The List: Pumpkin patches

Choosing a Halloween pumpkin is no easy task around the Redwood Empire, where numerous pumpkin patches offer dozens of varieties, shapes and sizes. From classic orange orbs to squattier Cinderella heirlooms, there's a pumpkin for every taste and attraction.

Whether plans include carving or cooking pumpkins or keeping them out as décor through Thanksgiving, there's no shortage of these fall fruits.

Pumpkin patches themselves have become autumn attractions, many offering corn mazes, hay rides, petting farms, bounce houses, games, pony rides, food and seasonal craft items.

Gourds, squash and old-fashioned fun can be found at the pumpkin patches listed below. Admission is free unless noted; most are open through Halloween.

Pity poor Linus who spent Halloween night awaiting 'The Great Pumpkin' and endured the ridicule of the Peanuts gang. If only he'd stopped by one of these pumpkin patches:

Grandma's Pumpkin Patch, 17740 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 10 a.m.-dark daily. 431-8058, facebook.com/pages/grandmas-pumpkin-patch

Great Peter Pumpkin Patch, 4235 Spring Hill Road, Petaluma. 9 a.m.-dusk daily. 762-3446, 775-1183 (weekends), springhillcheese.com/pumpkin-patch

McClelland's Dairy Organic Pumpkin Patch, 6475 Bodega Ave., Petaluma. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Reservations required for farm tours ($15 13 and older, $7 4-12, free 3 and younger). 664-0452, mcclellandsdairy.com/pumpkinpatch

Muelrath Ranches, 3800 Walker Ave., Santa Rosa. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 585-2195, muelrathspumpkins.com

Petaluma Pumpkin Patch and Amazing Corn Maze, 450 Stony Point Road, Petaluma. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 781-3132, petalumapumpkinpatch.com

Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch, 5157 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 331-6653, santarosapumpkinpatch.com

Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch, 3100 Golden Gate Drive, Napa. 9 a.m. to sundown daily. facebook.com/stanlylanepumpkinpatch

Tolay Fall Festival, Tolay Lake Regional Park, 5869 Cannon Lane, Petaluma. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 11-12, 18-19. $4 adults and teens, $1 12 and under, $7 parking. 789-9644, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov