It’s September. If you’re asking whether September counts as fall in Southern California, honestly, it’s still hot. This is a place where people wear short sleeves even in October.
But for some reason, once September hits, I start feeling the pressure. I feel like I should make at least one fall memory for the kids while they’re still little. So there’s something I end up searching for every year around this time: pumpkin patches.
When it comes to pumpkin patches in Orange County, Tanaka Farms is the one, hands down. It’s a farm in Irvine, and this year’s season reportedly runs from September 12 through November 1. I haven’t been yet this year, but I put together some notes before going. If you’re planning to take your kids, take a look.
So what is Tanaka Farms?
It’s a real working farm right in the middle of Irvine. It’s 30 acres, which might be hard to picture. Basically, it’s huge. It’s been run by one family since 1941. A family that’s been farming for over 80 years, so that does make you trust them a bit.
Over 100,000 people reportedly come every fall, so it’s pretty much the fall landmark everyone in OC knows.
Address: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
What’s there, you ask? Tractor-pulled wagon rides around the farm, U-Pick where you pick pumpkins right off the vine, a corn maze, a petting zoo, face painting, and so on. There’s also something called a pumpkin cannon that shoots pumpkins out of a cannon. I think the kids will love that the most. Honestly, I’m a little curious about it too.
Good things to know before you go
Let’s start with admission: it changes a little every year. I heard it’s around $23 for ages 3 and up this year, but check the official website (tanakafarms.com) for the exact price before you head out. I plan to check again before going too. In many years, kids 2 and under have been free.
Weekend parking is a battle. On some days you can only get in if you buy a parking pass in advance. If you’re going on a weekend, definitely reserve ahead. Don’t park in the nearby neighborhoods or shopping centers. You really will get caught.
And a few more things from a dad’s point of view.
Weekday mornings are the sweet spot. If you go on a weekend afternoon, you won’t be able to tell whether you came to see people or pumpkins. Go on a weekday if you can.
A wagon or stroller is a must. The fields are bigger than you’d think and the ground is dirt, so it’s too much for little ones to walk. If you don’t bring one, you’ll end up carrying them yourself. Speaking from experience here.
Hats, sunscreen, water. OC is hot in September and October. You’ll let your guard down because it’s ‘fall’ and then you and the kids both get sunburned. I’m serious.
One tip for picking pumpkins: they’re priced by weight. You might grab a big beautiful one and get a shock at the register. Pick a reasonable size with the kids. There are plenty of cute small pumpkins too.
