Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch 2020

This year's visit to Bates Nut Farm was...different. Masks were required, hand sanitizer dispensers were scattered about and there were limited activities and food vendors onsite. It was a such a stark contrast from the year before when the farm was packed full of people, inflatable slides and vendors. To be honest, I didn't mind. I liked the toned down, quiet time we spent at the farm just checking out the pumpkins and feeding the farm animals. It was really nice for us to get out and enjoy some time together while safely social distancing from other visitors. I always enjoy watching the boys explore the pumpkin fields, testing their strength by pushing and trying to pick up the big gourds. Every time we take the boys out, we do a careful calculation of the risk and benefits of going out in public. I'm happy to report that this outing was well worth it! I hope you enjoy these photos of our annual visit to Bates. 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

Bates Nut Farm

15954 Woods Valley Road

Valley Center, CA 92802

[This entire outfit is hand me downs from his big bro]

[The boys absolutely LOVED monkeying around with the wheel barrel]

[Gosh he's growing up so fast]

[So glad I made Tuan take a solo photo. We have so few photos of just ourselves with no kids.]

[Simultaneously terrified and curious]

[Parker is famous with the goats]

 

Bate's Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch 2019

Making new memories at our annual visit to the Bates pumpkin patch. This year, it was even more of a circus! More bounce houses, more vendors, more expensive ($80 for a Family Fun Day package). After snapping some photos in the Big Mac patch, we went through the straw maze, enjoyed a hayride and the boys enjoyed the super slide. Personally, it's getting a little too crowded for me. I'm considering breaking with tradition next year but until then, enjoy these pics! 

Hello, Gourd-geous: 2018 Visit to Bates Nut Farm

Happy first day of October, Readers! I've been looking forward to this month all year and am planning to immerse myself in all things pumpkin + Halloween until I bleed orange. October this year means the final countdown to baby Harrison's arrival, Pokemon costume making, spookifying our house and the start of some intense trash talking with my family as we prepare for our annual pumpkin carving contest.  

Yesterday, we drove out to Valley Center for our annual visit to Bates Nut Farm. The fields of Big Macs were much more impressive and plentiful this year and we did something different. Contrary to the advice I have been giving you for years, we visited at the end of the day, right before closing, and it was fantastic! 1. No parking fee 2. Less crowded 3. Better lighting for photos! This time next year, Parker will be posing with his baby brother and I am so ready for it. If you are looking some fun Fall activities to do around town, check out my Fall bucket list! Happy Fall, ya'll.

Outfit details:

Tee: Old Navy

Flannel: H&M 

Jeans: H&M

Shoes: Zara Kids

[1 more month until I pop!]

Annual Bates Nut Farm Visit 2017

I remember the first time we took Parker to Bates Nut Farm to see the big macs. He was barely standing and we had to lean him against the big macs to get the shots. He was shorter than some of the pumpkins! Fast forward to 2017, and my now 4 year old could barely stand still for a photo. He wanted to run through the fields, pick up the pumpkins and was totally distracted by the tractor rides. I started this blog as a public diary of our journey through parenthood in San Diego. Annual traditions like visiting Bates are reminders of how far we've come as parents and how Parker growing into a handsome, independent little boy. 

2016

2015

2014

2013

Bates Nut Farm

15954 Woods Valley Road

Valley Center, CA 92802

Mom tips:

-Sunblock, water and closed toe shoes are a must.

-Bring quarters if you want to buy corn to feed to animals.

-Bates now charges a $5 cash only parking fee

-The number of vendors and food trucks has increased significantly. Woo hoo!

-We visiting late in the season this year and most of the big macs were already gone. There were still plenty of pumpkins though!

Bates Nut Farm 2016

Every fall we make the trek out to Valley Center to visit the pumpkin patch at Bates Nut Farm. It has become a tradition for us that I look forward to. I love seeing the fields of Big Macs, bins of pumpkins and the hodgepodge collection of animals. Bates is one of the best pumpkin patches in town and this year it's grown quite a bit. There is now  $5 parking fee and more booths selling goods and food than I have ever seen before. If you are looking for an authentic Fall experience in San Diego, go visit Bates Nut Farm.

Right before writing this post, a friend told me she calls it Nates Butt Farm and now I can't get it out of my head! Hahaha. Take a stroll down memory lane by checking out these photos from 2013, 2014 and 2015. 

[The highlight of Parker's day was finding a lady bug on one of the pumpkins.]

[Yup. Same size as his head.]