San Diego Fall is arguably the best time of the year. The crowds have all gone back home and it’s time for both local’s summer and fall activities. We get asked, can you still go to the beach in October in San Diego? Absolutely! You can surf in the morning and hit up a pumpkin patch in a red scarf that afternoon. We have you covered with what to do in the Fall in San Diego.
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Visit Julian
Julian CA should be on the top of your list for what to do in the fall in San Diego. It is prime with fall foliage and gives that small town rom-com vibe. You can come for the day or come for one of their Fall events: Julian Apple Season Celebrations. Our event recs are the Autumn Harvest Teas, Heirloom Apple Festival, Oktoberfest, and the Haunted Harvest for our spookier friends.
Make a day out of it and start with a sunrise hike to Three Sisters Fall, featured as one of our Best Hikes in San Diego. You can’t leave Julian without stopping by the Julian Pie Company. This family owned and operated business started in 1986 with Liz Smothers. Her sons and grandchildren are now leading the operations of apple picking and pie baking. With an assortment of pies, the Dutch Apple and Boysenberry reign supreme.
📍 2225 Main Street, Julian, CA 92036
Stay the Night at Lake Cuyamaca
Up in the hills, less than 10 miles from Downtown Julian is Lake Cuyamaca. If you are looking for a little Fall getaway check out Campground at Lake Cuyamaca. Come for the foliage, stay the night in one of their lakeview cabins. At Lake Cuyamaca you can fish, hike, boat, picnic, birdwatch, and enjoy a romantic stargaze. For those who want a classic Fall experience in San Diego, this is the place for you.
📍 15027 Highway 79, Julian, CA 92036
Stop by the Harvest Festival Oct 11th -13th
Fall festivals are the perfect activity to kick off the start of the end of the year. The Harvest Festival will be making its way up and down the California coast and stopping at Del Mar from October 11th – 13th. Whether you find joy in picking up a one of a kind item for yourself and supporting crafters or want to get a head start on unique Holiday gifts, the Harvest Festival brings alllll the Fall fun.
📍 DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDS, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014
Cost: $9.00 GA
Find Your Pumpkin at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company Sept 20th – Nov 3rd
We all can guess what is the most popular activity in the fall- pumpkin patches. San Diego Family has put together a list of Pumpkin Patches in San Diego County 2024, but we are going to give you are official recommendation – Carlsbad Strawberry Company. While you can get a pumpkin from anywhere, including your local grocery store, we are all about the experience when you are considering what to do in the fall in San Diego.
Not only does the Carlsbad Strawberry Company have pumpkins, it also has sheep, goats, and rabbits to pet for our animal lovers. It has tractor rides. Maybe most importantly, it has a 1.5 mile corn maze. WHICH turns haunted on Fridays & Saturdays from 7PM-10PM. They have teamed up with Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation to create the perfect thrilling experience that you and your family will talk about for days. The haunted maze is perfect for teenagers and adults, guaranteed to get your heart thumping.
📍 1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Get Spooked at The Haunted Trail Sept 27 – Nov 2
Is October a good month to visit San Diego? It is, and it always has been. Locals will remember the dynamic duo of spook – Haunted Trail and Haunted Hotel. The Haunted Hotel has had its fair share of trouble. First, it was closed in 2020 due to the pandemic that must not be named. Then it was revamped into three mazes in the Mission Valley parking lot by Target and renamed Disturbance Mission Valley. This year the hotel / Mission Valley experiment has been halted completely. For the time being, all scare seekers should head to Balboa Park for The Haunted Trail.
The first gauntlet to survive is the 3500 Square foot eXperiment Maze, home of a menagerie of witches, clowns and a smattering of Fairy Tale Freaks, including “Moldy Locks” and her 3 man eating bears. Then it’s on to the mile long Haunted Trail through a portal that transports you in space and time to the foggy Ghost-filled Graveyard, the Freddy Krueger Ghoul Bus, the deadly smokey meat house and the chainsaw laden barn. Not made for the feint of heart, the Haunted Tail has landed itself on America Haunts – The Best Haunted Houses in The USA.
📍 The corner of Balboa Dr & Juniper in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101
Cost: $32.99. There are also $5 OFF coupons available at Goodwill stores countywide while supplies last.
Pick Up Something Pumpkin Spice
Of course, our what to do in the Fall in San Diego would not be complete without some Pumpkin Spice. Also does anyone actually know how to get spice from pumpkins?? Our Top 11 Coffee Shops in San Diego are pulling through with their pumpkin spice picks. Over at Better Buzz Coffee you can pick up a Pumpkin Cold Brew: smooth cold brew with a touch of pumpkin, topped with vanilla pumpkin cold cream & a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters came through with a hilarious announcement on their Instagram that their Pumpkin Spice Latte was back. Dark Horse Coffee Roasters are going all in with their jack-o-lantern coffee sleeves and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins. Whatever you choose to do for your Fall adventure, San Diego has you covered.
