Tolay pumpkin patch marin

Tolay Lake Regional Park is a great place to visit, even if the festival isn't underway—hike miles of trails, visit farm animals, have a picnic, and more. Read about our visit to the park here. The Sonoma Regional Parks Department keeps the spirit of the old Cardoza pumpkin patch alive by holding the annual Tolay Fall Festival , now in its 13th year.

This popular event takes place over two weekends in October, October 12—13 and October 19—20, from 11 am—5 pm. In addition to Halloween pumpkins in the huge pumpkin patch, the festival features a plentiful harvest of gourds, squash, multi-colored corn, and other produce, as well as a pumpkin seed-spitting contest, ranger-led hay rides, a giant straw maze, a Native American village with demonstrations, the Night Time Creatures Barn with the Creepy Crawly Critters Room, live animals, nature hikes, old-fashioned crafts , lawn games, and more.

For our family, it's a must-visit event every fall, and we'll be there again this weekend. Highlights for us include the hands-on traditional farm acitivites for kids, like making corn-husk dolls and candle dipping, and the Night Time Creatures Barn, where we can get up close and personal with a variety of nocturnal critters, including the park's resident barn owls.

There's almost too much to do! The "Hay Market" area also offers gourds, specialty pumpkins, and other winter squash for sale. Wheelbarrows are available to help you get your pumpkins back to your car. There's almost too much to do at the Tolay Fall Festival, so you'll probably end up spending most of the day there.

The entire event is very well organized and staffed by friendly park employees, rangers, and volunteers. You can bring your lunch and eat at one of the many picnic tables on the grounds, or you can buy reasonably priced food from a variety of booths and food trucks. Offerings at the festival include Mexican and soul food, hot dogs, organic ice cream from Three Twins, and funnel cakes. It's well worth the price! Sonoma Regional Parks members get a one-time free admission for two adults and two children, plus free parking.

To get there, take Highway to Highway 37 east in Novato, and follow Highway 37 until you get to the intersection with Lakeville Highway. Turn left onto Lakeville Highway at the stop light and head north until you get to Cannon Lane you'll see signs for the festival. Turn right onto Cannon Lane, and follow it up the hill and over until you get to the park gate. The paved road ends here; follow the signs downhill into the park.

Note that the dirt farm road here can be pretty rough in spots, so take care, especially on exiting the park. On the way out, you can take in a sweeping panorama of the Petaluma River and the surrounding wetlands. This annual festival is super fun and a great family excursion. Activities include wool-carding, candle-dipping, gunnysack races and a straw maze.

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