Pumpkin picking and fall festivals in Sonoma

The front porch consensus seems to be that it’s time to get a pumpkin.|

The air is crisp, the leaves are ready to turn and the candy aisles in neighborhood supermarkets are overflowing with sugary treats. Halloween itself may still be more than a week away, but the front porch consensus seems to be that it is time to get a pumpkin.

While Sonoma Valley lacks its own giant pumpkin patch, there are several options within a short drive and a few more farms offering all the possible patch bells and whistles just a bit further up the road.

Pumpkin Patches

Bee Well Farm

Bee Well Farm is hosting a pumpkin patch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21 and on Oct. 27 and 28. Bee-Well is located at 101 Trinity Road in Glen Ellen. 217-7788.

McClelland Dairy Pumpkin Patch

In addition to picking out a pumpkin, this patch offers tractor rides, a petting farm, a hay maze, a haunted house and more. Open Fridays from 1 to 9:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 6475 Bodega Ave. in Petaluma 664-0452.

Petaluma Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze

Five acres of pumpkins, a straw mountain and a corn kernel sand box are some of the features of this local patch. On weekend nights, bring a flashlight to try to four-acre corn maze after dark. Open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 450 Stony Point Road, Petaluma. 781-3132.

The Great Peter Pumpkin Patch

At Petaluma Creamery's rural working dairy and farm, there's more than just pumpkins. Kids can enjoy baby animals, farm activities, hay rides and a hay maze. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 4235 Spring Hill Road in Petaluma. 775-1179

Pronzini Pumpkin Patch

Located on Adobe Road, Pronzini may be Sonoma's closest large-scale pumpkin patch. The patch offers a petting zoo, a corn kernel box, a haunted trail, hay ride, bouncy fun and more. Open daily, check website for times. (www.pronzinitrees.com) 3795 Adobe Road. 778-3871

Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch

Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch is a family-owned and operated seasonal business on Highway 12 near the intersection of Highway 29 in Napa. Open through Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to dusk. 224-2575, slpumpkinpatch@gmail.com

Fall festivals this weekend

Saturday, Oct. 20 and 21

Tolay Fall Festival

At this family event, kids can take a hay ride to a giant pumpkin patch and explore a creature barn with birds of prey, snakes and spiders. There is a straw maze, farm crafts, a pumpkin seed spitting contest and more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. 5869 Lakeville Highway, in Tolay Lake Regional Park

Cornerstone

Cornerstone is hosting its second annual Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Patch on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come in costume and receive a special treat. The festivities include live music by the Bloodstones from noon to 3 p.m. both days, a pumpkin patch, hay bale pyramid and maze, kids arts and crafts, face painting, games, food, wine and more. Admission is free.

Up next week? Halloween fun around the Valley.

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