From mountains and beaches to forests and deserts, California has it all and then some. October is the perfect time to plan your trip!
As our summer season begins to wane and temperatures begin to cool, you can take advantage of all of the autumn activities that California has to offer. Read on for 17 unforgettable things to do in California in October.
1. San Francisco Fleet Week
When the lights go down in the city, and the sun shines on the bay, how I want to be there for…San Francisco Fleet Week!
Journey references aside, Fleet Week is San Francisco’s annual Navy Airshow. This year, events run from October 7-14. The entire SF community comes together to partake in the free events!
SFFW offers ship tours, neighborhood concerts and parades throughout the week, where you can get a first-hand look at the different Navy ships.
However, the main events are the SFFW Airshows! Grab a spot at Marina Green and take in the U.S. Navy Blue Angels as they fly in choreographed formations across the sky.
Taken with the views of the Golden Gate and Alcatraz island in the distance, this is a breathtaking event that you don’t want to miss!
2. Sonoma County Harvest Fair
La Dolce Vita is here in California. If you like wine, there is no better time to visit than during our harvest season in October.
While you can be sure to find wine tastings and festivals throughout the state (hey, we like our grapes), there is perhaps nowhere better to enjoy than in the famed Sonoma and Napa Valley regions.
Though different vineyards tend to offer their own private wine-tasting events, there are certainly some larger festivals to participate in. For example, enjoy the Sonoma County Harvest Fair on October 12.
This festival will feature over 150 wineries for tastings, food pairings and demonstrations. There will also be celebrations with local community businesses and farms, making it a fun way to spend the weekend.
3. See Fall Foliage in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places to visit in California and even more beautiful during fall. The park is famous for old-growth sequoia forests, waterfalls and the enormous granite cliffs called El Capitan and Half Dome. And planning a road trip to Yosemite is the best way to see those fall colors.
4. Celebrate Fall at The Cambria Scarecrow Festival
If you’re looking for a fun and quirky fall event in October, the Cambria Scarecrow Festival is a must-see!
Cambria is a lesser known beach town but a great getaway destination that offers many fun and exciting things to do!
From October 1 to October 31, the charming town of Cambria comes alive with hundreds of creative and whimsical scarecrows on display. You can stroll through the streets and check out these handcrafted masterpieces, which range from traditional scarecrows to some truly wild designs—it’s like a walking art exhibit with a Halloween twist!
5. Experience Central Coast Beaches
One of the best things to do in October is to explore the beaches on the Central Coast while the weather is still mild and the summer crowds have thinned out. October is a perfect time to hop on an ATV and ride across the famous sand dunes in Pismo Beach.
If you’re more into a laid-back experience, take a scenic walk along the beach boardwalks, stopping for a treat at Tomasko’s Salt Water Taffy or a cozy drink from Red Bee Coffee in Grover Beach.
Explore the larger town of San Luis Obispo nearby too. In addition to being a college town with ample art galleries and shopping, the area is also known for its spa resorts.
💡 Pro Tip: October sunsets over the sand dunes are stunning, and with fewer people around, you’ll have the perfect spot to take it all in!
6. Celebrate All Things Avocado
Love avocados? Then you’ll definitely want to check out the California Avocado Festival in Carpinteria! This year, it will be held from October 4-6. this three-day festival is packed with avocado-themed fun, including live music, art, and of course, every kind of avocado dish you can imagine.
7. Annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival
If you plan your October visit just right, you’ll be happy as a clam. Literally! Catch the 78th Annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival on October 19-20. This large community festival will highlight local restaurants, vendors and businesses. Younger family members can enjoy the Kids Zone in between sampling local clam chowders and other delicious dishes.
8. Step into a fairytale in Solvang
Solvang is a quaint town in California’s central coast. Near to Santa Barbara, Solvang is known Danish influences and heritage.
Tour the sweet town center and check out local Danish restaurants and bakeries. If you have time for breakfast, be sure to stop in Solvang Restaurant, where you can try the Danish pancake balls, Aeblskiver.
Part donut-hole part pancake, these dough balls are topped with your choice of jam and/or powdered sugar.
It’s a perfect way to start your day as you enjoy the shops, wineries and attractions in Solvang. Keeping with the Danish theme, check out the nearby Hans Christian Andersen Museum and Park, named for the Danish author that wrote many of the fairytales we know today.
