Fall is here and most pumpkin patches in Marin and Sonoma counties are celebrating their season openings this weekend. You can find plenty of special opening-weekend acitivites and special events listed below, and you can find the perfect pumpkin patch in which to find your Halloween pumpkins in our 2012 Pumpkin Patch Guide.
Here are our other picks for great events and activities for children and families this weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.
Friday, September 28
Opening Weekend—Petaluma Pumpkin Patch
550 Stony Point Road
Friday and Saturday, 10 am–10 pm and Sunday, 10 am–6pm
This is the one you see off of 101 on your way out of Petaluma. Over 50 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, as well as a 4-acre "a-maze-ing" corn maze (admission $5, 5 and under free; $9 on Friday and Saturday nights 6–10 pm), farm animals, a zip line, weekend pony rides, face painting, jumpy houses and inflatables, food vendors, covered snack area, school tours. Special events include a firemen's day and raffle, 4H bake sales and animal demonstrations, and more. For more info, visit their website.
The Book Place Fall Book Clearance
Grant Avenue, Novato
Friday, 10 am–7 pm and Saturday 10 am–4 pm
Visit the Friends of the Marin County Free Libraries used bookstore for the fall clearance sale. Almost everything in the store will be half-price! Location: The Book Place, 1608 Grant Avenue, Novato. For more info, visit their website.
Parents Night Out
Marinwood Community Center, San Rafael
Friday, 5–9 pm
Drop off the kids and enjoy a night out! While you relax, the kids will be having fun with the Marinwood Camp staff this Saturday evening. This event often sells out—register early! For ages 3–10. Cost: $18; $5 sibling discount. For more info and registration call (415) 479-0775 or visit their website.
Saturday, September 29
Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
Enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo for the kids from 10 am–2 pm, and face painting and arts and crafts from 9 am–2 pm. Scott the Storyteller, 9:30–10:30 am. Live music in the courtyard by Anthony Bello and Boys & Girls from 11 am–2:30 pm. For more info, visit their website.
Fee-Free Day at Muir Woods
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley
Saturday, 9 am–7 pm
Bring the family to visit Muir Woods on a Fee-Free all day. Come and volunteer if you'd like from 9 am–noon and then enjoy the park. Activities include sweeping, weeding and mulching, or covering up social trails. RSVP required; call (415) 388-2596. For more info, visit their website.
Opening Weekend—Peter Pumpkin Patch
Spring Hill Jersey Farm, Petaluma
Saturday & Sunday, 9 am–6 pm
Another one of our all-time favorite pumpkin patches. Pick your own pumpkin, dig for potatoes, take a tractor ride, visit farm animals, taste homemade ice cream and Spring Hill cheese, milk a cow, and get lost in the hay maze. Peter Pumpkin Patch also ofers fresh fruits and vegetables and picnic baskets. Free parking. This is a wonderful and fun pumpkin patch on a real working farm. Don't miss the homemade pumpkin ice cream! Read our review of the 2011 Peter Pumpkin Patch. Location: 4235 Spring Hill Road (off Bodega Ave.). For more info, call (707) 762-3446 or visit their website.
Opening Weekend—Adobe Pumpkin Farm
Petaluma
Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
They offer a gift shop, six-acre corn maze, pumpkin picking, farm animals, haunted houses, food, coffee, flowers, vegetables, a Halloween barn with tons of Halloween decorations, a Christmas shop, and more. 2478 East Washington Street, Petaluma. For more info, call (707) 763-6416 or visit their website.
Blackie's Hay Day
Blackie's Pasture, Tiburon
Saturday, 10 am–3 pm
Blackie's Hay Day has become a community tradition that our children look forward to every year. Designed for children of all ages, Blackie's Hay Day is reminiscent of an old fashioned country fair with pony rides, relay races, toy tractors, jumpies, a climbing wall, live entertainment and more. General admission $10. Children under two are free. For more info, visit their website.
115th Annual Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival
Sonoma Plaza on the Square
Saturday, 10 am–6 pm & Sunday, noon–5:30 pm
The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival is Sonoma Valley’s annual tradition of celebrating the harvest of wine grapes and the yearly crush.California’s oldest festival, this Sonoma tradition is held on the historic town square and is fun for all ages. Festivities include Opening Night Gala, blessing of the grapes, reenactment of the Bear Flag Revolt, firefighters' water fight, grape stomp, parade, tiny tacks race and 5k run-walk. For more info, visit their website.
Nature for Kids: Mount Burdell
Mount Burdell, Novato
Saturday, 10 am–1 pm
As autumn begins we will pay special attention to the ways that the plants and animals around us survive during the hot dry months, and how they get ready for the cold wet season ahead. We’ll talk about the importance of tasty things like berries and acorns, and learn why the animals don’t eat them until fall and winter. This walk is free of charge, no registration is necessary. We request that no animals (except service animals) attend. David Herlocker will lead. Questions: Contact David at (415) 893-9508 or DHerlocker@marincounty.org. Meet at the San Andreas Trailhead. For more info, visit their website.
Wildcare Family Adventures: Beach Family Day
Rodeo Beach
Saturday, 10 am
Enjoy a day at the beach and look for shells, beach hoppers and egrets. We’ll also explore the area around Rodeo Lagoon and look for killdeer, brown pelicans and elusive river otters. Directions: Meet at the Rodeo Beach parking lot at the end of Bunker Road. This event is free. For more info, call (415) 453-1000 x17 or visit their website.
San Francisco Bay Area Birth & Baby Fair
Fort Mason Herbst Pavilion, 99 Marina Blvd.
Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
The San Francisco Birth & Baby Fair is the premier event for new and expecting parents and young families in the SF Bay Area. Enjoy a full day of free educational seminars, demonstrations and specialty shopping. Meet representatives from the local birthing and early parenting community. Watch demonstrations or participate in workshops on cloth diapering, baby sign language, breasfeeding, cord banking, and more! Shop for unique maternity and baby wear, accessories from local designers at one-day-only sale prices. Also enjoy refreshments, a spa lounge with complimentary services for moms and a special play area for kids. General Admission is $8 if purchased online, $10 at the door. Children 18 and under are free. For more info, visit their website.
Electronics Recycling Fundraiser
Pleasant Valley Elementary School, Novato
Saturday, 10 am–2 pm
Gather your old electronics—TVs, computers, laptops, monitors, stereo equipment, cords, cellular phones, iPods, game consoles, digital cameras, and more—and even collect discards from the workplace, friends, and family. Bring these items to the Pleasant Valley School's parking lot on Saturday between 10 am and 2 pm. They will be recycled or reused in an eco-friendly manner, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Pleasant Valley School. No batteries, light bulbs, exercise equipment, or appliances are permitted. Location: 755 Sutro Avenue, Novato. For more info call (415) 897-5104.
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Weekend Family Events for May 18, 19 & 20
Weekend Family Events for September 7, 8 & 9
Father's Day Weekend Events for June 15, 16 & 17
Weekend Family Events for June 1, 2 & 3
Marin Family Events for August 10, 11 & 12
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