While Halloween in I.V. translates to three nights of costumes and cocktails, the more traditional experience includes carving the perfect jack-o’-lantern. So where will you find your perfect pumpkins for this spooky night? Lane Farms!

Lane Farms is a fifth-generation farm in Santa Barbara that has been growing fresh fruits and vegetables since 1868. The pumpkin patch was established in 1974 by owner John Lane, who said the pumpkin-picking setting is a “real friendly atmosphere all about the harvest season.”

With pumpkins of every size ranging from $3.00 to $20.00, the fresh produce includes strawberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, squash, green beans, cauliflower, broccoli and lettuce that are reasonably priced and grown all year round.

Screaming Halloween, the patch also features acclaimed seasonal treats. Pumpkin seed brittle, roasted sunflower seeds and caramel cashew crunch popcorn are some of the tantalizing specialties available for purchase.

Lane claims his favorite treat is the all natural pumpkin butter, made especially for Lane Farms. Infused with pumpkin, cane sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice and spices, the authentic autumn condiment — which sells for $3.75 — is best enjoyed on bread, crackers or cookies, and can be used for cooking.

Alongside the original foods, the vast landscape of hay and endless pumpkins at Lane Farms includes a corn maze and a petting zoo, home to pot belly pigs, miniature goats and a donkey named Larry.

The pumpkin patch, located on the corner of Hollister Avenue and Walnut Lane, is open through October 31st from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

“But the corn maze closes at 8 p.m. each night,” said Lane. “We need an hour to get everyone out of there!”

-Elizabeth Wagmeister

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