Best Pumpkin Patches Near Sacramento: Top Farms and Corn Mazes to Visit this Fall

When I was a kid, nothing felt more like fall than heading out to the pumpkin patch. I grew up in Citrus Heights and we'd make our annual trip to The Pumpkin Farm on Old Auburn Road (which has unfortunately closed, sigh). 

The thrill of finding and choosing the pumpkin that would become my jack-o’-lantern was pure magic. Then scooping out seeds and carving it with one of those special dull pumpkin knives was so fun! Now, as an adult, I have gotten to experience the magic through the eyes of the kiddos in my family. There’s something super cool about chaperoning kids through corn mazes, watching them climb hay bales, or hearing their absolute excitement when they spot a pumpkin that’s “the one” no matter how imperfect it is. 

The greater Sacramento region is blessed with plenty of pumpkin patches that capture that same childhood wonder. Here are some of the best spots to explore this fall: 

• Dave’s Pumpkin Patch / Vierra Farms (West Sacramento): A local favorite with something for everyone, like hay rides, a corn maze, pig races, and even pumpkin chunkin’. I went to my good friend's 30th birthday party here (in like 2008, don't judge!) and it is full of adult fun opportunities too.
• Nick & Ray’s Pumpkin Patch (Sacramento) Set on historic Bastiao Farms, this spot offers more than just pumpkins. Kids love the haunted “mining town,” corn maze, corn cannons (!), and giant straw bale pyramid. 
• Cool Patch Pumpkins (Dixon): Home to the world’s largest corn maze, this is the patch to visit if you’re up for adventure. I am not ashamed to admit I have been lost in this corn maze a few times in my life. Beyond the record-setting maze, there’s a “you-pick” pumpkin field, hayrides, and plenty of Instagram-worthy photo ops (as evidenced by my pic above).
• Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm (Wheatland): A true fall destination. Bishop’s has it all—U-Pick pumpkin fields, petting zoo, carousel, corn maze, hayrides, and a bakery filled with seasonal treats. It’s the kind of place you can spend the whole day and still not do it all. 
• Keema’s Pumpkin Farm (Elk Grove): A smaller, family-owned farm that feels more personal and low-key. With tractor rides, farm animals, and a cozy corn maze, it’s perfect if you want a quieter, less crowded patch experience. 
• Rickey Ranch (Granite Bay): Rustic charm defines this patch. Vintage tractors, farm animals, and a hay pyramid set the stage, while hidden skeletons among the vines add a playful twist to the search for pumpkins. 
• Boa Vista Orchards (Apple Hill, Placerville): Pair pumpkin picking with apple cider, pies, and gorgeous orchard views. This stop turns into a full fall day trip, especially if you want both pumpkins and the full Apple Hill harvest vibe. 
• Fog Willow Farms (Wilton): A charming farm with a picture-perfect setting. Visitors enjoy hayrides, friendly farm animals, and a climbing haystack. The on-site sugar shed with fudge and lemonade is a sweet bonus.

Featured in a KCRA3 story about the federal tax reform proposal...

The new federal tax reform proposal was announced this week, and there are some major ramifications for homeowners if this passes in its current form. I was interviewed by KCRA 3 News specifically regarding the proposed cap on the Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID).

Under current tax law, homeowners may write off mortgage interest on mortgages up to $1,000,000. The new tax proposal seeks to reduce this to mortgages up to $500,000. So what's the big deal about this? California is a "high cost" state...While the current median home price for September 2017 in Sacramento County is $348,000, there are plenty of higher priced areas in and around Sacramento, such as Davis, El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, East Sacramento, Land Park, Arden Park, Sierra Oaks, and others.

Additionally, the median home price for the entire state of California is $555,410. That means that more than half of all home sales in California are more than $555,410. That means that potentially more than half of all home sales in California may be affected by this cap and owners potentially will suffer some reduction of mortgage interest deductibility.

I would urge you to research the tax plan and ask your congressional representative to reconsider elements of the plan that may adversely affect homeownership. View the news story here.