805-549-8733 or brookshirefarms.com
Nipomo Pumpkin Patch
Nipomo Pumpkin Patch sells a wide range of pumpkins in various shapes, sizes and colors — from tiny gourds to giant pumpkins that can weigh several hundred pounds. Visitors who come on the weekends will have a chance to grab tacos, pizza or barbecue from local food trucks.
Where: 668 Eucalyptus Road, Nipomo
When: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Info: info@NipomoPumpkinPatch.com or instagram.com/nipomopumpkinpatch/
Jack Creek Farms
This fifth-generation family farm grows more than 120 different varieties of pumpkins. Attendees can slurp up apple cider slushies and pomegranate juice granitas. Kid-friendly attractions include a wooden train, a haystack maze and farm animals.
Where: 5000 West Highway 46, Templeton
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday
Info: 805-239-1915, info@jackcreekfarms.com or jackcreek.com
Chesebrough Farm
After taking a year off, Chesebrough Farm is back in action. The old-fashioned roadside stand has more than 60 varieties of pumpkins and winter squash available for cooking, carving and decorating.
The farm also touts a pumpkin cannon on the weekends. For $5, visitors can shoot three softball-sized pumpkins hundreds of feet across a field for fun.
Where: 790 Moss Lane, Templeton
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Info: 805-434-0843, ChesebroughPumpkins@gmail.com or chesebroughpumpkins.com
Avila Valley Barn
Avila Valley Barn has a packed slate of fall activities for kids and adults alike. The popular farm off Highway 101 offers a patch filled with 45 varieties of gourds and pumpkins, plus a hay ride, a haystack maze and pony rides on the weekends.
If you get hungry, Avila Valley Barn has a caramel apple stand, fresh-roasted corn, a chicken shack and an array of fresh produce. The farm also has a hard cider bar for visitors 21 and older.
Where: 560 Avila Beach Drive, San Luis Obispo
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m daily
Info: 805-595-2816 or avilavalleybarn.com
River K Pumpkin Patch and Cornmaze
This family-owned farm has been around since 1969. Visitors can pick from 33 varieties of pumpkins, explore a five-acre corn maze or enjoy snacks at a covered picnic area. There are wagon rides on the weekend.
Where: 5670 North River Road, Paso Robles
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday
Info: 805-441-8250 or facebook.com/riverkpumpkins
This story was originally published September 29, 2024 at 11:00 AM.
