Fall hayrides are a classic way to celebrate the season, and Orange County has several farm and pumpkin-patch experiences where families can climb aboard a wagon or tractor ride. This 2026 guide focuses first on hayrides in Orange County, then expands to worthwhile options nearby, including traditional farm wagon rides and a haunted hayride.
Dates, prices and reservation requirements can change, especially for weather-dependent farm events. Check the official event website before making the drive.
2026 Hayrides at a Glance
| Fall Attraction | Location | 2026 Season | Ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch | Irvine | Opens Sept. 12 | Farm tractor/wagon experience |
| Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch | Orange | Sept. 12–Oct. 31 | Wagon ride |
| Hana Field Pumpkin Patch | Costa Mesa | Oct. 3–Nov. 1 | Cow train; not a traditional hayride |
| Underwood Family Farms | Moorpark | Sept. 26–Oct. 31 | Tractor-drawn wagon ride |
| Cal Poly Pomona PumpkinFest | Pomona | Weekends Oct. 10–31 | Hay wagon ride |
| Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Farm | Escondido | Sept. 25–Oct. 31 | Tractor hay-wagon |
| Los Angeles Haunted Hayride | Los Angeles | Halloween season | Haunted hayride |
Hayrides in Orange County
Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch – Irvine
Address: 5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
2026 season: Opens September 12
Reservations: Required
Official Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch information
Tanaka Farms is one of Orange County’s best-known working farms and a longtime fall destination. The 2026 Irvine Pumpkin Patch opens September 12. September hours are daily from 9 AM to 6 PM, with last entry at 5 PM. In October, hours are Monday–Thursday from 9 AM to 6 PM and Friday–Sunday from 9 AM to 9 PM, weather permitting.
Reservations are required for the pumpkin patch. Tanaka’s seasonal farm experiences include tractor/wagon transportation through the working farm, along with pumpkins and other fall activities. Because specific activities and ticket packages can vary, confirm what is included when booking. Closed-toe or comfortable farm-appropriate shoes are a good idea, and visitors should bring refillable drinking water. See our full Tanaka Farms guide for more about the farm.
Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch – Orange
Address: 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Dates: September 12–October 31, 2026
Weekdays: 10 AM–6 PM
Weekends: 8 AM–6 PM
Official Pumpkin Patch information
The Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch inside Irvine Regional Park offers a family-friendly wagon ride along with train rides, pumpkins and fall activities. The important change for 2026 is the new weekend reservation system.
- September 12–20: No reservations required.
- Weekdays throughout the event: No reservations required.
- Weekends September 26–October 31: Reservations are required for Pumpkin Patch entry.
- Weekend reservation price: $16–$22 per person over 12 months, depending on date and time. The reservation includes Pumpkin Patch entry and your choice of a wagon ride or train ride.
- Activity tickets: $8 each or $100 for a book of 15.
- Park vehicle fee: $3 weekdays, $5 weekends and $7 holidays.
Weekend reservations go on sale September 9, 2026, online only. The reservation system is intended to reduce overcrowding, so families who traditionally arrive without planning should pay particular attention to the new rules this year.
Tanaka Farms Hana Field Pumpkin Patch – Costa Mesa
Address: 427 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Dates: October 3–November 1, 2026
Regular hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 AM–6 PM; last entry 5 PM
Reservations: Required; 2026 tickets go on sale September 14
Official Hana Field information
Hana Field is Tanaka Farms’ separate Costa Mesa location at the corner of Sunflower Avenue and Anton Boulevard. It is worth including for Orange County families looking for a fall farm experience, but note that the currently announced attraction is a cow train rather than a traditional hayride. Other 2026 activities include pumpkins fresh off the vines, flower picking, the Jurassic Fright Corn Maze, pumpkin launching and farm animals.
- General admission: $23 Wednesday–Thursday; $27 Friday–Sunday.
- Children 2 and under: Free admission.
