The Spooky Vegan: Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch 2014

Happy first day of fall! And what's better than kicking off the first day of the most wonderful season than with a visit to the pumpkin patch? Nothing, that's what!

I visited the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch, the first pumpkin patch to open near me, yesterday! It is located in the Irvine Regional Park on the foothills between Irvine and Orange. Not only was it a perfect way to kick off autumn, but the weather was gloriously gloomy to boot!

The Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch is geared more towards little kids, but I like going anyway since they have boo-tiful pumpkins and a lovely location. This isn't a real pumpkin patch where pumpkins are grown (they just truck pumpkins in and arrange them all around), but for some reason I still love it! They have a cute little train that runs around the park, lots of huge shady trees, pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, and adorable little western-style houses they adorn with Halloween decorations! They also have lots of games that kids can play, as well as bounce houses, and some other attractions geared towards kids.

To get into the pumpkin patch, you have to pay a fee to enter Irvine Regional Park, which is $5 for the day. I usually just go for the pumpkin patch, but there are lots of other things to do in the park as well, like hiking, horseback riding, etc. The park tends to get rather crowded, so I like arriving a little earlier than the pumpkin patch opens (10 am) to avoid the crowds and to get parking close to the pumpkin patch. I also like getting there early to avoid the hordes of children and families that descend on this place, but that's just because I'm not fond of either (I wish there was an adult-only pumpkin patch).

Nevertheless, Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch is a fun trip that is worth the drive! Pack a picnic and stay a while, and soak in the pumpkin-y goodness of this patch!

More pics below for you to enjoy this first day of autumn!