Pumpkin patches today are much different from when I was a kid. They’ve transformed from simple pumpkin fields into carnival-like attractions providing hours of entertainment. You can find these in most cities, but if you’re planning to visit North County San Diego or live nearby, the Carlsbad Strawberry Company’s pumpkin patch is the place to be!
We’ve been three times, and it gets better every year. The only thing missing is the apple cannon, which we were looking forward to finally trying. But it’s all good – I’m pretty sure it would be tough to pry my son away from such an exciting activity.
Updated 9/25/2024
When is pumpkin season?
The pumpkin patch at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company is typically open late September through early November.
It gets busy on weekends, so it’s best to get there when they open to avoid the crowds and take advantage of all the festive photo opportunities. We typically arrive around 9 a.m. on a weekend, and it gets busy around 10:00 a.m.
Hours:
Mon-Thu: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fri-Sun*: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m
*starting in October
General Admission:
Mon-Thu: $10 per person
Fri-Sun: $12 per person
Kids 4 and under are free
Address:
1050 Cannon Rd
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Free fun
Start your visit with some free 🙌 fun by wandering through the pumpkin and marigold fields.
Pumpkin Patch
It’s the great pumpkin! Whatever kind of pumpkin you’re looking for, they have it. Big, small, orange, white, green, bumpy, you name it. Of course, my son wanted the biggest one the first time we visited. Luckily, I talked him into a smaller one I could carry.
Their field is fun to walk through, and it’s full of giant pumpkins. I always try to get a cute, smiley picture of my son, but he’s much more into striking poses these days. Nonetheless, it’s a great spot to dress up your little pumpkins and take Halloween photos. We saw a few kids and adults dressed up in costumes.
Marigold Fields
The Marigold Fields are spectacular. It’s the perfect spot to take some family fall photos. You’ll have a great time walking through the rows of colorful and vibrant flowers and capturing some amazing shots!
Get ready to grab your wallet
The costs can add up quickly, with each attraction costing between $5 and $20 (or more – see Bounceland below), but your kids will have a blast. Last year, my son hugged me when we returned to the car and told me he had the best time. 💗
Corn maze
The corn maze costs $10 per person and has 1.5 miles of trail to wander through. Before you enter, there’s a map with a phone number to call if you need to be rescued.
Inside, there are six markers to help you figure out if you’re on the right path. Our son led the way last year, and we hit a few dead ends, but my little puzzle solver figured it out in ten minutes.
Tractor Ride
This is my favorite attraction. For $10 per person, there’s a ride around the property with beautiful views of the Carlsbad Lagoon and corn, pumpkin, and strawberry fields.
If you arrive early, there’s a good chance you can enjoy a private ride. It lasts about 10 minutes.
Bounceland
The biggest hit with my son is Bounceland, which has 14 gigantic bouncehouses. It’s $20 for 30 minutes, $30 for an hour, $40 for two hours, and $50 for an all-day pass.
Visit with farm animals
For animal lovers, there are two petting areas to visit. Hanging out with the adorable rabbits is $5 per person, and you can see sheep and goats for an additional $5.
Time for more pictures
I’m telling you, if you love taking pictures, this is the place to be! Between the flowers, fields, and cute, unique decorations they set up, you have so many options to make fun memories.
Food trucks and vendors
We haven’t eaten there, but there are usually food trucks with burritos, tacos, wood-fired pizza, coffee, and more.
Booths are set up with local vendors selling goods and face-painting.
My son loves to get his face painted, and it’s the best way to wrap up our visit.
Last time, he went with Pikachu, one of the basic paintings that cost $10. Some of the more detailed ones were between $15 and $20.
Haunted corn maze
Starting in October, a haunted corn maze will be open to teens and adults on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission is $25, but if you want to jump to the front of the line, it’s $45.
Speakeasy
On Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. (starting in October), there’s a speakeasy hidden in the corn maze for the 21+ crowd that offers craft beer, wine, and cocktails. To enter, you must have the password. Clues are posted every Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. in Pacific Coast Spirits Instagram and Facebook stories.
You can bring kids under two, strollers, and dogs, and they only accept credit cards.
Pacific Coast Spirits is a local, family-owned distillery that crafts small-batch spirits. If you’re thirsty for more, head to their family-friendly kitchen and distillery in Oceanside on the 101. We’ve had brunch here, and it’s delicious. The patio is great for kids and has games to play.
Strawberry season
If you miss the pumpkin patch, picking strawberries at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company is another fun activity from February to July, depending on the weather. You can walk through the fields and pick your own strawberries straight from the vine and take them home to enjoy.
All ages are allowed, and you’ll get a bucket that holds two pounds of strawberries. You can bring your dog, too, but they aren’t welcome in the fields.
During this season, they still offer tractor rides, bounce houses, petting zoos, pony rides, and games like connect four and cornhole for you to enjoy. Like the pumpkin patch, most of these will cost extra, but it’ll make for a fun outing.
Hours:
Mon-Thu: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Last entry 4:30 p.m.
General Admission:
$5 person per person
Entry to U-pick:
$10 per person with a bucket or $5 per person without a bucket
(in addition to admission)
What to do in Carlsbad after visiting the pumpkin patch
If you’re looking to eat, drink, or have more fun, here are some places you can check out nearby.
Grab some food or drinks
Draft Republic has a little bit of something for everyone! There are huge TVs everywhere for sports, golf simulators, and arcade games. If you’re in the mood for something else, Miguels Cocina and In-N-Out are in the same parking lot.
Burgeon Beer Company is ten minutes away and has tasty craft beers. There’s a different food truck daily, so check their website to see who’s there. If it’s The Local Spot, you’re in for a real treat.
2051 Cucina Italiana has delicious, authentic Italian food. It’s a little fancier, but you can get away with casual clothes.
Pizza Port Bressi Ranch is 15 minutes down the road. If you’re visiting San Diego, don’t leave without visiting Pizza Port. This one is huge and perfect for keeping kids entertained with arcade games, and you can’t go wrong with pizza and beer (or wine).
Still looking for more things to do?
Terramar Beach is a scenic and quiet beach that’s perfect for taking a stroll and exploring tide pools during low tide. Our son enjoys climbing on the large rocks there and jumping off.
Carlsbad Outlets for a little bit of shopping and great deals.
K1 Speed is a fun place to race go-carts, and then you can head half a mile down the street to Burgeon Beer Company.
Legoland, if you’re really trying to see how much fun you can pack into one day. I don’t know if I would go after the pumpkin patch, but it’s less than two miles away, making it convenient.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me or email holly@howtoholly.com.
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