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I love Halloween and in preparation for it, I spent a Sunday afternoon out in Julian enjoying the a escape just an hour outside of Coronado. The Julian Mining Company had a large patch of pumpkins to sift through which included Cinderella and Ghost pumpkins at much lower costs than at a grocery store.
There were plenty of activities for families wanting to spend a few hours pressing their own cider, hayrides, gem sluicing, gold panning, archery or tomahawk practice, and many opportunities for pictures!
Just across the street, I was able to grab a bag of the seasons last available Fuji apples. With apples on the mind, I made a pit stop at Mom’s Pies to pick up a traditional apple crumb pie for later indulgence.
One of the highlights of the day was meeting the amazing owners at Julian CiderWorks. On their ranch, which spans over hundreds of acres, they make over 15 types of hard ciders. With an above average pear harvest, I felt a growler of the delicious Hosui Asian Pear Cider (9.1% abv) would be perfect for home. The husband and wife owners offer horse back trail rides through gorgeous countryside which makes for beautiful scenery to enjoy. Located at: 17552 Harrison Park Rd, Julian, CA 92036.
Julian Mining Company 4444 State Hwy 78, Wynola/Julian; (951) 313-0166 Get your gourds at this Julian patch. While you’re there, you might enjoy picking your own apples as well, or panning for gold – a popular activity in the town of Julian.
If Julian is a bit too far and you’re in for a quick and fun fix, check out these other awesome pumpkin patches in San Diego:
Bates Nut Farm 15954 Woods Valley Rd., Valley Center; (760) 749-3333 For more than 50 years, locals have considered a visit to this North County farm a fall tradition, including its famed Pumpkin Patch. Grab a wheelbarrow and take your pick: from Big Macs, Ghost, Cinderella and Jack O’ Lantern pumpkins to minis, squash and other gourds. On the weekends, the patch features live entertainment from noon to 3 p.m., plus BBQ, food trucks and other fun, family-friendly activities, including pony and tractor rides – definitely enough to do to make a full day of it. Parking is $5 on the weekends in October. The Bates pumpkin patch is open through Oct. 31.
The Farm Stand West 2115 Miller Ave. & 1980 Summit Dr., Escondido; (760) 738-9014 The Farm Stand West and Fran’s Original Farm Stand in Escondido both boast a Pick-It-Yourself Pumpkin Patch, with lots of gorgeous gourds from which to choose at both locations. These patches are open daily, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pumpkin Stations by Pinery Farms Various locations; (858) 566-7466 This particular Pumpkin Station is up and running at five different locations throughout San Diego County through Oct. 31: Del Mar; Rancho Bernardo; Mission Valley; National City; and Bonita. Besides pumpkin picking, each site offers rides, giant slides, inflatable play centers, petting zoos and game zones for kids. Party packages and school tours are also available at these sites.
Peltzer Farms 39925 Calle Contento, Temecula; (951) 695-1115 This authentic pumpkin farm in Temecula is open daily all month, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and boasts all kinds of fun attractions, including a railroad ride on a 12-passenger train through the pumpkin patch and pig races.
Oma’s Pumpkin Patch 14950 El Monte Rd., Lakeside; (619) 390-2929 For a $10 admission fee, child visitors to this East County pumpkin patch receive a Jack Patch Pumpkin and access to all attractions and games, including a playground, petting corral, hay bale maze and covered hay rides around the farm. Adult admission (age 13 and up) is $5 and doesn’t include the pumpkin. This season, Oma’s is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. It’s closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Mountain Valley Ranch 842 Highway 78, Ramona; (760) 788-8703 Meander through fields of colorful pumpkins and pick out your perfect match. Mountain Valley Ranch also offers hay rides, a petting zoo and pony rides, plus a huge corn maze with the opportunity to purchase Indian corn and popping corn grown fresh on the farm. This place is open daily this season from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Suzie’s Farm 2570 Sunset Ave., South Bay; (619) 662-1780 This 120-acre farm will host Pumpkin Palooza on three Saturdays this month — Oct. 8; Oct. 15; Oct. 22 — entire days dedicated to pumpkin picking on an organic, two-acre patch. This event, held on those dates from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is free and open to the public. Pumpkins are priced by size, ranging from $3 to $50.
Summers Past Farms 15602 Olde Highway 80, El Cajon; (619) 390-1523 Take a stroll through the pumpkin patch this month and pick your winner. Weekends are especially lively here, with a jump house, popcorn, corndogs and other snacks in the country setting.
Cannon Stand Carlsbad Pumpkin Patch 1050 Cannon Rd., Carlsbad; (760) 603-9608 The Cannon Stand in Carlsbad is known for its juicy strawberries but this month, it’s all about the pumpkins. A patch is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering gourds for days. This spot also features a corn maze, which is $5 to $7 a pop for kids and adults.
Stehly Farms Organics 12630 Santa Catalina Rd., Valley Center; (760) 742-1186 For one day only — Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., this farm in Valley Center will host a family-friendly pumpkin picking day, complete with tractor rides. Admission is $7 per person, while kids ages 4 and under are free. Everyone gets a pumpkin with paid admission.
Calendar of Events for October in San Diego:
Check out all the other fun activities to do around San Diego this October!
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BUT before you head out . . .
Let San Diego Jess help you find your forever home:
Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/October-2016-Where-to-Pick-a-Perfect-Pumpkin-in-San-Diego-395889361.html#ixzz4uO11B61s Follow us: @nbcsandiego on Twitter | NBCSanDiego on Facebook
