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.

OTHER HALLOWEEN EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

Big Wave Dave's Pumpkin Patch locations at 4075 Telegraph Road in Ventura (adjacent to Ventura College) is open 11am to 8pm October 12 to October 31, 2019. In addition to pumpkins, they offer free games and prizes for the kids. There's also a location at the Pacific View Mall in the Trader Joe's parking lot 9/28 to 10/31. Visit bigwavedaveschristmastrees.com/pumpkin-patch.html or call 805.218.0282. 

Bennett's Best Pumpkin Patch is now openat 28900 Roadside Drive (near Do It Center) in Agoura Hills as well as at 4995 Kanan Road (Kanan at Agoura Road). bennettsbest.net

Fillmore & Western Pumpkinliner Trail Rides in October

Boccali Ranch Pumpkin Patch at 3277 E. Ojai Avenue in Ojai will be open 7 days a week from 10am to 7pm from October 5-31, 2019. Daytime hayrides $3 for adults, $2 for children on Sat/Sun 11am to 5pm, free children’s hay maze. “Haunted” nighttime hay rides 7-9pm Fri/Sat 10/11-12, 18-19 and 25-26. www.boccalis.com/pumpkinpatch.html

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. Open daily in October from 9am to 6pm.

Prancer's Pumpkin Village is open September 28 through October from 11am to 9pm weekdays and 10am to 9pm weekends at 3075 Johnson Drive in Ventura (adjacent to the 101 freeway). In addition to an array of pumpkins, they offer pony rides, bouncers, hay maze, petting zoo and other activities. Visit prancersvillage.com. Admission is $4 and includes free hay ride.

The Santa Paula Rotary's Pumpkin Patch at the Limoneira Ranch in Santa Paula will be open every weekend in October 2019, starting October 5-6, from 10am to 5pm. Gigantic corn MaiZe, hay wagon rides, the infamous "Pumpkin Chucker" and more on hand. $8 admission.

Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch is located near the Simi Valley Town Center on Erringer Road and in Thousand Oaks at 450 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Pumpkins, petting zoo, rides, inflatable attractions and more (no admission cost; activities vary in cost). www.seasonaladventures.com/locations Open October 1-31, weekdays 1-9pm and weekend 9am-9pm.

Stu Miller's Pumpkin Patch just east of the Simi Valley Town Center.

The 22nd Annual Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival in Moorpark is open September 28 to October 31, 2019 with themed events each weekend, massive pumpkin patch and lots of fun activities.

The Underwood Farm Center in Somis at 5696 Los Angeles Avenue also has a pumpkin patch along with its year-round animal center.

Calabasas Pumpkin Festival October 19-20

Bennett's Best Pumpkin Patch on Roadside Drive in Agoura Hills

Pumpkins no longer: 

McGrath Street Pumpkin Patch, which was located at 5156 McGrath Street, Ventura, is no longer operating in 2019 after 40 years in business. David McGrath bodes farewell and announces his retirement at www.mcgrathstreetpumpkinpatch.com.

Halloween Events and Activities In and Around Ventura County

Here, once again, is our boo-rific compilation of Halloween events, activities and goings on around Ventura County and surrounding areas for the 2019 Halloween season! Spooky houses, pumpkin patches, trick or treating, carnivals, community events, storytelling and more! 

Dates/times subject to change; contact event organizers to confirm. For calendar view, click here.

