California really shines in autumn, whether you’re looking for warm beach days, mountain hikes with foliage, or all manner of fun events. For starters, the Halloween season is in full swing at attractions all over the state, including theme parks, zoos, and aquariums. This is also prime time for harvest festivals dedicated to everything from pumpkins to apples to wine grapes. Here are more than 30 California events to plan a trip around.
All Month: Kids Free San Diego
This is the perfect time to take the family to San Diego for a fall getaway as kids 11 and under get freebies throughout the county in October. Theme parks and attractions, such as the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, and LEGOLAND California (age restrictions vary), all participate with discounts or perks for guests. The selection of deals also extends to many hotels, restaurants, and museums.
All Month: Pumpkin Patch Festivities
The Golden State is dotted with farms that take pumpkin season seriously during October, often with the added fun of hayrides and entertainment. In Temecula, the Big Horse Corn Maze boasts one of the largest corn mazes in Southern California and also offers hayrides and a “corn cannon.” Meanwhile the Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch in Morgan Hill features pumpkin blasters and hayrides through fields of flowers. Farm-filled Fresno County has a wide variety of options, such as Hillcrest Pumpkin Patch in Reedley, which also offers steam train rides.
San Mateo County is famous for its plethora of gourds, and has several u-pick pumpkin farms, like Andreotti Family Farm, which also grows sunflowers. In San Luis Obispo County, the Avila Valley Barnhosts a pumpkin patch with a hay maze, apple-picking, and tractor rides, along with homemade pie and apple cider floats.
All month: Vegan Chef Challenge, Sacramento
Expand your palate during this monthlong celebration of vegan cuisine, a national campaign that has arrived in the California state capital. Twenty-five restaurants around the Sacramento area will feature special vegan menu items, and diners can vote on their favorites. Participants include vegan restaurants such as Taste & See Vegan Desserts as well as more traditional eateries and brewpubs such as River City Brewing Co., Orphan Breakfast House, and Matteo’s Pizza & Bistro.
All Month: Halloween at Inn Town Campground, Nevada City
For a gently thrilling camping trip, head to the Inn Town Campground in Nevada City, where skeletons climb trees and other decorations adorn the towering 130-foot pines. Stay overnight too: The campground invites guests to decorate their tents or RVs and typically shows outdoor movies this time of year along with guided hikes to see autumn colors.
All Month: Cambria’s Scarecrow Festival, Cambria
Here’s a good excuse to stroll around this idyllic San Luis Obispo County town on Highway 1: Each October, hundreds of whimsically decorated scarecrows take up residence around Cambria’s East and West Villages, Moonstone Beach, and San Simeon. Some are seasonally themed—zombies, witches, monsters, etc.—while others have been known to tip a straw hat to golfers or coastal grandmas.
All Month: Scarecrow Fest and Contest, Los Olivos
Explore the Santa Barbara County town of Los Olivos this month to spot more than 20 scarecrows on display and see who won awards such as Most Humorous and Best Natural Materials. Visit on October 12 and you can also take part in the town’s beloved Day in the Country festival, which includes vendors hawking their wares, a small town–style parade, and plenty of local beer and wine.
Oct. 1: International PAL International Boxing Championships, Oxnard
The Ventura County town of Oxnard has long been renowned as a training ground for great boxers, such as Fernando Vargas and Hugo Centeno Jr. This year, “Boxnard” will host a series of International Boxing Exchange Competitions as well as the Inaugural National PAL International Boxing Tournament, featuring 300 boxers ages 8–40.
Stick around for the Oxnard Multicultural Festival (Oct. 5), featuring booths and food trucks representing the diverse communities found in Oxnard, including those from Belize, China, Guatemala, and Kenya.
Begins Oct. 1: Wild Tarantula Trails, Gaviota
Spiders don’t just come out this time of year to scare people—it’s mating season for nocturnal male tarantulas in the hills of the Gaviota Coast, just north of Santa Barbara. Take one of the two-hour guided hikes—only about a half mile in wild oak woodlands—by the Wild Farmlands Foundation to learn about the lives and loves of common California ebony tarantulas, with the possibility of getting to hold one of them. Runs on select dates through autumn.
Want more tarantula fun? Head to the Madera County town of Coarsegold for the Annual Tarantula Awareness Festival (Oct. 26), which combines arachnid education with pumpkin cheesecake, tarantula races, hairy leg contests, and spider-themed poetry contests.
Oct. 3–6: Redwood Coast Music Festival, Eureka
Enjoy a wide range of “American roots music”—including jazz, swing, blues, zydeco, rockabilly, and Western swing—while soaking up the scenery of the charming North Coast town of Eureka. The three-day festival features more than 50 acts playing at seven different venues—many of them historic buildings—around the Humboldt County town.
