Halloween guide to Sonoma County's pumpkin patches

Halloween has approached us scary fast. Soon enough, porches will be lit with goofy pumpkins and chilling jack-o-lanterns for your little monsters to marvel at while they beg for their well deserved Halloween candy. Sonoma County has some of the best pumpkin patches and Halloween activities for the whole family to enjoy. So for those days leading up to our favorite spooky night of the year, check out our favorite go-to spots for your Halloween themed fun.

The Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch (5157 Stony Point Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95407)santarosapumpkinpatch.com

The Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch has Halloween games galore for all ages. Enjoy a hay bale ride or climb to the top of the high pyramid. Let your kids enjoy the corn play box, tire swing set, hay bale maze, and John Deere pedal trike races. Don't forget to also check out the sunflower maze, bounce house, inflatable slide, petting farm, photo booth and pumpkin decorating area. The Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday's from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Muelrath Ranches (3800 Walker Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95407)muelrathspumpkins.com

Every Friday and Saturday night from 6-9 p.m., go to Muelrath Ranches and enjoy “Campfire in the Corral” where you can roast a hot dog and marshmallows, enjoy some hot cider and cookies, and/or take a night time hay ride. We can't forget to mention the Taco Wagon they have over the weekends, as well. Hay rides, pumpkin sling shots, and a jump house are some of the activities that the kids can enjoy. Muelrath Ranches is open Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Petaluma Pumpkin Patch (450 Stony Point Rd, Petaluma, CA 94952)petalumapumpkinpatch.com

A giant carnival slide, jumpies, and pony rides are just some of the activities that the whole family can enjoy together. The pumpkin patch also has weekend food vendors to ensure you get the full Fall experience. You can check out their website for a full list of weekend events.

McClelland's Dairy (6475 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952)mcclellandsdairy.com/pumpkin-patch

We'd like to first mention that McClelland's Dairy is offering free of charge pumpkin patch activities and lunch for victims of the Sonoma County Fire. We love hearing about our community being so giving. Among the activities that you and your family can enjoy are the giant slide, petting farm where you can also watch cows being milked, hay maze, seed sand box, tire swings, hay rides and the popular pumpkin blaster. For the older crew you can enjoy their spooky haunted house and haunted forest. McClelland's Dairy is open Friday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Eastside Seasonal Farm (5834 Petaluma Hill Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404)eastsideseasonalfarm.com

Eastside Seasonal Farm has all of the cute farm animals that the kids are sure to enjoy. Climb the hay pyramid, ride the hay ride, or get lost in the corn maze. Have a blast playing bean bag toss or outdoor bowling. Once you're exhausted from all of that fun, enjoy some picnicking or check out their concession stand. All of this excitement is available to you on Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m. Enjoy some special hours on the creepiest day of the year (October 31) from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Great Peter Pumpkin Patch (4235 Spring Hill Rd, Petaluma, CA 94952)springhillcheese.com/pumpkin-patch.php

Learn how to milk a cow at the Great Peter Pumpkin Patch and then make your way to the corn pit and jump in! Stroll through the hay maze and ride those hay rides. Get your groove on with live music on the weekends, dig your own potatoes, and then pick your own organic pumpkin. The pumpkin patch is available to you every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Grandma's Pumpkin Patch (17740 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA 95448)facebook.com/HealdsburgGranny

Grandma's patch has a petting zoo, farm animals, and a hay stack for climbing. Get crafty and use noodles for stringing necklaces, and let your kids imagination go wild while they play on the old tractors. Grandma's is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Papa's Pumpkin Patch (13110 Occidental Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472)farmtrails.org/farm/papa-s-pumpkin-patch

During pumpkin season, come pick your own pumpkin right off the vine. You're able to choose from seven varieties of pumpkins in their field. Plus, you can't beat the peaceful setting of the shadows of the old-growth Redwoods. Go to Papa's every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Punky's Pumpkins (50 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403)punkysadobefarm.com

Punky's is a locally owned and operated family business that many locals have enjoyed over the years. Kids of all ages will get a kick out of the giant slide, new bounce houses, hay and train rides, and the picture perfect cartoon billboard fun. Once you've enjoyed all of these Halloween activities to its fullest, you can have a nice family picnic under their giant tent. Punky's is available to you Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Hale's Apple Farm (1526 Gravenstein Hwy N, Sebastopol, CA 95472)facebook.com/pages/Hales-Apple-Farm/173278962743099

Not only are you able to pick your own pumpkins, if you call ahead you'll be able to go and pick your own apples as well. Enjoy this classic Fall activity every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Did we miss your favorite pumpkin patch? Leave it in the comments.