There is no lack of activities this Fall which includes Family Friendly activities, Kids activities, and some just for the adult crowd. This is by no means a complete list of things to do in the East Bay and Far East County, but hopefully, it will give you some ideas and inspiration. Let’s dig into the fall fun!
Brentwood
Smith Family Farms
A local favorite and gem of Far East County, Smith Family Farms is perfect for kids of all ages.
Here’s what they have in store for you.
Throughout the month of October, our barnyard area will be open to the public for the annual Smith Family Farm Pumpkin Harvest. So much more than just a pumpkin patch, activities include live music, a children’s corn maze, encounters with farm animals, educational displays and tours of our lovely fall gardens. Weekend admission is $12.50 for adults and $11.00 for children. Weekday general admission is $11.00. Our fruit stand will also be open throughout the month with our famous selection of heirloom tomatoes and fall produce.
Open 9am-5pm Weekends, 12pm-5pm Weekdays. Through October 31st.
Bring cash because they don’t take plastic of any kind.
4350 Sellers Ave
Brentwood, CA 94513
Phone (925) 625-5966
Antioch
Pick of the Patch Pumpkins (and ABC Tree Farms)
If you’re looking for a wide selection of pumpkin sizes and colors, this is the place for you!
Description:
Prepare yourself for tons of fun while your children ages 2-12 play on the multitude of inflatable amusements. Check out our large circus tent that is great to provide that extra needed shade for the perfect Birthday Party, Group gathering or School Field Trip. Besides the giant inflatable fun, there are many different varieties of pumpkins to choose from, pumpkin accessories and a wonderfully decorated “memory zone” to take pictures of your little ones.
There are additional location all around the Bay Area, so if you’re visiting family out of town, check here to see if there is a patch near where you’re going.
4650 Delta Fair Blvd
Antioch, CA 94509
Phone (408) 393-6303
Livermore
G&M Farms
This very popular spot will keep you busy all day, and entrance is free. But bring cash for the rides and food. People come from as far as Santa Cruz and Oakland to enjoy the pumpkins, corn maze and other activities available.
What you should know:
G & M Farms Pumpkin Patch in Livermore is the farm that is so fun it has been featured twice on the David Letterman Show! Bring the whole family there’s harvest fun for all ages at G&M Farms, and it’s easy to find, right off I-580 at Isabel Avenue in Livermore.
We are Open October 1st -31st and Our HAUNTED corn maze will be on October 27th at dark!
487 E Airway Blvd
Livermore, CA 94550
b/t Terminal Cir & Rutan Dr
Phone (925) 447-3276
Joan’s Farm & Pumpkin Patch
Another popular place in the East Bay for pumpkins, corn mazes and more. Admission is free but “Everything else is gonna cost ya but the prices are completely reasonable.” Again, bring cash, although there is an ATM available.
Family fun for everyone. It’s an “old west town” and so much more. Pumpkins galore, corn maze, weekend pony rides, hayride, children’s train, large blowup slide, gem panning, games.
The Pumpkin Patch is open October 1 – 31 • Daily 9 – 6 | Activity Hours: Weekdays – 1:00 pm to 5:45 pm – Weekends – 9:30 am to 5:45 pm
4351 Mines Rd
Livermore, CA 94550
Phone (925) 447-0794
Fremont
Ardenwood Historic Farm
Although Ardenwood is in Fremont, it’s well worth the trip. Not your typical pumpkin patch, but so much more. A part of the East Bay Regional Park District, it’s well maintained and has beautiful gardens in addition to the Patterson House, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get a glimpse of the peacocks. 🦃 (OK, so that’s a turkey. There aren’t any peacock emojis.)
Since Ardenwood is a working farm, the daily activities change from season to season so no two visits will be exactly alike. Visit our Naturalist Program page for more information and schedules before your next visit.
Ardenwood Historic Farm is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, year-round, including Labor Day and Memorial Day. Ardenwood is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For picnic reservations call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2. There is no parking fee. Dogs are not allowed in the Ardenwood Historic Farm.
Along with pumpkins and ponies, Ardenwood features a unique “Haunted Train Ride” you won’t find anywhere else. But hurry and get your tickets now, most dates are already sold out!
There are so many things to do at Ardenwood, we suggest you visit their website to see what you might want to do and plan your day accordingly. Of course, you can go back again and again since it’s open all year. Hours are Tuesday-Sunday 10 am to 4 pm, Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
34600 Ardenwood Blvd
Fremont, CA 94555
at Kaiser Dr
Phone (888) 327-2757
ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood
Haunted Houses
Here’s where things get real. Or surreal. Definitely for adults and older children. From spooky to downright terror-inducing, proceed at your own risk! ☠
Nite Terrors
Here’s what you should fear!
