Pumpkins Galore at the La Verne Heritage Foundation Pumpkin Patch
Fall is finally here in SoCal though you’d hardly know it. So far temperatures have stayed in the 80’s save for one glorious weekend. Just over a week ago we had an unexpected storm that brought rain, thunder, lightening and cool, cool temperatures. I was not about to let this taste of autumn go unnoticed so i grabbed a warm sweater and sought out the quaintest pumpkin patch around. Luckily, I didn’t have to look too far because one was right under my nose in the town of La Verne.
La Verne is a small city at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains and is often overshadowed by it’s flashier neighbors Pomona, San Dimas and Claremont. It’s a bit of a blessing because it allows the city to retain a small town atmosphere with a visible nod to it’s agricultural past. Nowhere is this more apparent than at La Verne Heritage Foundation – a historic homestead in the heart of the city.
Previously, I’d visited the site in the late winter to take part in their annual orange harvest where for $5 you can fill a large sack with fresh, sweet oranges. Although, I’d done this multiple times I had no idea the farm held an annual pumpkin patch!
But, on this stormy weekend, I was snuggled up and scrolling through Instagram when I came across the cutest pumpkin patch. The surroundings looked a bit familiar and, sure enough, it was in La Verne. As soon as the weather cleared I grabbed my sister, Shannon, and we stopped by on a cool crisp evening.
It was the perfect time to visit as I instantly felt like I was transported to one of those quaint New England pumpkin patches you always see in magazines. There were decorations everywhere, tractor rides, farm animals and pumpkins galore.
And the prices are so reasonable! My sister and I share a weakness for pumpkins and have been known to spend too much at local patches but with these prices we were able to buy three big, beautiful pumpkins for $15.
And we’re not talking run of the mill pumpkins – they have Cinderella’s, white ones, yellow ones and more.
Needless to say, this will not be my last visit to La Verne Heritage Foundation’s Pumpkin Patch. I can’t tell you how sick I am of commercial pumpkin patches that charge admission, are filled with blow up play area’s and carnival rides and have a few token pumpkins for sale at high prices. To find a gem like this is a true treat indeed. No admission fee, a wide variety of reasonably prices pumpkins and good old fashioned tractor rides and farm animals. It’s the perfect spot for both kids and adults and I’m so glad I had a chance to visit.
La Verne Heritage Foundation Pumpkin Patch is open weeknights 4-8pm and weekends 10am-8pm through Halloween. On Saturday, October 27 there will be a classic car show from 10am-3pm.