The 50 Best Things To Do In Southern California This Fall (2024)

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. Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in Culver City
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch is open from October 5th – October 30th from 9 am to 9 pm.
Admission prices range anywhere from $10-$30 depending on how early you go in the season, the day of the week, and the time of day.
In addition to the pumpkin patch, there are tons of activities and entertainment options to enjoy while you’re visiting.
This pumpkin patch has been a staple since 1987.
9. Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch
This event runs from September 14th – October 31st.
It’s a great activity to bring the whole family.
Admission is free, but there is a parking fee inside the park.
On week days you can visit from 10 am – 6 pm and on weekends you can visit from 8 am – 6 pm.
There are activities you can enjoy while you’re there that come with additional fees.
You can book activity ticket books to do more for less.
There are train rides, hay rides, a moon bounce, face painting, panning for gold, John Deere races (kids sized), cookie decorating, carnival games, and more.
10. 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.
11. Pumpkins in the Pines at SkyPark at Santa’s Village
SkyPark at Santa’s Village is located in Skyforest, near Lake Arrowhead.
The full schedule of events for 2024 is yet to be released for this event, but here is what we know so far:
On Saturdays and Sundays from October 5th – October 27th and on Halloween, there is a park-wide pumpkin patch, seasonal entertainment, special activities, themed food & beverages, and more.
12. Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm
The Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm is located in Redlands and is open every day through October 31st.
This pumpkin farm features over 50 rides, games, photo ops, and attractions including the u-pick pumpkin field and hayrides.
You can also purchase attraction tickets for an extra fee which gives you access to activities like the train, corn maze, petting zoo, pony rides, archery, and lots more.
Admission prices change depending on the day of the week and the time you’re visiting.
13. Underwood Family Farms
Underwood Family Farms is located in Moorpark, which is just north of LA.
Their Fall Harvest Festival runs from September 28th – October 31st.
What’s great about this farm is that each weekend throughout the Fall season they have a different themed festival.
They always have wagon rides, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, photo ops, live entertainment, and more.
If you’re visiting on weekends, tickets must be purchased online in advance, but on weekdays you can get your tickets at the gate.
✅ 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. Long Beach Oktoberfest
UPDATE: As of August 8th, there are no updates on this event for 2024, but you can follow them on Instagram to see if anything is announced.
It’s time to pull out the beer steins and Lederhosen in preparation for Long Beach’s first annual Oktoberfest!
Guests can experience the best of authentic German culture, eats, and of course, beer, such as Paulaner Festbier and Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier.
The world-famous Festmeister Hans und Die Sauerkrauts band will command the stage with music, performances, and German games.
Don’t forget to don Lederhosen or Dirndl, as dressing up for the event is highly encouraged.
22. Maritime Festival In Dana Point
Located at the Dana Point Harbor, the Ocean Institute’s annual Maritime Festival (formerly known as Tall Ships Festival) returns September 13-15, 2024.
With a weekend celebration of all things maritime featuring sailing, food trucks and vendors, craft beers, live music, and more family-time fun.
The festival brings history to life as crews from seven different ships, along with historical re-enactors, engage the public in mock cannon battles at sea, pirate adventures, mermaid encounters, ship tours, and other entertaining activities.
Some areas are ticketed while others are free to visit.
Purchase tickets and learn more.
23. Shaqtoberfest Halloween Festival At The Queen Mary
UPDATE: Shaqtoberfest will not be taking place in 2024, but will have a new home in 2025!
Shaqtoberfest runs in the evenings at The Queen Mary in Long Beach.
Enjoy midway games, rides, and foods at Midway Madness.
During the day, check out Diesel’s Pumpkin Patch where you can enjoy trick or treat stations, pumpkin sculptures, and inflatable play zones.
Other areas include the Lost City Boardwalk, Shipwreck Graveyard, Deadman’s Wharf, and Pirates Cove.
24. 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.
25. 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?
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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.
29. Escape Hotel Hollywood
Escape Hotel is an immersive experience where you can enjoy the restaurant, bar, and live entertainment before or after being escorted to your chosen escape room.
From the moment you walk into the lobby it’s like you’re inside a real Tower of Terror experience.
Escape room themes include Haunted Fair, Daycare Chapter, Resurrection, Attic, Zombie, Cursed Crypt, Slaughter, and Purgatory.
On their website, each room lists it’s escape rate to help you choose the level of difficulty that best suits your group.
You can also visit without doing the escape rooms and just enjoy the restaurant.
✅ 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.
30. 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.
31. 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.
32. 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.
33. Long Beach Historical Cemetery Tour
This year, the event takes place on Saturday, October 26th.
It’s put on by the Historical Society of Long Beach and it has been running since 1995.
It takes place in Long Beach’s oldest cemeteries which sit adjacent to one another at 1195 E Willow, 90806.
