Avila Beach, Calif. - A favorite destination to celebrate Halloween in California is Central Coast California. The wheat-colored farms that stretch for miles and the gently-rolling hills with stately, studded oaks really lend to this brilliant orange season of pumpkins.

But in places such as Solvang, Buellton, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, Atascadero, Templeton, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles you'll discover many colorful types of pumpkins and gourds. And you'll also find the perfect place to entertain the little ones during your California travel with kids.

On a visit to the Avila Valley Barn, you can survey the selection of pumpkins and pick out your favorite from big wood bins that include Orange Smoothies, Turbins, Wee-Be Littles, Mini Pumpkins and Sugar Pie Pumpkins, plus Winged Gourds, to name some. Children wander wide-eyed and curious through the grounds, petting goats, watching chickens and roosters, riding the tractor that meanders through the pumpkin patch and playing on the bales of hay in the back. Parents bring their toddlers and kids, and set them on the bales of hay that's been arranged for photo opportunities. Locals seem to know about this picture perfect setting and bring the family for a picture to mail to the loved ones.

This stand with its home made fudge shop (two flavors of pumpkin fudge seasonally), ice cream, and store with fresh produce and fancy foods, is ideal for an hour of entertainment before heading to the beach around the bend where no pumpkins can be seen.

Central Coast combines beaches and barns, the ocean and farms, for a luxury setting that's serene, soothing to the soul and connects people with the earth in a manner that's definitely missed in the metropolis California cities and counties of San Jose, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County and San Diego.

When to visit for the pumpkins: Beginning in October each year, you'll find pumpkin patches and farms selling their roadside produce along Highway 101 and arterial roads.

Where to go: Several pumpkin patches include Avila Valley Barn, 560 Avila Beach Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA. www.avilavalleybarn.com; and Solvang Pumpkin Patch, CA Hwy 246, Solvang, CA.

Where to stay: Avila Beach hotels, Pismo Beach hotels and Solvang hotels all offer an extensive selection of hotels for both beach and rural entertainment, plus wine country exploring.

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