Pumpkin Patches in Ventura County and Adjacent Areas

The star of the Halloween show is the pumpkin. According to my favorite resource Wikipedia, the name pumpkin originated from the Greek word pepon ("large melon"). The French called it pompom. The British changed it to pumpion. Then American colonists changed it to pumpkin. Why? Heck, I dunno.

Pumpkins are gourd-like squashes and technically are a fruit. They can range in size from 1 lb to 1,000 lbs.

But who cares about all that...what we REALLY want to know is, where are the pumpkin patches in Ventura County and surrounding areas!? Well, here are some choices...but make sure to call before you go for hours, etc.

HALLOWEEN 2012 HAS COME AND GONE! STAY TUNED FOR THE LOCAL PUMPKIN PATCH PROGNOSIS IN 2013!

FOR OTHER HALLOWEEN EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AROUND VENTURA COUNTY, CLICK HERE!

Big Wave Dave's Pumpkin Patch is located at 4075 Telegraph Road in Ventura (adjacent to Ventura College) with hours from 10am to 9pm in October. In addition to pumpkins, they offer free games and prizes for the kids. Visit bigwavedaveschristmastrees.com/pumpkin-patch.html or call 805.218.0282.

Boccali Ranch Pumpkin Patch located at 3277 Ojai-Santa Paula Road, Ojai (Highway 150 - at the base of the Dennison grade). Visit www.boccalis.com/PumpkinPatch.html or call 805.646.6116.

Calabasas Pumpkin Festival Weekend of October 20-21, 2012

Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch in Santa Paula weekends in October.

Fillmore & Western PumpkinLiner Trains weekends in October.

McGrath Street Pumpkin Patch is located at 5156 McGrath Street, Ventura (south of the 101 between Telephone Road and Victoria).  There will be hay rides, pony rides and plenty of pumpkins! Call 805.658.9972 or visit www.mcgrathstreetpumpkinpatch.com.

McGrath Family Farm is located at 1012 W. Ventura Boulevard, Camarillo. Visit their animals, run through their corn maze and pick your pumpkin right out of their field. These organic pumpkin patch tours are $4 per person. Book your tour at 805.485.4210. www.mcgrathfamilyfarm.com

Peace Pumpkin Patch at Peace Lutheran Church in Camarillo will be held October 14-31.

Pete's Pumpkin Patch is located located on the north side of the 101 freeway at Central Avenue in Camarillo.  You can't miss it as it goes way up the hill! Admission is free and they generally are open from 8 am to dusk.  Hay maze, hay pyramid, hay rides and more! Phone is 805.207.3363. www.petespumpkinpatch.com

McGrath Brothers Great Pacific Pumpkins is located at 5100 Olivas Park Drive in Ventura. Tractor hay rides, hay maze, horse drawn hay rides and farm animals on hand. More information at www.greatpacificpumpkins.com or call 805.644.1235.

Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patch at the Halloween Harvest Festival at Pierce College in Woodland Hills. Visit www.halloweenharvestfestival.com.

Stu Miller's Pumpkin Patch will be located at Simi Valley Town Center 805.306.5925 and 450 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks 805.379.0851. Pumpkins, petting zoo, rides, inflatable attractions and more (no admission cost; activities vary in cost). www.seasonaladventures.com/location.htm

Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival in Moorpark is the entire month of October. Tons of pumpkins and fun going on out there!

Bennett's Best Pumpkin Patch at 28900 Roadside Dr Agoura Hills 818.865.0754

The Oak Park Community Garden will host a Pumpkin Patch the weekend of October 27-28 at the corner of Kanan Road and Sunnycrest drive from 9am to 5pm. Family friendly; kids and dogs allowed. Visit www.oakparkcommunitygarden.org.