The self-guided tour features eight stories of people buried there and each year the stories are new.
At the gravesites are costumed actors telling their stories.
In addition to the grave side stories, they have an amazing Dia de Los Muertos exhibit.
Presented by Danny Flores who’s collected altars and other related items for about 30 years.
They also have all day presentations about Cemetery History and Japanese families in Long Beach.
The grave side presentations begin at 9 and are delivered every 20 minutes until 2:40.
To see all the gravesite enactments and visit a couple of the all-day presentations takes about three hours.
People are welcome to stay all day if they choose.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the cemetery on the day.
Click for more information about the Long Beach Historical Cemetery Tours.
✅ 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.
34. 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.
35. 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.
36. 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.
37. 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.
38. Lake Arrowhead
Lake Arrowhead is known as “The Alps of Southern California”.
The village and lake area have plenty of activities to do throughout the Fall season.
Lake Arrowhead is similar in elevation to Big Bear Lake, so you’ll get similar Fall foliage at around the same time as each other.
✅ 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.
39. 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!
40. Halloween Movie Screenings at Rooftop Cinema Club in San Diego & LA
They show films seven nights a week at their venues in San Diego, the LA Arts District, Downtown LA, and El Segundo.
Popular movies include: Hocus Pocus, Friday The 13th (1980), Coraline, Halloweentown, Practical Magic, Edward Scissorhands, Scream (1996), Halloween (1978), The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Addams Family (1991), Rocky Horror Picture Show, American Psycho, and A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984).
Films for all ages – Hocus Pocus, Coco, Hotel Transylvania, Cruella, Monsters Inc, Coraline, Halloweentown, The Nightmare Before Christmas
Halloween Classics – Halloween, The Craft, Beetlejuice, The Addams Family, Ghostbusters, Practical Magic, The Mummy, Scary Movie, Friday the 13th, Edward Scissorhands, It
Horror/Thriller Movies – The Ring, Scream, American Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, Final Destination, Zombieland, Get Out, The Conjuring, The Shining, Misery, The Cabin in the Woods, The Blair Witch Project, I Know What You Did Last Summer
Click for more information on Rooftop Cinema Club’s Halloween movie screenings!
41. Hike to Pumpkin Rock in Norco
Pumpkin Rock Trail gets it’s name because it has been painted to look like Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The loop trail is 1.7 miles and takes usually about an hour roundtrip.
42. 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.
43. The Haunted Car Wash Tunnel Of Terror
There are two locations for the haunted car wash this year!
If you’re in LA, visit Carwood Car Wash at 2729 E. Carson St, Lakewood, CA, 90712.
If you’re in Orange County, visit Big Wave Car Wash at 2219 Lincoln Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92801.
On select nights from October 3rd – October 30th, the haunted carwashes will be running for $30 per vehicle.
44. Natural History Museum’s Boney Island
The Natural History Museum in LA transforms its Nature Gardens into a haunted but whimsical interactive light-up experience called Boney Island during the Halloween season.
The light up experience includes special effects like skeletons performing rope tricks, levitating through hoops, shadow puppetry and more.
Additionally, there are artistic performances, real fossils, live animal presentations, trick-or-treating, and other installations.
This event runs on select dates October 3rd – October 31st.
45. 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.
46. Pirates Dinner Adventure Halloween Show – Vampirates
On select nights through October 31, Pirates Dinner Adventure in Buena Park hosts Vampirates: Undead Men Tell No Tales, a Halloween-themed dinner show suitable for all ages.
Pirates Dinner Adventure’s general admission includes a three-course dinner with unlimited soft drinks.
Children ages two and under are free.
47. The Pearl Halloween Movie Screenings In San Diego
The Pearl is another place you can go for Halloween movie screenings!
Check out the “Happenings” page for the full schedule.
48. Boo At The Zoo: Santa Ana Zoo
The Santa Ana Zoo hosts “Boo at the Zoo” on October 19th, 20th, 26th, and 27th from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.
There will be trick or treating, lights, animal presentations, a scavenger hunt, and more.
49. Haunt Of Halloween At Kaleidoscope Mall In Mission Viejo
UPDATE: No dates have been announced for 2024 as of August 8th.
Haunt of Halloween is a haunted maze at the mall.
It takes about 10 minutes to go through the maze, but there are other things to do here too like photo ops and live entertainment.
Children as young as 5 years old are welcome!
50. 17th Door Haunted House
Located at the Buena Park Mall, 17th Door is a prison themed haunted house experience.
There is also an add-on experience called “The Field Trip”.
This is a 50 minute add-on experience where you have been selected as a good inmate that is seeking rehabilitation care.
“You are in for a wild ride that includes chasing, hiding, drops, sparks, music, dancing, and a bunch of cool cars.
Part drive through, part walk through, all fun, this intense experience is like nothing ever done before.”
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.