Looking for all the best things to do in Southern California this Fall?
The slight change in the weather means it’s finally Fall in Southern California!
You may not think Southern California experiences seasons, but there are some changes you’ll notice for these few months.
There are so many things to do in the Fall in Southern California this year, especially if you want to see Fall foliage or just visit festivals and Halloween events!
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50 Best Things To Do In Southern California This Fall
These are some of the best things to do in Southern California this Fall – you’ll see we’ve sorted it out by the type of activity like special events, pumpkin patches, theme parks, festivals, escape rooms, cemeteries, Fall foliage, and more.
You can use the drop down menu (table of contents) above to navigate to a specific section if you’d like!
✅ Fall & Halloween Themed Events Around Southern California
Here are some special events that only take place during the Fall and Halloween season.
These are the must visit events that we like to visit year after year.
1. Lights Out at Pomona “Fearplex”
This event takes place on Fridays through Sundays (+Halloween) from October 4-31 at the LA County Fairgrounds – also known as Pomona Fairplex.
Check out haunted mazes, interactive activities, and scare zones.
We share our full review of their inaugural year in this other blog post.
2. Halloween Boutique at Roger’s Gardens
This plant nursery in Corona Del Mar, near Newport Beach, has been transforming it’s Halloween boutique for several years now.
Each year it gets a new theme and it is always so immersive.
When you walk through the boutique you’ll find lots of Halloween decor that is available for purchase, plus even more decor that just sets the scene of each year’s theme.
We have a blog post showing the past 5+ years or so where you can check out past themes and this year’s theme.
3. Lavender Nights at 123 Farm in Cherry Valley
From Wednesdays to Mondays, 5 pm to 10 pm, August 22nd through October 27th you can enjoy Fall evenings in the lavender fields.
While the lavender fields are no longer in bloom, they’re lit up with thousands of lights for Lavender Nights.
Enjoy some California wines from the Black Bench Wine Bar, try the in-house sourdough loaves at the Sourdough Lounge, and browse the Food Court & Bar for things like sourdough pizza and wagyu burgers.
As a special treat, try the Lavender Mojito.
4. Nights of the Jack at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas
Nights of the Jack has a walk-able pumpkin trail, food trucks, a Spookeasy bar, and more!
It’s a great place for families or date night and you might just see a celebrity or two.
This event runs from September 27th – November 3rd from 6 pm – 10:30 pm.
We have a blog post sharing our experiences visiting over the past few years to get more info on the event.
Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance because it will sell out.
Click Here To Book Your Nights Of The Jack Tickets Today!
5. Magic Of The Jack O’Lanterns
UPDATE: As of August 8th, 2024 no announcements have been made about the return of this event, but you can check their website linked above for the latest updates!
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns is located at the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area in South El Monte.
Enjoy pumpkin trails similar to events like Nights of the Jack or Pumpkin Nights.
6. Carved at Descanso Gardens
This night time event is hosted in La Canada Flintridge, in the area surrounding Pasadena, Glendale, and Burbank.
Though they are most known for their Christmas lights, they are also delving into Halloween lights now too.
Carved takes place this year from October 4th – 30th.
Tickets go on sale for members on August 6th-12th and non-members on August 13th at 10 am.
Tickets are anywhere from $18-$45 depending on if you’re a member or not and if you’re purchasing child or adult tickets.
✅ Pumpkin Patches & Hayrides
What is more festive than visiting a pumpkin patch and taking a hayride?
Here are the best pumpkin patches and hayrides in Southern California.
7. Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch in Irvine
The Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch is open daily from September 14th – October 31st.
Admission includes unlimited wagon rides, the barnyard educational exhibit, and more.
On some evenings they will also be lighting up the pumpkin patch!
Parking passes are required in advance on weekends and they are $10.
Check out our blog post where we share everything offered at this event.
8. Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
This event is not recommended for children under the age of 12 since the entire area is essentially a scare zone.
In addition to the haunted hayride, the town square area is also interactive with scare actors and a live show that’s performed several times throughout the night.
