In a city best known for its eternal summer, fall arrives quietly — but it’s there if you know where to look. While it might not look like fall in the traditional sense, Los Angeles has its own cinematic way of celebrating the season. Cafés fill with pumpkin spice lattes, neighborhoods glow with autumn energy, and pumpkins stack up outside local shops. You’ll find live music drifting through open-air markets and even a few hidden spots to see fall colors if you know where to go.
From pumpkin patches and apple picking to rooftop concerts and haunted Hollywood landmarks, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the magic of this season. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or rediscovering your hometown, these are the best things to do in 2025 to make it feel like fall in LA.
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Where to See Fall Colors Near L.A.
Descanso Gardens
For those craving a glimpse of true fall colors near Los Angeles, start with Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. It’s one of the rare spots in Southern California where you can actually see leaves shift from green to gold, with maples, oaks, and sycamores creating a soft fall canopy.
Descanso adds an extra dose of autumn magic with Carved, running from October 3–30. The nighttime event transforms the gardens with hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins, glowing sculptures, and illuminated displays spread throughout the oak forest. It’s a family-friendly experience that captures the spirit of the season in a way that’s both playful and artistic—perfect for a fall evening stroll.
Descanso’s botanical gardens make it easy to slow down: wander through the Japanese Garden, sip warm cider at the café, or simply sit beneath the towering oaks as the air cools in late October. If you visit on a weekend, you’ll often catch live music or a seasonal fall festival, adding to the autumn atmosphere.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Just a short drive away, the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino offers another chance to see seasonal shades. The grounds stretch across 120 acres, blending sculpture, art, and nature in a way that feels cinematic — especially when the golden light hits the garden paths in the late afternoon.
Both gardens make for an easy fall day trip from Hollywood or Santa Monica — the kind of calm, picture-perfect outing that proves you can see fall colors without leaving the city.
Big Bear Lake
If you’re chasing a more traditional mountain fall experience, head up to Big Bear Lake, about two hours from Los Angeles. Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, this area offers some of the best places to catch fall colors in Southern California. During early November, the aspen and oak trees turn vivid gold and orange, framing the lake with classic fall color.
Beyond the scenery, Big Bear brings together everything people love about the season — crisp air, cozy cabins, and trails perfect for leaf-peeping. Visit during one of the town’s Oktoberfest celebrations for Bavarian music and craft beer, or take a scenic drive along Highway 18 to enjoy the full display of golden leaves across the mountainous areas. It’s a family-friendly getaway that feels worlds away from LA but is still close enough for a day trip.
Apple-Picking in Oak Glen
Tucked into the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, about 90 minutes from Los Angeles, Oak Glen is where Angelenos go when they want a true taste of fall. The valley is dotted with local farms and orchards that open their gates each fall for visitors to wander through rows of apple trees, fill baskets with crisp fruit, and sip fresh-pressed apple cider under the changing light.
Most orchards also offer family-friendly extras like petting zoos, hayrides, and corn mazes, making Oak Glen a perfect weekend escape for all ages. Stop by Snow-Line Orchard or Riley’s Farm to pick your own apples, sample hot cider doughnuts, or catch a small-town fall festival complete with live music and food stands.
Beyond the farms, Oak Glen’s hillsides turn a soft golden hue in late October, giving you that mix of fall foliage and cozy harvest vibes that makes the trip feel like stepping into a storybook version of California fall. It’s the kind of simple, hands-on fall activity that reminds you why fall feels so good—especially when you can bring a bag of freshly picked apples home with you.
Where to Find the Cutest Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes Around L.A.
Pumpkins, hay bales, and corn mazes might not be the first things that come to mind when you think of Los Angeles, but every fall, the city transforms with festive spots that bring a touch of countryside charm and the best fall activities to the city.
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch (Culver City)
A true LA classic, Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch mixes Hollywood sparkle with small-town charm. It’s part pumpkin patch, part family-friendly playground — complete with hay mazes, photo-ready backdrops, and even a petting zoo. You’ll spot celebrities here every year, but the real draw is the whimsical design and endless photo ops. Grab a pumpkin pie or pumpkin spice treat from the snack stand before you leave — this is one of the city’s most beloved fall festivals for a reason.
Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch (Santa Monica)
Over on the west side, Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch brings fall energy to the beach community. It’s a local favorite for kids and families, featuring bounce houses, a corn maze, and plenty of seasonal snacks. With twinkling lights, hay bales, and the smell of caramel popcorn in the air, it’s an easy, laid-back way to enjoy the autumnal spirit without leaving the city.
