This weekend we’re highlighting events and venues that are open for in-person fun. Enjoy children’s museums, amusement parks, drive-in movies, art activities, nature adventures, and more!
Friday, October 8 Virtual Science Center – San Jose Experience Virtual Reality at Virtual Science Center! Open now through December 2021 at Westfield Valley Fair in San Jose, Virtual Science Center offers guests an interactive experience into the magical world of Virtual Reality. Explore how this incredible technology works, learn why virtual worlds feel so believable, and choose from a selection of thrilling full-body VR experiences in this extraordinary pop-up science exhibit. Virtual Science Center has been described as a “STEM-lover’s heaven.”
Zoppe Italian Circus – Redwood City Sunset Science – Oakland Bay Area Discovery Museum – Sausalito Stagecoach Greens – San Francisco Aquarium of the Bay – San Francisco Lemos Farm – Half Moon Bay
San Francisco Giants - San Francisco
Saturday, October 9 Orchard Days at Filoli– Woodside The orchard will be open weekends for Filoli visitors of all ages to enjoy. Weave through rows of apple trees and grapevines as you learn about food production past and present, listen to live music from 1pm-3pm and find local artists selling their work.
Fun on the Farm – San Ramon Second Saturday at Gamble Garden – Palo Alto Fleet Week – San Francisco Movies on the Roof: Coco – Walnut Creek South Bay Historical Railroad Society Open House – Santa Clara ArtSpark at Sonoma Children’s Museum – Sonoma Oakland Zoo – Oakland The Exploratorium – San Francisco The Tech Interactive – San Jose Roaring Camp – Felton
San Francisco Giants - San Francisco
Sunday, October 10 Ride the Rails at Ardenwood – Fremont Woodside Day of the Horse – Woodside Water Rocket Rally – San Carlos Niles Canyon Railroad Rides – Sunol Halloween at Gilroy Gardens – Gilroy Hickory, Dickory, Dock at Children’s Fairyland – Oakland Asian Art Museum – San Francisco Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk – Santa Cruz Pixieland – Concord Lindsay Wildlife Experience – Walnut Creek
San Francisco 49ers - San Francisco
Opening This Week - October 8
163 min - Action | Adventure | Thriller 70 Metascore James Bond has left active service. His peace is short-lived when Felix Leiter, an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology. Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga Stars: Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, Rami Malek, Léa SeydouxWatch Trailer Add to Watchlist Get Tickets
106 min - Drama | Horror | Mystery 69 Metascore A childless couple, María and Ingvar discover a mysterious newborn on their farm in Iceland. The unexpected prospect of family life brings them much joy, before ultimately destroying them. Director: Valdimar Jóhannsson Stars: Noomi Rapace, Hilmir Snær Guðnason, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Ingvar SigurdssonWatch Trailer Add to Watchlist Get Tickets
Best Pumpkin Patches in the Bay Area
1. Clancy’s Christmas Trees and Pumpkin Patch
Clancy’s has been in the pumpkin patch business since 1979, but they have been providing Christmas trees to San Francisco locals since the late 1940s. They have two locations- one by the San Francisco Zoo and one on 7th Avenue in Inner Sunset.
Where else can you enjoy a hay ride in the middle of San Francisco?Besides having pumpkins in all shapes and sizes, they also have a variety of gourds and Indian corn stalks to add to your harvest displays. Come see the ghosts in their trees, the scarecrows in their patch, and crawl through their hay maze.
2101 Sloat Blvd., San Francisco and 1620 7th Ave., San Francisco
2. Arata Pumpkin Farm
Searching for a pumpkin farm that is, as my teenagers say, “extra”? Arata is a pumpkin farm with lots of extra entertainment options.
There is a Minotaur’s Labrynth Hay Maze, a haunted barn, hay rides, pony rides, train rides, a petting zoo, playground, and yes, there are also pumpkins. All this “extra” comes with extra cost, so plan accordingly. You can even pay extra for premium parking and a VIP experience.
185 Verde Rd, Half Moon Bay
3. Lemos Farm
Lemos is another farm with lots of extras. Like Arata, Lemos has the pony ride, hay ride, and train ride trifecta. They also have a petting zoo and haunted house, along with the ever important bouncy slide.
Little kids will definitely love the car barn where they can ride around in their very own Jeep and the dig zone where they can operate kid-sized excavators. Bring your spare change because there are coin-operated rides as well.
Hungry? There is a deli that serves up sandwiches and a concession stand that serves up food like pizza and nachos. Love pumpkin? Try their popular pumpkin bread or a slice of pumpkin pie. And yes, there are plenty of pumpkins to choose from. Lemos is a popular place, so to make sure you secure your spot on the farm, be sure to purchase your pumpkin patch tickets in advance. 12320 San Mateo Rd, Half Moon Bay
4. Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm
Photo via Visit Half Moon Bay/ Garrick Ramirez
Farmer John’s grows a diverse variety of pumpkins and squash, including the Atlantic Giants. They are located just off of Highway 1 in Half Moon Bay and offer a fun, family atmosphere.
