Best Corn And Hay Mazes Near The Peninsula
Not as plentiful as local pumpkin patches, corn and hay mazes in the Peninsula area can be tough to track down. For those willing to venture a little further, we have tracked down five of the best area mazes to get lost in for some festive fall fun. Running the gamut from toddler-friendly to terrifying, these labyrinthian structures provide a harvest-time challenge for all ages. Here are five top picks for the best corn and hay mazes near the Peninsula.
Arata Pumpkin Farm
185 Verde Road
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 726-7458
www.aratapumpkinfarm.com
Self-proclaimed as the oldest-running pumpkin farm in San Mateo County, Arata Pumpkin Farm in Half Moon Bay has one of the largest hay mazes around. The six-acre farm devotes two entire acres to its Minotaur's Labyrinth Hay Maze. Entrance to the farm is free, but maze admission is $8 for kids and $9 for adults, and is good for unlimited turns inside the maze. With moving trapdoors inside the maze, repeat trips are an ever-changing experience. On weekends, those lucky enough to run into the namesake minotaur will receive a special prize of a golden pumpkin. Make a day of it at the farm, and check out the extensive selection of pumpkins, the hay bale coliseum, haunted barn, hayride, petting zoo and pony rides.
(credit: spinafarmspumpkinpatch.com)Spina Farm Pumpkin PatchSanta Teresa Blvd. at Bailey Ave.
San Jose, CA 95120
(408) 463-0125
www.spinafarmspumpkinpatch.com
Spina Farm is a South Bay area family-owned business and popular pumpkin patch destination. With free admission and a multitude of activities on site, visitors can enjoy browsing through the more than 60 varieties of pumpkin, taking turns on the Spina Pumpkin Express Train and hayrides and spending time in the petting zoo. The modest hay maze is toddler- and kid-friendly. Bring some cash as the farm does not accept credit cards, and make sure to check out its selection of farm-grown produce.
Curse of Sarah Winchester Maze
Winchester Mystery House
525 S. Winchester Blvd.
San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 247-2101
www.winchestermysteryhouse.com
Located on the creepy grounds of the Winchester Mystery House, the Curse of Sarah Winchester Maze is part of the house's Halloween-themed Fright Nights. Not for the faint of heart or younger kids, this lengthy maze weaves both inside the mansion, as well as outside in the gardens, and has numerous live-action scares. The spirited maze incorporates aspects of both corn and hay mazes, and guarantees to terrify all who enter. For those looking to take the spooky experience even further, make sure to check out the Mystery House's nighttime flashlight tours.
Related: Best Pumpkin Patches In South Bay
(credit: giordanofarms.com)Giordano Farms5285 Snell Ave.
San Jose, CA 95125
(408) 761-9831
www.giordanofarms.com
Giordano Farms is another long-standing family-run San Jose farm. Each year, the farm runs a rustic harvest-themed pumpkin patch, complete with corn maze and hay tunnel, train rides and a petting zoo. The mazes and tunnels are very kid-friendly and easy to navigate. Make sure to wear appropriate footgear as the pumpkin patch is located in a dirt lot. There is no entry fee into the farm, but definitely set some money aside to take home some of the farm's quality produce.
(credit: swankfarms.com)Swank Farms2600 San Felipe Road
Hollister, CA 95023
(831) 637-4704
www.swankfarms.com
Worth the hour or so drive down from the Peninsula, Swank Farms in Hollister annually plants 20 acres of corn specifically for Halloween corn mazes. The farm creates two mazes for differing age groups. There is a haunted Maniac Maze for older kids and adults, with the Spookley Maze for younger kids. The farm has numerous harvest-themed activities that keep visitors occupied all day including a corn cannon, petting zoo and pumpkin slingshot. Also available are the 21 types of pumpkin grown by the farm, as well as multi-color corn, gourds and other fall produce. Guests are welcome to bring their own lunch and a picnic area is available.
Related: Best Neighborhoods To Trick-Or-Treat In San Francisco
