38 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com CULTURE In Linus Van Pelt’s worldview, only the most sincere of pumpkin patches would be granted a visit by the Great Pumpkin. In Monterey County there are several patches sincere in their offerings, worthy of visiting, if not by the great gourd itself, than by lovers of pumpkins, fall and all the festivals that come with it. The Farm in Salinas is celebrating its 27th year of hosting a pumpkin patch on its certified organic spread. The pumpkins stretch out over a large field where there are also hay bale castles to climb and hay mazes to explore. On the Saturdays leading up to Halloween, The Farm offers story times plus arts and crafts. For an extra charge there is a cow train for kids—a “train” made up of barrels that look like cute black and white cows—and hay rides. Not far from The Farm is The Patch, which does charge an admission of $10 per person, plus $10 per child for the bounce houses and a giant orange tiger slide. Lined with cheery sunflowers, there are piles of pumpkins for sale as well as large pots of flowering marigolds. The admission price includes hay rides and barrel train rides. There are hay bales to climb, an oversized rocking horse and corn hole. The Patch also features food and drink trucks and booths by local vendors. At Earthbound Farm Stand in Carmel Valley, visitors are greeted by a tableau of beautiful gourds in various shades. The stand’s annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 18, is a free celebration of all things pumpkin, including live music, games, a pumpkin relay race and pumpkin stacking contest, plus a carving demonstration and pumpkin tastings. Food is available for purchase from the all-organic cafe. The king of local pumpkin patches remains Borchard Farms north of Salinas, which packs in over 100,000 pumpkins annually, about 25 different varieties in all. Besides the piles of pumpkins everywhere for sale, there’s a free giant corn maze, plus hay bales to climb, autumn photo opportunities and an aviary full of different birds, including brightly colored pheasants and peacocks. Borchard has become an annual tradition for many, maybe even the Great Pumpkin. The Farm: 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday; 9am-6pm Friday-Saturday, closed Sundays, Spreckels exit off Highway 68, Salinas, (831) 455-2575; The Patch: 11am-8pm daily, 10 River Road, Salinas; Earthbound Farm Stand: 8am-6pm Monday-Saturday, 9am-6pm Sunday, 7250 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, (831) 6256219; Borchard Farms: 11am-8pm daily, 142 Rodgers Road, Salinas, (831) 595-2426. NIK BLASKOVICH On Gourd Pumpkin patches even the Great Pumpkin would love are back in season. By Pam Marino There is more to pumpkin patches such as this one at The Farm than gourds, games and rides. There are photo opportunities galore. GIFT One GET One MONTEREY LANES 2161 N. Fremont St., Monterey 373.1553 VALLEY CENTER BOWL 1081 S. Main Street, Salinas 422.9031 STOP IN TODAY AND RELIEVE THAT HOLIDAY STRESS! *Promotional gift card valid 1/2/15-3/31/15. Not valid for alcohol of for league fees. is Holiday Season, spread a little cheer …and keep some for yourself! Buy $100 worth of gift cards and get a $20 Promotional Gift Card FREE* Buy $50 worth of gift cards and get a $10 Promotional Gift Card FREE* Give the perfect gi that can be enjoyed by everyone on your holiday list, PLUS get a gi card for yourself! MONTEREY LANES 2161 N. Fremont St., Monterey 373.1553 VALLEY CENTER BOWL 1081 S. Main Street, Salinas 422.9031
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