Our round-up of things to do in Sacramento this season will keep your family busy through Thanksgiving!

We love October in Sacramento —temperatures cool down, sweaters come out of the closet, pumpkin-flavored treats start to pop up everywhere and there’s plenty of fun in the pipeline. To kick-start your crew’s season, we’ve put together a list of the best things to do in Sacramento this fall. Be sure to take advantage of this perfect weather by spending time outside at pumpkin patches, festivals, and nature trails! Happy Fall!

 This Fall Fun Guide includes:
Pumpkin Patches, Fall Festivals & Activities, Apple Hill Feature,
Fall Hiking, and Halloween Parties & Spooky Fun!

Big Thanks to our Platinum Sponsor:
SCM is hosting their annual Monster Bash on October 18th!

…and another Big Thanks to our Gold Sponsor:

Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes & Hayrides

AUBURN

Poppy Lane Christmas Farm
12110 Poppy Lane, Auburn, CA
(530) 906-6988
Hours: 9am – 7pm Daily
Attractions: Inflatables, tractor train, haystack play, weekend pony rides.

CITRUS HEIGHTS

The Pumpkin Farm
7736 Old Auburn Road, Citrus Heights, CA
(916) 726-1137
Opens Friday 10/3. Hours: 9am – 6pm Tuesday – Sunday
Attractions: Haunted Barn, Farm Zoo, hayrides, Jumping Castle, Tower Slides, corn maze, train rides.

DAVIS

Impossible Acres
26565 Road 97D, Davis, CA
530-750-0451
Opens Wed 10/1. Hours: 9am – 6pm Daily
Attractions: Petting zoo, tractor rides, berry picking.

DIXON

Cool Patch Pumpkins
6586 Milk Farm Road, Dixon, CA
(530) 304-0163
Hours: 9am – 8pm Daily
Attractions: Corn bath, straw mountain, kiddie straw maze, corn maze.

Silveyville Pumpkin Farm
6248 Silveyville Road, Dixon, CA
(707) 678-1823
Hours: 10am – 6pm Daily
Attractions: Duck pond near Silveyville Park, farm animals, carnival games, bouncing horses, ATV train.

ELK GROVE

Keema Family Pumpkin Patch
6532 Point Pleasant Road, Elk Grove, CA
(916) 684-2334
Hours: Tues – Fri 11am – Dusk, Saturday 9am – Dusk, Sat – Sun 10am – Dusk
Attractions: Hay rides, hay pyramid, farm animals, hay maze, corn maze.

FOLSOM

Zittel Farms
6781 Oak Ave, Folsom, CA
(916) 989-2633
Hours: Weekdays 9am – 5pm, Weekends 9am – 6pm

LATHROP

Dell’ Osso Family Farm
501 S. Manthey Road, Lathrop, CA
(209) 982-0833
Opens Sat 10/4. Hours: 10am – 8pm Daily
Attractions: Pumpkin Maze, Corn Maze, haunted castle, mystery tour ride, zip line, aerial ropes course, express train, pumpkin blasters, jumping pillows, tractor train, free hay ride, free tire pyramid.

NATOMAS

Bastiao Farms Goblin Gardens Pumpkin Patch
3845 El Centro Road, Sacramento, CA
(916) 925-2947
Hours: 10am – 7pm Daily
Attractions: Hay rides, hay maze, hay bale pyramids, haunted train ride through corn maze, covered wagon.

SACRAMENTO

Roemer Pumpkin Patch
6851 Hedge Road, Sacramento
(916) 381-4331
Hours: Tues – Fri 2pm – 5pm, Sat – Sun 9am – 5pm
Attractions: Corn maze, hay bale maze, hay pyramid, hay rides, face painting.

Safetyville Pumpkin Patch
3909 Bradshaw Road, Sacramento
(916) 438-3357
Hours: 8am – 5pm Mon – Fri, 9:30am – 5pm Sat – Sun
Attractions: Find good deals on pumpkins of various sizes.

WEST SACRAMENTO

Dave’s Pumpkin Patch
3010 Burrows Ave
West Sacramento, CA 95691
(916) 849-9450
Hours: Sun – Thurs 10am – dusk, Fri – Sat 10am – 9pm
Attractions: Jumping pillow, pumpkin princess castle, farm animals, gold mining, corn boxes, hay rides.

