Five Great Places to Score Great Pumpkins

The Great Pumpkin Patch at 1301 Mission Street offers a variety of specialty pumpkins from private growers north of Santa Cruz on Hwy 1.  The selection includes Japanese Ninja pumpkins which are great to cook,  an orange and green variety called Kakai and of course, sugar pie pumpkins typically used for baked dishes including traditional pumpkin pie.

Ghost pumpkins are festive along with light grey pumpkins that are named after 'the picture of Dorian Gray,' by Oscar Wild.

The patch offers a convenient location for West Siders and was creatively decorated by 'Edith Meyer' the famous wedding cake and dessert maker.

Adam Davidow, 39 and wife Ondine Vierra have been a part of the pumpkin business for 28 years. Vierra's family has run the West Side pumpkin patch since 1984. The family will reluctantly retire the location at the end of this year after their holiday Christmas tree lot ends and Sutter Medical takes over the property. Their other location in Soquel Village is expected to thrive.

Donations are made annually to the center of the blind.

Pumpkins and festive holiday Indian Corn range from 50 cents to $20.

Live Oak Pumpkin Patch located at Brommer and 17th Avenue is a kids' pumpkin paradise. There are live bunnies, a huge jump house and even a rope swing. The kids crafts table is an added draw to little ones. The Furlanic family who runs Live Oak Pumpkin Patch can say that their farm is one "that is not scary."

Pumpkins range from .49 to .69 cents a pound. They are provided by local farms near Half Moon Bay and are open from 10am to 9pm every day.

Don't miss the chickens arriving soon at the patch and staying through Halloween for added liveliness and entertainment.

Visit www.furlanic.com for pumpkin recipes and coupons.

Pumpkins for Recovery, is part of an annual fundraiser put on by the nonprofit New Life Community Service. The organization is a drug and recovery center since 1974 that is located on the corner of Fair and Deleware.

The pumpkin patch is at the busy intersection of Thurber and Soquel Avenue. Kids are thrilled to have a face painter on location while they discover their perfect jack-o-lantern. Family's happily leave the patch with their ideal pumpkin and souvenier on their face, while parents can feel good about donating to an important cause that benefits the communities health.

Pumpkins range from $1 for the smallest to around $25 for the largest. Speciality pumpkins are also available. 

San Juan charity of the community has earned nearly a $100,000 for educational facilities and nonprofits since it started in 1992.  The quaint neighborhood pumpkin patch has raised significant funds for charities simply at the request of providing donations for 'free' pumpkins.

Originally founded by Greg Lopez in 1992, the annual pumpkin festival has made great progress in enriching the community through donations.

The pumpkins are provided by growers John and Mark Lavagnino off of Hwy's 129 and 101.

The patch has been relocated next door to Lopez at 718 San Juan Ave, to the residence of John and Leslie Greathouse. Family members are local Cub Scouts who help make this fundraiser live on.

 La Roma Farms at Soquel and 41st Avenue is another hot spot for kids to run amok in a pumpkin patch paradise. The Dora jumphouse and haystack tunnels add to the attraction. Pumpkins ranging from .50 to $20. each are provided by a growers near Davenport and contributions are made to Holy Cross and some local schools along with the Capitola Village Halloween costume parade taking place this Sunday, October 30.