WHAT TO DO FOR FALL IN SAN DIEGO
FALL IN LOVE WITH SAN DIEGO’S PUMPKIN PATCHES: BATES NUT FARM 2019
The leaves are changing colors, coffee shops create fun flavored drinks, you get to decorate your home, and there are pumpkins all over. Although Fall in San Diego may not be your first “go-to” place, it does off lots of fun activities such as the Bates Nut Farm pumpkin patch.
One activity that is popular in the US is heading out to a pumpkin patch in the fall. Now, for some of you who may live across the pond, you may ask: What is a pumpkin patch?
Watch this short video for a little idea of what a pumpkin patch is!
VIDEO: BATES NUT FARM 2019
A pumpkin patch is usually situated on a farm where they have homegrown thousands of pumpkins. These farms tend to hold events during the month of October where you can come visit the farm, take some cute basic girl fall photos and take a pumpkin home with you.
Each pumpkin patch usually has its own spin on the food and activities. It is the perfect fall afternoon activity and is always family-friendly.
Pumpkin patches are quite plentiful in San Diego. Almost every town offers a form of a pumpkin patch. So, instead of going to the grocery store to get your pumpkin.
So grab your flanneled shirt, put on your cutest boots and enjoy a day out on the farm picking out the perfect pumpkin for your home from Bates Nut Farm pumpkin patch.
BATES NUT FARM
The Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin patch in San Diego is definitely one of the most popular farms. Back in 1921, the Bates family moved to this beautiful oak filled land in the middle of Valley Center.
They purchased what was originally known as the Walnut Slope Ranch, now known as Bates Nut farm. The Bates raised their family here as they tendered this walnut farm.
The farm is famous for selling a variety of different types and flavored nuts. What started out as a walnut farm has now turned into a place for all to visit. Check out their website for lots more information!
Bates Nut Farm is used for a variety of events, but one of the most popular events that occur here is their pumpkin patch. I personally drive an hour just to get to it. It is that good.
BATES NUT FARM DIRECTIONS
As I said, I personally drive an hour to this pumpkin patch. Take it from a local, I have been going to the Bates Nut Farm pumpkin patch since I was probably 5 years old. And I still love it to this day!
The farm is located at 15954 Woods Valley Road in Valley Center, CA.
Hours of operation are from 9am-5pm
FUN ACTIVITIES AT BATES NUT FARM PUMPKIN PATCH
Most of these fun activities occur on the weekends, but you can definitely partake in some of them on the weekdays as well.
PICK OUT A PUMPKIN
Ok, you can’t go to the pumpkin patch and not come home without a pumpkin. This farm has one of the largest variety of pumpkins. Grab a wheelbarrow and pick from any of the following: Big Macs, Ghost, Cinderella, Jack O’ Lantern, minis, squash, gourds and lots more!
There are three large areas that are full of pumpkins to choose from. Whether you want a huge pumpkin or an itsy bitsy tiny pumpkin the options are endless.
TAKE A TRACTOR RIDE
Grab one ticket and get in line for the tractor ride. This is such a fun activity for the little kids. Enjoy a hay-filled tractor ride around the premises of the farm. You get an overview of the whole farm.
FIND YOUR WAY OUT OF THE STRAW MAZE
This is not your typical corn maze. For this maze, you will grab a stamp card and try to find all eight stamp stations within the maze and then find your way out to the exit.
There were lots of people putting bets on this maze. They would race through with their friends to see who could get all the stamps first and then make it out the quickest. I heard some people bet on push-ups while others bet on the loser having to get their face painted.
CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES
While all of the activities at this pumpkin patch are children friendly, there are a few that are created especially for the little ones. Kids can enjoy jumping in the jump house, climbing a rock wall, getting their faces painted, or playing some fun carnival-like type games.
There is also a petting zoo for the kids to hang out in. It is filled with lots of mini goats, baby pigs, sheep and much more! Make sure to sanitize your hands after touching the animals.
THE CANDY SHOP/GIFT SHOP
The Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch has a huge candy store. Grab a bag and fill it up with candy from the authentic barrels. In the back of the store is where they sell the walnuts along with lots of cute seasonal decor.
WEEKENDS AT BATES
Can we all just agree that fall is awesome? I know I can! If you plan to head out to the Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin patch over the weekend be prepared for a long line to enter the farm.
The row of cars will be backed up a mile long, but trust me the line goes quick and it is worth it. Also, note that you will need to pay $5 in cash for parking on the weekends.
