Twinkling lights, a slight smell of hay and the sound of children laughing around pumpkins of all shapes and sizes – these distant memories of pumpkin patches are what add to the nostalgic charm when walking through the Seasonal Adventures pumpkin patch. People can relive that same youthful joy once felt years ago.
The Seasonal Adventures pumpkin patch is an annual event from Oct. 1–31 located at 450 Thousand Oaks Blvd. For guests under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign a release waiver upon entry. To enjoy inflatable attractions, guests must also wear socks or buy a pair from the main booth for $2. While entry is free, the rides, games and the petting zoo require tickets that can also be purchased from the main booth. A single ticket costs $1.50, a pack of 20 tickets costs $29 and a pack of 40 tickets costs $54.
Upon entering the pumpkin patch, an extremely warm ambiance is created with only string lights illuminating the area. The patch’s decorations give a rustic vibe, from the gravel parking lot to the dispersed hay bales into the loose pathing for guests to follow. However, the uneven terrain does pose issues from an accessibility standpoint, so while the aesthetic definitely passes the autumn checklist, it also restricts some people’s ability to participate in the fun.
One key component of this patch is its plethora of mechanical rides and inflatable attractions. The Seasonal Adventures pumpkin patch offers a wide variety of things to do within a small area. Participants can choose to participate in a thrilling swing ride or even a spinning tea cup-esque attraction for three tickets each. The rides are surprisingly fast. However, the duration is well worth the ticket price. There are also inflatables such as slides and obstacle courses that may be better suited for those who are not particularly drawn to getting jolted around. Some of the inflatables are placed across from each other. That means that visitors have to put their shoes back on in order to avoid a painful fate of hay to feet, and then take their shoes back off again once at the desired location.
If rides do not seem appealing, there is also a ring toss game and a petting zoo. In the ring the bottle game, three tickets can be traded for 12 rings to toss. There are three different bottle colors which correspond to the prize size that one receives. Unlike the common notion that carnival games are rigged, everyone who participates receives a prize.
At the petting zoo, one can see animals such as goats and pigs for three tickets. Guests can also feed the animals themselves by purchasing animal food at the main booth for $1 per cup. While guests aren’t allowed to pick up the animals, they can still pet animal’s soft coats and take pictures to mark the occasion.
Of course, any pumpkin patch requires pumpkins. The pumpkins and gourds at the Seasonal Adventures patch are scattered throughout the entirety of the area for guests to choose from. Pumpkins are sold based on their size ranging from $2 to over $33. There is a vast variety of colors and sizes, with rich shades of green to bright oranges and minis to “Big Macs” (what they call their biggest pumpkins).
Even though the name “Big Mac” makes it sound like there is food, there are only liquid refreshments sold at the patch. The pumpkin patch sells water, Gatorade and soda at the main booth; there aren’t any food options. However, parked on the outside of the patch, there is always a La Poblana Mexican Grill food truck. This provides guests with various local Mexican dishes and specialty drinks without leaving the general area of the patch, which proved to be very convenient.
Overall, the Season Adventures pumpkin patch is an amusing autumn activity where people can revel in simpler times while celebrating the season. Whether you enjoy petting goats or admiring the glorious pumpkins, visiting this patch is a perfect activity for all ages with an ample range of attractions to enjoy.
