Open mid-September through the first week in November, Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon sprawls across fields of thousands of pick-your-own pumpkins where you can walk your dog on leash while hunting for the perfect one to carve or display. The place has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records and shows up regularly in national media coverage, which tells you something about the scale of what they’ve built here.

The corn maze is worth tackling with your dog—the open layout means your pup can move around more freely than in a typical maze, and the autumn setting is genuinely nice. Beyond the picking and maze work, there’s a full lineup of hayrides, farm games, and photo spots scattered across the property. The combination of open fields, the smell of fresh-cut corn, and all the activity tends to keep dogs engaged without overwhelming them.

The landscape itself works well for dogs. Those golden corn stalks and vibrant pumpkin fields make for great photos, and there’s enough space that dogs don’t feel cramped moving between different activity areas. The friendly atmosphere means you’ll see plenty of other dogs around, so if yours enjoys socializing, there’s usually opportunity for that.

Bring water and a bowl since you’ll be out in the sun for hours, and wear shoes that can handle uneven ground—pumpkin fields aren’t manicured lawns. The crowds can get substantial on weekends, especially closer to Halloween, so arriving early gives you more room to move around with your dog and pick through pumpkins before things get hectic. Dogs tend to handle the early-morning visits better anyway, before the midday heat builds up. Check their website for the current year’s hours and any updates to their dog policy before making the drive from Sacramento or the Bay Area.