Pumpkin Patches in Ventura County and Surrounding Areas

Ongoing Events/Activities

• 9/28-11/2: Reign of Terror Haunted House at Janss Marketplace Thousand Oaks

• 9/28-10/31: 22nd Annual Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival in Moorpark

• 10/3-11/3: Nights of the Jack Halloween Jack O’Lantern Experience (nights)

• 9/21-10/31: Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise Haunted House at Simi Valley Town Center

• 9/9-10/31: Discounted Passes to Knott’s Scary Farm in Buena Park

• Weekends in Oct: Pumpkinliner Train Rides at Fillmore & Western Railway

Other Events/Activities

• Fri 10/18: Haunted Float Night at CLU Community Pool (5-9:30PM)

• Sat 10/19: Harvest Fest at The Shoppes at Westlake (Noon-3PM)

• Sat 10/26: Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest at Ventura Harbor Village (11AM)

• Sat 10/26: Pumpkin Party at the Leonis Adobe Museum in Calabasas (1-4PM)

• Sat 10/19: Heritage Halloween and Movie at Strathearn Park Simi Valley (5-9PM)

• Sat 10/19: Family-Friendly "Lights On" at Reign of Terror Haunted House (1-4PM)

• Fri-Sun 10/18-20: Boo at the Zoo at the Santa Barbara Zoo

• Sat/Sun 10/19-20: Calabasas Pumpkin Festival (10AM-5PM)

• Fri 10/25: Halloween Carnival at Malibu Bluffs Park (3-6PM)

• Fri 10/25: Spooky Swim at Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center (5:30-8:30PM)

• Fri 10/25: Spooky Town Event at Simi Valley Town Center (5-8PM)

• Sat 10/26: Herman Bennett Foundation Halloween Party in Camarillo (4-8PM)

• Sat 10/26: Creatures of the Night Family Event at Rancho Sierra Vista in NP (5-9PM)

• Sat 10/26: 9th Annual Peace Pumpkin Fest in Camarillo

• Sat 10/26: Trick or Treating at Ventura Harbor Village (1-3PM)

• Sat 10/26: Howl-O-Ween Event at Mission Oaks Park in Camarillo (9am-Noon)

• Sat 10/26: Trick-or-Treat Trail & Health Fair at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks (10am-3pm)

• Sat 10/26: Pumpkin Fest at Christ the King Newbury Park (2-6PM) Details TBA

• Sat 10/26: Halloween Haunt at Plaza Park in Oxnard (4-7PM)

• Sat 10/26: Halloween Haunted Trail, Costume Contest, Trick-or-Treating in Thousand Oaks (6-9PM)

• Sat 10/26: Family-Friendly "Lights On" at Reign of Terror Haunted House (1-4PM)

• Sat/Sun 10/26-27: Boo at the Zoo at Moorpark College Teaching Zoo (11AM-5PM)

• Weekends in Oct: Pumpkin Patch at Limoneira Ranch in Santa Paula (10AM-5PM)

• Sun 10/27: Dia de los Muertos at Strathearn Historical Park Simi Valley (2-7PM)

• Sun 10/27: The Haunted Pit at United Methodist Church Westlake Village (6-9PM)

• Sun 10/27: Superheroes of the Symphonyat T.O. Civic Arts Plaza (Noon-4PM) ( RSVP)

• Sun 10/27: Halloween Fun at “Malibooo” Country Mart (Noon-3PM)

• Sun 10/27: Farmers' Market Family Fun Day at Channel Islands Harbor (10AM-2PM)

• Tue 10/29: Halloween Boo Bash at The Commons at Calabasas (5-7PM)

• Tue 10/29: Trick-or-Treating at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard (RSVP) (5-7PM)

• Wed 10/30: Halloween Night at Conejo Valley YMCA in Thousand Oaks (6-8PM)

• Wed 10/30: Halloween Haunt at E.P. Foster Library in Ventura (7:30-9PM)

• Thu 10/31: 14th Annual Halloween Carnival in Oak Park (5:30-8PM)

• Thu 10/31: Halloween Festival for Kids at Thousand Oaks Library (4-6PM)

• Thu 10/31: Haunted High Street Event in Moorpark (5-8PM)

• Thu 10/31: Trick or Treating at the Camarillo Premium Outlets (4-6PM)

• Thu 10/31: Halloween Spooktacular Trick-or-Treat at Agoura Hills/Calabasas Cty Center (3:30-5:30PM)

• Thu 10/31: 58th Annual Halloween Carnival in Simi Valley (5:30-8PM)

El Parque de la Paz "The Peace Park" in Thousand Oaks

El Parque de la Paz "The Peace Park" is located at 2580 Pleasant Way in Thousand Oaks, tucked south of Thousand Oaks Boulevard behind Mouthful Eatery, Allen Motors, Harold's House of Omelettes and other businesses.

