10 Fall Escapes for Truly Homegrown Fun

September 28, 6:52 PMLA Family ExaminerMichelle Fisher

Previous Next

8 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the LA Family Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Kids can find simple pleasures at pumpkin patches.

Living in L.A. means our kids usually welcome in new seasons with changing store displays rather than dropping temperatures. Well before autumn announced itself last week, most stores had replaced their back-to-school displays with Halloween decorations, or even Christmas decor.

When I’m strolling the brightly festooned store aisles with my daughter, I often wonder what is going through her mind—what she will remember about each holiday that our family celebrates. Will she remember the garish displays, flimsy costumes, and piles of candy, or are there other, more meaningful family traditions that we can create to celebrate autumn?

Though her eyes may widen at the manufactured thrills and chills of Halloween, ultimately these things are forgettable. Most kids don’t realize that Halloween is just one facet of the fall season. You need to drive to the country to truly taste autumn, but who has time for that? You do—now that I’ve assembled a list of 10 spots that are just 90 minutes away (on average). So if you’re tired of the same old pop-up pumpkin patches on every corner, hit the road!

Tanaka Farms: This sprawling farm offers tours year round, whether you are hankering for strawberries, watermelons or pumpkins. After you find the right pumpkin, explore the corn maze and take a guided wagon ride around the farm (5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine; 949-653-2100; www.tanakafarms.com).

Frazier’s U-Pick Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze: Pick your own from this pumpkin patch or choose from those already gathered; there are also train rides, pony rides and farm animals (19773 Bear Valley Rd., Apple Valley; 760-247-8423; e-mail: farmingfraziers@aol.com).

Underwood Family Farms: This pick-your-own grower in Ventura County has two locations, but only the Moorpark pumpkin patch holds a Harvest Festival through October, with Clydesdale-drawn hay rides, antique and new farm-equipment displays, arts & crafts, and a baby animal petting/grooming corral (5696 Los Angeles Ave., Somis; 805-386-4660; and 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, CA 93066; 805-529-3690).

Boccali Ranch Pumpkin Patch: This Ojai ranch offers a kid-sized hay bale maze and tractor-pulled hay rides along with its pumpkins, squash, festive gourds, and Indian corn (3277 Santa Paula Ojai Rd. [Hwy. 150], Ojai; 805-646-6116; e-mail: boccalipumpkins@sbcglobal.net).

Faulkner Farm: If you love sunflowers, head to this Ojai farm, which boasts a sunflower maze and forest along with its pumpkins, farm animals, and the Ventura County Master Gardener's Exhibition Garden. Live music and story times round out weekend activities (14292 W. Telegraph Road, Santa Paula; 805-525-2226).

Great Pumpkin Fest at Cal Poly Pomona: Visitors often bring gloves, shears and sometimes a wagon for their chance to find their own great pumpkin à la Charlie Brown. This October festival offers music, displays, game booths, a petting zoo and an insect fair (909-869-2215; www.csupomona.edu/~agri/news/pumpkin.shtml).
 
Calabasas: This charming town that serves up history and heritage with its pumpkin patches (calabasas means "pumpkins"). Leonis Adobe Museum (818-222-6511; www.leonisadobemuseum.org) is situated in Old Town Calabasas, an area brimming with history and plenty to see and do. The city’s annual pumpkin festival is held at the end of October (919-222-5680; e-mail: artcouncil@cityofcalabasas.com).

Oak Glen: Another charmer in the San Bernardino Mountains, Oak Glen is known for its farms, ranches and orchards, but apples—not pumpkins—are the main attraction. Guests can pick their own apples and make their own cider at family-run farms and orchards, including Riley's Log Cabin Farm, Willowbrook Farm, Law’s Cider Mill and Ranch, Mom’s Country Orchard and Wood Acres (visit www.oakglen.net/farms.htm).

Julian Mining Company: “Hayrides to the pumpkin patch, the petting zoo, cider pressing, candle dipping, gold mining and more await you this fall!” The Harvest Hoedown will take place Saturday October 18 and 25, with a chuck-wagon dinner, pumpkin carving, square dancing and pie-eating contests (4444 Orchard Land & Hwy. 78, Julian; 951-313-0166; www.julianminingcompany.com).

Rancho Los Alamitos: The Children’s Fall Harvest Festival is open from noon to 4:30 on Sunday, October 26, complete with a costume parade, circus performers and acrobats, games, storytelling and crafts. If you prefer a quieter visit, come another time to explore the historic ranch house, four acres of tranquil gardens, and five agricultural buildings, including a working blacksmith's shop and a barn with farm animals (6400 Bixby Hill Road, Long Beach; 562-431-3541; www.rancholosalamitos.com).