If your kids want rides, book Lemos Farm. It sells timed passes, and the kids' passes list the train and hay rides, jumpers, a slide and the petting zoo. Only the Gold pass adds pony rides. If you mostly want to pick out pumpkins near the ocean, go to Farmer John's: no entry fee, no parking fee and no reservation for an ordinary visit. Both farms are in Half Moon Bay on the San Mateo County coast, and at both you pay for pumpkins separately.
2 Half Moon Bay pumpkin farms at a glance
| Farm | Getting in | Posted hours and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Lemos Farm, 12320 San Mateo Road | Timed passes; the ticket page shows $12.99–$37.99 before checkout. Parking included; pumpkins extra | Sept. 5–Nov. 15. September: select weekdays and weekends, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. October: daily, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. November: weekends |
| Farmer John's, 850 North Cabrillo Highway | Free entry and parking, no reservation for ordinary visits; pumpkins extra | Daily 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; season closing date unconfirmed |
Checked September 27, 2026. Confirm on the farm's site before you go.
Lemos Farm: timed passes for rides and animals
When you buy online you pick an entry time. Walk-ups depend on how many tickets are left. The $12.99–$37.99 on the 2026 ticket page is a displayed range, so check the price for your date and pass before assuming a checkout total. Pumpkins, animal feed, the Dig Zone, gem mining, face painting and food cost extra.
- Gold, listed for kids from 18 months up to 70 lb, is the only pass with pony rides.
- Silver, listed for kids from 14 months up to 100 lb, has no ponies. Otherwise, both kids' passes list the train and hay rides, Tractor Town, slide, jumpers, petting zoo, haunted house, Car Barn and Bubble Patch.
- Adult, listed for 100 lb and up, includes the train and hay rides, petting zoo, haunted house and admission.
The ticket page and the farm's FAQ disagree about where the free-for-babies and adult cutoffs fall. If your child is right around 14 months, or between 70 and 100 lb, ask Lemos which pass to buy. The pony rules set a 70 lb limit and require closed-toe shoes, and parents wait outside the corral. The haunted house has scary and non-scary versions, which helps if you're not sure how a younger kid will take it.
Light rain doesn't automatically close the farm, but heavy rain can. If the farm closes due to rain on your ticket date, you can get a rain check or ask for a refund (policies). Accessible parking is at the start of the main lot, but the farm doesn't describe access for every path and ride, so ask if that matters for your group. Pets aren't allowed.
@lanatravelwithme's roundup of four Bay Area pumpkin patches includes Lemos. The cover photo is from Spina, not Lemos.
Farmer John's: free entry and pumpkins by the ocean
Farmer John's is on the ocean side of Highway 1. Dogs are welcome, which settles it if yours is coming along, since Lemos doesn't allow pets. Its contact page currently lists 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Ordinary visits need no reservation; the farm asks groups to arrange field trips and special events.
Free entry covers getting in and parking; you still pay for pumpkins. The farm mentions a vintage tractor and hayrides, but we couldn't find a public hayride schedule or price on its site, so check before promising the kids a ride. We couldn't find a rain or accessibility policy either.
Arata and Pastorino: check before you plan
Arata's two-acre Minotaur's Labyrinth is a hay maze, not a corn maze. Its website didn't clearly show 2026 dates when we checked, so we haven't listed its prices or hours here. We couldn't verify current 2026 season details for Pastorino Farms on San Mateo Road either. Contact both farms directly before you plan a day around either one.
Art & Pumpkin Festival weekend
According to Visit Half Moon Bay, the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival takes over Main Street downtown on October 17 and 18, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's a separate event from the farms and isn't part of either farm's admission.
Before you go
Pick one farm as the main stop. For Lemos, book an entry time ahead and choose the right pass for each kid who's riding; walk-up tickets depend on capacity. Farmer John's requires no reservation for ordinary visits. Watch the forecast if rain is possible, and at Lemos, arrive within your entry slot rather than late in the day.
Check the farm's page again on the day you go.
If you'd rather be out after dark, Bay Area Halloween after dark with kids compares evening events at Filoli in Woodside and Gilroy Gardens.
Creators and sources
The farm leads came from @travelrealizations' Bay Area pumpkin patch roundup and @lanatravelwithme's pumpkin patch reel. Hours, prices and policies come from the farm pages linked above, and festival dates come from Visit Half Moon Bay.
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- Stasht's Guide to Fall: Days Out and Halloween
- Turn social media travel saves into a trip plan
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