From pumpkins and hay bales to local attractions for kids, there are a variety of seasonal activities to visit around San Diego. The Falconer reviewed local fall attractions and experiences offered to visitors.
Wayne’s World of Trees and Pumpkin Patch
Walking into Wayne’s World of Trees and Pumpkin Patch, rows of pumpkins rested on piles of golden hay. Cream-white pumpkins sat beside bright-orange ones in different shapes and sizes. To one side, a wooden cart was filled with mini squash in shades of green, orange and yellow, adding to the authentic fall atmosphere. They also set up bouncy houses, face painting and on the weekends, have a petting zoo.
The pumpkin patch exuded an aroma of pumpkin spice, hay and crisp fall air. Two adults were working there, one setting up the bouncy houses, while the other greeted guests with a welcoming attitude. Having worked there for 40 years, they shared stories about the early experiences in the patch from when there were just a few pumpkins.
As we wandered farther in, we were greeted by a man who offered us a job to help set up the bouncy houses. Although we declined, his friendly persona made the space feel welcoming and set a cheerful tone for the rest of the visit.
Going through the rows and examining pumpkins, we noticed their rich and bright color, which made them ideal for porch decor. We bought a small one for $5. The larger ones cost $10-12. The stacks of pumpkins and piles of hay provided a scenic spot to take photos. In the center of the pumpkin patch, a large round table with cushioned chairs and an umbrella was a resting spot.
At the front desk, Halloween decorations — such as pumpkin head scarecrows, skeletons and wooden signs — brought us the spooky Halloween vibe.
Leaving the pumpkin patch, the workers made sure to say goodbye. With our pumpkin in our hands and phones full of fall photos ready to post on Instagram, we headed home. Wayne’s World of Trees and Pumpkins is open throughout the fall season, it was a festive experience that captured the cozy vibe of fall.
Rating: 3.5/5
by Emerson Koning and Dylan Guillory
Kids Free San Diego
Every October, children under 12 can visit more than 100 attractions, museums and restaurants — completely free.
This year, Kids Free San Diego is going on its 14th year, and the number of participating businesses and public institutions has only grown. The program’s origins trace back to the 1990s, when the San Diego Zoo celebrated its birthday by offering free admission for children in the month of October. This program incentives support for local San Diego businesses, especially after the busy summer season ends.
While the weather is still warm, local residents are encouraged to be “tourists” in their own community, taking advantage of the benefits provided by the program. Kids Free San Diego is perfect for families with children under 12 years old with countless ways to cash-in including transportation, attractions, lodging, food, museums and recreation.
Free rides for kids under 12 are offered through Amtrak railroad services, through the Pacific surfliner route, Hornblower Cruises & Events, Flagship Cruises & Events and Old Town Trolley Tours of America.
Notably, popular San Diego attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, SeaWorld San Diego, USS Midway Museum, Birch Aquarium, Fleet Science Center and LEGOLAND California Resort are all participating in the Kids Free San Diego program, with free admission for varying age ranges.
Furthermore, at hotels primarily in Downtown San Diego, kids either eat free or receive special discounted privileges on activities and amenities. Additionally, at numerous participating restaurants, kids eat free with every paid adult entree, enticing families to dig into the diverse culinary scene.
In addition to enjoying food, kids also receive a myriad of discounted rates for unique activities: gondola rides in the Coronado Cays; helicopter rides over landmarks including La Jolla Cove, Petco Park, Balboa Park and the Coronado Bridge and guided speedboat tours in the San Diego harbor.
The array of options is suitable for any family with younger children to take part in this month. These complimentary services encompass almost every facet of tourism in San Diego, creating a rich sense of local pride regarding the distinct uniqueness that makes the city a memorable destination.
Rating: 3.5/5
by Emily Chao
Carlsbad Strawberry Field Pumpkin Patch
Open Sept. 19–Nov. 3, the Carlsbad Strawberry Field pumpkin patch is an autumnal afternoon activity for people of all ages. The patch is located at 1050 Cannon Road, and first opened in 2014 as a way to use land during the strawberry off-season.
The most eye-catching item was the larger than life pumpkins that faced the parking lot, almost as if they materialized from “Cinderella.” My friend and I made our way to the entrance, where we paid a $15 fee per person. This included access to the flower field, a separate small pumpkin field, tricycle races for all ages, yard games such as giant connect four and bean bag toss, a large shaded area with picnic tables, cute cutouts for photos with friends and rotating seasonal activities that can be located on the calendar on their website. The staff seemed kind, but did not engage with us unless we talked to them first.
Once we got inside, we were drawn to the giant flower field and walked along the paths between the rows of sunflowers, marigolds and terciopelo flowers, pausing to take photos. We also found a creepy scarecrow nestled within the flower stalks towards the end of the field, which wasn’t the most pleasant experience.
The cornfield required an additional $10 per person to enter. We received a card and map that we would use to find checkpoints one through six to receive a prize when we finished the maze. It took around 40 minutes to find all the checkpoints, receiving a Dum Dum lollipop at the end. I would highly recommend going to the pumpkin patch in shoes that are meant to get dirty, as my white converse turned brown by the time we emerged from the maze.
Next, the cute cutouts that we were able to pose with provided material for more fall-themed photos. We also spent some time exploring the pumpkin patch near the back, where we found both premature and full grown pumpkins that I could wrap both my arms around. The pumpkin patch provided a seating area close to the flower field, and the shade provided by overhead tarps on a day where the sun beat on our backs was much appreciated.
A plethora of activities were targeted towards younger children, including tricycle racing, smaller petting zoos with rabbits and goats, a giant connect four, a bean bag toss and an area filled with colorful bouncy houses. This strategy of attracting younger individuals and parents worked well, as around 10 families visited in the one-and-a-half-hour span we were there.
Unable to resist visiting the bunnies before we left, I bought an extra entry ticket for $5, which seemed a bit pricey. On the walk to the pen, a variety of food trucks and stands were available, including ones offering funnel cake, hot dogs, tamales, cinnamon rolls, agua fresca, tacos from La Fiesta, cotton candy, roasted corn and coffee fromClean Water Coffee Co. Disappointingly, not all the stands were open, even though we were there from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m, a late lunch time for many. There also were not any obvious vegan or vegetarian options advertised.
The bunny petting area was underwhelming considering the extra cost, with only a few bunnies that ran away as soon as visitors got close.
The star of the show was the sheer amount of pumpkins offered for sale, including mini, medium and giant orange pumpkins, orange and green pumpkins, purple pumpkins, white pumpkins of various sizes and even pumpkins with warts. Most of them were in good condition, but some were quickly going to rot. I ended up purchasing two pumpkins for the front of my house for just under $20. Near that same area, they also sold t-shirts, two types of honey, mugs and a variety of candy for visitors to snack on. They offered small bouquets of flowers from the field, and I ended up picking up a red bouquet for [price].
This pumpkin patch was a fun after school activity, but it would not leave anyone dying to return. The animal petting zoos were underwhelming, the prices for both pumpkins and entry fees to certain activities were high, and there were not enough attractions to keep visitors occupied for a long time. Still, navigating the corn maze, taking cute photos and picking out the perfect holiday pumpkins was quite enjoyable. With all the other fall activities offered in San Diego, this one unfortunately does not rank high on my list.
Rating: 3/5
by Lana Weber
