Escapes: Pumpkin Patch Festival in Suisun City

Fall festival

For many locals, Suisun City’s Western Railway Museum’s annual Pumpkin Patch Festival is a family tradition. On Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 26, the museum opens early and trains start leaving every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The historic electrical-powered train travels 5 scenic miles to Gum Grove Station, a shady grove that will be transformed into a festival location with tractor rides, hay-bale forts, games and music. Don’t forget to purchase your pumpkin for Halloween. The Western Railway Museum, 5848 State Highway 12 in Suisun City, will open at 9:30 a.m. both days. Admission costs $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and $9 for children ages 2 to 14. For more information, visit www.wrm.org.

Spooky zoo

What: Oakland Zoo’s annual Halloween event, Boo at the Zoo!, features a trick-or-treat scavenger hunt, costume parade and spooky train ride.

When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Oct. 26

Where: Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland

Cost: $15.75 adults, $11.75 children under 14 and seniors

Information: www.oaklandzoo.org

Historical walking tour

What: Berkeley has long been home to activist groups.A guide takes interested parties on a 2-mile trek to learn more about a century of resistance – against British rule in India, against hate violence at home – from local South Asian Americans.

When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday

Where: Exact location sent after registration, Berkeley

Cost: $7.50-$15

Information: www.berkeleysouthasian.org

Harvest festival

What: Celebrate the season with some old-time harvest activities, such as square dancing, cow-pie bingo and pumpkin decorating.

When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Road, Santa Cruz

Cost: Free

Information: www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26413

Skeletonfest

What: Start getting excited for Halloween and the Day of the Dead at Skeletonfest, a day of artistic activities for the whole family. Create silly, movable skeletons, delicate sugar skulls or screen-printed festive T-shirts.

When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday

Where: Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond

Cost: Free

Information: therichmondartcenter.org

Pinot festival

What: Join other pinot noir lovers at the 11th annual Pinot on the River. More than 100 wineries will offer tastings with a focus on limited-production pinot noirs from the West Coast.

When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 26

Where: Healdsburg Plaza, Healdsburg

Cost: $75 in advance, $100 at the door

Information: www.pinotfestival.com

Bee Staff

This story was originally published October 18, 2014 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Escapes: Pumpkin Patch Festival in Suisun City."