It’s The Great Pumpkin Uesugi Farms

If you believe in the Great Pumpkin, you would probably want to wait for him at the pumpkin patch at Uesugi Farms.  

You can easily combine it with Casa De Fruta - https://aroundthebayandaway.blogspot.com/2019/10/pumped-for-pumpkin-junction-and-casa-de.html for a family friendly day trip or just spend the day here.  

Free admission but $8 for parking on the weekends after your car winds through what seems like its own corn maze to the parking area.  With the exception of the pumpkin patch with the pumpkin pyramid and pumpkins for sale,  

there is a charge for most activities which can add up so you may want to pick and choose what you want to experience.

Three shots at the pumpkin blaster is $5

Train ride is $5

Pumpkin Pete’s Enchanted Hayride is $6

Cow Train is $4

Corn Maze is $2.50 for the children’s and $7 for the adults. 

For me, the best value and my favorite was the tractor pulled Hayride as you get to pass through fields of corn, 

where they grow their pumpkins, 

the remains of the sunflowers, 

and a beautiful field of marigolds. 

With October almost over, you have one more week to experience this Pumpkin Park 

or you will have to be like Linus and wait another year.   

Just make sure to go early to avoid the long lines.  

Uesugi Farms Pumpkin Park - http://morganhillpumpkins.com/

14485 Monterey Highway
San Martin, CA 95046

Pumped For Pumpkin Junction and Casa De Fruta

Since fall foliage is not as prevalent in California as it was back East, pumpkin became synonymous with autumn here.  With the exception of pumpkin puree which I incorporate into many dishes during Fall - http://cookwithzee.blogspot.com/, I normally carve vs. cook with fresh pumpkin.

Since I have been welcoming in the first day of Fall in Mau`i for the past 15 years, where you cannot tell the difference between the end of summer and the beginning of Autumn, I like to see the change when I return.  Anyone who has driven along 101 from the Bay Area on the way to the Monterey Peninsula or the Gilroy Outlets have probably seen the Casa De Fruta billboards screaming Casa De Fruta, Casa De Wine, Casa De Restaurant, Casa De Burrito, etc..  Located in Hollister, it is only about 10-15 minutes from the Gilroy outlets so perfect for picking up additional gifts for the foodies in your life as after all, it is only 71 days until Christmas.  You can easily spend an hour picking up their packaged items like dried dates, dried fruits, trail mix, and nuts or choose from the pay per lb. area, although this year I noticed that the prices have increased quite a bit.  

My favorite time of year to visit is early fall when they unveil their Pumpkin Junction outside which like I said is synonymous with autumn for me.  

Different varieties of pumpkins are out there for you to feast your eyes on and available for purchase if you so desire, 

a teepee if you need to rest your feet or to get out of the sun 

and the family friendly Casa De Choo Choo, 

Casa De Carousel, 

and Casa De Sluice 

to entertain the family or those of us who are young at heart.  For the third year, I found myself aboard the Casa De Choo Choo with the seats all decked out in autumn décor.  

This train ride goes through the grounds with peacocks and peahens roaming freely 

and this year even a peachick, 

more painted signs than those billboards you saw on the freeway, Casa De Bank, 

Casa De Barn, 

Casa De Mercantile, 

Casa De Hotel and Saloon.  

Not quite It’s A Small World but for $4.50 a person, it is a fun way to spend 12 minutes on a mild warm autumn morning before checking out the turtles lounging in the sun 

or frolicking in the water.  

A quick lunch at less touristy Casa De Burrito

which happens to be inside the Chevron gas station before heading over to the Gilroy outlets either for a shopping spree for yourself or to start that Christmas shopping before the crowds.  If Costco is any indication, it will be here before you know it.  But for now, enjoy the colors of Fall at Casa De “Pumpkin” running from October 1^st through the 31^st from 8am-8pm.  

Tips:  

1.    Although it coincides with the Northern California Renaissance Faire nearby, they have a separate parking area for the Fruit Stand so as long as you arrive in the morning, we never had problems finding a space in the lot. 

2.    The plastic bag ban is in effect in Santa Clara so bring your own bags if you do not want to pay for it. 

3.    My favorite weekend to go is the first weekend of October

Casa De Fruta - http://www.casadefruta.com/visit/events.php

10021 Pacheco Pass Highway
Hollister, CA 95023