WHEATLAND

Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm
1415 Pumpkin Lane, Wheatland, CA
(530) 633-2568
Hours: 9am – 6pm Daily
Attractions: Train ride, pig races, coyote mountain, petting zoo, tractor rides, corn maze.

WILTON

Fog Willow Pumpkin Farm
11011 Cecatra Drive, Wilton, CA
(916) 687-4547
Hours: Mon – Fri 11:30am – 6pm, Sat – Sun 9:30am – 6pm
Attractions: Petting zoo, hayrides, climbing hay stack, pony rides, cow town train.

Fall Festivals & Activities

October

Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival
When: Saturday, October 4 & Sunday, October 5; 10am – 5pm
Where: Elk Grove Regional Park
What: Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, Scarecrow Contest, Pumpkin Regatta, pumpkin patch, Kids Zone, Live entertainment, food vendors, craft vendors.
Cost: FREE admission, $5.00 parking; expect ticket fees for some of the kids activities

Fall Toddler Time
When: Mondays and Tuesdays in October; 10:30am
Where: Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Rd, Gold River
What: Storytime series for children ages 1-4. Half-hour of songs, stories, crafts, and fun.
Cost: FREE

Harvest Festival
When: Saturday, October 11; 11am – 3pm
Where: Golden Valley Charter School, Orangevale
What: Live Music, Face painting, Harvest Moon Cafe, Marionette Show, Carved Gourd Exhibition, Vendors and more.
Cost: Free admission, some activities $5-10

Auburn Community Festival
When: Saturday, October 18; 9:30am – 4pm
Where: Recreation Park, Auburn
What: Costume contest and parade, live music, food, and more.
Cost: FREE

Davis Farmers’ Market Fall Festival
When: Saturday, October 25
Where: Central Park, Davis
What: Celebrate local food, local agriculture & the harvest with Kids’ Costume Parade, music, kids’ science & craft activities.
Cost: FREE

Harvest Festival
When: Saturday, October 25; 11am – 2pm
Where: Johnston Community Center, 231 Eleanor Avenue, Sacramento
What: For kids ages 0-5. Kids wear costumes, bring a bag to trick-or-treat, pumpkin decorating, costume contest, carnival games.
Cost: FREE

November

Lakeshore Crafts
When: Saturdays in November; 11am – 3pm
Where: Lakeshore Learning, Roseville
What: Make a Scarecrow Puppet, Harvest Headdress, Family Picture Tree, or Giving Thanks Centerpiece.
Cost: FREE

Wings of the Night
When: Saturday, November 8, 2014; 11am – 2pm
Where: Placer Nature Center
What: Come learn all about bats in our area. See some live bats, too.
Cost: $3 per person

Sacramento Harvest Festival
When: November 21-23; 10am – 6pm
Where: Cal Expo
What: the best Holiday shopping, showcasing hundreds of vendors, exciting entertainment, unique food inspiration for Thanksgiving, and much more. Throughout the weekend there will be high-energy live entertainment, featuring Fargo Brothers Band and Sister Swing. There will also be strolling entertainers – Mama Claus & Eddie the Elf, Fables of the West, and WC Willy dressed as Santa hovering high above the festival on his stilts.
Cost: Adults $9.00, Kids 12 & under free

Fairytale Town Free Admission Day
When: Friday, November 28; 10am – 4pm
Where: Fairytale Town
What: As a special thanks for visiting throughout the year, Fairytale Town offers free admission to visitors who bring in a canned good to donate the day after Thanksgiving! All goods collected will be donated to the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive. The day also includes free arts and crafts activities and Puppet Art Theater Company will also be on hand to present Jack’s Holiday Adventure, at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30PM in the Children’s Theater.
Cost: FREE admission to visitors who bring in a canned good to donate; Puppet show tickets are an additional $1 for members and $2 for nonmembers.

Apple Hill

A fall tradition for many Sacramento families is a visit to Apple Hill! This group of more than 50 ranches is located just an hour from Sacramento. There is a map of the ranches/farms below that you can print out and use as a guide. They are open all year round, but the best time to go is in the fall. October tends to be more crowded, but the changing colors of the leaves makes it so beautiful! October is also the best time for picking apples. November is still a good time to go as it has cooled off and it is more comfortable than the sometimes hot October days.

