EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S SPOOKTACULAR GUIDE TO HALLOWEEN AND HARVEST FUN
By Ariele Johannson Our handy guide will help you find fall festivities and family fun throughout our inland region, from pumpkin patches to harvest events to “haunting” Halloween happenings. If you have a pumpkin patch, fall parade, or harvest festival event that you would like to have added to our guide, please email ariele@eastcountymagazine.org. Please verify information with the event before heading out. Pumpkin Patches Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center-October 2013 The famous Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch opens Wednesday, September 25th and continues daily through October 31st. Come and experience the fall harvest at Bates with the colors, scents, tastes and sounds found on their 100 acres. Shop for pumpkins or pick them in the field; buy squash and gourds in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes; and enjoy numerous activities including hay rides, a straw maze, pony rides, picnic grounds and farm zoo. Many special events take place each weekend to celebrate pumpkin season. Check their Events Calendar for details. Extended Saturday/Sunday hours in October are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. October weekday hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. Weekend Pumpkin Packages are also available and include one pumpkin, a hayride, and straw maze. www.batesnutfarm.biz Bates Nut Farm 15954 Woods Valley Rd. Valley Center, CA info@batesnutfarm.biz 760-749-3333 El Cajon Pumpkin Station-October 2013 The El Cajon Pumpkin is located at Westfield Parkway Plaza in El Cajon. The station includes a mini and giant slide, ferris wheel, play center, kids’ helicopter ride, El Paso Train, Lil Toot Ride, a petting zoo; and of course, a pumpkin patch. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. and Friday-Sunday 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. http://www.pumpkinstation.com/pumpkin-stations/el-cajon-pumpkin-station/ 415 Parkway Plaza, El Cajon, CA 92020 The Great Pumpkin Express-Weekends in October 2013 The Campo Depot Museum has announced the 2013 Pumpkin Express in its tenth year at the Great Pumpkin event at the Museum. Travel to the Great Pumpkin’s Pumpkin Patch and tour the Haunted Train where kids can pick out and decorate their own pumpkin. The trains are popular and seating is limited, so reservations are required. TRAINS LEAVE AT 10:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The museum at the Campo Depot on State Highway 94 & Forrest Gate Road recommends that riders arrive in Campo at least 45 minutes before departure time, especially if they haven’t been to Campo before. psrm.org http://www.sdrm.org/ Campo Depot (located at State Highway 94 & Forrest Gate Road) 750 Depot Street (left on Depot St. and follow signs to the museum) Campo, California (619) 478-9937 weekends Julian Mining Company-October 2013 Throughout the month of October at the Julian Mining Company, enjoy these activities: pick-your-own apples and pumpkins in the field; enjoy tractor-pulled hay rides, gift shop, picnic area, petting zoo, and farm animals, U-Press apple cider, hay castles, marshmallow wars, the Ride-em/Rope-em Corral, Gourd Tipi & Sioux Tipi; and mine for gold and gems! They are open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. http://www.julianminingcompany.com/ Julian Mining Company 4444 State Hwy 78 Julian/Wynola CA 92036 951-313-0166 Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch-October 2013 Mountain Valley Ranch in Ramona, owned by the Battaglia Family, has a pumpkin patch, corn maze, corn cannon, petting zoo, pony rides, petting zoo, Indian corn, and gourds. Families can meander through the fields and pick their own pumpkin or select one inside the barn. They are open in October from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They accept cash only. http://www.mountainvalleyranch.com/ Mountain Valley Ranch 842 Highway 78 Ramona, CA 92065 760-788-8703 Norris Amusements Pumpkin Patch-October 2013 (* could not be confirmed) This pumpkin patch is off of Scripps Poway Parkway and is open 7 days a week. The activities offered at this location include carnival rides, inflatable amusements, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, snacks, beverages, and more. 10144 Scripps Gateway Court San Diego, CA 92131 Oma’s Pumpkin Patch-September 24-November 2, 2013 Oma’s Pumpkin Patch at Van Ommering Dairy has a pumpkin patch, hayride, hay maze, petting zoo, and sand pile. The patch will be open September 24- November 2, 2013. Hours are 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. They are open Tues.