A pumpkin patch is definitely a must-visit place in the fall. For the first time, I had the opportunity to visit one at Tanaka Farms, located in Irvine, California. The Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch has been a favorite spot for children and adults for almost 20 years. With an admission of $4, it offers a package of memorable experiences with a wagon ride, which runs approximately every 10 minutes and takes the rider around the 30 acre farm to see all of the pumpkins and crops growing. The next visitor’s stop is the Barnyard Educational Exhibit, where the goats, pigs, chickens, bunnies, and even an alpaca or two, are present for the visitors to pet. Right next to the Barnyard is the Corn Maze, where visitors must find their way to the center and back out. The maze is not too complicated for young children, but it definitely can make some people feel lost among the towering cornstalks! The last stop is picking a pumpkin. The visitors get to choose a pumpkin to take home, completing their adventurous course at the farm!
Pumpkin patches are also frequently visited for another reason: Instagrammers can take aesthetic pictures, with cute poses in their fall outfits, and upload them to the internet. Indeed, Tanaka Farms does provide a perfect autumn background for notable photoshoots! Looking at social media platforms, especially Instagram, I witnessed an immense number of photos taken at locations such as this, typically uploaded by teenagers and young adults. When asked about her first experience at the pumpkin patch, Sofia Fidel, a junior at Portola High School, said, “I feel so content with how nicely our pictures came out. I understand now why everyone comes here for photoshoots!”
Tanaka Farms is definitely a wonderful place to visit and enjoy with friends and family in the fall. Currently, they are doing a “Fall Harvest”, where you get the 30 acre tour, and you also get to try some of the seasonal vegetables which they are growing. Although the pumpkin patch is now closed at Tanaka Farms since October is over, you can come and pick your special Christmas tree during the Christmas season which begins at the end of November. Families and friends can bundle up in their holiday sweaters and join Tanaka Farms in November and December as it comes alive again for the Christmas season with a special Holiday Farm Tour…with Santa!
Sungmin Stella Kim, Grade 11
Northwood High School
