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Just because the weather is cooling and the days are shorter doesn’t mean that you have to hunker down for the winter just yet. Fall vacations may seem challenging at first, but some of the best scenery and the lowest prices come around when the leaves are turning. Off-peak travel deals can be a steal, and crowds are less of a problem. Holidays also bring about all types of fun and festivals, with each local neighborhood offering its own spin on these seasonal celebrations.
Even if for a few days, a fall getaway can renew your spirits and let you cash in on one last hurrah before full-swing school begins and tourist attractions shut down for the winter.
Find the Fall Colors
Vineyards are a beautiful scene in the fall. As the leaves change, many vineyards hold fall events to capitalize on their beauty. Many vineyards hold wine tasting events during the fall, and tours are a popular offering during this time.
State parks are also a great place to visit at the end of the season. Nature does not end when the summer does, and fall is often the best time for hiking and fishing.
Romp around in Rural Areas
You can often find the best fall fun just a short drive away. Heading into the surrounding areas of San Diego, you can find amazing scenery, and quaint towns with their own Oktoberfests, hay rides, and pumpkin carving.
Apple picking is also a great fall pastime for the whole family. Many orchards offer apple picking along the roadside, and many areas celebrate with apple-picking festivities. Julian is famous for their pies, and this little area is an affordable, fun town to wander around in. A San Diego tradition, the popular Annual Julian Fall Apple Harvest runs from September 15 to November 15 and celebrates the town’s pies and ciders. This town offers fun shops, live entertainment, and the best apple pies in the county.
With Halloween just around the corner, pumpkin patches, pony rides, farmer’s markets, and corn mazes can be found by the handful.
Embrace a New Culture
Fall is a time when many cultures celebrate their heritage. In Downtown San Diego, the 17th annual Little Italy festival parade is not one to miss. This festival offers more than 150 vendors, three stages of entertainment, a stickball exhibition game, and more than 16 blocks of family-friendly fun. Italian cuisine abounds in this area of the city, and this time of the year is a great time to explore the local fare.
Are you a theater buff? Check out the San Diego 12th annual Asian film festival October 20-28th. This festival focuses on Asian-American cinema and allows patrons to meet filmmakers and actors to get the inside scoop on each film.
Spook Yourself
With Halloween in sight, there’s something spooky for everyone. October hosts Sea World’s Halloween Spooktacular where kids can trick-or-treat among sea creatures, see kid-friendly shows, and participate in Halloween crafts. Kids can dress up and take part in this fun event every weekend in October.
For the adults, there is a laundry list of spooky fun in San Diego during the fall. Del Mar hosts The Scream Zone in the month of October every Saturday and Sunday from 7pm to midnight. Here you can jump on a haunted hayride, see the house of horror and experience “the chamber.” You can also visit The Haunted Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter or walk The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park.
Fall is a great time to squeeze in one last vacation. Local visitor centers and chambers of commerce can help you find the best deals of the season. Many local events are still going strong well into the cooler months, and there’s something for everyone—especially around Halloween. Prices are down, and seasonal colors abound. Rural towns begin to pick up as apple-picking season comes around and pumpkins patches ripen, and cultural events begin to unravel around town.
