[Countdown to Halloween] Pumpkin Patchin'

Monday, October 5, 2015

I think we've officially hit our quota of pumpkin patches this Halloween. Though, if I'm being honest, I wouldn't mind going to another! I don't know what it is, but I just love the pumpkin patch. And my favorite thing? Probably the pumpkins. Normally, I hate orange, but there's something special about those big, round, orange pumpkins that I love.

We went to our first pumpkin patch (at Irvine Park - my favorite park!) the weekend before last when my Dad and step mom were visiting. It was hotter than hot that weekend but we decided to brave the heat and head to the pumpkin patch as soon as it opened. The early morning worked well as in there weren't too many people, but it definitely did not help with the heat. We rode the train, checked out the pumpkins, and played some games before leaving after about an hour and a half.



Our second pumpkin patch trip was to Tanaka Farms. We went to this pumpkin patch last year with our friends, Lauren and Seth, and their son, Logan (Mason's BFF), and this year, his new little baby sister, Norah, got to come too! Last year the boys weren't super into it, but this year was completely different and so much fun! (At least for the moms... the dads had to chase the kids around!) We went on Saturday night around 5pm and they closed at 6pm. It actually turned out to be the perfect time because it wasn't hot (at all - hallelujah!) and wasn't very crowded. I do wish that we could have gone maybe around 4:30 instead of 5 though to have a little extra time. Oh well, next year! We opted for the tractor ride over the petting zoo since we only had an hour and it was perfect. We practically had a private tractor tour as there was only one other family on the ride with us. And then we stopped to see the pumpkin get shot in the air by the pumpkin cannon and the boys were mesmerized. Though it was short, our visit was perfect!









Seriously, we had the VERY best time! The boys didn't want to leave and to be honest, neither did I. If we have another free weekend before Halloween, I totally want to go back!

So, you might be thinking "two pumpkin patches is kind of over kill" but no! They are actually both VERY different. The pumpkin patch a Irvine Park is more man made. The pumpkins are all picked and pretty much no matter which pumpkin you choose, it will be nice. They only set out the good ones so you don't have to sift through the bad ones to find the one you want. You just kind of choose what color and size you want and you're on your way. They also have a train ride (the train is always there) and then a bounce house and other games. Tanaka Farms is more real life farm. As you can tell from the pictures, there are just rows and rows of pumpkins. You can choose whatever one you want but you need to check it out before you buy it. There are tons of bad pumpkins (complete with flies and all), but it is the more farm experience that you might want. There's a tractor ride and a pumpkin cannon as well as a petting zoo. Both places are completely different and super fun. I love going to both each year!



What Fall and Halloween fun have you been up to? 
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18 comments:

  1. We will be going next weekend and I'm so excited! I don't think going twice is over kill, especially since it's not just picking out a pumpkin, it's about all the other activities as well!

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  2. What an awesome Pumpkin patch! I can't wait to take Hallie to one!

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  3. psh two pumpkin patches is not overkill! More more! I'm surprised you have so many open already. Our pumpkins in the parking lot opens today and our first real patch (our strawberry patch decided to do pumpkins this year) isn't open yet. I'd be all over the pumpkins if I could find more!!
    I'm glad the boys were into it this year, that makes it so much more fun.
    Happy Countdown to Halloween!!

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  4. Looks like you guys had a blast!!! I love the pumpkin patch

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  5. Ok, I think we need to go to Irvine Park for their pumpkin patch. It looks like so much fun! Did they have bounce houses and whatnot like during Christmas? If so, we might have to make a mandatory trip.
    And, Tanaka - I just LOVE that place!! And it looks like you all had the best time ever! You also go some perfect weather for Tanaka this year!

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  6. Tanaka Farms was my favorite the last few years. Love that authentic farm experience. Such a fun way to get the season started!

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  7. What an awesome pumpkin patch! I adore all the wooden signs and decorations! But the real scene stealers are those two cute boys!!!

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  8. I can't wait to take my son to a pumpkin patch with his cousins later this month!

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  9. So much fun! This pumpkin patch looks amazing!! I saw so many pictures on IG of pumpkin patches and it made me so excited and anxious for ours!! Adorable pictures, friend.

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  10. we havent been to ONE pumpkin patch yet. but i need to change that. and hit tanaka farms. because hello cuteness. i mean the picture possibilities are endless!

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  11. I kind of really want to visit you just so I can go to Tanaka Farm. It is seriously what pumpkin patch dreams are made of! So happy yall have that there!!

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  12. Ah this is so adorable! Looks like you guys had a great time at the pumpkin patches and that cannon sounds like a lot of fun!

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  13. How Fun! We are going to our very first pumpkin patch ever next Tuesday and I cannot wait

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  14. What an amazing pumpkin patch! I can't wait to take ours this weekend.

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  15. You can just say that your on a quest to find the best pumpkin patch and keep trying new ones every weekend ;). LOVE the pictures and I feel the same exact way about the color orange too.

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  16. Fun! We hope to hit up our favorite patch this coming weekend!

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  17. The "How Tall This Fall" picture of Mason cracks me up! He's so happy to be three feet tall. So cute! :)

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  18. Tanaka Farms looks awesome, that's what I was going to say, you get the real 'farm-y' feel from it (and I don't think of that when I think CA). So fun!! It is funny seeing you guys in shorts and hearing how hot it is..

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