There are also 3 haunted mazes including Hellbilly Halloween, Midnight Mortuary, and Trick or Treat.
It runs from September 20th – November 2nd most nights and is located in the Griffith Park area.
✅ Theme Park Special Events In Southern California
We have so many theme parks here from LA to Orange County to San Diego.
Wherever you live or plan to visit, there is a theme park nearby with special Fall and Halloween themed events for all ages.
9. Disneyland Resort Oogie Boogie Bash
Disneyland and California Adventure get all decked out for Halloween all season long.
Visit the parks at any time in September and October to experience the Fall decor, special Halloween treats, and special Halloween events.
10. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood
This annual event at Universal Studios Hollywood happens on select nights throughout the Halloween season.
It is not recommended for young children or anyone that is easily scared.
The park is transformed into scare zones, haunted houses, and Halloween themed entertainment, making it arguably the most popular Halloween event in the country if you include the event at their Orlando location too.
11. Knott’s Scary Farm at Knott’s Berry Farm
Also on select nights is Knott’s Scary Farm.
This is another event that is not recommended for young children.
During the day there are plenty of non-scary Halloween and Fall things to at Knott’s Berry Farm, then on select nights it transforms into Knott’s Scary Farm.
There is also a new curfew in place that anyone under the age of 18 needs to be with someone 21+.
We have a blog post where we breakdown if it’s worth visiting or not.
12. Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags is another local theme park up in Santa Clarita.
Fright Fest consists of haunted houses, scare zones, Halloween entertainment, and Halloween treats.
During the day there are also kid friendly activities.
13. Howl-O-Scream at Sea World San Diego
Sea World also hosts it’s own night time event called Howl-O-Scream, which happens on select nights from September 27th – November 2nd.
During the day time park hours there are kid friendly activities, but the evening event is again, not recommended for children.
14. Brick-or-Treat at Legoland California
Since Legoland is a kid oriented park, it’s Halloween event is entirely kid-friendly as well.
There is tons of candy, shows, characters, and more.
The event takes place on September 14, 21, 28, and Saturdays and Sundays in October.
✅ Fall Festivals In Southern California
Fall is a big time for festivals all over California.
The weather cools off a little and it’s Oktoberfest season.
Here are some of the best festivals in the Fall in Southern California.
15. Oktoberfest at Pomona Fairplex
Friday and Saturday nights from October 4th – 26th, from 6 pm – 11 pm, adults ages 21+ can enjoy Oktoberfest at Pomona Fairplex.
Enjoy authentic German food, music, dancing, and games.
16. Oktoberfest at Old World Village In Huntington Beach
Oktoberfest at Old World Village in Huntington Beach is the best Oktoberfest celebration in Orange County.
We’ve visited a few times over the years, even when it’s not Oktoberfest season and we just love it.
From the authentic German foods and drinks to the live entertainment, it’s really the place to be if you can’t make it to Munich.
✅ Spooky Escape Rooms
While escape rooms are open all year long, there are a select few that are best enjoyed during spooky season.
These are the scariest and spookiest escape rooms in Southern California.
17. Zoe Escape Room in Fullerton
This escape room is wild.
You must be at least 16 years old to experience this escape room due to the high intensity of the experience.
It’s a 100 minute escape room, with live actors, and it’s FULL CONTACT.
Many quit before it’s over.
Do you think you have what it takes?
18. The Hide At Escape Room Era In Anaheim
This is another INTENSE escape room, but this one is no contact, so it’s not quite as terrifying.
The premise here is that you’re in a serial killer’s basement while he’s away from home and you need to collect evidence before he returns.
Like it says in the name, hiding is required throughout the experience to not get caught.
You’ll also have a night vision camera on you to record your entire experience, which will be emailed to you after.
It’s easily the scariest experience I’ve ever had in my life.
19. 13th Basement Escape Room At The Exit Game In Anaheim
This escape room is a little different from the two mentioned above.
13th Basement is more of a parody of horror themed escape rooms.
You’ll be blindfolded to begin your experience and the rest of your time here will feel like you’re living in the movie Saw.