-Saturday, but closed Sunday & Monday. Each child receives a water bottle, Jack Patch pumpkin, and participation in all the activities with admission price. www.omaspumpkinpatch.com vanodairy@gmail.com Oma’s Pumpkin Patch Van Ommering Dairy 14950 El Monte Road Lakeside, CA 92040 (619) 390-2929 Pinery Pumpkin Patch at Bonita Pumpkin Farm-October 2013 At Bonita Pumpkin Farm, there are farm attractions, such as farm animals, a tractor hay wagon, an 8 foot high corn maze, picnic area, and pick your own pumpkins. They are open daily throughout the entire month of October, M-Thursday from 9 am to 4 p.m. and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bonita Pumpkin Farm 5437 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 858-566-7466 and 619-475-8733 Email: nosborn1@san.rr.com. Summers Past Farms Pumpkin Patch-Weekends October 2013 Summers Past Farm in Flinn Springs on Old Hwy. 80 has a pumpkin patch, alpacas from East County Alpaca Breeders, and kids’ activities. The jumpy will be on the grass area and popcorn and corndogs at the coffee bar, along with coffee drinks and smoothies. Open weekends in October: Saturdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. www.summerspastfarms.com Summers Past Farms 15602 Olde Highway 80 El Cajon, CA 92021 (619) 390-1523 Halloween Events The El Cajon Annual Haunt Fest– Friday, October 25, 2013 The 2nd Annual Haunt Fest in El Cajon is a family-friendly event, which will be held from 5:00-10:00 p.m. The fun begins on East Main St and Rea Avenue between Magnolia and Claydelle Avenues in downtown El Cajon. Enjoy live bands on three stages, Downtown Walk and juried art show, costume AND haunted car contests, Haunted Terror Truck, themed balloon characters, a haunted house, carnival rides for kids, a trick or treat kidz zone, craft stations, and food. www.hauntfest.org College Area’s Boulevard Boo! Parade and Boo Bash at Kroc Center – Saturday, October 26, 2013 The Boo! Parade rols out at 10 a.m.
ALL ABOARD! PUMPKIN EXPRESS ROLLS OUT OCT.15-30
October 7, 2011 (Campo) – Pacific Southwest Railway Museum invites you to bring the whole family for the 8th annual old-time train ride to its pumpkin patch. Travel on a haunted train, then pick out and decorate a pumpkin to take home. This year, the popular “Pumpkin Express” rides will be offered three full weekends from October 15 through October 30. Cost is $5 for kids age 5 and under, $10 for ages 6-10, $15 for adults, and $12 for seniors. Reservations are recommended; contact reservations@psrm.org or visit www.psrm.org for more information. The train departs from the Campo depot at Highway 94 at Forrest Gate Rd. at 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday in the last half of October. Parking is free. Kids and the young at heart will also enjoy museum displays, a large gift shop, and play area. Printer-friendly version
IN SEARCH OF THE GREAT PUMPKIN? CHECK OUT THESE PATCHES
By Miriam Raftery October 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Halloween is coming soon and with it, the annual tradition of finding the perfect pumpkin for carving a jack-o-lantern—not to mention sweeter varieties for baking pumpkin pies! Fortunately, there are several great places in East County to find giant pumpkins, as well as fun family activities from corn mazes to petting zoos. Here are a few of our favorites: Mountain Valley Ranch – 848 Highway 78, Ramona, http://www.mountainvalleyranch.com/index.html We spotted pumpkins bigger than many of the children frolicking in this patch. This farm offers a wide variety of pumpkins and gourds of seemingly every shape and size. There’s also a corn maze, corn cannon, petting zoo, and antique farm equipment. Open seven days a week through October 31; cash only. Bates Nut Farm – 15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center www.batesnutfarm.biz Famed for its giant pumpkins, including many over 100 pounds picked through the years, Bates Nut Farm also has smaller varieties reasonably priced. This working farm also has many other attractions, such as tractor rides, straw maze and petting corral daily as well as weekend extras such as a climbing wall, face painting and kettle corn. There is also a store featuring gift items, nuts, dried fruits and more. Oma’s Pumpkin Patch – 14950 El Monte Road, Lakeside http://omaspumpkinpatch.com/ Located at the Van Ommering Dairy, Oma’s has a $7 admission fee for kids (one adult admitted free with child, additional adults $3). Admission includes hay ride, hay bale maze, petting zoo, sand pile with toy trucks, kid-powered games and water bottle. A jack patch pumpkin is also included—and they are plentiful! “A Piece of the Farm” gift shop has items ranging from honey to hay bales. There is also an “Udder Delights” snack shop—and opportunities to tour a working dairy farm. Printer-friendly version