Things to do in the fall in Los Angeles

It’s basically just confined to a pair of mountainous areas, but Oak Glen and—if you’re willing to put in the extra miles—Julian are both home to an apple-picking frenzy each fall. The season can start as early as the beginning of September and runs through late November (it varies depending on the year, though, so sometimes October is the best time to find trees blooming with these delicious fruits, just waiting to be picked). Purists can eat their apples straight from the tree, while others may choose to let the pros handle things and order some cider or a pie. While both are a bit of a trek from L.A., many of the U-pick farms offer a day of worthwhile family-friendly activities, from fresh cider pressing to petting zoos and archery, which makes the drive worth it.

Time Out tip: From late October to early November, Julian transforms into one of SoCal’s only true fall foliage destinations. Factor in a stop at local bakery Julian Pie Company, which transforms the fall apple bounty into some of the best pies in Southern California.

Though there are a few local farms with gourds fit for plucking, most of L.A.’s pumpkin patches set up shop in parking lots or open fields. If you’re simply looking for a pumpkin for a jack-o’-lantern, any old supermarket selection of pumpkins will do. But you’ll also find about a dozen places (particularly toward the Ventura County border) that supplement their squashes with activities like petting zoos and wagon rides.

Time Out tip: It’s about an hour away, but our top pumpkin pick, Tanaka Farms in Irvine, also offers unlimited wagon rides and a corn maze. And this year, the patch is pairing with L.A. artist Steven Harrington for colorful art installations among the gourds. Note: This patch gets very busy, so parking reservations are required in advance on weekends ($12).

We may not exactly be known for our German cuisine, but that doesn’t prevent Angelenos from grabbing a stein and swaying along to some oompah bands. The celebration’s name can be a bit misleading: The Munich originator actually starts in September, but here in L.A., most of the Oktoberfest events extend into late October with a mix of food and drink specials at local bars and ticketed events at day trip destinations. There are even some pup-friendly options.

Time Out tip: L.A. is full of superlative beer options year-round, from craft breweries to Bavarian-style biergartens. But if you miss out on the Oktober festivities and are still craving some brats and Wiener schnitzel, Red Lion Tavern and Wirtshaus have you covered, as well as Wurstküche, with its exotic sausages.

Look, it’s not Vermont, but Los Angeles does indeed have some fall colors. Mountainous environs like Oak Glen and Big Bear are usually the go-to, but you can find some splashes of color closer to home, too; if all else fails, we typically turn to one of the region’s stunning botanical gardens for some seasonal vibes.

Time Out tip: Descanso Gardens and South Coast Botanic Garden are two local options where you can spy shades of yellow and red—and if you plan a nighttime visit during Halloween time, you can also see a host of jack-o’-lanterns lit up for specially ticketed events. 

Just because summer comes to an end doesn’t mean the outdoor cinema experience has to. A couple of our favorite pop-ups are continuing their schedules through October, with spooky favorites at series like Street Food Cinema and Rooftop Cinema Club, plus a few spooky screenings from Cinespia, which is hosting its first Halloween-night party at Hollywood Forever Cemetery this October 31.

Time Out tip: Indoors, Street Food Cinema is also hosting a screening of The Evil Dead with a live orchestra and underground maze. And film buffs go wild for the Halloween lineups at the New Beverly Cinema and Vidiots each October.

What’s spooky season without a few good scares? The best haunted houses in Los Angeles run the gamut from homegrown horrors to big-budget amusement park productions—unsurprisingly, the home of Hollywood horror films takes its Halloween events very seriously. Whatever thrills you, whether it’s a hayride in Griffith Park or immersive theater at a historic mansion, there’s a local haunted house to satisfy your hankering.

Time Out tip: If you prefer macabre history over manufactured scares, take a tour of some real-life haunted places in Los Angeles.

While many people stick to camping during the summer months, we prefer fall. Why? Lower (but not too low) temperatures, less crowded campgrounds and fewer bugs. Just make sure to pack a few extra layers and blankets. Southern California’s vast and varied terrain means you can choose whether you want to camp amid mountains, lakes, deserts or beaches.

Time Out tip: To immerse yourself in the great outdoors without venturing too far, Angeles National Forest is your best bet. You’ll find more than 40 first-come, first-served campgrounds perched some 11,000 feet over Pasadena. Parts of the forest were impacted by the recent wildfires, so check here to see which campgrounds are currently open.

October is the only month you won’t mind being told to “get lost”—in a corn maze, that is. Los Angeles has a few in the Valleys that guarantee a good time as you weave through a labyrinth of corn husks (and maybe a few dead ends) until reaching the end. Some are even designed to create particular images and messages from an aerial view.

Time Out tip: Most local corn mazes are paired with pumpkin patches—the perfect twofer fall activity. The mazes lean more family-friendly, not scary, and lest you be afraid of losing your way, don’t worry: Many will provide you with a map.

Once the Santa Ana winds blow through the last of the season’s hot weather, cravings for all things warm and cozy are at an all-time high. So when the sun sets early and that cool Pacific Ocean breeze blows in, it’s time to head for the fireplace. The spots in our cozy bar guide keep us warm with crackling flames and seasonal cocktails all fall and winter long.

Time Out tip: If you’re mourning summer and still not quite ready to ditch the patio in favor of indoor dining, a number of spots around the city—including Tam O’Shanter and The Front Yard—have great outdoor fireplaces, which offers the best of both worlds.

Yes, we know how to read a calendar (and technically most of the month of December is fall, not winter). But with holiday events creeping ever-earlier in November, we’d argue that fall is the best time for most holiday light displays: The crowds, and sometimes prices, tend to be way more manageable, because not even Christmas lights can escape L.A. traffic.

Time Out tip: Among the earliest events to get into the holiday spirit each year are L.A. Zoo Lights, Enchanted at Descanso Gardens and the seasonal celebrations at Disneyland Resort—all usually kick off by mid-November.