This five acre park dotted with oak trees was dedicated in 1990 by Thousand Oaks City Council.  Amenities include a Jungleland themed playground area, horseshoe pits, basketball court, picnic tables and restrooms. Learn more at www.crpd.org/parkfac/parks/lapaz.asp.

Jungleland themed drinking fountain.

Adjacent to the park is Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 109, the Crowley House.

Who has horseshoes to use at these horseshoe pits!? Looks fun!

Forty-Seven Things to Do In Thousand Oaks

The City of Thousand Oaks was incorporated on September 29, 1964. Most of Newbury Park was annexed by the city in the 1960s/1970s. Casa Conejo, Newbury Park's first planned community built in the early 1960s and the Lynn Ranch area of Thousand Oaks are unincorporated areas of Ventura County that technically are not annexed into the City of Thousand Oaks. Why that is, I'm not sure. The City of Thousand Oaks also annexed the Ventura County portions of Westlake Village in 1968 and 1972. A bit complicated, eh?

Enough history for now! Let's look at the future...like tomorrow or this coming weekend. Here are 47* things to do in the City of Thousand Oaks in random order.

*It started out as 47 things to do but we've lost count since originally posting this.

• DojoBoom Extreme Air Sports at Janss Marketplace

• Enjoy peace and serenity at Gardens of the World

• AMC Dine-In Thousand Oaks 14 Movie Theater at The Oaks Mall

• Dave & Buster's (opened in March 2019)

• Conejo Valley Botanic Garden

• Conejo Creek Bike Path

• Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

• MB2 Raceway Indoor Go Kart Facility in Newbury Park

• California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks

• Hike the Western Plateau

• Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park

• Chumash Indian Museum/Oakbrook Regional Park in Thousand Oaks

• Boost Your Average Indoor Batting Cages in Westlake Village

• The Landing at Westlake Lake in Westlake Village

• Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space Area in Thousand Oaks

• Tarantula Hill in Thousand Oaks

• Rancho Potrero Community Equestrian Center (formerly Rocking K) in Newbury Park beginning in approximately October 2019

• Marty's Hobbies Store in Thousand Oaks

• Hillcrest Open Space Preserve

• Angel Vista Peak in Newbury Park

• Conejo Valley Art Museum in Thousand Oaks

• Watch a show at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza

• Rancho Potrero Open Space in Newbury Park

• The Oaks Mall

• Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa area in Newbury Park

View of Boney Mountain from the Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa area.

• Janss Marketplace

• Triunfo Creek Park Open Space in Westlake Village

• Thousand Oaks Community Art Gallery in Newbury Park

• Grant R. Brimhall Library and Newbury Park Branch Library

• Hitting Zone Indoor Batting Cages in Westlake Village

• Community Pool at Samuelson Aquatics Center, Cal Lutheran

• Chuck E. Cheese's in Thousand Oaks

• All Stars Athletics Indoor Batting Cages in Newbury Park

• Enjoy The Promenade at Westlake and The Lakes at Thousand Oaks

• Los Robles Trail System

• Vista Del Mar Trail in Newbury Park

• Boulderdash Indoor Rock Climbing in Thousand Oaks

• Regal Janss Marketplace 9 Movie Theater

• Color Me Mine Paint Your Own Ceramics Studio in Thousand Oaks

• The Village at Dos Vientos Ranch in Newbury Park

• Play Netball at Oakbrook Neighborhood Park in Thousand Oaks

• Conejo Mountain Edison Road Trail in Newbury Park

• Borchard Park Labyrinth and Outdoor Fitness Equipment in Newbury Park

• Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas at The Promenade at Westlake

• CReATE Studio in Westlake Village

• Hillcrest Open Space Preserve in Thousand Oaks

• Conejo Creek Dog Park in Thousand Oaks

• Rabbit Flats Disc Golf Course in Thousand Oaks

• MVP Indoor Batting Cages in Newbury Park

• Sapwi Trails Community Park in Thousand Oaks offers disc golf, a bike park and more.

