For families looking for an alternative to trick-or-treating on Halloween, Swank Farms will have its Corn Maze and Conover Mystery Ranch Open for a special weeknight edition Wednesday, with daytime activities open at 10 a.m. and evening activities open at 6 p.m. The farm includes the haunted ranch deep in the corn field for those looking for a spooky time as well as activities that are more suitable to the more faint of heart, such as the Kiddy Corral. Kids can play on a giant jumping pillow, use a pumpkin sling shot or take a ride on a cow train, among other activities.
Casa de Fruta’s Pumpkin Junction will also be open on Halloween, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will be open through Nov. 4. Children can visit a teepee where they learn about Native Americans and the Barnyard Theater, where they can watch a short film on animals and pumpkins, or ride a carousel. A train will also be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends.
Both locations have hosted field trips throughout the month of October for local school children and were also open to the general public.
Swank Farms
2600 San Felipe Road, Hollister:
Open Tuesday and Wednesday for day time activities from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a weeknight offering of the evening activities on Oct. 31 starting at 6 p.m. (normally offered just on weekends.)
Admission to the Kiddy Corral and Spookley Maze Pass is $6, $10 for a daytime Maniac Maze Pass, with combo passes available. Pedal Karts, cow train, giant jumping pillow and some other activities are offered for an additional fee. Admission to the evening Nightime Maniac Maze is $16, or $25 for both the maze and the haunted Conover mystery ranch. Combo passes are available and some other activities are offered for an additional fee.
For full details, visit www.swankfarms.com or call 637-4704.
Pumpkin Junction
10031 Pacheco Pass Highway, Hollister:
Open through Nov. 4, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. admission is free for those who want to visit the pumpkin patch, teepee or scarecrows. The train is open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets for the train are $4.50, $2.50 for the carousel, $3 for sluice, or $5 for adventure sluice. A fun pass includes all three activities for $7. Field trips with a tour guide are available for $9 and will lead children through seven activities.
For full details, visit www.casadefruta.com or call 408-842-7282.
