Autumn Activities in the Merced Area
As autumn arrives, the Merced area and surrounding regions are filled with exciting activities that celebrate the season. From pumpkin patches to corn mazes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Large farms across the region are hosting a variety of events, making it a perfect time for families to gather and have fun.
Dell’Ossio Family Farm
Dell’Ossio Family Farm in Lathrop is open from October 3 to October 31. This farm offers over 20 attractions, including corn mazes, a haunted house, train rides, hayrides, and a new Thrill Hill attraction. Additional activities such as mini golf, Teeny Town, pig races, and pumpkin painting are available for an extra fee. The farm also has food, merchandise, and pumpkins for sale. Hours are from noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. Special Halloween hours are from noon to 5 p.m., with last entry at 3:30 p.m. Admission prices vary from $23.95 to $32.95, with free entry for children under 2 years old. A season pass costs $85. The address is 501 Manthey Road, Lathrop. For more information, visit pumpkinmaze.com.
Fantozzi Farms Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
Fantozzi Farms in Patterson is open through November 2. This farm features a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a corn kernel pit, a hay pyramid, and pedal kart raceways. Additional activities such as corn cannons, a zombie paintball shooting range, and cow train rides are available for an extra fee. A haunted maze is open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The farm is open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays. On weekends, it is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $15 on Fridays and Sundays, with free entry for children under 2 years old. A season pass costs $40. The address is 2665 Sperry Ave., Patterson. Visit www.fantozzifarms.com for more details.
Hunter Farms
Hunter Farms in Atwater is open from September 27 to November 2. This farm offers a variety of activities, including corn and hay mazes, a Dino Ranch, a barnyard bounce pillow, hayrides, a time travel tractor, Billykens’ Blasters shooting gallery, a corn chute, zip-bee, and pig derby. An additional $10 fee allows visitors to explore Hunter Farms Mining Co., where they can search for gemstones, crystals, and artifacts. Rides and activity hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays, and starting October 8, 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays. Admission ranges from $17 to $20, with a season pass costing $38. The address is 2985 N. Southern Pacific Ave., Atwater. For more information, visit www.hunterfamilyfarms.com.
Irwin Acres
Irwin Acres in Hilmar is open from October 1 to October 31. This farm features a six-acre corn maze with activities such as wagon rides, a spooky barn, pumpkin launchers, a haystack hill, tire mountain, cornhole, and bounce houses. The farm is open from noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. It is closed on Mondays. Admission is between $8 and $10, with $7 on Wednesdays. The address is 7706 Irwin St., Hilmar. Contact them at 209-678-3242 for more details.
R.A.M. Farms
R.A.M. Farms in Turlock is open from October 3 to November 2. This farm features a corn maze with additional Freaky Flashlight Nights on Fridays and Saturdays, where visitors can bring their own flashlights. Other attractions include a scary shed, a tractor corral, and a hay maze. Halloween video clips are shown nightly. Wandering the pumpkin patch is free, while corn maze tickets cost between $10 and $12. The farm is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. On Sundays, it is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The address is 716 N. Daubenberger Road, Turlock. Visit ramfarms.com for more information.
Vista Ranch
Vista Ranch in Merced is open from October 1 to October 30. This farm features a small corn maze leading into a pumpkin field. On weekends, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., site-made pizza is available for purchase, and live music is offered for free in the pumpkin patch picnic area. The ranch also offers wine tastings for $8 per glass or $14 for four varietals. The ranch and wine tasting room are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission to the corn maze is $5. The address is 7326 E. Highway 140, Merced. Contact them at 209-722-8200 for more details.