• Visit the California True Colors Garden in Thousand Oaks

• Sundays at the Kids' Adventure Garden in Thousand Oaks

For other things to do, visit Do Something, Kids' Activities and Fitness and Sports.

Older version of City of Thousand Oaks sign.

U.S. National Park Service Free Entrance Days

There are over 400 national parks covering over 84 million acres throughout the United States and its territories.  The majority of these parks do not charge entrance fees (though parking fees often apply). As for the 124 national parks that do have entrance fees, there are a number of designated "fee free" days each year.

Here are the National Park Service Free Entrance Days in 2019:

• January 21 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

• April 20 (First Day of National Park Week)

• August 25 (National Park Service Birthday)

• September 28 (National Public Lands Day)

• November 11 (Veterans Day)

The parks that normally charge a fee that are free on the above dates are listed at www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm. California parks in this category include:

• Cabrillo National Monument

• Death Valley National Park

• Joshua Tree National Park

• Lassen Volcanic National Park

• Lava Beds National Monument

• Muir Woods National Monument

• Pinnacles National Monument

• Sequoia National Park

• Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

• Yosemite National Park

Plenty of other amazing national treasures are on this list, like Grand Canyon National Park.

And of course there are two national parks in Ventura County that are always worth exploring:

• Channel Islands National Park

• Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

For more information about the National Park Service, visit www.nps.gov.

Life's a Beach! Public Beaches Spanning From Carpinteria to the Ventura Harbor

The beaches of Ventura County have something for everyone, be it the sand, the ocean breezes, surfing, volleyball, sunning, picnicking or just chilling out to the sound of the waves. Here we have compiled a listing of beaches just north of Ventura County in Carpinteria down the coast to the Ventura Harbor. Separately we highlight beaches stretching further down the coast through Oxnard, Channel Islands Harbor, Point Mugu and Malibu as well as up the coast in and around Santa Barbara.

The Santa Claus Lane Beach Area in Carpinteria is a south facing beach area popular with surfers, boogie boarders and sunbathers. Get there from the 101 by taking the Padaro Lane exit towards Santa Claus Lane, then taking a left on Santa Claus Lane. You can park in a small dirt area (there's room for maybe 10 cars there) on the ocean side or find street parking, which is plentiful. This is not an "official" beach to my knowledge, as in city or county-run. Just a private beach. No restrooms to my knowledge. Oh yes, you'll have to cross the railroad tracks...so be careful! Down the street is Padaro Beach Village, where you can grab a bite to each and do a little shopping.

On a separate note, you may be wondering why it is called Santa Claus Lane. Well the old-timers among you (including me) know that a gigantic roadside Santa used to reside here that now greets us off the 101 freeway in the Nyeland Acres section of Oxnard. Learn more about the history at this link.

Surfers, boogie boarders, body surfers and frolickers at the Santa Claus Lane area beach.

Just down the street is the quaint Padaro Beach Village, where you can grab a coffee, breakfast, lunch, do a little shopping, etc. Very relaxing little area.

Carpinteria State Beach is a mile long beach for swimming, surf fishing, tidepool exploring and camping. Dogs are allowed only at the picnic area. The park originally opened in February 1932. There are four campground areas with 216 family campsites and seven group campsites available. Seals and sea lions can be seen in the area December through May, as well as an occasional gray whale. Tidepools contain starfish, sea anemones, crabs, snails, octopi and sea urchins. Exit the 101 at Casitas Pass Road, go west to Carpinteria Avenue, make a right at the signal; then turn left on Palm.  The beach is at the end of Palm Avenue near 4th Street. Call 805.968.1033 or visit www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=599.

