Hi, this is Jess. After seeing Goff Family Pumpkin Patch all over Instagram, I had to check it out with Tutú. Here’s my honest review.
Spoiler alert: The reality was quite different from those glamorous Instagram photos. I was honestly shocked by what we found…
My Complete Honest Goff Family Pumpkin Patch Liberty Station Review
If you’re planning on visiting Goff Family Pumpkin Patch, the good news is that this place is completely free!
The reality check: you’ll spend no more than 1 hour here – and honestly, we were done in about 30 minutes.
Full disclosure: We’d already bought our pumpkins at the grocery store, so we came purely for the photos and experience. We didn’t wait in line to purchase pumpkins, didn’t eat there, and didn’t do balloon animals.
If you’re planning to actually buy pumpkins, grab food, or do activities, budget a bit longer – depending as well on the day you go and time.
This place is incredibly small in person.
While those glamorous Instagram photos make it look sprawling and magical, the reality is a small enclosed area. I’m talking maybe the size of a small parking lot.
When we visited on a Saturday morning two weeks before Halloween it was busy with crowds of families and couples.
There were only 2 other dogs besides Tutú, and none had Halloween costumes – only us! Guess they missed the memo about dressing up their dogs, ha!
Important Warning for Dog Parents (What They Don’t Tell You)
Here’s what Goff Pumpkin Patch doesn’t mention in their dog-friendly marketing: the combination of tight spaces and crowds creates real challenges for dogs of all sizes and temperaments.
I’ve been working on Tutú’s socialization training, and I know how to read his stress signals. But this patch setup caught me off guard since I’ve never been here before and assumed it was spacious place!
Incident #1: The Pumpkin Hunter Problem
About 10 minutes into our visit, a man was bent over examining pumpkins on one of the wooden platforms. He was completely focused on selecting the perfect pumpkin and had his back to us.
Because the platforms are so low to the ground and he was so absorbed in pumpkin hunting, he backed up and got within less than 1 foot of Tutú without even realizing we were there.
This is exactly the problem with this Goff Family Pumpkin Patch Liberty Station setup – when people are bent over looking at ground-level pumpkins, they can’t see small dogs nearby.
I immediately saw Tutú’s stress signals: ears back, hunched back, tail dropped between his legs. He started retreating backward, but other people were walking nearby too. I quickly redirected him in front of me due to no open space nearby.
Incident #2: The Positive Side (When People Get It Right)
Not everyone was oblivious though! A little girl spotted Tutú and said “doggie!” as she moved closer, reaching out to pet him.
Her mom immediately grabbed her daughter’s hand while smiling and said, “Yes, it’s a cute doggie, but let’s pick out a pumpkin.”
I’m pretty good now at commanding Tutú to sit and focus on me in public places now with much noise around.
In this situation I had pulled out his high-value duck treats. He looked at the little girl approaching but looked at me waiting patiently.
This is exactly how these interactions should go – but it requires space to manage properly.
The Real Issue: Space Design
Even a well-trained dog CAN become overstimulated with the noise, people, and confined environment at this place.
As dog owners, it’s our job to read our dog’s stress signals and know when to leave – but this space makes that management really difficult.
If your dog is still working on socialization (like Tutú), reactive to people, or nervous in crowds, I’d honestly recommend skipping this place and choosing a more spacious option.
Dog Costume Policy & What We Actually Found
Goff Family Pumpkin Patch Liberty Station’s website says dogs are welcome and encourages bringing them in costume. Based on this, we dressed Tutú in his adorable Barbie outfit and expected to see other costumed pups.
The reality? We only saw 3 dogs total during our visit, and Tutú was the only one dressed up.
Should you still dress up your dog then? Absolutely!
The costume policy is real, and Tutú got tons of positive attention.
But don’t expect a costume parade – you might be the only one who actually followed their costume-friendly marketing.
The upside? This made Tutú the star of the show. People loved seeing him in costume, and we got some amazing photos.
Just be prepared that your costumed pup will likely get extra attention (which can be good or overwhelming depending on your dog’s personality).
Planning Your Goff Family Pumpkin Patch Liberty Station Visit
Since this place is only a 30-minute experience, here’s what you need to know about making the most of your visit:
The location is perfect – it’s right within Liberty Station, so you’re not driving to some random field. But the parking, amenities, and visit length require smart planning.
Parking Reality Check:
The parking situation was intense! The lot was completely full when we arrived, and we had to wait for a spot until someone left – this was around 9 a.m.
They even had 2 staff members at the entrance directing traffic and telling people to keep moving if they were just looking for parking.
The good news: once you find a spot, the parking lot is right next to the pumpkin patch – no long walks with your dog.