With so many ranches to choose from, it is important to take a look at the activities available and check out the map before you go with your kids!  Having it planned out will make all the difference and enable you to have a full day of fun.

Tips and extra info:

• My number one tip for you is to either go early in the day on the weekend or go on a weekday if at all possible.
• Apple Hill put together a list of 50 Things To Do when you visit.
• Check out our review of Apple Hill and see the 3 different farms we visited…and loved!
• Download the new official Apple Hill app for Free! It is a user-friendly app and will help you navigate the Apple Hill Farms, local dining, recreational areas, stay-over options, events, and more.
• Activities & Events in Apple Hill for October & November.

Apple Hill Growers Association
(530) 644-7692

Click on map for pdf version with a farm list.

Fall Hiking

These are all favorite family-friendly hikes and nature trails.

Cosumnes River Preserve Nature Trails – Galt

Effie Yeaw Nature Trails – Carmichael

Gibson Ranch Trail – Elverta

Hagan Park Wooded Trail next to the American River – Rancho Cordova

Hidden Falls Hike – Auburn

Miners Ravine Trail – Roseville

Nimbus Fish Hatchery  River Trail – Gold River

Quarry Trail – Auburn

The Oaks Nature Trail – Folsom

UC Davis Arboretum – Davis

Zen Garden Hike – inside Black Chasm Cavern Park

 

Halloween Parties & Spooky Fun

23 Free Library Halloween Events
Crafts, puppet shows, pumpkin carving, and more.

Spookamotive Train Rides
When: Saturdays and Sundays, October 11-26
Where: Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot in Old Sacramento (located on Front Street between J and K Streets)
What: Halloween-themed Spookomotive trains decorated for the season depart from the Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot in Old Sacramento. Join the Skeleton Crew for a fun and delightful (but not frightful) 40-minute ride along the Sacramento River.
Cost: Adults $10.00, Kids age 6-17 $5.o0, 5 and under free

Spooky Halloween River Cruise
When: Weekends in October
Where: Leaves from Old Sacramento L Street Dock
What: One-hour cruise on the Sacramento River, Halloween coloring/activity sheets for kids, music, party favor for kids.
Cost: $17.91 per person

Monster Mini Golf
When: Open year round; T-Th 2-9pm, Fri 2-10pm, Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-8pm
Where: Monster Mini Golf, 12401 Folsom Blvd., Rancho Cordova
What: 18 holes of Indoor Glow-in-the-Dark Monster Themed Mini Golf.  Golf  in a costume in October and be eligible to win prizes.
Cost: Adults $8.00, Kids $7.00 (Click here for specials)

Halloween Fright Fest at Six Flags
When: Fridays, Saturday and Sundays through November 1st
Where: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo
What: Enjoy frightful fun and spine-tingling adventures. Watch as the park transforms from “Thrills by Day” to “Fright by Night.” Seasonally-themed shows, attractions and lots of kid-friendly activities during the daylight hours. There’s traditional trick-or-treating in Looney Tunes Seaport, an elaborate pumpkin patch with cookie decorating and a pint-sized hay maze. When the clock strikes 6:00 p.m., the sun goes down and the ghouls come out! Chilling new haunted maze, and scare zones that will have you looking over your shoulder (and everywhere else!) in Mt. Rotting Cemetery and Arachnid Alley.
Cost: $49.99 and up, ticket info here

Haunted Factory Tours
When: October 20-31; 9am-4pm
Where: Jelly Belly Factory, 1 Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield
What: Candy factory tours include the fun and kid-friendly haunted house. Tours detour through a decorated haven of halloween delights before heading into the candy factory. Not too scary! Learn about the making of Jelly Belly  jelly beans, candy corn, and more on 40-min. tours, samples follow. (See factory in production during weekday tours, on weekends you will have a tour guide and dvd’s showing factory production.)
Cost: FREE
Info: Click here or call 800-953-5592

Build a Haunted House
When: Saturday, October 11; 10am
Where: Lowe’s – all locations
What: Build a wooden project and get a free apron, goggles, patch, and more!
Cost: FREE

Halloween Carnival & Pumpkin Patch
When: Saturday, October 18; 1:30 – 4pm
Where: Cameron Park Lake
What: Put on your costumes and play old fashioned carnival games with prizes, pumpkin patch maze, crafts, costume parade, food, refreshments and more!
Cost: Free admission; purchase tickets for activities and refreshments