Note: Campfires are only allowed in the campground in fire rings provided. No fires are allowed on the beach.

Tar Pits Park in Carpinteria provides hiking and biking trails and a few benches, but no other park amenities.  Access to the park is very remote and it is suggested that you enter from the Carpinteria State Beach campgrounds or beach area.  Here you will see tar oozing out of the hills...so watch where you step! The Carpinteria Tar Pits is one of the five natural asphalt lake areas in the world! Visit www.carpinteria.ca.us/parks_rec/park_system.shtml for more information. The Carpinteria Harbor Seal Rookery can be reached by following trails east of the park.

Beach view from Tar Pits Park in Carpinteria.

Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve is 53 acres of open space situated overlooking the Pacific Ocean is a series of walkways, trails and open space for ocean views, whale watching and fresh air. There are restrooms and I believe parking is free. This is not a beach for hanging out on the sand. Visit www.carpinteria.ca.us/parks_rec/park_system.shtml for more information. Take the 101 Freeway to Ballard Avenue and turn towards the ocean.

Rincon Beach Park is near the Ventura/Santa Barbara County line just a few miles east of Carpinteria. Just take the Bates Avenue offramp off the 101 Freeway to the ocean and on the right you'll find plenty of free parking and easy beach access, with picnic tables and restrooms. Just steps to the south of Rincon Beach Park is Rincon Point, known as one of the best surfing spots in the world.

Great photo opps here at Rincon Beach Park :)

South of Rincon Beach Park is a newer (premiered September 2014) Class I bike path that takes you through the La Conchita Beach area to Mussel Shoals. La Conchita Beach is low key, with several access points from the La Conchita Bike Path area. You can park at Rincon Point and bike or walk to one of several access points from the path. You can also drive into La Conchita, find a parking spot and take the newer undercrossing that'll get you to the beach by walking under Highway 101.  No restrooms or other facilities to my knowledge at the beach. It’s several miles of beauty, directly adjacent to the 101.

La Conchita Beach

Mussel Shoals is a small beach community in Ventura with around 50 homes. There are about a dozen public parking spots along Old Pacific Coast Highway, paralleling the 101 near the Cliff House Inn. No restrooms. If you go there, perhaps have lunch at the Cliff House Inn and take in the peaceful views, while also checking out man-made Rincon Island.

Mussel Shoals

The beach between Mussel Shoals on the northwest and Seacliff on the southeast is referred to Oil Piers Beach. There used to be piers here until they were taken down in 1998. You get here either via the La Conchita Bike Path or by taking the Seacliff Exit (#78) from Highway 101, then take Pacific Coast Highway northbound to Mobil Pier Road, where you will drive under the 101 to find parking (and if there's no spots available, go back to PCH and you'll find some). No facilities to my knowledge at this beach.

Hobson Beach Park is located north of Faria Beach Park and the Rincon Parkway, at 5210 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Ventura. It is managed by the County of Ventura. Day use parking is free but limited. Restrooms available. Limited beach space. Camping and RV spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. CLICK HERE for more info or call 805.654.3951.

Rincon Parkway is located between Faria Beach Park and Hobson Beach Park on Highway 1 off the Ventura Freeway at 5275 Pacific Coast Highway, Ventura. 127 parallel parking spaces are available for RV use only; no camping. All RV's must be fully self-contained units as there are no hookups, utilities, etc. Minimal beach, mostly rocks. Next to a train track. But nonetheless fun to stop by from time to time. No day use parking. CLICK HERE for more info.

Faria Beach Park is located south of Hobson Beach Park is another popular RV/camping spot at 4350 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Ventura. Also managed by the County of Ventura with spots available first come, first served. There are restrooms. No dogs on beach but they are allowed in camping areas. CLICK HERE for more info or call 805.654.3951.

