SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — With California's theme parks and other family activities closed or restricted because of the pandemic, pumpkin patches have become an even more popular source of seasonal joy.
The patches are able to operate under certain restrictions, though some operating rides may be at odds with public health orders.
Cell phone video taken this week at The Pumpkin Station on Camino del Rio South in Mission Valley shows lots of visitors, some wearing masks and others not, and some small rides operating.
The owner of the patch told ABC 10News they have a capacity limit of 250 people and require employees to undergo temperature checks and wear face masks. The owner said the location can't make customers wear face masks if they don't want to.
As for the rides, the owner said calls to the San Diego County Health Department about whether rides are allowed were not returned. The owner said the rides are sanitized between each use as well.
The county referred ABC 10News to California's guidelines for amusement and theme parks, which says all operations must be closed in the red and purple reopening tiers. San Diego County is currently in the red tier.
As for other spots, like the Strawberry Fields in Carlsbad, there are no rides but there are inflatables.
The owner of Carlsbad Lagoon tells ABC 10News that they've been working with the county ever since they reopened and that there are no specific guidelines for inflatables. The county says that as long as they are not completely closed, things like inflatables, slides, and obstacle courses are allowed.
Carlsbad Lagoon added that they sanitize frequently and restrict admission to adhere to social distancing guidance.
