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Pumpkin Patches in Sonoma County
By Dan Taylor
https://www.sonomamag.com/pumpkin-patches-around-sonoma-county/
Sam Aerneson, 14, climbs atop a pyramid of hay bales at the Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch in Santa Rosa, on Monday, October 5, 2015. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Where are the best pumpkin patches in Sonoma County?
Find out in this gallery and in this Press Democrat article
Sonoma County's best spots for pumpkins and fall fun
Check out these Sonoma County pumpkin events while you can!
October 17-18 and October 24-25 — Tolay Fall Festival. In a season full of hay rides and pumpkin patches, this annual family event stands out, offering all that and more: a straw maze, gunnysack races, a pumpkin seed spitting contest, a barnyard animal petting area, a replica of a Native American village, demonstrations of archery, fly fishing and astronomy — and that's still not a complete list. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5 for adults; $3 for children 12 and younger. Tolay Regional Park, 5869 Lakeville Highway, Petaluma. 565-2041, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov.
October 24 — "Pumpkins on Pikes." Here's something a little different. The festivities start at 2 p.m. with food, music and pumpkin carving. Participants the chance to display their Jack-O-Lantern on a pike in the corn field. When the sun goes down the pumpkins are lit. Bring carving tools, a blanket if you're staying after dark, and favorite dessert if you're participating in the dessert potluck. Admission: $20; children age 6 and under free; $10 barbecue plate available for dinner. No dogs, please. Tara Firma Farms, 3796 I St, Petaluma. 765-1202 Petaluma. tarafirmafarms.com
Through October 31 — Petaluma Pumpkin Patch and Amazing Corn Maze. Traditionally, traffic tends to slow down along southbound Highway 101 north of Petaluma every fall as drivers gawk at those 5-acre attraction. sometimes sparking a few gripes, but visitors adore it. Pumpkin patch hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Free activities at the pumpkin patch include a straw mountain to climb, farm animals, a little kids maze, rubber duck races and a corn kernel "sandbox." Corn Maze hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Sunday; 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Corn Maze admission: $5 during the daytime (age 5 and under free); $9 at nights. 450 Stony Point Road, Petaluma. 781-3132, petalumapumpkinpatch.com.
Eastside Seasonal Farm and Pumpkin Patch. This site also includes a corn maze, plus goats and ducks. Noon-6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturdays; closing at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, and 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. 5834 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa. No admission charges; discount coupons available at eastsideseasonalfarm.com. Information: 206-9672.
Grandma's Pumpkin Patch. The patch features a petting zoo, farm animals, hay a stack for climbing, noodles for stringing and old tractors for imaginary driving. Open daily from 10 a.m. until dusk. Free admission. 17740 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 431-8058, healdsburggranny.com.
Great Peter Pumpkin Patch. There's a lot more to do than pick a pumpkin at this Petaluma patch. Visitors can milk a cow, take a hay ride, dig for potatoes, taste fresh cheeses and eat homemade ice cream. Live music on weekends. Open 9 a.m.-dusk daily. Free admission and parking. 4235 Spring Hill Road, Petaluma. 762-9038, 775-1183, springhillcheese.com.
McClelland's Dairy Organic Pumpkin Patch offers the full list of fall fun, with a hay maze, a hay pyramid, seed "sandbox," tire swings, pumpkin tether ball, petting zoo, a peddle track racetrack and more. Free admission. 6475 Bodega Ave., Petaluma. 664-0452, mcclellandsdairy.com.
Muelrath Ranches Pumpkin Patch. Let the kids get interactive, with a pumpkin slingshot and a pumpkin cannon. Free admission and hay rides. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays and Saturday. 3800 Walker Ave., Santa Rosa. 585-2195, muelrathspumpkins.com.
Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch. This place thinks big, with 8 acres of pumpkins and an 8-acre corn maze, featuring both long and short routes. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Corn maze closes an hour before the patch closes each day. Admission: $2. 331-6653, santarosapumpkinpatch.com.
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