Seasonal & Holidays
Patch Parents: Don't Miss These Family-Friendly Fall Festivals In California
Celebrate the fall season at one of these fall festivals happening across the state.
CALIFORNIA — From apple picking at California orchards, to pumpkin picking at a plethora of patches, fall is in full swing across the Golden State. Community and harvest-themed festivals have also popped up throughout the state.
Even one of the beachiest of places has been transformed into a picture-perfect autumn destination.
Fall Fest has returned to Belmont Park, a beachfront amusement park in the Mission Beach area of San Diego. The 4th consecutive beachside fall festival takes place every weekend through Sunday. Oct. 27.
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"Belmont Park offers the only Fall Fest in San Diego with an oceanfront backdrop, blending fall traditions with the laid-back San Diego beach lifestyle," the Belmont Park marketing team told Patch.
The festival features activities for both kids and adults, including amusement park rides, games and other attractions, live music, fall-themed face painting, seasonal craft beer tastings and specialty fall treats.
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Kids ride free all October long with the purchase of an adult wristband. The park also offers free trick-or-treating every Sunday in October.
"This combination of the beach-meets-fall vibe, family-friendly activities, and unique daily offerings really sets Belmont Park's Fall Fest apart from the rest," the team said.
In addition to Belmont Park's Fall Fest, there are a variety of other fall festivals happening across the state. Check out some of our favorite family-friendly fall festivals in California below.
Northern California
- What: The festival includes an apple pie-baking competition, craft and food vendors, a pumpkin patch and live music.
- When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
- Where: Main Street, McCloud
Corning Olive Festival and Car Show
- What: The two-day festival celebrates the "World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay" with gigantic pumpkins, harvest-inspired fine art and crafts, pie-eating contests, pumpkin carving and more.
- When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20
- Where: Main Street between Mill and Spruce streets, Half Moon Bay
Central California
- What: The two-day festival offers a cornucopia of crafts, comestibles, demonstrations of skills, and music and dancing at the park, which is decorated for the harvest season.
- When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 and Sunday, Oct. 13
- Where: Columbia State Historic Park, Columbia
- What: The three-day festival offers carnival rides, live music, food trucks, local artisans, vendors and more.
- When: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12; and 10 a..m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 13
- Where: Oakhurst Community Park, Oakhurst
- What: The two-day festival features a clam chowder cook-off contest, parade, a kids zone, live music, food trucks and local vendors.
- When: Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20
- Where: Pismo Beach Pier, Pismo Beach
- What: The festival celebrates Madera's agricultural heritage, featuring local products, live music and cooking demonstrations.
- When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2
- Where: Madera District Fairgrounds, Madera
Southern California
Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade
- What: The festival includes artist booths, costume contests, food vendors and live entertainment. The parade features festive costumes and floats, dance groups, and marching bands.
- When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (festival) and 7 p.m. (parade) Saturday, Oct. 26
- Where: Center Street, Downtown Anaheim
- What: The festival features a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay rides, petting farm and farm store.
- When: Noon to 7 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27
- Where: AGRIscapes at Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona
- What: The festival features a marketplace, pumpkin dishes, live music and a pumpkin patch.
- When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20
- Where: Juan Bautista de Anza Park, Agoura Hills
- What: This children's historical street faire features an assortment of activities and demonstrations, including a pie-eating contest.
- When: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3
- Where: In front of the Davis-Horton House on 4th and Island Avenue, San Diego
- What: The beachside fall festival offers amusement park rides, games and other attractions, live music, fall-themed face painting, seasonal craft beer tastings and specialty fall treats.
- When: Every weekend through Sunday. Oct. 27
- Where: Belmont Park, San Diego
- What: The festival is filled with fall-themed activities, including a Halloween carnival area, contests, food vendors, and a space dedicated to November's DÃa de Muertos holiday.
- When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
- Where: Plaza Park, Oxnard
- What: The three-day festival offers carnival rides and games, arts and crafts booths, contests, a car show, petting zoo, food vendors and more.
- When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19; and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20
- Where: Peak Park, Buena Park
The Original Farmers Market Fall Festival
- What: The festival includes fall-themed games, kids crafts, a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and live music.
- When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20
- Where: The Original Farmers Market, Los Angeles
Patch Parents is written by Patch Editor Kristina Houck, a mom of three boys. Have a story idea? Email kristina.houck@patch.com.
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