Tanaka Farms (Irvine)
If you’re up for a short drive, Tanaka Farms in Irvine delivers the full fall experience. This century-old working farm offers wagon rides, u-pick vegetables, and a sprawling pumpkin patch surrounded by fields of sunflowers. During weekends, you’ll often find live music and food stalls serving fresh apple cider and roasted corn. It’s one of the best family-friendly day trips from Los Angeles and a great way to enjoy the outdoors while celebrating the season.
Whether you’re exploring these patches for a photo-worthy afternoon or planning a full weekend outing, each one captures a different side of LA’s fall personality — playful, colorful, and full of that warm harvest feeling that makes the season so easy to love.
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Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Cozy Cafés
Fall in Los Angeles might not come with cold mornings or piles of leaves, but you can still taste the season in every sip. Across the city, cafés lean into pumpkin spice lattes, maple syrups, and cinnamon flavors that bring instant autumn comfort. It’s the perfect way to slow down between stops—whether you’re exploring DTLA, strolling Larchmont Village, or catching that late-afternoon glow on Melrose.
Iced Above (Union Station)
For something uniquely LA, stop by Iced Above inside Union Station, known for their creative seasonal drinks like the fall horchata flight—pumpkin, cinnamon, and caramel twists that turn a quick coffee break into a local favorite. The open-air seating makes it easy to people-watch while soaking up the city’s autumnal rhythm.
Go Get Em Tiger (Larchmont)
Few spots capture cozy LA energy quite like Go Get Em Tiger. Their house-made PSL balances espresso and spice without the syrupy sweetness, and the street-side tables under leafy trees make it an ideal spot for that first hint of sweater weather.
Blue Bottle Coffee (Downtown LA)
For a sleek, minimalist take on the season, Blue Bottle Coffee in DTLA keeps things simple—think single-origin espresso with a touch of pumpkin or a maple latte that pairs perfectly with a morning pastry. Stop in before heading out to see the fall colors at nearby Echo Park or Griffith Park.
Haunted Hotels, Ghost Stories, and Classic Halloween Fun
October brings a slew of unique Halloween events in Los Angeles—the playful, mysterious, and slightly spooky kind that feels right at home in Hollywood. The city’s cinematic history adds an extra layer of intrigue this time of year, when haunted hotels, old theaters, and nighttime events draw visitors looking for that perfect mix of nostalgia and thrill.
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel might be one of the most famous haunted places in Los Angeles, and for good reason. Built in 1927, this century-old landmark has seen everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Montgomery Clift—and some say their spirits still linger in the halls. Even if you’re not here for ghost hunting, the Roosevelt’s warm lighting, Art Deco bar, and palm-shaded pool make it one of the best spots to enjoy the atmosphere of spooky season in style.
Millennium Biltmore Hotel (Downtown LA)
Downtown’s Millennium Biltmore Hotel is another Hollywood favorite for ghost stories and golden-age glamour. It’s hosted countless film shoots and major events over the decades, and its ornate architecture makes it easy to imagine you’ve stepped into a classic movie set. For visitors, it’s worth a stop just to take in the lobby’s soaring ceilings—or to join one of the guided ghost tours that bring the building’s most mysterious moments to life.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
No list of LA’s spooky season highlights would be complete without Hollywood Forever Cemetery. By day, it’s a peaceful place honoring the stars of film and music; by night, it becomes one of the city’s most iconic venues for outdoor cinema and cultural celebration.
The annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival fills the grounds with candles, marigolds, and art installations honoring loved ones, while the Cinespia outdoor cinema experience screens cult classics surrounded by twinkling lights and the hum of the city beyond the gates.
Oktoberfest in L.A.
As the air turns cooler and the evenings stretch a little longer, LA’s beer gardens and outdoor venues take on a Bavarian twist. From steins of craft lager to pretzels the size of your hand, Oktoberfest in Los Angeles combines German tradition with local energy—complete with live music, dancing, and plenty of reasons to raise a toast to fall.
Pomona Fairplex Oktoberfest
One of the largest Oktoberfest events around Los Angeles, the Pomona Fairplex transforms into a lively beer festival each October, complete with bratwurst, Bavarian folk bands, and rows of communal tables. The atmosphere is pure Munich energy, right down to the lederhosen and twinkling string lights. It’s a fun, family-friendly way to kick off the season and experience a century-old tradition reimagined in Southern California style.
Alpine Village Oktoberfest (Torrance)
For decades, Alpine Village in Torrance has been a staple of LA’s Oktoberfest celebrations. Though the historic venue has evolved over the years, the tradition continues through pop-up events, beer gardens, and themed weekends that blend old-world charm with modern LA culture. Expect Bavarian bands, local brews, and food stalls serving schnitzel, sausages, and soft pretzels worthy of any Munich tent.
