The month of October brings the typical components of autumn — cooler temperatures, Halloween candy, and of course, the season’s representative fruit, the pumpkin.
There are numerous uses of the pumpkin, from pumpkin ravioli for dinner, to pumpkin pie for dessert, to jack-o-lanterns as decorations. Pumpkins can also be used as a form of entertainment through participation in pumpkin carving contests. To fully indulge in the fall season, purchasing and experimenting with pumpkins may just be a necessity. Thanks to the annual pumpkin patch put on by the Pacific Palisades-Malibu YMCA, retrieving the versatile fruit has become easier and more enjoyable than merely dropping by the nearest supermarket.
Located on the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Temescal Canyon, this pumpkin patch is a slightly hidden away if the area is unfamiliar. The patch is about 10 minutes inland from the hectic but familiar Pacific Coast Highway, which proved to be a stark contrast what with the peace and quiet that this particular patch basks.
A bold burst of orange greets cars on Sunset as they hit Temescal, making the patch difficult to miss. Scattered with bright orange pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, the patch also boasts its share of festive décor — there are several scarecrows to pose with as well as a corn maze and an inflatable jump house aimed at the younger audience. The YMCA puts on a very simple, straightforward getup, but the patch’s organic, no-nonsense goal — which is to display and sell pumpkins — only adds to its charm.
Although the YMCA accepts volunteers to work hourly shifts at the patch, a local family, a couple and their two children, had taken initiative over the annual event. The kids of the family passed time by entertaining themselves with leaves on the ground and the miniature-size pumpkins, reminding visitors of a simpler and more serene atmosphere that accompanies the fall season. Having recently moved to California from North Carolina, the family seems to have found stability in managing the annual pumpkin patch this year. Their open, friendly demeanors as well as the wide variety of pumpkins that the patch boasts make the trip to this patch worth it.
A 20-minute drive from campus, the patch is perfect for a number of reasons, since there is a huge range of pumpkin sizes to choose from. For those who are in search of a large pumpkin to carve into a jack-o-lantern, a medium-sized pumpkin to turn into a baked good, or even a plethora of small, fist-sized pumpkins to adorn dorm rooms, suites, and apartments, this patch offers it all.
At the patch, the smaller pumpkins are displayed on table tops, while the rest are randomly scattered all over the plot of land. This makes for a slightly more time-consuming, leisurely experience — as opposed to the typical quick trip to Ralphs — for the search for the perfect pumpkins to eventually bake, cook, carve or decorate with.
With the ground almost completely covered with pumpkins, cute scarecrows placed sporadically and greenery surrounding the patch, the scene is a pretty picture of fall and makes for a great photo-op. The patch acts as a sort of haven for autumn lovers.
Since the patch is aimed toward children, it’s a convenient way to kill two birds with one stone — especially for those who babysit in Malibu or work with toddlers at church — and be able to take kids out on a fun, autumn-themed trip while picking out pumpkins as well.
This particular pumpkin patch depicts the aesthetic aspects of autumn beautifully and makes a convenient opportunity for children to come and bask in the fall season. The patch not only boasts a variety of pumpkins, but also provides an enjoyable environment for everyone.