Later in the month, come to run the Humboldt Redwoods Marathon (Oct. 14). The race features a 5K, half-marathon, and full marathon under a canopy of redwood trees on routes that pass through Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Oct. 3–13: Mill Valley Film Festival, Marin County
This high-powered but low-key film festival in Marin County is known for showcasing future Oscar winners. Watch screenings at several towns in the area, including Mill Valley, Larkspur, Berkeley, San Rafael, and San Francisco. As of press time the lineup had not yet been announced but tends to feature future Oscar contenders like last year’s Maestro.
Oct. 4–5: Night Sky Festival, Twentynine Palms
Enjoy the heavenly views in and around Joshua Tree National Park at this weekend that raises funds for nonprofits including the Sky’s The Limit Observatory. Weekend activities include guided hikes, talks, photography workshops, and lots of chances to sharpen your telescope skills.
Oct 4–6: Redding Rancheria’s Annual Stillwater Pow Wow, Redding
Experience a classic Pow Wow—singing, drumming, dancing competitions, and handmade goods—that represent tribes from across North America. Redding’s Rodeo Grounds hosts the free, family-friendly event, but you can also book limited camping spaces and rooms at the nearby Win-River Resort & Casino.
Oct. 4–6: California Avocado Festival, Carpinteria
The Golden State grows 90 percent of the nation’s avocados, so it makes sense that this free-admission festival south of Santa Barbara is known for having the world’s largest vat of guacamole. Watch the festival’s guacamole-making contest and then check out the live music lineup and “get ready to guac.”
Oct. 4–6: Pacific Air Show, Huntington Beach
One of the biggest air shows in the nation, this annual event in Orange County happens far above Surf City USA’s signature waves. Watch U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the F-22 Raptor Demonstration team, and the final performance of the U.S. Air Force A-10 Demo Team, along with other aerial performances by aviators from around the globe. Choose from different levels of admission, including reserved tent seating in the viewing area stretching from the Huntington Beach Pier to Beach Blvd. Book a stay at one of the nearby hotels or camp near the action in your RV.
Oct 4–6: Sausalito Boat Show, Sausalito
Explore Sausalito’s Clipper Yacht Harbor at this event that celebrates this picturesque seaside town’s unique personality. You’ll get to ogle cool boats, from sailboats to luxury yachts, across this three-day event that includes live music and lots of fresh seafood from local vendors.
Oct. 4–30: Carved at Descanso Gardens, Pasadena
Holiday lights come early to the Pasadena area at this giant display of illuminated carved pumpkins along a 1-mile walk in Descanso Gardens’ Camellia Forest. You can also watch demos to help boost your carving skills at home.
Oct. 5: Atascadero Colony Days, Atascadero
This annual festival in San Luis Obispo County celebrates Atascadero’s early-20th-century beginnings as a would-be utopian community. This year’s festivities include a parade, live entertainment, and small-dog races.
Oct. 5: Crush It Harvest Festival, Yountville
Enjoy wine country’s version of autumn apple-bobbing at this annual event at Estate Yountville in Napa Valley. Take part in wine tasting, lawn games, face painting for kids, and lots of grape crushing. Refuel with the BBQ bites that come with your ticket or purchase more food and merch from vendors.
Oct. 5–6: Johnny Appleseed Days, Paradise
This Butte County fair has been around since 1888, and it still celebrates the classic fall fruit through pie and apples from Noble Orchards plus sightings of a Johnny Appleseed character. For more homegrown flavor, take part in the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Farm-to-Fork Dinner (Oct. 6) at TJ Farms Estate in Chico.
Oct. 5–6: The Big Crush Harvest Wine Festival, Amador County
More than 45 wineries across Amador County celebrate the harvest with tastings, live music, and classic activities such as grape stomps. Your ticket grants you access to events, tastings, and pairings at select wineries each day, along with a commemorative glass.
Oct. 7–14: Fleet Week San Francisco, San Francisco
Check out the Parade of Ships, take tours on the vessels, and watch the air show at this annual celebration of the sea services on the Marina Green in San Francisco. The week’s calendar also includes free concerts by the Navy and Marine bands.
Oct. 10–13: Joshua Tree Music Festival, Joshua Tree
The global and eclectic music theme feels right at home at this camping-friendly festival just outside the desert national park. Intriguing acts this year include Lowdown Brass Band and Adryon de Leon.
