No seasons in Los Angeles? Well, it’s complicated.
Sure, we don’t have miles of brown and red leafed treetops like you might see in in New Hamphire. But that doesn’t mean you can’t experience some of the beauty of autumn right here in the city of angels.
In L.A. you can discover gardens with a front row view of bright colored foliage. You can experience traditions like picking your own apples or pumpkins at the farm. You can even partake in cultural holidays and festivals that celebrate the harvest season.
In short, you’ve got options.
That said, here’s a promise about the list below– visiting these 10 places at least once will confirm that L.A. does indeed have Fall.
1. Witness fall foliage season at Descanso Gardens.
From October through November, walk Descanso Gardens for its the beautiful botanical display (or train it on the Enchanted Railroad). Take in beauties such as the light pink Sasanqua camellias, bright red toyon berries, stunning yellow ginkgo trees and the expansive native California tree canopies illustrating the inviting and warm Fall colors of Los Angeles. Plus: Descanso’s Enchanted: Forest of Light is back this fall from November 19 – January 16. -> Plan your garden trip today.
2. Watch trees change color at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden.
Going to the Arboretum this fall? Head straight over to the Grace Kallam Perennial Garden where you will get quite the show. The garden’s blooming perennials and fall foliage features beds and beds of spectacular color including the yellow-leafed gingko trees, and copper foliage of the Sweetgum tree. Keep an eye out for unique wildlife who reside and who migrate annually to the Garden. -> View nature’s show here.
L.A. County Arboretum. Credit to Chris M. Morris via flickr cc
3. Pick Pumpkins at Underwood Farms
Ok, so Moorpark isn’t techinically in L.A. county. But it’s close! And Underwood Family Farms is the right place for picking your own favorite variety of pumpkins, from Magic Lanterns (perfect for carving) to Cinderellas to Luminas. The farm hosts its annual Fall Harvest Festival where you’ll catch a tractor ride, a chicken show, and lots of fun activities for the kids. The festival runs on weekends through Oct. 29. -> Pumpkin harvest-time at the farm.
4. Take the Corn Maze Challenge at Tapia Bros. Farmstand
This corn maze challenges all ages to navigate through it while answering trivia questions. The maze is closed on Mondays for watering, and open every weekend through the end of October. While at Tapia Bros. Farmstand don’t miss a taste of the roasted corn, which makes a tasty afternoon snack. -> Find your way here.
5. Roam the Many Gardens of The Huntington
The Huntington Gardens welcomes guests all year long to explore its hundreds of species and beautiful landscape. Ranging from the American Sweetgum tree’s red and auburn leaves to the yellow and golden blooms of the Chinese raintree, have your phone ready to capture all of that and more including the purple salvias shrubs and the burnt orange flower petals of the wild dagga. -> In living color.
Japanese Garden at the Huntington Library. Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.
6. Take Instagram-worthy photos at Mr. Bones’ Pumpkin Patch
The highly-celebrated (and celebrity kid hot spot) pumpkin patch gives you all the Fall feels with its select pumpkin patch, the spider bouncy house, live music, a Master Carver who will turn your pumpkin into a jack o’ lantern masterpiece, and swanky LA food trucks including The Grilled Cheese and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. VIP tickets are available. -> Snap here.
7. See the Santa Monica Mountains on Horseback
Los Angeles Horseback Riding takes you and a group of friends or with your very special person on a picturesque trail ride in the Santa Monica mountains including part of the Backbone Trail. You’ll see LA’s native landscape including breathtaking geography, the sparkling Pacific Ocean, and wildlife such as hawks, deer or even, the rare Mexican Xoloitzcuintli. Sunset rides offer gorgeous Autumn colors like you’ve never seen before in LA. -> Fall on horseback.
8. Experience Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Honoring the living and the dead, this Dia de los Muertos event highlights a traditional procession and altar-making, while hundreds of Aztec ritual dancers and other folklorico performers entertain the crowd. This year includes four stages of music and theatrical performers throughout the day/evening. Be sure to check out and enter to win in the best calaca (skeleton) costume and altar contests. -> Celebrate culture and spirit on Oct. 28.
Day of the Dead at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Credit: Mooshu via flickr cc
9. Go Apple picking at Riley’s at Los Rios Rancho
Have an urge to go apple picking? Take a drive out to San Bernadino. Los Rios Rancho is SoCal’s largest apple farm, featuring heirloom fruit trees with well over 32 apple varieties including Granny Smith and Rome Beauty. Riley’s fresh-pressed apple cider tastes deliciously seasonal, which you can take home by the gallon or have a cup at the snack bar. -> U-pick here.
10. Oktoberfest at Alpine Village
Oktoberfest at Alpine Villageis the signature annual Oktobersfest event in the L.A.-area. Now through October 28, you’ll be able to partake in tasting Warsteiner German beers (Oktoberfest, Dunkel, Pilsner, Ace Cider and Konig Ludwig Hefeweisen), and feast on German specialties like Bavarian pretzels, sausages, schnitzel and strudel. German Oom Pah Pah bands inspire dancing and cheering. -> Prost (cheers).
Article courtesy of We Like LA.