This is a much quieter pumpkin farm than many of the others on the main stretch into Half Moon Bay. It is no frills but certainly has lots of nice pumpkins and you can actually walk out to the field where they’re grown.
Families like that it’s close to the water, off the beaten path and that it has a makeshift picnic area where you can relax and eat lunch. They also have a teepee and old tractor that are perfect for photo opps, and offer hay rides. 850 North Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay
5. Bob’s Vegetable Stand and Pumpkin Farm
If you are of the belief that a day at the pumpkin patch should be less about bouncy houses and train rides and more about getting dirty as you seek out that perfect pumpkin, head to Bob’s.
At this pumpkin patch, you’ll be picking pumpkins right out of the field where they are grown. Kids will love seeing the unwieldy pumpkin vines and the wide variety of pumpkins that come in all shapes and sizes.
Don’t worry, it isn’t only about the pumpkins! They do also have a little animal farm with goats, pigs, and chickens as well as some large hay bales to play on. Note: This is a dog friendly pumpkin patch. Cabrillo Hwy S, Half Moon Bay
6. Piedmont Avenue Pumpkin Patch
This urban pumpkin patch is located in Oakland. Piedmont Avenue Pumpkin Patch isn’t a spot you visit for the hay ride and family farm experience. You come here for convenience and great pumpkins.
The patch is located behind their Halloween store which sells costumes, decorations, and pumpkin carving supplies.
It has over a dozen varieties of pumpkins and squash, along with the classic corn and straw bales we all love to purchase for our harvest displays. They do have a small haunted house as well. 4414 Piedmont Ave Oakland
7. Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch
Another fun pumpkin patch in the Oakland/Alameda area is Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch which is operated by Speer Family Farms. They have a four story giant boat slide, inflatable zorb balls to run around in, a train, and a pumpkin shooter to amp up the fun.
2453 Hancock St, Alameda
8. Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
Nicasio is a great pumpkin patch in Marin County that has been serving the community for over 25 years.
It is a charming farm in a rural setting just 30 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge. They typically have hay rides, farm animals, a hay maze, and bounce castles and slides.
Big Jim’s BBQ and live music are served up on the weekends.
9. Petaluma Pumpkin Patch
The Petaluma Pumpkin Patch is a great option in the North Bay. Located in Sonoma County just off Hwy 101, this is the classic pumpkin farm and corn maze experience many of us are looking for. They sell a wide variety of pumpkins and squash in their patch and have several fun attractions for the kids like a hay bale pyramid, a carnival slide, bounce houses, a corn pit, mini corn maze, and farm animals. The main attraction is their four-acre corn maze which takes about 45 minutes to complete. There are elevated viewing platforms to help you get an aerial view of where you need to go to get out of the maze and maps you can purchase for $1. They also have food for sale on the weekends. 550 Stony Point Road, Petaluma
10. Joan’s Farm and Pumpkin Patch
Joan’s Farm and Pumpkin Patch has been a favorite of families in the Livermore area for years. They love the classic farm feel and low key vibe. But low key doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to enjoy! Highlights include a maze, Old West town, hay rides, farm animals to feed, gem panning, and a train. And don’t worry, there are lots of treats and pumpkins, gourds, straw bales, and corn to purchase. There are also photo props to help you capture some classic pumpkin patch photos of your kids. 4351 Mines Rd., Livermore
11. Smith Family Farms
If you are looking to pay one price ($12 for adults and $10 for kids) to experience all the fun a pumpkin patch has to offer and take home a pumpkin of your choosing, Smith Family Farms is the place for you. Smith Family Farms in Brentwood is known for its heirloom tomatoes, peppers, and stonefruit, but come October, they are in the pumpkin patch business. There is a corn maze, live music, farm animals, and a tractor ride to the pumpkin patch to enjoy. Note: This farm only accepts cash or check. 4350 Sellers Ave Brentwood
12. Three Nunn’s Farm
A trip to Three Nunn’s begins with a $7 tractor ride. This gives you access to the pumpkin patch (pick your pumpkin right off the vine!) and corn mazes.
For many of us, the best part of a Bay Area pumpkin patch experience is the corn maze. The corn maze at Three Nunn’s Farm does not disappoint. They have a large maze and a small maze to complete. The large maze is usually five acres in size, so you have plenty of space to get lost and found.
Outside of the pumpkin season, Three Nunn’s is also a great place to enjoy u-pick cherries, strawberries, and peaches.
550 Walnut Blvd Brentwood
Bonus Pumpkin Patch- Cool Patch Pumpkins
Speaking of corn mazes, why not drive a bit further to visit the granddaddy of them all? Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon (about 45 minutes from the East Bay) is home to a Guinness Book of World Record-holding corn maze that has to be explored to be believed!
It normally takes about an hour to 90 minutes to make your way through the maze and we think it is more fun to explore at night.
They sell over 50 different varieties of pumpkins, gourds, squash, and corn at their pumpkin patch. There is also a play area for the kids that has a corn kernal bath, hay bale castle, pedal cars, and mini hay bale maze.
The farm also offers hay rides around the property and food on the weekends.
6150 Dixon Ave W, Dixon
ENJOY