As soon as September arrives, I start looking for signs of fall. I am a firm believer that there are signs of fall in the Bay Area, much to the amusement of my East Coast born husband. Sure, our trees may not dramatically change as they do in other parts of the world, but signs of fall do exist – crisp dewy mornings, the longer golden rays in the evening, or the occasional rainy afternoon. I don’t need much to throw on a sweater and brew a cup of tea.

Now that we have a daughter, I have the strong inclination to share the joys of fall with her. It feels like an excellent excuse to regress back into my childhood – when Octobers were magic. Whether you are obsessively looking for signs of fall (like me) or need a few more signs that seasons are changing, I’ve compiled a list of fall events on the Peninsula and surrounding area to help celebrate the ‘spooky’ season.

Please note that Half Moon Bay (HMB) is a popular spot for Halloween activities. Highway 92, the main road to HMB, can get very backed up with traffic on October weekends. I highly recommend leaving early in the morning if you venture to HMB for one of these activities!

Orchard Days at Filoli (Woodside, CA)

Saturdays and Sundays, September 24 - October 30, 2022 plus Monday, October 10, 10am - 5pm

Cost: Varies by age, see website

Andreotti Family Farms (Half Moon Bay, CA)

October 1 - 31, 10am - 5pm

Cost: Varies for corn maze, hay rides, and sunflower field

Moreland Pumpkin Patch (San Jose, CA)

Saturdays and Sundays, October 14 - 30 plus Halloween, times vary

Cost: Varies based on activity

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival (Half Moon Bay, CA)

Saturday and Sunday, October 15 - 16, 9am - 5pm

Cost: Admission is free