What to Know
- Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch
- 5380 3/4 University Drive in Irvine
- The Irvine patch opens Sept. 12; entry is timed and should be purchased in advance
- $23 weekday admission; $27 weekend admission
- Visitors will need a weekend parking pass ($12)
- Military members receive admission discounts
- In September, guests who purchase four tickets for a Friday (after 12 p.m.), Saturday, or Sunday will enjoy free parking; "(O)ffer will be automatically applied at checkout"
- Hana Fields in Costa Mesa, which is overseen by Tanaka Farms, also will have a pumpkin patch in 2026; it opens Sept. 14
Are there more seeds in an average pumpkin or more pumpkin patches spookily strewn across Southern California?
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WATCH HEREWell, more seeds, of course, though there the number of patch-y places sprouting across our region has been popping in recent years.
There are a few major destinations, the glad-hearted gourd-ly go-tos that offer families some sweet activities and nostalgic pursuits before or after they select their pumpkin and depart.
High on that lovely list? It's Tanaka Farms, in Irvine, which offers an autumn-ready experience so sought-after that an advance ticket, particularly on a Friday afternoon, Saturday, or Sunday, is required.
Parking, too, is limited for the bustling Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch, so purchasing your weekend pass in advance — and yes, Friday afternoon is on that list — is also important.
Tickets are now available for purchase for the 2026 season, which begins Sept. 12.
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Once you're there, you've got choices that are full of fall splendor: Wagon rides — they're "unlimited" — are included in your entry, and getting to admire the animals of the Barnyard Education Exhibit.
The Corn Maze, the play area made for tots, and other diversions are also part of your admission.
Any pumpkins you purchase will be additional, do keep in mind. The star fruits of the popular event are priced at $1.39 per pound.
Also good to keep in focus? Entry is timed, so choose the hour you'd like to arrive when buying your ticket. "The Good Slots Go First" is the word from the farm staff, so if you find an hour you love, don't wait: Take it.
There are other activities to consider, like the Pumpkin Cannon, which will make weekend appearances. Weekdays have their own pluses, including chances to pick veggies.
It's totally true that there are more seeds inside an average pumpkin than there are patches around Los Angeles and Orange County.
But patches do proliferate when September dawns, and some of best-known and most-loved, including the classic Tanaka Farms experience, require pre-planning and pre-purchasing.
The fall fun begins in less than two weeks: Book your spot, and weekend pass, ASAP, then don your flannel and jump into the mellowest season with glee.
Okay: Maybe the flannel and jeans can wait a few weeks; go with shorts, sandals, and t-shirts for now, heat-weathering SoCalers.