Monster Bash
When: Saturday, October 18; 6-8pm
Where: Sacramento Children’s Museum, Rancho Cordova
What: Get those costumes ready for Halloween with a night of music, dancing, haunted hallway, refreshments, and museum play.
Cost: $15.00 per person, $10.00 per member

24th Annual Halloween Haunt
When: Saturday, October 18; 11am – 4pm
Where: Safetyville USA, 3909 Bradshaw Rd., Sacramento
What: Costume parade, face painting, magic show, 50 cent Games, food, family games, raffle, and Harvest Maze.
Cost: $6.00 general admission (includes a $2 food or game coupon), Free for kids 2 and under.  Games and most activities are 1-2 tickets.  Tickets 50 cents each.  (Kids receive prize for every game played.)

Night of 1000 Pumpkins
When: Friday, October 24; 6-10pm
Where: Sutter Street in Historic Folsom
What: This one of a kind event features a large display of lit up carved pumpkins up and down Sutter Street, trick or treat at local merchants and family friendly Halloween movies outside under the stars on a giant movie screen!
Cost: FREE

Fairytale Town Safe and Super Halloween: The Adventures of Percy Jackson
When: October 24, 25, 26; 5-9pm
Where: Fairytale Town, Sacramento
What: Trick or treat at 17 candy stations as you journey through the mythological world of Percy Jackson. A costume parade will occur nightly on the Mother Goose stage at 8:30PM and Puppet Art Theater will also be on hand performing the zany puppet show, Frankenswine.
Cost: Presale tickets $10.00, increase to $12.00 beginning Oct 24,  kids 1 and under free

The Haunted Fort at Sutters Fort
When: October 24, 25; 6:30 – 9pm
Where: Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, 2701 L Street, Sacramento
What: Amid the glow of campfire, daring visitors will go on guided tours through the darkened rooms and hear unusual and intriguing tales of how some of California’s early pioneers perished throughout history.  Some even believe many of the rooms at the Fort are still haunted by the spirits of past inhabitants!  Tours leave every 10 minutes and may not be appropriate for very young children.
Cost: Adults $8.00, Kids $6.00, 5 and under FREE

Spooky Story Time
When: Saturday, October 25; 10:30am
Where: Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael
What: Gear up for Halloween with some spooky stories told by members of the Sacramento Storytellers Guild. Stories guaranteed not to cause nightmares! Suitable for all ages.
Cost: FREE, Parking $5.00

Pumpkin Splash Patch
When: Saturday, October 25; 2-4pm
Where: El Doraddo Hills Community Pool
What: Children 3 to 10 years of age should come wearing their swimsuits for this holiday hunt. Participants will hunt for their perfect pumpkin in the heated pool, decorate it and take it home. In addition their will be other holiday crafts to create and costume characters will be entertaining children and taking photos with them. Price includes a pumpkin, supplies, swim pass for the event and a special Trick-or-Treat goodie bag.
Cost: $12 per person

Spooktacular Halloween
When: October 25, 26; 10am – 5pm
Where: Funderland Amusement Park
What: Elsa the Snow Queen – 12pm & 2pm, Magical Magician – 1pm, Safe Trick or Treating – $3 each, A Happy Little Pumpkin Patch – $3 each, The Not So Spooky Train – 1 ticket per rider, A Silly Haunted House – 1 ticket per rider, Kids Costume Contests, Face Painting, Photo Booth, Vendors, Crafts.
Cost: Bring a game or art supplies to donate to River Oak Children’s Home in exchange for FREE tickets

Halloween Kids Night Out
When: Friday, October 24
Where: BounceU
What: Drop the kids off at BounceU and enjoy a romantic night out with your loved one. Kids will be fully entertained at BounceU with bouncing, games, pizza, and Art & Crafts all supervised by Party Pros. This event is for ages 4 – 11.
Cost: Tickets must be prepaid and are non-refundable, Call 859-0559 to purchase your tickets. Space is limited, first come first served.

