18 awesome things to do in the Bay Area to enjoy and celebrate fall!

When the temperature dips just a little, and the first pops of orange and red appear, you know we’re getting stoked. S-T-O-K-E-D, stoked, baby!

It’s officially the -ber months. Some of us call it the best time of year. Some might not—and we might just have to fight them on that. 🍂 The Bay Area is a beautiful place to live during the fall season, with a ton of ways to celebrate and really get into that autumn feeling.

You might choose to venture a little farther—Sonoma County has some truly lovely farms—but today we’re highlighting must-visit spots on the Peninsula (plus a few beyond). Of course, there’s also plenty to do right here in the Bay, and we’ll touch on that too.

A Note on Weather

First things first: remember September is still summer weather around here. It’s a bummer to wear a cute fall sweater to the pumpkin patch only to end up sweaty. Don’t forget sunscreen and a water bottle. Weather-wise, we don’t really cool down until mid-October.

Fall Foliage

If you’re craving autumn colors, start with the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. The maple leaves and yellow ginkgo trees are vibrant, and when combined with the koi ponds and waterfalls, it’s simply stunning. Highly aesthetically pleasing.

The SF Botanical Garden spans 55 acres—so yes, there’s bound to be color. The window for peak fall foliage is short (about two weeks in November), so check their Instagram and head over when it looks seasonally perfect.

Filoli Gardens on the Peninsula is another great stop, and Tilden Park in Berkeley offers scenic, photo-worthy foliage as well.

Pumpkins, Patches & Festivals

Did you know the pumpkin capital of the world is just up the road? Half Moon Bay, y’all! 🎃

The Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival draws visitors from everywhere. Be warned, the traffic can be intense with only one lane in and out, but the giant pumpkins are worth it. Between spooky fog, a haunted house, 2,000-pound gourds, and a slice of delicious pumpkin pie, you’ll have officially celebrated fall.

Closer to home, the Peninsula has plenty of charming pumpkin patches for all your U-pick needs:

• Farmer John’s: Known for massive pumpkins (up to 100 lbs!) and colorful gourds.

• Arata’s Pumpkin Farm: Famous for its epic hay maze, hayrides, ponies, petting zoo, and “river of pumpkins.”

• Andreotti Family Farms: Try something different—sunflower picking! The dreamy fields are gorgeous, but wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for bees.

Spooky Season Adventures

Fall isn’t just about pumpkins—it’s prime spooky season, too.

• Alcatraz After Dark: Night tours are offered only in fall and sell out fast. The island has a completely different vibe after sunset.

• Winchester Mystery House (San Jose): Their Halloween candlelight tours are a chilling experience. That place is spooky in daylight—imagine it at night.

• California’s Great America (Santa Clara): Goes all out for Halloween with themed food, décor, zombie cover bands, and more. Over-the-top and awesome.

• Alameda Island: Legendary for trick-or-treating and over-the-top décor. While you’re there, check out the haunted USS Hornet. From ghost tours to a shipboard haunted house, it’s a thrill from start to finish.

And for the true horror lovers—

• Fear Overload (Newark): Widely considered the scariest haunted house in the Bay. Expect demons, monsters, mazes, and nightmare-worthy scenes that will stick with you. It’s not for the faint of heart—but so worth it.

There are countless more ways to celebrate fall around the Bay Area, but these highlights should spark some ideas. Get out there, soak it in, and make the most of this magical season! 🍁