Oct. 10–20: Aftershock Festival and GoldenSky Festival, Sacramento
Two distinct music festivals return to the 275-acre Discovery Park this month, further cementing the case that Sacramento is becoming a hotbed for big music events. First is Aftershock (Oct. 10–13), which showcases metal, punk, and hip-hop acts with headliners including Slayer, Slipknot, Iron Maiden, and Motley Crüe. From Oct. 18–20, country music fills the park during GoldenSky, with headliners Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, and Luke Bryan, along with its own beer festival.
Oct. 10–20: JazzTrax Festival, Catalina Island
The 37th year of this festival—reportedly the longest-running smooth jazz fest in the world—spans two extended weekends (Oct. 10–13 and Oct. 17–20) at Catalina’s classic Descanso Beach Club & Casino Ballroom. This year’s lineup includes The Spinners, Ray Parker Jr., and Candy Dulfer.
Oct. 11–13: Leaves in the Loop, June Lake
Take your leaf-peeping up a notch in the Mammoth Lakes area to see the gorgeous fall colors along the June Lake Loop. Embrace the scenery through activities like photography and painting classes and a downtown history tour.
Oct. 11–13: Oakhurst Fall Festival, Madera County
Madera County’s annual festival, which dubs itself a “small town fair,” offers rides, food trucks, and character meet-and-greets, all for $5 admission. It’s also a good chance to sample the best of this under-the-radar wine region near Yosemite.
Oct. 12: McCloud Apple Harvest Festival, Siskiyou County
Inhale that apple-cinnamon magic in Siskiyou County, watch the apple pie–baking competition, and enjoy live music, apple-pressing tastings, wagon rides, and a pumpkin patch. Don’t leave without picking up a few pies to go.
Oct 12: Oktoberfest at Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Redding
Enjoy a classic Oktoberfest with beer, food, games, and live music, with all proceeds benefitting the Redding park that houses the Sundial Bridge. Don a dirndl or some lederhosen to enter the Best Dressed Contest.
Oct. 12: Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Santa Rosa
Witness a world-class wine competition at this annual fair in Santa Rosa that brings in 900 wines made from Sonoma County grapes. Sip the Golds and Best of Class wines at the Grand Tasting and check out the World Champion Grape Stomp.
Oct. 12: Corning Olive Festival & Car Show, Corning
Olive trees cover more than 13 square miles in Tehama County, the Shasta Cascade home of this festival that dates back to 1947. Sample the savory pitted fruit along with its accompanying oils and other products, then check out the associated car show.
Oct. 12–13: Harvest Festifall at Columbia State Historic Park, Columbia
Celebrate autumn 1850s-style at Columbia State Historic Park in Tuolumne County, where the weekend features crafts, jewelry, and baked goods sold by vendors in their best 1850s cosplay. Watch weaving and spinning demonstrations and enjoy the live music and dancers.
Oct. 13: 179th Wharf Birthday Party, Monterey
Luckily, no one is expected to blow out 179 candles at this birthday celebration for Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf, which was built in 1845. The first 179 party guests, however, can collect a free piece of candy at each of the wharf’s three candy shops in the Candy Crawl, and most everyone can get a slice of free birthday cake (while supplies last) and enjoy the live music, giveaways, and photo ops with characters.
Oct. 14: Idyllwild Arts Honors Indigenous Peoples Day, Idyllwild
Come to the Inland Empire mountain town of Idyllwild to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. The Idyllwild Arts center—located on land originally inhabited by the Qawishpa Cahuillangnah people—will feature artwork, food, talks by artists and filmmakers, and a performance by the Delbert Anderson Jazz Quartet.
Oct. 17–20: Taste: The Livermore Valley Wine Experience, Livermore
You can easily fill a long weekend sampling local wines at the 50-plus wineries in Livermore Valley Wine Country east of San Francisco. This year’s event starts with the food and wine pairing competition, Taste Our Terroir, held at Garré Vineyard & Winery, featuring 15 wineries. The rest of the weekend includes wine tastings, winemaker dinners, and vineyard tours.
Oct. 18–20: 68th Annual Silverado Days, Buena Park
Take part in Buena Park’s classic Western-style fair at William Peak Park with a full complement of carnival rides, fair cuisine, a pie-eating contest, and a dog show. The fair offers free admission and parking, and is convenient to the big Halloween events going on nearby in Orange County: Knott’s Scary Farm at Knott’s Berry Farm and Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort.
Oct. 19: A Toast to Sausalito, Sausalito
Enjoy locally made adult beverages while browsing more than 100 vendors at this one-day event in Marin County’s Sausalito. Buy a wristband to enjoy tastes from more than 30 wineries, breweries, and distilleries or take part in the free-admission festivities that include music, a kids’ zone, and sidewalks available for chalk drawing.