The biosafety level is a set of biocontainment precautions required to isolate dangerous biological agents in an enclosed laboratory facility. The levels of containment range from the lowest biosafety level 0 to the highest known as level 4.
In 2014 the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone and West Africa killed over 11 thousand people. A small number of those people became irrational and violent. Those victims were quarantined and later died. The CDC discovered a virus mutation in the quarantined group that kills the Accumbens region of the brain and eventually the person. The Accumbens is related to laughter, aggression, fear, addiction, and impulsivity. Humans display an array of behaviors from “zombie” like violent aggression to an actualization of nightmares and phobias. Animals become violent and plants over grow, choking off anything uninfected. The CDC currently recommends everyone to avoid all infected plants, animals and humans and treat them as extremely dangerous.
The virus appears to spread by sneeze or cough. Contact with infected skin, fur or plant material as well as a bite or cut results in the transfer of the virus. Current information suggests all living organisms are at risk including plants and animals. It’s unknown if the virus transfers and spreads via the insect population.
Unable to safely handle the mutation under the currently defined containment levels, an abandoned secret laboratory, constructed in 1957 was retrofitted to house and study the virus. That laboratory is known as Lab 5. There are reports that the military has been using the lab to weaponize the virus. The government denies those reports.
On October 1st, all communication coming from the lab stopped. An outside inspection of the facility showed no breach or biological toxicity. An advance team is being assembled to go inside and assess the situation. Current status at the lab is unknown.
Open October 19, 20, 26 and 27 from 7 – 11 pm and October 28 from 7 – 10 pm
niteterrors.com
2200 Hilltop Mall Rd
Richmond, CA
Phone 925-634-7574
Fear Overload – Scream Park
Sometimes a good scream will cure what ails ya.
Get Ready Bay Area! This October, Fear Overload Scream Park unleashes 2 Absolutely Spectacular Haunted Houses. Learn what FORBES calls One of the Best Haunted Houses in the Country. It’s time to SCREAM!
OUR 2018 ATTRACTIONS:
THE WASHROOM
Unclean and very daunting, The Washroom contains some fiendishly unhappy spirits that all passed into the afterlife while they were in this very washroom. Now they are bound there for all eternity and they are very lonely… and malicious. Just whatever you do, don’t look directly into the eyes of the girl with long black hair. Enter this attraction with only one dim flashlight per group!AMNESIA WARD
You wake up. You do not remember how you got to where you are. You are in a hospital ward. Only this hospital is not sanitary nor under control of any kind. No, this hospital is overrun by lunatics, crazies, and psychos and you are right in the middle of it. No time to find out what happened, but know this: there was an outbreak of something deadly within the vicinities of the hospital. It has made the already sick patients even sicker, but you yourself are not entirely infected. You must navigate your way out successfully, or you will wind up junk food for the other patients…
We’re going to pass on this one. But when you recover, please share your favorite screaming moments with us. 🎃Open through the end of October. Times and prices vary. Check out the website for more info.
fearoverload.com
15555 East 14th St.
San Leandro, CA
510-730-2221
If these choices aren’t enough, try the Winchester Mystery House Halloween Candlelight Tours, Trunk or Treat for the kiddies on Halloween night, or compete for the best decorated ‘Haunted’ house on the block.
Tips for a Successful Family Outing
Before you head out for a day (or night) of fun, being prepared in advance can make the day go smoother and eliminate some speed bumps that could knock the wheels off your fun time.
- Call first to confirm dates, times, availability, etc.
- Buy tickets in advance, it available.
- Bring cash, many mom and pop farms don’t take plastic.
- Check the hours of operation compared to what is posted on Yelp, their website, or other local directories.
- If you have special needs, find out their accommodations for wheelchairs, guide dogs, etc.
- Expect large crowds on the weekends. Weekdays are your best bet for short lines and less competition for that perfect pumpkin.
- Don’t plan to take dogs or pets. Most places that have animals do not allow dogs. Sorry, pooch. 🐶
- Ask about bathrooms, facilities and wash areas. The pumpkin patch and corn maze could be muddy, so dress accordingly and bring your own wet wipes just in case.
Well, that about wraps it up! If we missed your favorite haunt 👻, post a comment below and let us know. We’ll add your suggestion to our list.
And if you have pictures from this year or last, be sure to share them on our Facebook Page.
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