South of Faria Park and north of Solimar Beach is an area referred to as Mondos Beach. We recently rode bikes from the Ventura Pier past this area and saw plenty of families enjoying the sand and the water. There is parallel parking available on the old highway. I believe there are also some porta-johns available.

Mondos Beach area in Ventura, south of Faria, north of Solimar.

There's a strip of beach along Old Highway 1 between Mondos Beach and Solimar Beach that has parallel parking available, with large rocks separate the street from the beach. I don't know the name of this beach, but it is there, open to the public. There's not a specific street address but it is in the proximity of 3456 Pacific Coast Highway.

Solimar Beach is a strip of beach between Faria and Emma Wood known for surfing, swimming and fishing. Park along Old Highway 1. No facilities. There are about 60 homes along this beach.

Emma Wood State Beach is popular for swimming, surfing and fishing.  The Ventura River estuary is at the mouth of the Ventura River at the southeast end of the park.  It attracts a variety of wildlife including raccoons, songbirds and great blue herons. Dolphins are occasionally seen just offshore. The park also features the crumbling ruins of a World War II coastal artillery site. Emma Wood offers family camping for self-contained vehicles only and group camping is available at Ventura River Group Camp. There are 90 campsites. There is a day use area in the park and beach access is available.  A bike path connects the park to Ventura and to the coast highway to the north. Parking is currently $10. Call 805.968.1033 or visit www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=604. Directions at this link. Campfires not allowed on the beach.

We noticed a new sign at Emma Wood in the summer of 2015

The Downtown Ventura Promenade beachfront area stretches from Surfers' Point and Promenade Park at Figueroa Street and Shoreline Drive on the north, down the Promenade bike/walk path to the Ventura Pier. This is a popular area with lots of surfers, a cool kids' playground area just north of the pier and plenty of beach with lots of interesting looking rocks. There are several restrooms in the area. Great place to go bike riding with the family. Plenty of parking in the area on the north end. On the south side by the pier you may need to pay for parking at the Crowne Plaza on Harbor Blvd east of California Street or at San Buenaventura State Beach further east.

San Buenaventura State Beach stretches from the Ventura Pier down south past the homes of the Ventura Keys to Marina Park. This beach features swimming, surfing and picnicking. There are two miles of sandy beach, sand dunes, picnic sites, a parking lot and the Jolly Oyster. Bike trails connect to other nearby beaches. The 1,700-foot pier has a snack bar, Beach House Fish restaurant and bait shop. Wheel Fun Rentals is right near the pier if you need a bike. Visit www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=600 or call 805.585.1850. Campfires not allowed at this beach.

Marina Cove Beach is a very popular family spot located at Marina Park, with a newer, small playground area, lots of parking (though weekends can get pretty packed), restrooms and a nice family-friendly beach.. Walk from Marina Park south to Soter Point for picnic areas, mermaid statue and more.

Fun stone jetty to navigate at the beach adjacent to Marina Park in Ventura.

Harbor Cove Beach is located at the west end of Spinnaker Drive near Ventura Harbor Village and across from the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center. It is a "still water" beach protected by jetties that is considered one of the safest family friendly beaches in the area (and also referred to as "Mother's Beach"). Restrooms and showers are available and across the street, next to the Visitor Center, is the Harbor Cove Cafe.

Harbor Cove Beach Lifeguard Station

Surfer's Knoll Beach is located in Ventura adjacent from Ventura Harbor Village and as its name implies, is geared towards surfers, as well as others looking to relax and explore. Riptides are common here so be careful if you're a novice swimmer. There are restrooms and showers but no lifeguards on hand. Free parking!

And there you have it! Let's take a break for now but as mentioned above, beaches stretching further down the coast through Oxnard, Channel Islands Harbor, Point Mugu and Malibu are covered in this separate post!

But wait! Here's a compilation of beaches in the City of Santa Barbara and surrounding areas!