From picking apples to pumpkins, here are 7 Fresno County farms celebrating fall
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- Fresno County farms offer fall activities: apple picking and pumpkin hunts.
- Orchard at Meadow Lakes opens weekends through November, sells apples and goods.
- Local producers in the Valley operate sunflower stands and family-friendly patches.
It may not be sweater weather just yet, but that hasn’t stopped Fresno County small farmers from preparing their ranches for fall-friendly activities.
As one of the leading agricultural regions in the world, the central San Joaquin Valley leads the way in supplying the nation with fruits, nuts and vegetables. But there’s also no shortage of small farm experiences for adults and families throughout the year.
The fall offers people the opportunity to venture into the county region’s foothills to pick apples from one of the oldest orchards in the region or hunt for the perfect pumpkin in one of the many local pumpkin patches.
The Orchard at Meadow Lakes is about an hour from Fresno and grows several varieties of apples including the classically sweet Golden Delicious, the firm and crisp Mutsu, the sweet-tart flesh of an Empire and the robust tang of an Arkansas Black.
Currently, the farm has Golden Delicious, Empire and Mutsu available for picking. The Orchard also features a quaint country store that sells gift items including local honey, freshly squeezed apple juice, home made jelly, and baked goods.
The Orchard is open from late May through November, Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is located at 41270 Auberry Road in Auberry.
In the Valley, you will find one of the more unique agriculture destinations near Sanger called the Sunflower Farm Stand.
Farmer Michael Strambi has turned his parcel of land at 18266 E. Kings Canyon Road in Sanger into a festival of activities. Strambi’s farm, just off of Highway 180 and Reed Avenue, has a little of everything including a field of blooming sunflowers, an heirloom corn maze, a pumpkin patch, hay rides, fresh fruit and a pumpkin launcher.
Strambi describes the launcher as a giant sling shot for pumpkins. All of the activities on the farm are free with the exception of the pumpkin launcher that cost’s $5. And if you want to take home a sunflower, it’s $2 a stem.
The Sunflower Farm Stand is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other fall activities can be found throughout the Fresno County area, especially for those who love pumpkins.
One of the longest-running pumpkin patches is at the Hillcrest Pumpkin Patch in Reedley. The farm features a variety of traditional pumpkins and heirloom varieties for sale. You can also take a train ride or a hay ride around the ranch that also sells Christmas Trees later in the season.
The Hillcrest Pumpkin Patch is open on weekends, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through October 26. There is an entrance fee of $10 per car and the farm is located just north of Reedley on 6943 S. Reed Ave.
Sweet Thistle Farms is a cut flower and pumpkin farm at the base of the foothills in Clovis. The farm features a u-pick pumpkin patch with 17 varieties of pumpkins. There are also hayrides, a kids activity area, fall photo backdrops, and food trucks. Local goat cheese is also available at the farm stand.
The pumpkin patch at 5365 N. Mendocino Ave. is open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Oct. 4 through Oct. 26.
Tucked along the San Joaquin River, is the 25-acre River Ranch Pumpkin Patch.
The spacious ranch is home to a wide selection of pumpkins from mini to hefty. There are also pony rides, pygmy goats, a food court, hay rides, and games for kids.
The River Ranch is located at 8906 W. Herndon Ave. Fresno, west of Highway 99. The pumpkin patch is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Oct. 26.
Wild Patch Pumpkins at Bullard Avenue and Highway 168 is open for the season. The self-described mom and pop operation has more than 20 different kinds of pumpkins to chose from and in all shapes, sizes and colors.
There will be food trucks, giveaways and activities for the children.
The pumpkin patch at 225 W. Bullard Ave. in Clovis is open Monday-Friday, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The Harvest Patch in Clovis is a favorite among families and it’s also pet friendly. Admission is free and the pumpkin patch includes a variety of pumpkins for carving and specialty pumpkins for decorating. There is also a corn maze and a boutique filled with handmade items from local small businesses.
The Harvest Patch at 5019 N Gaynor Ave. is open daily from Sept. 26-Oct. 31. The hours are 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Friday, the hours are 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. And on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, 11 p.m. to 6 p.m.
This story was originally published October 10, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
