The Great Peter Pumpkin Patch at Spring Hill Farm

Probably our favorite pumpkin patch of all time is the Great Peter Pumpkin Patch at Petaluma's Spring Hill Farm. It's a bit out in the middle of nowhere (which is part of the fun) on a real working farm that normally produces the yummy Spring Hill cheese that you may have seen in farmers' markets or stores around town. The Peter Pumpkin Patch is a classic old-time pumpkin patch. In years past, it's been refreshingly devoid of the bounce houses, slides, and other inflatable games that seem to be ubiquitous in area pumpkin patches. Believe me--there's enough there to keep kids plenty occupied. We actually haven't been there yet this season, but have made it something of a family tradition to meet up there with our kids' cousins and their parents over the last four years.

The Peter Pumpkin Patch has plenty of pumpkins; both pre-picked and on-the-vine pick-it-yourself pumpkins are available, as well as white, green, and other less traditional varieties of pumpkin. They also have gourds, squash, and organic vegetables and fruit, much of it grown on-site. We usually pick up a few pounds of their heirloom potatoes and maybe some onions and apples. They also sell Halloween decorations, drinks, and, best of all, homemade ice cream. Their ice cream is made from the same Jersey cow milk that goes into their cheese. Apparently Jersey cows, which are brown, are smaller and produce less milk than your standard black-and-white Holsteins. However, Jersey milk is higher in fat content than Holstein milk, so the resulting products, like the ice cream, are richer and tastier. They usually offer vanilla, chocolate, and our favorite, pumpkin (of course). You can also taste and buy their award winning cheeses.

Activities and attractions here include baby farm animals for children to pet, the opportunity to milk a dairy cow (if you're so inclined), a hay maze, a big hay pyramid to climb, tractor rides (in a wagon behind the tractor), and a dig-your-own potato field, which is messy fun. All the activities, at least as of our last visit, were free. You have to pay for the potatoes you dig, of course. The pumpkins, as with just about every pumpkin patch in the Bay Area, are on the expensive side, ranging from a couple dollars for small jack-o-lantern types to $25 and up for the big ones. Of course you're paying for the experience and lifelong memories of the trip to the pumpkin patch...

To get there, take Hwy 101 to Petaluma. Take the Washington Street exit and head west over the freeway. Follow Washington until it becomes Bodega Avenue. Follow Bodega Avenue to the Two Rock area west of Petaluma. Take a left on Spring Hill Road and follow it until you come to Spring Hill Farm and the Peter Pumpkin Patch on your right. It will be very difficult to miss. There's plenty of free parking.