Jacobs Farms took over last year from the now defunct Girordano Farms at the Martial Cottle Park farm stand, and it didn’t skip a beat. This year along with a much improved corn maze they’ve included a band stage and some fun pumpkin inspired games, like pumpkin tic-tac-toe, Jenga and pumpkin checkers. What sets Jacobs apart from other patches is the all-organic pumpkin and produce selection at their farm stand.

Every year Arata Farms sets up a devilishly complex hay maze that stupefies, confounds and bedevils visitors. And what’s the purpose of all this running around, one might wonder. Well it can be summed up in one word: Minotaur! That’s not a typo. There’s a mythical beast hidden somewhere inside this labyrinth, and if he’s found there’s a prize for the taking. The prize? Why a golden pumpkin, of course. Arata also features a haunted house, tractor ride, train and a nice selection of unusual pumpkins.

Sporting multiple locations throughout the South Bay (and beyond), Pick of the Patch is known more for bounce houses and their crazy-huge slides than for their pumpkin selection. With that said, one can still buy pumpkins, but don’t expect to find a selection of exotic medley beyond the standard orange variety.

Spina might have the best selection of “exotic” pumpkins this side of the Mississippi. From white pumpkins to grey and even ones with turbans—they’ve got it all. They also have the best hay ride around, as it takes visitors through their gorgeous sunflower fields. There’s also a small train, petting zoo and pony rides to keep the kids interested, but it really is all about the pumpkins here. It’s definitely my family’s “go-to” patch.

Uesugi’s patch is more an amusement park than an ordinary run-of-the-mill patch. Showcasing the biggest assortment of rides and attractions including trains, hay rides, corn mazes, carousels, pony rides, petting zoo—and even a pumpkin gun! Just be prepared to fork over big bucks for all this revelry. It’s possible to spend $25-40 per person just for rides, and that’s not including parking and food. That said, this place really needs to be experienced at least once.

Located just outside Ardenwood Historic Farm, J.E. Perry’s patch is a stone’s throw from where their pumpkins are grown. Featuring a playground and picnic areas for the family to hang out, the real star of this show is their tractor ride that takes guests through the farm. The driver will stop at key locations and give all the riders samples of what they are currently growing. Almost like dinner and a show.

Maybe one of the longest running pumpkin patches in the Bay Area, Lemos Farm has been a go-to destination for many Bay Area families since 1979. Lemos presents a nice array of attractions like a haunted house, pony rides, petting zoo, hay rides, play area and more pumpkins than one can shake a stick at. However, Lemos’ best component is their festive décor that’s unmatched by most.

Serving the west side since 1984, Queens is still going strong by offering up a healthy dose of family fun. With a petting zoo, picnic tables, pumpkin painting, a cow ride, lots of cut-outs for picture opportunities and a free movie night on Fridays, there’s a ton to do in this tiny patch. Their most popular—and unique—feature is the giant hamster balls that the kids can ride around in on top of a bed of water.

This venerable South Bay favorite also sports a Halloween-themed area for the fall holiday. Along with a bevy of gourds for sale, they have their renowned train and carousel rides ready for action. Just be aware that on weekdays during the month of October, kids on field trips are given top priority on rides. Still a fun place to spend an afternoon after all these years, and don’t forget to swing by Casa de Sweets. Just to look, of course.