Richmond Country Farms Pumpkin Patch.

If you want the pumpkin patch experience with the least driving from Vancouver, Richmond Country Farms on Steveston Highway is the obvious answer. It has been running its October patch for decades and the routine is polished: park in the field, join the line for a tractor-pulled wagon, listen to a short barn show full of farm humour, visit the animals, then ride out to choose a pumpkin that is included with your ticket.

The farm sits on the flat Richmond delta, so there are no hills to contend with and plenty of room. The pumpkin field is big and photogenic, with rows disappearing toward a horizon of poplars and farm buildings, and the barnyard has goats, chickens and other animals that small children find endlessly fascinating. The farm market at the entrance is large and worth a browse for local produce, preserves and seasonal baking.

Because it is popular and close to the city, it is busy. Weekends in the second half of October can see long lines for the wagon and the parking field turn to churned mud. Timed tickets, when offered, are the way to go; otherwise aim for a weekday or the first weekend of the month.

Afterward, Steveston Village is ten minutes west: fish and chips on the wharf, a walk along the dyke at Garry Point Park and, if the light is right, a sunset over the Strait of Georgia. Check the farm’s website for the current season’s dates, prices and any weather closures before you plan the day.