9. Solvang Farmer Pumpkin Patch
When you’re ready, step further into the real-life fairytale and head over to the Solvang Farmer Pumpkin Patch. Throughout the month of October, you can go to the farm and pick your pumpkins (before you’re turned into one!).
This family-friendly attraction offers kids of all ages the chance to pick out their personal pumpkins! You can also keep in the autumn spirit and enjoy a massive 10 acre corn maze enjoy a corn maze. Everyone will have a jolly gourd time!
10. Try Carved at Descanso Gardens
Staying in character for #spookyseason? Try out the “Carved” exhibition at Descanso Gardens between October 4-30.
Descanso Gardens is famous year-round for its beautiful gardens and park setting, but in October the “Carved” exhibit is a fun additional installation.
Count on seeing hundreds of carved jack-o-lanterns and light installations, along with other seasonal favorites like hay-rides and mazes. This year will even include a Dia de los Muertos exhibit.
Whether you decide to visit Descanso Gardens for their traditional gardens or go during the “Carved” event, it’s sure to be a fun time for everyone!
11. Check out Skull Rock at Joshua Tree National Park
Embrace the desert digs as the hot California temperatures finally begin to cool in October. Visiting Joshua National Park in October is the best time of year for your trip.
Camp, hike or boulder around the stark landscapes. The park is famous as the home of the Joshua Tree – this is the only place on the planet where these trees grow.
A stronghold of native plant and wildlife species, Joshua Tree National Park remains one of the most delicate but persevering desert ecosystems in the world.
12. Dance Under the Stars at Joshua Tree Music Festival
While you’re here, enjoy the Joshua Tree Music Festival that happens during the first week of October.
Held twice a year in the stunning Joshua Tree National Park, this festival brings together live music, art, and wellness workshops. With its laid-back atmosphere and eclectic lineup, you can groove to everything from indie rock to world beats while soaking in the magical desert views.
The desert gets chilly at night, so be sure to bring layers! And don’t miss out on the wellness workshops—they’re a great way to recharge between sets.
13. Try the World Famous Date Shake
After you’ve completed your outdoor adventures, enjoy the neighboring Palm Desert and Palm Springs locales. In Palm Springs, there are many shops, art galleries local eateries to enjoy.
However the best treat from the region can be found just outside the city limits. Hadley’s Fruit Orchards offers the best dessert in the desert: their World Famous Date Shake. Try the original – simple, sweet and delicious – the shake alone makes the desert drive worth it.
14. Apple Picking in Julian
Enjoy the start of the apple harvest season by heading up to local farms in the San Diego region. Take your pick from the orchards directly; There are many varieties grown at each location.
Pay for a 5-gallon bag and fill it up as you wander the beautiful apple orchards that are nestled in the nearby mountains of the small town of Julian.
15. Enjoy A Fresh Slice of Apple Pie
Once you’ve completed your harvest, head over to poke around charming mercantile, boutique shops and bakeries in the town center.
Mom’s Pie House and Julian Pie Company are two delicious and locally famous apple pie bakeries. Order a fresh-baked slice of pie served a la mode with their homemade cinnamon ice cream.
These two locally famous bakeries do not disappoint, and their pies are a treat you won’t soon forget.
16. Apple Cider Tasting
If you prefer to drink your apple a day, be sure to stop by a couple of cideries for a glass (or flight) of hard apple cider. Julian Hard Cider offers traditional seasonal sweet ciders along with taster flights.
Nearby, the newer Calico Cidery offers natural and “dry” tasting ciders. The two establishments differ drastically in approach and product, so why not give each a go and see how do you like them apples?
17. Annual Oktoberfest in Big Bear Lake
No October would be complete without Oktoberfest, and California is no exception. Between September 10 – November 1, the mountain town Big Bear Lake near Los Angeles will host their 52nd Annual Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest will highlight local brewers and their libations. The weekends will also showcase local businesses, restaurants and German-American artists and bands.
Expect a fun atmosphere with lively German music and performances, bratwursts and brews as you celebrate the Fall season in the lovely alpine forests of Big Bear Lake.
Once you’ve gotten your fill, take in the scenery of the lake and mountains. If you have enough time, you can even try to go on a peaceful nature walk or kayak on the lake.
This post was originally contributed by Laurén Green from Wander With Wren, with additional updates and personal insights by Shreeyeh Rajan from Bae Area and Beyond.
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