Dog Logistics:
Here’s what Goff Family Pumpkin Patch doesn’t provide that you’ll need to know:
- No restrooms at the pumpkin patch itself (but Liberty Station has plenty nearby)
- No water bowls for dogs (bring your own water and bowl)
- No dog waste bags available (bring your own!)
Since you’re literally within Liberty Station, restrooms and water fountains are just a short walk away.
But plan ahead – there’s nothing at the actual pumpkin patch for you or your dog’s basic needs.
What to Bring to Goff Family Pumpkin Patch Liberty Station
Based on our Goff Family Pumpkin Patch Liberty Station review experience, here’s what you actually need to bring:
Since this ended up being a quick 30-minute visit for us my gear was minimal. Here’s exactly what we brought for Tutú:
What We Brought:
- Hemli Dog Water Bottle– Essential since they don’t provide water bowls, even though it was a short visit
- Earth Rated Poop bags – They don’t have any available at the patch, so bring your own!
- Golden Rewards Duck Jerky– These were crucial for managing Tutú’s stress in the crowded space and rewarding calm behavior
- Dog First Aid Kit – Always good to have, though we didn’t need it
What we DIDN’T bring: Normally I carry my Kurgo G-Train Dog Carrier Backpack or SparklyPets Active Waist Leash for longer adventures, but for a 30-minute pumpkin patch visit, everything fit in my purse.
My recommendation: Keep it light for this short visit, but don’t skip the water bowl and treats – you’ll need those for managing your dog in tight spaces.
Goff Family Pumpkin Patch Prices & What You’ll Actually Find
Here’s what’s actually available here:
What’s There:
- Free admission! (no entrance fee as previously mentioned)
- Pumpkins for purchase (prices vary by size)
- Drinks & pizza for sale
- Balloon artist making balloon animals for kids (when we visited)
- Photo props (hay bales, pumpkin displays)
Timing Reality Check:
Our 30-minute visit was purely for photos and walking around. We’d already bought our pumpkins at the grocery store before coming (at Trader Joe’s 5 days ago!).
If you’re planning to:
- Select and purchase pumpkins (add 15-20 minutes for browsing + checkout line)
- Eat pizza or grab drinks (add 15-20 minutes)
- Get balloon animals for kids (add 10-15 minutes depending on the line)
Then budget 45-60 minutes total for your visit.
My honest Goff Family Pumpkin Patch Liberty Station review take: Since you’re only here for a short time, you’re better off grabbing food at Liberty Station’s amazing restaurants instead.
More variety, as well as outdoor dog-friendly seating some places offer.
How to Make Your Goff Family Pumpkin Patch Liberty Station Visit Actually Worth It
After visiting Goff Family Pumpkin Patch Liberty Station, here’s my honest recommendation: extend your visit by exploring Liberty Station itself!
Since you’re only spending maybe tops no more than 1 hour at this pumpkin patch, turn this into a 2-3 hour Liberty Station adventure:
- Dog-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating (there are tons!)
- Liberty Public Market for food and shopping
- Trader Joe’s and Vons right nearby for snacks and supplies
- Walking paths perfect for dogs to decompress after the crowded pumpkin patch
We walked around Liberty Station with Tutú after our pumpkin patch visit, and honestly, that was the highlight of our trip.
More space, he got to run in the grass – he loves grass!
Should You Actually Visit Goff Family Pumpkin Patch Liberty Station with Your Dog?
After visiting this place for the first time, here’s my honest Goff Family Pumpkin Patch Liberty Station review verdict:
✅ YES – Visit if:
- You want quick Halloween costume photos (30 minutes max)
- Your dog is confident and social in crowds
- You’re planning to explore Liberty Station afterward (walking paths, restaurants, shops)
- You live locally in San Diego (not worth a long drive for just this)
❌ NO – Skip it if:
- Your dog is reactive, nervous, or overwhelmed by crowds and tight spaces
- You’re expecting a spacious pumpkin farm experience
- You’re driving from far away just for this (it’s only 30 minutes of content!)
- Your dog needs space to decompress and relax
🎃 Want a BETTER pumpkin patch experience for dogs?
A few days after visiting Goff, we went to Highland Valley Pumpkin Patch in Ramona – and honestly, it was SO much better for Tutú.
More space, less crowds, and an actual pumpkin farm feel.
📍 Important note about Liberty Station: Liberty Public Market does NOT allow dogs inside unless they’re service animals. But there are tons of dog-friendly outdoor restaurant patios, walking paths with wide open grass, and plenty of space for your dog to enjoy after the crowded pumpkin patch.
My bottom line: Goff Family Pumpkin Patch Liberty Station works for a specific purpose – quick Halloween photos combined with a Liberty Station outing. Just set realistic expectations about the size, crowds, and visit length!