Oct.19: Santa Cruz Band Review, Santa Cruz
Watch as 55 Northern California high school and junior high school marching bands compete for bragging rights along Santa Cruz’s famous Beach Boardwalk. Then, come back the next weekend for the Santa Cruz Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off (Oct. 26), where your tasting ticket grants you eight samplings of chili from the dozens of competitors—and then you get to vote on the eventual winner.
Oct. 19: Mountain Harvest Beer Festival, Quincy
Sample more than 20 small-town microbrews—as well as wine, hard cider, and local cuisine—at this afternoon event at the Plumas County Fairgrounds. Stay at a local hotel or take advantage of overnight camping at the fairgrounds starting at $10 a site. Brewers include Sierra Nevada, Timber House, and Quintopia Brewing; the event benefits Plumas Arts.
Oct. 19: Santa Barbara Vintners Weekend, Santa Barbara
Taste wines from more than 50 wineries at the 40th year of this festival, held at the historic Vega Vineyard & Farm. Enjoy meet-and-greets with winemakers and pair wine with food from 25-plus regional restaurants.
Oct. 19: Viking Classic Car Show, Solvang
Check out the lineup of vintage hot rods, sports cars, and muscle cars on display in downtown Solvang, which fully embraces its Scandinavian heritage. You’ll also find a beer and wine garden and a Viking burger bar.
Oct. 19–20: Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, Half Moon Bay
Located on the San Francisco Peninsula, the coastal town of Half Moon Bay is surrounded by pumpkin patches and has become the self-proclaimed “World Pumpkin Capital.” This beloved festival celebrates with enormous pumpkins and jack o’ lanterns, a Great Pumpkin Parade, pie-eating contests, and seasonal craft beer. Come early if you want to catch the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off on Oct. 14.
Oct. 19–20: Pismo Beach Clam Festival, Pismo Beach
This Pismo Beach festival offers more than just mollusks: The weekend includes a clam dig and a chowder-making contest, as well as a wine and beer garden and the annual Clam Festival Parade.
Oct. 19–20: 58th Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival, Borrego Springs
This festival is a nice reminder that high season in the San Diego County desert is around the corner. Take in the natural beauty of Borrego Springs and the surrounding 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and enjoy a parade, car show, kids’ zone, beer garden, and food vendors.
Oct. 19–20: San Diego Spirits Festival, La Jolla
Enjoy cocktails and works of art at this weekend set at La Jolla’s Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Your admission for the two afternoons grants you unlimited cocktails from more than 65 brands—ranging from high-end spirits to ready-to-drink cocktails and seltzers—along with live music and entertainment as you explore the museum’s galleries.
Oct. 20: Truckee River Day, Truckee
Plan a weekend around fresh air and “voluntourism” in the North Lake Tahoe town of Truckee. Spend the morning planting native vegetation, mulching sensitive areas, and helping restore meadows. In the afternoon, participants typically gather at the Granite Flat Campground for live music and art projects.
Oct. 24–27: Fall Modernism Week, Greater Palm Springs
The Greater Palm Springs area throws a 10-day party for its midcentury modern architecture every February, but this smaller fall version of the event still offers plenty of the aesthetic thrills and events that one normally finds in February. Check out the guided tours, live music, and various cocktail parties.
Oct. 25–26: Zoo Boo at Charles Paddock Zoo, Atascadero
Celebrate the season at this Central Coast zoo that offers a haunted maze and bounce houses as well as games and pumpkin decorating. Year-round, the San Luis Obispo County zoo is home to more than 200 animals, including a Malayan tiger, plus monkeys, meerkats, and red pandas.
Oct. 26–27: Jubilee Wine Country, Calistoga
Celebrate the work of women chefs and winemakers at this two-day event at the Calistoga resort Solage Napa Valley. The weekend hosted by media company Cherry Bombe will feature keynote speaker Dominique Crenn, a picnic, a brunch, and a food-and-wine evening dubbed “Wine, Women and Song.”
Oct. 27: Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade, Palm Desert
Some consider this event the kickoff of high season in the California desert—a colorful parade of souped-up golf carts rolling through the streets of El Paseo. This year should be extra-festive as the parade celebrates its 60th anniversary. Check out the nearby stores and food vendors and browse golf carts for sale.
Oct. 31: 108th City Birthday Party & Halloween Parade, Carmel-by-the-Sea
The Monterey County town of Carmel-by-the-Sea was founded on Halloween in 1916 and makes the most of its holiday birthday. Come watch town dignitaries, costumed kids, and even pets as they parade through downtown, then party on with trick-or-treating and more festivities at the village’s shops and boutiques.