It’s meant to be spooky and scary, but in a fun way.
20. The Initiation At Nerdy By Nature In Mission Viejo
This escape room is perfect during spooky season.
The theme is the Illuminati and your goal is solve all the puzzles to become initiated before time runs out.
✅ Cemeteries
While cemeteries can also be visited any time of year, Halloween time is a great time to visit.
Especially if you celebrate Dia De Los Muertos or All Souls Day.
21. Hollywood Forever Cemetery
This tourist friendly cemetery is the final resting place of many well known celebrities throughout the years.
If the office is open during your visit, they sell a map for $5 or $6 showing you all the noteworthy spots to go to.
Some of the more popular grave sites are of Judy Garland, the dog who played Toto, Mel Blanc, Johnny Ramone, Mickey Rooney, Hattie McDaniel, Burt Reynolds, and more.
22. Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Cemetery
This tiny, hidden cemetery is home to many stars.
Amongst the famous celebrities include Marilyn Monroe, Hugh Hefner, Don Knotts, Eva Gabor, Dean Martin, Natalie Wood, Mel Torme, and Rodney Dangerfield.
23. Forest Lawn Cemetery – Glendale
This cemetery is massive and it’s a little harder to find individual grave sites, but there are many iconic people buried here.
The main reason we visited this cemetery was to see Walt Disney’s grave site.
He’s buried with several of his family members in a great location up on a hill amongst a garden.
A little ways away from him is Clark Gable.
✅ See Fall Foliage In These Small Towns
It may be hard to believe, but there are seasons in Southern California.
You just have to know where to go.
These are the best places to see Fall foliage and have a quintessential Fall weekend getaway.
24. Idyllwild
Idyllwild, California is one of the best places in Southern California to see Fall foliage.
It’s a great place for a weekend getaway, renting a cabin, and enjoying the scenery.
Idyllwild is a mountain town nestled between Palm Springs and Temecula, known for it’s hiking trails and village.
The village has a variety of vintage shops, wine tasting rooms, boutique shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and more.
25. Julian
Julian, California is another great place in Southern California to see Fall foliage.
It’s an old Gold Rush town just east of San Diego.
They are known for their apples, so definitely do some apple picking while you’re there and bring home some apple pies.
If you click the link above, it goes to another blog post on our site of the Best Things To Do in Julian in the Fall.
26. Oak Glen
Oak Glen, California is another Fall foliage hot spot in Southern California.
It’s great for a day trip or weekend getaway to enjoy apple picking and other fun Fall festivities.
27. Big Bear Lake
Not only is Big Bear Lake great for Fall foliage due to it’s elevation, they also host some special events during the Fall and Halloween seasons.
✅ Other Spooky And Fall Harvest Themed Activities
Here are some more miscellaneous tours and activities you can do around Southern California to celebrate Fall and the Halloween season.
28. The Haunt Ghost Tours In LA, Temecula, And Solvang
The Haunt Ghost Tours can be taken in LA, Temecula, and in Solvang.
These are paranormal investigation walking tours that take place in the evenings.
The LA tour takes place in Chinatown and when we took the tour our EMF readers picked up a ton of activity all throughout the night.
All locations tend to sell out in advance, so you’ll want to make sure to get your tickets early!
29. Shop At Halloween Bootique In Costa Mesa
Halloween Bootique is a year round shop at The Triangle in Costa Mesa.
They have over 8,000 square feet and just about every costume or accessory you could ever need for anything.
30. Sony Pictures Studios Halloween Twilight Tour
On Thursday nights, the Twilight Tour at Sony Pictures Studios becomes the Halloween Twilight Tour.
It’s a fun and different way to tour a movie studio if you’re a local and have been to all the lots before.
The tour goes from 6 pm – 8 pm and is $55 per person.
Conclusion: Best Things To Do In Southern California This Fall
There are definitely even more fun things to do in the Fall in Southern California, but these are some of the most popular ones.
Luckily, there are places all over, so no matter where you live you’ll be able to find something nearby.
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