Living in the Bay Area, visiting pumpkin patches during the fall season is an integral part of our culture when Autumn rolls around.
We have many incredible pumpkin patches around. Recently, I paid a visit to one of them, G&M Farms, located in the calm and serene beauty of Livermore, California.
Every year, I try and visit as many as I can, allowing me to bring to you my experiences and recommendations. Read on, as I recount a day spent at GNM Farms, undoubtedly a fun pumpkin patch and worth checking out.
A little about G&M Farms
Located about 35 minutes from Oakland/Berkeley in Livermore, California, G&M Farms offers a more low-profile yet intimate pumpkin patch experience when compared to some others like Smith Family Farms.
The latter, while quite engaging, requires a dedicated half day to fully experience. However, with G&M, the convenience is that you can quickly pick your pumpkins, indulge in a couple of activities, feed on some delicious bites, and head out again.
Interestingly, G&M Farms is also closer than some popular pumpkin patches down in Half Moon Bay, like Lemos Farm. The farm sways open its doors to the public at the beginning of October. Ample free parking only adds to the convenience of your visit.
Experiencing G&M Farms: What’s on Offer
To my delight, right at the entrance, I encountered a quaint barn stocked with all sorts of basic Halloween merchandises. Plus, you also have a myriad of gores and smaller pumpkins to choose from. G&M Farms also arranges a hay maze for little ones, who, no doubt, enjoy exploring it to lengths.
But undoubtedly, the main attraction is the vast, open grass-filled pumpkin patch. It’s important to note, however, that the pumpkins aren’t grown on the patch, they are laid out.
Yet, it doesn’t take away from the thrill of picking your pumpkin, especially when all pumpkins, regardless of size, have the same price tag. This proposition makes the selection process particularly enjoyable for kids who can seek out the biggest and the best pumpkin without worrying about burning a hole in your pocket.
On-site Activities
G&M Farms increases the fun quotient by integrating a unique picking process. Kids can take around their red, radio flyer metal wagons and load them with their chosen pumpkins, making the task both fun and comfortable.
The farm features a lot more to do after picking your pumpkins. You can purchase a token, each valued at $5, which you can easily exchange for engaging activities.
An invigorating jump pillow, essentially a massive ground-built airbag trampoline, is just perfect for kids to hop around with their special socks. Although, remember, each bouncing session, lasting around seven minutes, costs one token per kid.
The Cow Train Ride and More
The farm also enthralls visitors with its cow train ride — an intriguing homemade setup of cow-shaped cars pulled around by a tractor. The ride up the bumpy sections, surrounded by the green fields, gives kids the thrill of a mini roller-coaster.
You can enjoy a hayride behind an old-school antique trailer, or lose yourself in a massive corn maze. The latter might require you to carry some water and snacks as it takes around 40 minutes to fully explore.
A fascinating aspect of the corn maze is that each year, the farmers at G&M carve a design in the maze that only becomes visible from the sky, offering a treat to the pilots soaring over the Livermore Airport.
Wrapping up the Day at G&M Farms
Your pumpkin patch day won’t be complete without savouring some fine food at the food trucks operating over the weekends. Be prepared to spend a bit, but the uniqueness of the experience makes it totally worth it.
Visiting G&M Farms is more than just choosing a pumpkin; it encapsulates a small adventure, an experience worth repeating.
Until the next pumpkin season, stay fascinated and keep exploring!