HOWL-O-Ween
When: Saturday, October 25; 10am – 1pm
Where: Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary
What: Collect a stamp at stations to earn special treat, crafts, learn about creepy crawlers and nocturnal animals, wear your costume.
Cost: $6.00 Adults, $5.00 Kids, under 2 Free

Count Watts’ SPOOKtacular
When: Saturday, October 25; 10am – 2pm
Where: Utility Exploration Center, Roseville
What: Come in costume (optional) and hang out with Count Watts, then take a walk through the Phantom House – warning: your energy waste may be shocking! Round out your day with pumpkin carving, crafts, face painting and prizes.
Cost: FREE

Boo Bounce
When: Tuesday, October 28; 6-8pm
Where: BounceU, 11280 Sanders Drive, Rancho Cordova
What: Games, Halloween craft, spooky treats, costume contest, bouncing.
Cost: $8.95 per child. Parents and siblings under the age of two are FREE with a paying child. (Admission must be prepaid.)

Boo Bounce
When: Wednesday, October 29; 6-8pm
Where: BounceU, 7611 Galilee Road, Roseville
What: Games, Halloween craft, spooky treats, costume contest, bouncing.
Cost: $8.95 per child. Parents and siblings under the age of two are FREE with a paying child. (Admission must be prepaid.)

Wee Halloween at the Crocker
When: Wednesday, October 29; 10am – 1pm
Where: Crocker Art Museum
What: Children ages 5 and younger and their grownups are invited to come in costume to the Crocker for this special event. Wee trick-or-treaters decorate treat bags before being gently guided in small groups through the galleries (departing every 15 minutes). Along the way, families encounter mini-performances in the form of music, stories, and dance. After these interludes, each child will receive a small gift for their treat bag. The stroll ends with a celebration featuring live music.
Cost: $15.00 adults and children, Under 18 mos Free (Advance registration required, sells out early)

Trick or Treat Night at IKEA
When: Friday, October 31
Where: IKEA, West Sacramento
What: Stroll throughout the store and stop at various scary spots along the way for treats for your little goblins and ghouls. Join Mad Science of Sacramento for their interactive slime activity at the store’s entrance. For kids ages 3 -12 years old.
Cost: FREE

Boo at the Zoo
When: Thursday, October 30 & Friday, October 31; 5-8pm
Where: Sacramento Zoo
What: Kids can safely trick-or-treat around the lake at 25 different candy stations. Magic shows, costume dance party, and ghoulish games. You can also ride the Spooky Train or Creepy Carousel for an additional fee. The spookiness is appropriate for children under 10 years of age.
Cost: Advance tickets $10 general admission, Free for 1 and under; $12 at the door

Lorzo’s Magical Halloween Carnival
When: Friday, October 31; 4-6pm
Where: Howe Park, 2201 Cottage Way
What: Candy, Costumes, and Fun for Kids of all ages! Come participate in this year’s Trunk-or-Treat festivities, enjoy the numerous autumn activities, a dog costume contest and be dazzled by Lorzo the Magician. Magic Shows 4:30 and 5:45.
Cost: $2.00 Kids, parents FREE; Magic Show $3 Adults, $1 Kids

Big Thanks to our Bronze Sponsor:

Thanks again to our Platinum Sponsor, Sacramento Children’s Museum for sponsoring our Fall Fun Guide 2014!  We appreciate the fantastic venue they have created for Sacramento kids.

A place where IMAGINATIONS can roam, confidence can GROW, and families can experience the POWER OF PLAY in a safe and welcoming environment.

Sacramento Children’s Museum is located in Rancho Cordova just off Highway 50 and the Zinfandel exit. The Sacramento Children’s Museum is a non-profit corporation offering Hands-On Learning, Exploration and Play for kids 8 and under!  It is the vision of a local mom, Kathleen Palley, who saw the need for inspiring learning through interactivity. SCM strongly believes that play is an essential part of a child’s “work.” Imaginative, hands-on environments provide children with a gateway for opening up their minds to developing new abilities, building confidence, and making connections between their dreams and real world experiences. STEM-based education and exhibits are an integral part of Sacramento Children’s Museum, and they introduce these ideas throughout the Museum. Stacking, dropping, sorting, matching and balancing are all concepts that children explore while playing in “CityWays.” “Solar Car Racers” introduces the notion of solar power and the sun as an energy source in a fun, simple way.  Learning about wind flow and air currents becomes a game in “AirWays.”

Sacramento Children’s Museum is holding their 3rd Annual MONSTER BASH on Saturday, October 18. Details here!