- Parking: Free Wednesday–Thursday; $12 per vehicle Friday–Sunday.
- Opening day, October 3: Special hours 9 AM–6 PM, with last entry at 5 PM.
- Payment: Hana Field is cashless.
Hayrides Near Orange County
Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival – Moorpark
Address: 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, CA 93021
Dates: September 26–October 31, 2026
Hours: 9 AM–6 PM
Official Fall Harvest Festival information
Underwood Family Farms is farther from Orange County but one of the strongest traditional farm options on this list. Tractor-drawn wagon rides are included with Fall Harvest Festival admission, along with the corn maze, gigantic pumpkin patch and entry to the Pick Your Own fields. Farm animals and tractor-pulled wagon rides are offered daily during the festival.
Weekday admission in October is $16 and sold at the gate. Weekend tickets are sold online and vary by date; advance purchase is strongly recommended because same-day walk-ins are not guaranteed. Children under 2 and parking are free.
Cal Poly Pomona PumpkinFest – Pomona
Address: 4102 S. University Drive, Pomona, CA 91768
2026 festival: Weekends October 10–31, 10 AM–7 PM
Official PumpkinFest information
Cal Poly Pomona’s PumpkinFest at Kellogg Ranch combines a university-grown pumpkin patch with agricultural attractions. The hay wagon ride tours the Discovery Farm around the corn maze and growing fields and is pulled by an antique tractor maintained and driven by members of the Western Antique Power Associates. Hay wagon rides close at 6 PM. Other attractions include corn mazes, a petting farm, pumpkins and the Moo Moo Cow Train. Check the official ticket page for current 2026 admission details before visiting.
Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Farm – Escondido
Address: 13421 Highland Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92128
Dates: September 25–October 31, 2026
Admission and parking: Free; attractions priced separately
Official Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Farm information
This San Diego County farm has a tractor hay-wagon ride for $5 per person, plus an 8-foot-tall corn maze, petting zoo, train ride, pumpkin farm and sunflower fields. The hayride and corn maze close at 6 PM because the attractions are in the field without nighttime lighting. The farm is open 9 AM–6 PM September 25–October 8 and 9 AM–7 PM October 9–31.
Haunted Hayrides Near Orange County
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride – Griffith Park
Location: Griffith Park, Los Angeles
Official Los Angeles Haunted Hayride website
The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is the adult/scary alternative to the family farm rides above, combining a nighttime hayride with actors, sets and other Halloween attractions. It is generally recommended for ages 12 and older. The 2026 operating calendar and ticket details should be confirmed on the official site once released; do not rely on previous-year dates or parking instructions.
Orange County Hayride FAQ
Where can you go on a hayride in Orange County?
For 2026, Irvine Park Railroad in Orange offers a wagon ride as part of its Pumpkin Patch, while Tanaka Farms in Irvine offers seasonal tractor/wagon farm experiences. Hana Field in Costa Mesa is another Tanaka Farms fall attraction, although its announced ride is a cow train rather than a traditional hayride.
Does Irvine Park Railroad have a hayride?
Yes. Irvine Park Railroad offers a wagon ride during its Pumpkin Patch. On select 2026 weekends, reservations are required and include entry plus either a wagon ride or train ride.
Do Orange County hayrides require reservations?
Some do. Tanaka Farms requires reservations for its 2026 Irvine Pumpkin Patch. Irvine Park Railroad requires reservations on weekends from September 26 through October 31, while weekdays and September 12–20 do not require them.
Which hayride is best for young children?
Irvine Park Railroad, Tanaka Farms and Underwood Family Farms are family-oriented choices. The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is designed as a scary Halloween attraction and is generally recommended for ages 12 and older.
Are there haunted hayrides near Orange County?
Yes. The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride in Griffith Park is the best-known dedicated haunted hayride near Orange County. Check the official website for the current 2026 schedule and tickets.