Halloween

Better finish stocking up on those bags of trick-or-treat candy and put the finishing touches on that masterpiece of a homemade costume, because Halloween is here! Unfortunately, trick-or-treating seems to be something of a dying art, but it's an activity that's available if you know where to look. We generally walk down the block to Pacheco Creek Drive in Novato's Pacheco Valle, where they close the street and many of the houses are decorated, some quite elaborately. Some local shopping centers, like the Village in Corte Madera, offer trick-or-treating tonight for children under somewhat "safer" conditions, although the old myth about tainted Halloween candy is just that—a myth (see Snopes.com for more on that).

For your education and enjoyment, here are a few random Halloween facts:

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Looking for some spooktacular crafts to do with you children to decorate your home for Halloween, pumpkin carving fun, or last minute costume ideas? Looking for some party suggestions for your upcoming Halloween event, or ideas for some cool and boofull snacks? Look no further—Family Fun has everything you need.

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Cooking with your children is a great way to spend quality family time, and, above all, it's fun! Here's a fun seasonal recipe to help you get started cooking with your children, courtesy of Michelle Stern, owner of What's Cooking. What's Cooking is a Marin-based business that offers exciting, fun, and educational cooking workshops in home or school for kids aged 2 1/2 through 19. Find out more at www.whatscooking.info

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We thought we had our favorite local pumpkin patch, but I think after visiting Peterson's Farm in Petaluma yesterday we have a new pumpkin patch champion. Not that the old one is bad or anything; far from it. Our experience at Peterson's was just magical and I hope that our review will encourage you to give it a visit.

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Looking for that true Halloween pumpkin patch experience? Check out list of pumpkin patches in Marin and southern Sonoma counties to find the perfect place for you and your family to pick out your pumpkins and get in the Halloween spirit. In Marin County, only the Lafranchi Pumpkin Patch offers that on-the-farm experience, but old favorites like the St. Vincent's Pumpkin Patch are open as well. To find an abundance of real-live farms offering pumpkin patches this season, head up north a short distance to rural Sonoma County.

We plan to visit as many of these pumpkin patches as we can this fall season, and will post reviews as soon as we can. Have we overlooked your favorite pumpkin patch? Let us and everyone else know by leaving a comment. Admission to pumpkin patches is free unless otherwise noted.

Marin County

Lafranchi Pumpkin Patch
Nicasio Valley Farms
5300 Nicasio Valley Rd (1/4 mile north of Nicasio square)
Nicasio
(415) 662-9100
Daily, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Pumpkin picking, hay rides, farm animals, jumpy houses, farm stand, BBQ on the weekends. Tim Cain performs on Sunday October 7 and 21 at 11 a.m. Read our review of Lafranchi Pumpkin Patch.

Godmothers of Timothy Murphy School Pumpkin Patch
St. Vincent's Field, at the Marinwood/St. Vincent's exit off Hwy 101
Marinwood
(415) 785-3264
Daily, 10 a.m–5:30 p.m.

Bounce houses, hay pile, face painting, snack shack, picnic area. Groups welcome. Read our review of St. Vincent's Pumpkin Patch.

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Find the Halloween event that's right for you! We'll keep updating our list of Halloween events in Marin as we find more. If you have an event you'd like to see added to the list, please contact us.

Updated October 29

Goblin Jamboree at the
Bay Area Discovery Museum
Saturday and Sunday, October 20 and 21
Come in costume and explore the Bay Area Discovery Museum! The museum will be transformed into a haunted wonderland, with games, activities, and live entertainment, as well as a petting zoo and pony rides. This fund raiser supports museum education programs, exhibitions, and community access initiatives. Tickets available at the door. BADM Members $12, general $14, children under 1 free. More information: www.baykidsmuseum.org.

Giggles and Ghosts
Novato Library
Tuesday, October 23 at 6:30 pm
An evening of not-too-scary tales for ages 3 and up. Wear a costume, if you like. The Novato Library is at 1720 Novato Blvd. For more info, call (415) 897-1141.

Halloween Spooktacular!
Baby and Kids Company (12 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley)
Wednesday, October 24
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Wear costumes and get photos taken alongside our adorable Fall-themed backdrop. Children can make a Halloween craft while enjoying a tasty treat and cup of witches brew.  To help us better assess food and drink quantities, please RSVP at www.babyandkidscompany.com

Happy Halloween Puppet Show
Sausalito Council Chambers
Thursday, October 25
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Kids of all ages are welcome to come in costume for a spooky puppet show by Caterpillar. Come on down to the Sausalito Council Chambers at 420 Litho Street in Sausalito for a spooky time. For more info, call (415) 289-4100.

Gymboree Play & Music 
Friday October 26 at 4:30 - 6:30pm
Come in costume for the Halloween Costume Parade. There will be Halloween games, songs and activities.  It is for kids 5 and under and tickets cost $18 for members and $20 for general. Space is limited, so get your tickets early. Gymboree Play & Music is located at the Strawberry Village Shopping Center. For more info, call 415-383-9771.

Halloween Music and Magic Show
Friday, October 26
2 shows- 4:00 pm & 6:30 pm
Mill Valley Golf Clubhouse at 267 Buena Vista
Come in costume to this family Halloween magic show that will include the music of Cotton Candy Express. Also, D.W. Wilson will delight you with his Halloween Magic Show. For ages 3 to 103. Cost is $7 general admission, with children 3 and under free. You can purchase tickets at the Mill Valley Community Center front desk. For more info, call (415) 383-1370 or go to www.millvalleycenter.org.


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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.

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Since my husband gets the Columbus Day holiday off, we decided to check out another local pumpkin patch this weekend. We visited what is probably the only pumpkin patch on a working farm in Marin County (if you know of another please let us know): Lafranchi Pumpkin Patch at Nicasio Valley Farms. The Lafranchi pumpkin patch, located in the west Marin hamlet of Nicasio, features all certified organic pumpkins at a real working farm. It's located just west of the Nicasio village square right on Nicasio Valley Road, and is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

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