Fun Central Coast pumpkin patch opens
Looking for the best pumpkin patch in San Luis Obispo County? This is the place!
A tree house at the San Luis Obispo County pumpkin patch.
With over three acres of pumpkins, a corn maze, the haunted Lost Dutchman’s Mine and critters galore, My Granny’s Gardens at San Marcos Ranch is a Central Coast pumpkin patch offering up fun for the entire family from Sept. 28 through Oct. 31. Farm-fresh produce, a huge corn maze, haunted Lost Dutchman’s Mine, picnic grounds and farm animals mean fun for the whole family.
Carolyn Davis, better known as “Granny,” and David Poer, aka “Granddad,” are entering their third year of offering visitors a unique tour of their picturesque ranch – with its scenic lake, walking paths and more than 135 varieties of squash and gourds ripe for the picking at their pumpkin farm in Paso Robles. They could not be more thrilled to welcome old and new friends this season.
“When I hear the laughter of the kids coming from the lake down toward the barn, I know that we are open – it’s just the best,” Davis said. With a theme geared toward family fun, everyone is sure to have a grand time at My Granny’s Gardens, from the youngest tikes to the young at heart.
Fun farm animals
Kids ages 2-6 will delight in driving through the twists and turns of the Straw Maze in electric carts and kids of all ages will enjoy visiting the assortment of critters, from tiny horses to very big birds. “We have an emu and lots of miniature horses,” Davis said. “We have Jacob sheep, miniature donkeys and all sorts of fun animals for everyone to see.”
Farm fresh pumpkins and vegetables
The pumpkin patch offers up a massive assortment of – what else – pumpkins! Looking for a huge, itty bitty, tall and skinny, striped, blue, red, white, warty or a plain ole orange pumpkin? With over three acres of pumpkins, squashes and gourds to choose from, the Pumpkin Patch has an ample supply of delicious varieties for your cooking and decorating needs.
“The crops are continually getting ripe throughout the season, so no matter when you come out to the ranch there is always something delightful to choose from,” Davis said. “We have a great assortment, including some very rare selections in our Epicurean Corner. We have it all – but I lean towards what is delicious and unique.”
Pumpkin toss and more
Don’t forget to take part in the Pumpkin Toss – prizes are handed out to anyone who participates. Every week the highest score in each age group wins a T-shirt. Find peppers, tomatoes, indian corn and more in the Vegetable Garden and walk across bridges, past waterfalls and a trickling brook leading to the secret home of the Gargoyles in the Herb Garden. The wacky, witchy, wonderful corn maze, with turns and surprises around every corner, is fun for all ages. Solve a puzzle and earn a prize from the Witch’s Cauldron.
Haunted mine
For the most daring visitors, the Lost Dutchman’s Mine, rumored to be haunted by the Old Dutchman that entered the mine 100 years ago seeking gold, delivers thrills, shrills and chills. “The mine is too scary for little guys, but it really is a lot of fun,” Davis said.
Skeleton George
Not to be missed – Skeleton George – a rascally sort of guy sporting a cowboy hat, boots and sunglasses who likes to jump around to different locations throughout the ranch every week. “He’s always doing something different, he might be driving a tractor or up in the tree house,” Davis said. “So we’ll ask, ‘where’s George?’ and if the kids can tell us they will get a prize.”
Family run pumpkin farm
Alongside Granny and Granddad, Davis’ son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Lisa Davis and their children, Skye and Sloane, lend a hand to ensure the success of Granny’s Gardens each year. Another son, Scott, as well as daughter, Summer Barnes and her husband Pat Barnes, and her children, Mace and Makenna, are residents of Southern California and assist with the website and occasional visits to the property as well. “This has been a lot of fun to do as a family,” Davis said.
Entrance is free
Fun corn maze at the pumpkin patch.
Entrance into this Central Coast pumpkin patch is free. Individual tickets for purchases or activities are just $3, or $65 for a book of 24 and $125 for two books (48 tickets). School group discounts available Monday – Friday. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch or snacks for their journey out to the ranch. Bottled water, juices and packaged snacks are available for purchase.
For a sneak peek at Granny’s Gardens, including maps for the Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch as well as personal notes from Granny on vegetable varietals, check out http://www.mygrannysgardens.com. Grab a flyer at the Paso Robles Rabobank location and various businesses throughout Paso Robles for a coupon good for a free pumpkin during the opening weekend.
More photos, videos and updates will be featured in the Paso Robles Daily News after the pumpkin patch opens.
Granny’s Gardens at San Marco Ranch is located 7 miles north of downtown Paso Robles and will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28 through Oct. 31. Take Highway 101 north to the San Marcos Road exit, then drive 1 mile west to 775 San Marcos Road. For more information or to make a reservations for groups of 12 or larger, send an email to mygrannysgardens@gmail.com or leave a message at (805) 467-3315.
Press release by San Luis Obispo web design and online marketing firm, Access Publishing, 607 Creston Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446. (805) 226-9890.
