10/3/09

Arata Pumpkin Farm

Today we went to Arata's Pumpkin Farm in Half Moon Bay, about 30 minutes south of SF down Highway 1.

So many pumpkins...

Arata Pumpkin Farm

Arata Pumpkin Farm

Arata Pumpkin Farm

Arata Pumpkin Farm

Arata Pumpkin Farm

Arata Pumpkin Farm

And so many different kinds...

Arata Pumpkin Farm

Arata Pumpkin Farm

Arata Pumpkin Farm

Some were especially bright

Arata Pumpkin Farm

But my group most admired the famously slate blue-grey Jarrahdales. Aren't they lovely?

Arata Pumpkin Farm

The warty kind make great jack-o'-lanterns.

Arata Pumpkin Farm

Arata Pumpkin Farm

But, alas. We are traditionalists.

Arata Pumpkin Farm

What is the golden ornament you ask? Well, it wasn't all about pumpkins...

Arata Pumpkin Farm

We actually came for the straw labyrinth. I've always wanted to visit a real labyrinth.

Arata Pumpkin Farm

Arata Pumpkin Farm

"Available June through November, the labyrinth, made of 10,000+ straw bales, covers approximately 2.5 acres and is in its 6th year of construction. Every year boasts a different design with spirals, concentric circles and arenas with multiple games, corridors, and hallways."


Arata Pumpkin Farm

We were told it could take an hour, but with Guy at point it took about 15 minutes.

Arata Pumpkin Farm

I loved all the big halls

IMG_4170

And secret doors. When you push a door open, you "create a new opening to your path...[and] close off someone else's."

Arata Pumpkin Farm

This was the most fun I've had in weeks! I did it twice. (You only have to pay once.)

Arata Pumpkin Farm

I found the minotaur on my second try! He gave me a golden pumpkin.

Arata Pumpkin Farm

Other attractions include the following:

Arata Pumpkin Farm

I'm sorry we didn't tour the Haunted Barn, which a brochure describes as 5000-7000 square feet of "complete darkness with lighted props propelled by air and appearing out of nowhere to haunt you. It is guaranteed to scare or startle you, so we ask little ones be accompanied by adults." I'm sorry we missed it!

But we couldn't pass up the petting zoo, which was mostly just a goat pen.

"Arata Pumpkin Farm"

"Arata Pumpkin Farm"

"Arata Pumpkin Farm"

Cuties!

9 comments:

red studio said...

Love all the great pumpkin photos. Thank you for solving the mystery of the Jarrahdale pumpkin. Allison at ATastefulGarden would like to plant them.

Chris Kreussling (Flatbush Gardener) said...

Blog Widow and I love goats. We're hoping to make the trip upstate in two weeks for the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival.

The straw bale maze is a great idea! I've never heard of one before.

A local heirloom pumpkin is known as the Long Island Cheese, similar to the Jarrahdale. It's preferred for making pumpkin pie.

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Oh that looks so fun!! I bet you had a blast! Cool you got the golden pumpkin too!! I love goats! We had one for a while she was a sweetie(-:

Frances said...

I had to guffaw at the shot of your take home in the car trunk, Chuck. After showing the abundance of pumpkins, the second shot is amazing!, to have the plain 'ole orange standby and the mysterious golden globe, they looked pretty lonely in the car. Glad you got a shot of the minotaur man. We have corn mazes here, all over the place out here in the country, but I like the idea of your straw bales with movable doors. Next time you must go to the haunted barn. :-)
Frances

Christopher C. NC said...

All these pumpkins that have been showing up of late have me thinking I may be forced to expand the roadside vegetable garden again. Or I could give up on the cantaloupe, a heart breaking waste of space for mini melons with like two scoop.

Kay said...

Fantastic post. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

Trina said...

gorgeous photos! i really want to go and try out the labyrinth! Looks awesome!

Kirsten said...

Attracttoins?

This looks awesome. Ever since the Cardoza Ranch in Petaluma was sold to the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (which, frankly, I'm stoked about) - I've been looking for a cool new place to get my Halloween cucurbits. Thanks for the link!

Unknown said...

I love the second picture Chuck- can we say Children of the Corn? Looks like fun!