The Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch will return this year with COVID-19 modifications in place. Beginning October 1, families will be able to visit the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch, but will not be able to browse the patch on foot.

Due to the pandemic, organizers are “modifying and scaling the event down to ensure safety of all visitors as well as our staff,” according to the Irvine Park Railroad Website. This year’s festivities will be open daily from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31. Once the park’s limited capacity is reached, visitors will be admitted at a one-in, one-out ratio.

While pumpkin patch enthusiasts might not able to walk the patch, staff will be equipped to show a variety of pumpkins to visitors from behind the counter.

While the annual tradition of picking pumpkins will look and feel different from other years, access to the train and hay rides will still be available, and will be sanitized after each use.

Additionally, games and photo opportunities will be available in a safe, and socially distanced setting. Although the pumpkin patch is held in an outdoor setting, visitors will be required to adhere to health and safety protocol, which includes maintaining a six feet social distance, along with mandatory face coverings.

The Irvine Park Railroad will be open on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and on weekends from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Visit the Irvine Park Railroad website for more information.

While the Irvine Park Railroad is limiting guests, due to COVID-19, there’s another pumpkin patch in Irvine that’s worth paying a visit to.

Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch is also open, and visitor are allowed to pick their own pumpkin directly from the patch, and can also remain in their vehicle.

Tanaka Farms is situated on a 30 acre farm, and is offering wagon rides through the pumpkin patch. In fact, it’s the only pumpkin patch in Orange County where visitors can actually pick their pumpkin right from the vine.

Specializing in a variety of different pumpkins, Tanaka Farms has been showing off their latest harvests on social media.

“What’s your favorite kind of pumpkin?

We’ve got all sorts! From Polar Bear to Jarrahdale, Warty to Cinderella. Each with their own unique colors and shapes.

A pumpkin is included with every ticket, and we also have a large variety of pumpkins available at the Drive-Thru Produce Market Stand (open daily 9am to 6pm).

This year, there are a few options for visitor to select their pumpkins and reservations are required.

The Drive-Thru Pumpkin Farm Experience runs every Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 19 through Oct. 31., from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

The U-Pick Pumpkin with Wagon Ride runs Monday through Friday from Sept. 21 through Oct. 30, from from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Visitors are asked to arrive 15 minutes before their reservations, and there will be a, “you touch, please pick it,” policy.

The wagon ride will include social distancing and the use of face masks. The Drive-thru experience includes a pumpkin, and a scenic trip around Tanaka farms 30-acre farm, which is more than a mile long. While on the drive, guests can experience a scarecrow contest, a barnyard exhibit with farm animals, and watch the sunflowers peak bloom in late October.

Voting for the scarecrow contest ends Oct 25. All scarecrow entries can be found on Tanaka Farms website.

In terms of food and refreshments while on site, the Tanaka Grill will be open for Drive-Thru service on the weekends.

Cost

All persons ages 3 and over ($20 per person)

2 Years and Under (FREE, but do not receive items included)

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