5 Best Fall Activities Near Los Angeles

If you’re looking for fun fall activities near Los Angeles and some of that cozy New England autumnal vibes in Southern California, keep reading!

As someone who grew up in New York and went to school in New England, trust me when I say, I scoured the internet for the best fall experiences I could find, during my time living in SoCal. Of course, I know that Southern California isn’t known for their changing season and this would not replace the vibes and experience of an East Coast Fall, but I like to think that I came pretty close with this list.

Pumpkin Spice Lattes, late harvest and changing fall leaves are some of the things I think of when looking for the cozy fall aesthetic. Apple pies, hayrides and sweater weather are some more things to set the mood for the traditional fall experience. Depending on the month you go for these activities, you could even experience crisp cool temperatures!

For this list of fall activities near Los Angeles, I tried to keep the drive time approximately 3 hours and under. I also want to only recommend places and things to do that’s the best bang for your time spent driving. Without further ado, let’s get into the best things to do this fall in Southern California and really get into the spirit!

1. Go Apple Picking in the Mountains

Yes, you’ve read that right! Just 1.5 hours east of Los Angeles, is the town of Oak Glen, in the San Bernardino Mountains. There are two regions in Southern California that are most popularly known for their apple orchards: Oak Glen and Julian. Both are great options for a day trip to go apple picking. Julian is another hour’s drive south and is closer to San Diego.

I had such a perfect day apple picking in Oak Glen, and highly recommend it to anyone looking to do it.

2. Get the Best Apple Cider Donuts in SoCal

It doesn’t feel like fall until you get your hands on some freshly-pressed apple cider and warm apple cider doughnuts. While you are in Oak Glen for apple-picking, make a stop at Snow-Line Orchard for the most delicious mini apple cider donuts. This is place is renown for their doughnuts and rightfully so! I’ve had my share of donuts in New England, and these really hit the spot.

If you are in Julian for some apple picking, you will find apple cider doughnuts at Julian Pie Company. While they are most popularly known to have the best Julian apple pies ever, they also have fresh cider doughnuts available for your fall sweet treat needs.

Staying closer to home? Swing by Sidecar Doughnuts in Santa Monica for their vegan version of the apple cider donut, and if all else fails: Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods.

3. Finding Fall Colors By the Lakes

This has to be my favorite part of fall. Seeing all the leaves change into yellows, oranges and red hues is so exciting. This signal of change of seasons goes hand in hand with spiced drinks and cozy sweaters. So, if you want to adventure out to the lakes and go leaf peeping, drive out to Big Bear Lake or Lake Arrowhead. Both are about 2 hours east of Los Angeles in the San Bernardino National Forest, with Lake Arrowhead a bit closer to Los Angeles.

I still believe Big Bear Lake is the best place in Southern California to find fall foliage with its higher elevation (leaves turn colors earlier). Lake Arrowhead (also known as the Alps of SoCal) comes up next on my list, though!

Other locations to find fall colors include Oak Glen and Julian, which happens much later in the season (end of October to November). I have also heard you can find changes of colors in Idyllwild, Malibu Creek State Park, and Descanso Gardens.

I highly recommend using the California Fall Color Map to time peak fall colors or this Fall Foliage Map by Smoky Mountains which covers the entire map of The States.

4. Play in Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes

Spend a day celebrating the harvest festival by visiting nearby farms and enjoy the pumpkin patches, hayrides, maneuvering corn mazes, or even feeding animals in the petting zoo. Fall in Los Angeles wouldn’t feel complete without these quintessential activities.

There are a number of pumpkin patches around the LA area, but here are a few favorites to check out, below. I had a great time at the Hana Field Pumpkin Patch and Pumpkin City during the evening. Most pumpkin patches are scheduled to reopen during the first week of October 2024!

5. Celebrate Oktoberfest

Get into the Bavarian spirit by celebrating Oktoberfest, an annual autumnal festival from Munich, with celebrations and festivities around the drinking of beer. There are plenty of Oktoberfest festivals and evenst around Los Angeles this fall. I was able to join in the fun while at a pumpkin patch last year in Laguna Hills‘ Pumpkin City, which had a dedicated Oktoberfest tent and menu.

Popular Oktoberfest events that occurs every year includes, The Old World Oktoberfest in Huntington Beach, Fairplex Presents Oktoberfest in Pomona, CraftoberFest in Pasadena (Rose Bowl), Oktoberfest in Big Bear and the Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest.

I hope these give you some good ideas for your next fall activity near Los Angeles and in Southern California. Although, the temperatures don’t quite give Fall, the different harvest festivals and events make up for it!

Read More:

Perfect Day Apple Picking in Southern California: Oak Glen Apple Farms

The Best Place for Fall Foliage in Southern California: Big Bear Lake

Oktoberfest & Nighttime Fun at Pumpkin City

Fun Fall Day at Hana Field by Tanaka Farms

SAVE ON PINTEREST FOR LATER