Experience fall in San Diego: Carlsbad pumpkin patch and the (terrifying) Haunted Corn Maze
Get in the fall mood and the Halloween spirit with Carlsbad’s Instagram-worthy pumpkin patch and terrifying haunted corn maze
Taylor DeGuzman / A+C Editor
Photo courtesy of Taylor DeGuzman/The USD Vista
Fall in San Diego is nothing short of scorching hot weather, sunshine days, and the occasional switching from Converse to combat boots and crop tops to crop sweaters — the opposite of a traditional fall. Some stock up on Trader Joe’s seasonal treats while others drink all of the pumpkin spice lattes they can get their hands on. It appears that a trip to the Carlsbad pumpkin patch can put nearly anyone in the fall, Halloween spirit, especially if they are ready for one of the spookiest experiences of a lifetime.
From now until Nov. 8, The Carlsbad Pumpkin Patch, hosted by the infamous Carlsbad Strawberry Company, is hosting fall festivities to get everyone excited for the season and for Halloween. This is especially the place for those eager to take Instagrammable fall-themed pictures. The pumpkin patch is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday, with their haunted corn maze open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Upon entering the space, there is a big parking lot located to the right of the pumpkin patch, so no need to stress about finding parking. Signs are dispersed throughout the lot that read “Masks must be worn at all times.” There is a $5.00 admission fee for entrance; both cash and card are accepted. Immediately after entering, guests are met with all of the fall vibes one craves to experience in Southern California. Tents of pumpkins for sale, from small to medium and large sized pumpkins, occupy the beginning of the space. After passing through, one’s eyes are immediately drawn to the large pumpkin patch which seems to be the most popular attraction for photo ops.
The pumpkin patch is a wide space where one doesn’t have to worry about big crowds or worry about not having enough social distance. If one is looking for the perfect lighting and time to come and take pictures, come around 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The sun is starting its descent around this time and lighting the sky with beautiful oranges and pinks that peek through the clouds and create a beautiful sight to enjoy, as well as a beautiful background for those Instagram-worthy pictures. The orange glow of the golden hour is key.
Photo courtesy of Taylor DeGuzman/The USD Vista
While walking around, some couples snag cute pictures sitting on the pumpkins growing from the ground. But beware, a few pumpkins that were growing appeared to be squashed after withstanding too many Instagram influencers sitting on them, trying to capture a photo that matched their pre-planned caption: “Will you be the pumpkin to my patch?” Nearing the back of the pumpkin patch are tall, bright sunflowers and a few haystacks that boast an aesthetic picture opportunity. Standing tall in the background of the sunflowers is the towering corn used for their infamous corn maze during the day, but haunted corn maze by night.
Located behind the entrance ticket booth are other booths to purchase tickets for the other activities located on the land. For $20.00, one can check out their apple cannon that hurdles apples at big targets at speeds as high as 100 miles per hour. These are the only apple cannons in Southern California. There are different photo stations dispersed throughout the land that feature places where guests can poke their face through to look like scarecrows, haystacks with fall and pumpkin signage in the background for cute friends, family, and couple pictures, and a myriad of other photo ops that are more than the pumpkin patch.
Photo courtesy of Taylor DeGuzman/The USD Vista
Once the sun finally sets and one has officially maxed out on pictures (or being the one taking all the pictures) and is almost ready for the haunted corn maze, they can check out the different food stands lit up by lights. The smell of sweet kettle corn fills the air, while others sip on their hot cocoa to keep warm as the night drops to a chilling 65 degrees. After grabbing a small bite and taking a little bathroom break before the unexpected thrills of the haunted corn maze, one should make their way to the corn maze entrance before the line extends to over a forty minute wait to get in. (Suggestion: line up a little before 7 p.m. to beat the big lines)
The (terrifying) Haunted Corn Maze: “Field of Screams”
The Carlsbad Pumpkin patch advertises their haunted corn maze as a “thrilling experience that you and your family will talk about for days…sure to get your heart thumping.” They did not lie. Tickets to the “Field of Screams” are $25.
This experience truly transports guests into their own horror film that leaves them panting and gasping for air in between screams as they try to escape.
As guests wait in line, actors in scary costumes continue to walk into the maze. Those who expected the experience to be a less-than-haunted corn maze with a few haunted props and spooky music were more than surprised. While waiting in line to get into the maze, one can hear the most horrifying shrieks and cries for help that add to the anxiety of waiting to go inside. The ambience of the waiting period before entering is sure to get one’s adrenaline pumping.
Photo courtesy of Taylor DeGuzman/The USD Vista.
There are signs that warn against the loud noises and strobe lights that occur in the maze, so if this is a main concern for someone, entry is not encouraged. Masks are absolutely mandatory during the entirety of the corn maze experience.
The attendant leads you into the entrance with a sign that says “Bates Motel,” and as one enters an immense eerie feeling enters the atmosphere: the corn maze is absolutely dark. The walkway isn’t wide enough for a group of four to interlock arms and shield themselves from frights, so guests are forced to walk two by two.
What really sets the tone of what horror lies ahead is the red “IT” balloon floating in the middle of the walkway, signaling some frightening sights to come. Almost at every turn of the maze, someone in costume and a mask emerges from the corn, yielding the most terrifying screams one can muster. Unlike other haunted house experiences where one knows something could be hiding in corners of rooms or at the turn of walls, the corn maze allows for actors to jump and come out from anywhere there is corn, which is everywhere.
Running and chasing is a component of this maze that some individuals might not expect (wear comfortable shoes, preferably not white shoes since the floor is the kind of dirt that leaves shoes dusty, to avoid tripping and falling). It appears that when guests are moving slower than usual, actors will continue to follow the group and chase them in order to get them moving. One thing is for sure: individuals are sure to get their adrenaline and heart pumping with all that running and screaming at the same time. At one point in the maze, guests are cornered in by terrifying clowns; for those with a huge fear of clowns, this maze should not be taken lightly. Well thought out props and set pieces are dispersed all over the corn maze and bring forth a wide variety of spooky stories and experiences that guests experience at every twist and turn.
This experience is the most terrifying experience especially for the indecisive. Choosing one’s own doom by picking between the left or right path is a difficult task. Go left and witness what looks like a crawling zombie baby on the floor because of the strobing, or go right and come wickedly close to Michael Myers. The choice is all in the maze-goers sweaty, trembling hands.
The haunted corn maze is a drastic contrast from the sweet babies dressed up as pumpkins and cute families taking their annual fall family photos. One could describe the corn maze as “Children of the Corn” meets “Halloween” brought to life, yet more terrifying. The elements of a corn maze at night are eerie and haunting enough, but mixed with impressive props, actors in masks and horrifying costumes popping out of almost every inch of corn, is an experience sure to scare one right into the Halloween mood. If one is ready to star in their own real-life horror movie, this experience is made for them.
If the haunted corn maze seems too terrifying to conquer this season, the Carlsbad Pumpkin Patch offers the right environment and festivities to put guests in the perfect fall mood. Grab a group of friends, a significant other, or family, dress up in those oranges, reds, and browns, and take a few photos right before the sun goes down to fully immerse oneself in the fall season in San Diego.