Highland Park Brewery
For something smaller and more local, Highland Park Brewery hosts casual Oktoberfest weekends featuring limited-edition German-style beers and food pairings. It’s a relaxed, neighborhood version of the celebration—perfect for anyone who prefers an easy-going afternoon over a crowded hall.
Candlelight Concerts, Rooftop Movies, and the Twinkling Nights of L.A. Fall
When the sun sets earlier and the city lights start to take over, fall in Los Angeles feels its most cinematic. The mild evenings make it the perfect time for outdoor events, and the city comes alive with candlelit performances, rooftop screenings, and music that echoes through the skyline.
Candlelight Concerts (Downtown LA and Beyond)
Few things feel more autumnal than an evening spent surrounded by flickering candles and live music. The global Candlelight Concert series has become a seasonal favorite around Los Angeles, transforming historic venues and churches into glowing stages for everything from classical to jazz to movie soundtracks. The intimate, immersive atmosphere makes it one of the most memorable ways to spend an autumn night in the city.
Rooftop Cinema Club
For movie lovers, the Rooftop Cinema Club turns fall nights into something magical. Set high above the streets in Downtown LA and El Segundo, it offers open-air screenings of cult favorites, Halloween classics, and feel-good films—all under twinkling city lights. Blankets, headphones, and a cool breeze make it the perfect way to enjoy a cozy evening without leaving the city.
The Music Center and Walt Disney Concert Hall
If you prefer your evenings indoors, fall is the start of the concert season at the Music Center and Walt Disney Concert Hall. From symphony performances to contemporary shows, the lineup each year captures the full range of LA’s creative energy. Dress up, grab dinner nearby, and make it a night out that feels both elegant and distinctly Los Angeles.
Coastal Fall Adventures
Fall might bring cooler weather to the mountains, but along the coast, Malibu takes on a softer kind of magic. The crowds thin out, the ocean turns a deeper blue, and the hillsides above the Pacific begin to glow with muted tones of gold and green. It’s the perfect time to trade the city for the sea and experience the quiet side of one of LA’s most famous escapes.
Malibu Creek State Park
For those chasing the great outdoors, Malibu Creek State Park offers some of the best fall hiking near Los Angeles. The trails wind through oak woodlands and rocky canyons that take on a warm, autumnal glow as the sun drops lower in the sky. It’s an easy way to catch a glimpse of seasonal colors while surrounded by the kind of natural beauty that defines California.
Malibu Wines & Beer Garden
Just inland, Malibu Wines & Beer Garden blends the spirit of harvest season with the laid-back energy of the coast. Visit for a glass of local wine, live music, and picnic tables shaded by oak trees—the perfect combination of vineyard charm and California fall atmosphere.
Point Dume State Beach
At sunset, head to Point Dume for one of the most cinematic scenes in the region. The cliffs overlook miles of shoreline that seem to stretch forever, and in late October, the light turns a soft gold that rivals any inland foliage. Bring a blanket, watch the sky shift colors, and let the calm of the Pacific set the tone for the season.
Your Hollywood Fall Bucket List 2025
Los Angeles may not trade palm trees for red leaves, but the city still knows how to make fall feel unforgettable. Between golden sunsets, seasonal flavors, and local traditions that blend film, art, and community, there’s no shortage of fall activities in Los Angeles.
A Quick Fall Bucket List Around Los Angeles
- Watch an outdoor movie at Hollywood Forever during spooky season
- Visit Descanso Gardens or the Huntington to see fall colors in full display
- Take a day trip to Oak Glen for apple picking and fresh cider
- Stop by a pumpkin patch for photos and a slice of pumpkin pie
- Spend an evening under the stars at a rooftop cinema or candlelight concert
- Wander through Echo Park or Larchmont Village for cozy neighborhood charm
- Catch live music at a fall festival or Oktoberfest celebration
- End your day with a drive along Mulholland as the city lights begin to glow
LA fall might not come with a change of color in every tree, but the season brings its own kind of beauty—golden light, cool evenings, and endless ways to experience the city anew. From gardens and beaches to haunted landmarks and cozy cafés, these are the best things to do in LA to make it feel like fall.
If you’re ready to see more of what makes this city shine—no matter the season—join a Hollywood Bus Tour. Our guides bring Los Angeles to life through stories, history, and insider knowledge, giving you the perfect way to experience the heart of Hollywood and beyond.
