A Fall Evening at Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm in Wheatland California
More Than a Pumpkin Patch
Bishop’s is the kind of place where going to pick out a pumpkin can turn into an entire day. There are rides, a train, huge tires to climb on, slides, a place where kids can pan for marbles and something called the Hay Jump, which is basically a giant bed of hay that works like a trampoline. We stopped for food, wandered between attractions and generally followed whichever thing looked interesting next.
We spent nearly seven hours exploring Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm in Wheatland, California, and still did not see everything. Here is what we loved, what we missed and what we wish we had known before visiting.
That also meant I had plenty to photograph without asking anyone to stop having fun. A ride, a laugh across the table or a kid disappearing down a path tells me more about the day than a perfectly organized group photo ever could.
Sunflowers
The sunflower field was easily my favorite part. We made it there as the light was getting softer, which turned a pretty field into the place I wanted to stay until somebody physically removed me.
The rows gave the kids space to move without needing much direction. One walked ahead down the path. Another stood half hidden among flowers taller than he was. I photographed the flowers, the people, the light and probably several versions of the exact same thing because apparently restraint is not one of my skills when the background is this good.
I even ended up on the other side of the camera for a minute, which does not happen often enough. There is a reason photographers are usually missing from their own family’s pictures, and it is not because we are camera shy. We are the ones holding it.
The Kind of Family Photos I Want to Remember
This trip reminded me that family photography does not always need matching outfits, a strict plan or everyone looking at the camera at the same time. Sometimes it is one kid running ahead, someone climbing where they probably should not be climbing and a sunset that makes you stop for one more photo before leaving.
That is the same feeling I want to protect during my sessions. We can make the polished portrait for the wall, but I am also paying attention to the chaos, the movement and the small pieces that actually make your family yours.
Planning Your Own Visit
Give yourself more time than you think you need. We arrived around 1:00 p.m., and sunset was at 7:36 p.m., which sounded like plenty of time. It was not. We barely made it to the sunflower field before sunset and still did not come close to seeing everything.
We missed the pig races, although we could hear them from other parts of the farm. Some of the announcements alone had us laughing, so actually watching the races is definitely on our list for next time. We also never made it to the corn maze. They have a small Kiddie Maze, a two acre maze for casual participants and a seven acre maze for people who are considerably more committed to getting lost than I am. Also on the next time list.
A few things I wish we had known before going:
If you plan to do several paid attractions, compare the unlimited wristband with individual tickets. When we visited, the wristband was $35 compared with $41 to do each included attraction once. Just be realistic about how much you can fit into the day. Unlimited wristbands are not sold on Saturdays or Sundays in October, so check before you go.
Bring a wagon, stroller or something else to carry your things. The farm is large, and carrying water, jackets, camera equipment and everything else gets old quickly.
Bring reusable water bottles. They have refill stations around the farm, so you do not need to keep buying drinks.
You can bring your own food and nonalcoholic drinks inside. A picnic would have saved us quite a bit because the food at the farm was expensive, and we did not realize outside food was allowed inside.
The cider slushies are the exception. Those were really good and absolutely worth buying.
They also have reservable fire pit areas with tables near the train, which would be a fun option if you want a designated place for your group to gather throughout the day. We did not reserve one and had no trouble finding a picnic table in the shade during our September visit, so a reservation did not feel necessary for us this time.
They also host movie nights in the pumpkin patch on select weekends, with the movies beginning at dusk. Friday nights include fireworks during part of the season, so you could easily turn your visit into an entire day and evening if you plan around the entertainment schedule.
Check the farm’s current hours, attraction schedule and sunset time before you go, especially if the sunflower field is important to you. Some attractions and shows only run at certain times, and the sunflower field closes after sunset. We learned the hard way that one afternoon is not enough to do everything.
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