The events that occur over the weekends at Bates Nut Farm pumpkin patch vary. Weekends at Bates include things like live entertainment, BBQ, kettle corn, lots and lots of food trucks, bounce houses, and more fun activities for the kids.
For example, one weekend there is an arts and crafts vintage market. Enjoy looking at or purchasing handmade arts and crafts. These crafts are all made from recycled, up-cycled, restored or vintage ware. You can also find items such as candles soaps and jewelry.
Another weekend there is a scarecrow contest. You can join in on the fun by designing and building a scarecrow to be on display at Bate Nut Farm. You do need to fill out a form to enter the contest.
Cash prizes will even be awarded to the top entries in each category.
RELATED ARTICLES ABOUT THINGS TO DO IN SAN DIEGO
Are you looking for more fun things to do on weekends in San Diego? Check out this article on the best hikes in San Diego.
Lastly, if you are an animal lover you can enter your dog into the “Howl-o-ween” Doggie costume contest and parade. Dress your dog up in their best costume and compete for the grand prize.
There are so many fun activities on the weekends for the kids. Consider purchasing a ticket package, so that you and your family can enjoy it all for a cheaper price. Find the pricing packages listed below.
Weekend Packages:
Family Fun Day Package: $80
Value $90 – SAVE $10
2- Pumpkins ($15 value)
30 Tickets ($75 value)
Entertainment Package: $50
Value $55 – SAVE $5
22 Tickets ($55 value)
Activity Package: $25
Value $27.50 – SAVE $2.50
11 Tickets ($27.50 value)
Bates Pumpkin Package: $11
Value $12.50 – SAVE $1.50
1 Pumpkin ($7.50 value)
2 tickets ($5 value)
$2.50 tickets can be used toward any activity vendor:
1 Ticket per person: Tractor Hayride, Straw Maze, Bounce House, Slide, Petting Corral
2+ Tickets per person: Rock Climb, Pony Rides, Face Painting, Kids n’ Paint, Caricatures, Frisbee Art, Henna, Balloons
Note: Tickets cannot be used for food vendors.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON WHAT TO DO FOR FALL IN SAN DIEGO
If you haven’t figured it out already from this post, I love this pumpkin patch. I love all things fall and going to a pumpkin patch is one of my favorite fall activities. Make sure to check the weather prior to going as it can get hot in Valley Center. Don’t overheat yourself just to get that basic girl photo in a flannel 😉
Be prepared for some crowds on the weekend, but most of all enjoy your time there and pick out the best pumpkin to carve!
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Tell me in the comments! Do you have a favorite pumpkin patch?
I love going to pumpkin patches
Bates Nut Farm is so fun! Great place to bring your family and friends, and perfect for kids!
Lots and lots of kids there! Still a fun place for adults or instagram girls 😉
Bates Nut Farm is amazing! Been going there over the 25 years. Definitely a great place to go as a family or to take your girlfriend for a good time in the country.
The perfect day date! Fall is the best 🙂
Heh! You know, I was just asking on twitter yesterday what people actually do at pumpkin patches, and here is my answer. I have to admit, I didn’t expect it to include so much candy!! 🙂
Haha perfect! I am glad I could help answer the questions!
This looks like so much fun. Definitely not something you can find in Spain, so I’ll have to go to the US one time for fall.
I’ve always wanted to go to Spain! Yes come to California in the Fall! Great weather and beautiful!
Fall is my favorite time of year, and the pumpkin patch is always a must do for me. So much fall fun, and there’s probably less rain and cold in San Diego than Canada where I am.
Haha yeah I bet a lot less rain than Canada. Come visit for Fall in San Diego! It is great weather 🙂
That is so fun they added the element of collecting stamps in the maze! Such a clever idea to make it a bit different from the average corn maze. Pumpkin patches are so fun!!
Right!? I love the unique way they did it. We made a race out of it and raced against my brother. Unfortunately, we lost and had to do some push-ups for losing lol
Yessss! Sounds like an amazing day, I love pumpkins and pumpkin patches of the real variety … just going out exploring and finding that perfect pumpkin can make for a wonderful day
Totally agree! Pumpkin patches make for a perfect family day!
So many fun fall activities! Fall is actually the only season I haven’t been to California, so maybe we need to plan a trip!
You should definitely come visit! It is finally starting to feel like Fall here! There is this beautiful place called Julian that is perfect for Fall in San Diego!
Autumn with pumpkins and cider and color is awesome.