Seasonal Activities and Fall Events in San Francisco

Sydney Winstead • September 17, 2025

Discover the Best Fall Activities in San Francisco: Pumpkin Patches, Apple Picking, Outdoor Adventures & Seasonal Fun

Pumpkin Patches—

San Francisco

πŸ“Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch & Mini Hay Maze


San Francisco | 2101 Sloat Blvd & 1620 7th Ave | Sept. 26 – Oct. 31, 2025 | Classic San Francisco pumpkin patch with pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, live turkeys, hayrides, and a fun corn maze. Free admission and parking.


East Bay

πŸ“G&M Farms Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch


Livermore | 487 East Airway Blvd | Oct. 3 – 30, 2025 | Huge pumpkin patch, free straw bale maze, corn sandbox, corn maze ($10 adults), farm animals, hayrides, Cow Train, pedal carts, jump pillows, and haunted maze on select nights. Free farm admission and parking.


Peninsula

πŸ“Arata’s Pumpkin Farm


Half Moon Bay | 185 Verde Rd | Oct. 1 – 31, 2025 | Famous pumpkin patch with dozens of pumpkin varieties, 2-acre hay maze, Haunted Barn, petting zoo, pony rides, hay rides, train rides, and Instagram-worthy corn fields. Free patch access, à la carte attractions.


North Bay

πŸ“Petaluma Pumpkin Patch


Petaluma | 450 Stony Point Rd | Sept. 26 – Nov. 1, 2025 | Over 50 pumpkin varieties on 5 acres, 4-acre corn maze, farm animals, straw mountains, pony rides, carnival rides, and jump zone. Free admission to patch; corn maze day $9 / night $13.


Events- Festivals, Oktoberfests, Day of the Dead

Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival – October 18–19, 2025

 πŸ“Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA


Celebrate the 53rd Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival this October! Highlights include the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off kicks off on October 13, where giant pumpkins compete for the title of the heaviest in the world. Enjoy festive activities, local art, and fall fun in the heart of Half Moon Bay—don’t miss the chance to see pumpkins that could break records in 2025!


Oktoberfest on Front Street

 πŸ“San Francisco | 240 Front St, SF, CA 94111 | Sept. 19, 2025


 Celebrate at the oldest Bavarian beer hall on the West Coast with live music, beer specials, and fun beer games in the Front Street Entertainment Zone.


Parktoberfest at Park Chalet

 πŸ“San Francisco | 1000 Great Hwy, Outer Sunset, CA 94121 | Oct. 3, 2025, 6–9pm


 Enjoy an old-world German village experience with authentic music, custom 1 liter steins, and traditional Oktoberfest entertainment.


Oktoberfest by the Beach

 πŸ“San Francisco | 2700 45th Ave, Outer Sunset, CA 94116 | Sept. 27, 2025


 Beachside Oktoberfest featuring stein-holding contests, authentic German dancing, music, and festive fun for all ages.


Oktoberfest with Radhaus

 πŸ“San Francisco | Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd Bldg A, SF, CA 94123 | Sept. 20 – Oct. 5, 2025


 Fort Mason’s Bavarian beer hall hosts weeks of Oktoberfest festivities with beer releases, discounts, and German-inspired events.


SF Brewing Co Oktoberfest Keg Tapping

 πŸ“San Francisco | 3150 Polk St, Ghirardelli Square, CA 94109 | TBA 2025


 Celebrate with SFBCo’s house-brewed Märzen, a costume contest, pretzel-eating challenge, traditional music, and German beers in a festive atmosphere.


Festival of Altars

 πŸ“San Francisco | Potrero Del Sol Park, 2827 Cesar Chavez St, Mission District, CA 94110 | Nov. 2, 2025


 The 32nd annual festival features community altars, a ritual circle ceremony at 12pm and 5pm, and opportunities to create your own personal altar to honor loved ones.


Día de los Muertos Outer Sunset

 πŸ“San Francisco | 37th Ave at Ortega to Quintara, Outer Sunset, CA | TBD

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 Join a hands-on celebration with ofrenda setups, folklorico dancing, face and sugar skull painting, live music, artisanal goods, and traditional Mexican food.


Ghost Tours Around the City

The Haunt: San Francisco Ghost and True Crime Tour

 πŸ“San Francisco | Chinatown (meet near Transamerica Pyramid) | Available through October 2025


 Explore SF’s mysterious streets with ghost-hunting tools and hear spooky tales of hidden graves, buried ships, and haunted local history. This 1.5-hour walking tour includes a closing ceremony to honor spirits and family-friendly thrills.


San Francisco Ghosts Tours & Pub Crawl

 πŸ“San Francisco | Union Square & Nob Hill | Year-round, multiple tour dates


 Join guided ghost tours covering haunted neighborhoods, historic scandals, and notorious fortune-hunter stories. Options include the Gold and Ghouls walking tour, Boos and Booze haunted pub crawl, and a vintage murder mystery tour.


Alcatraz Night Tour (not ghost)

 πŸ“San Francisco | Alcatraz Island | Available year-round, night tours only


 Experience the eerie history of Alcatraz after dark with a narrated boat tour and guided walk through the cellhouse. Special programs and audio-guided tours highlight the prison’s haunted past, including the infamous Cell 14D.


San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour

 πŸ“San Francisco | Pacific Heights | Halloween season (through end of October)

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 Take a 1.5-hour ghost hunt led by Christian Cagigal, exploring haunted sites like Mary Ellen Pleasant’s trees and the Chambers Mansion poltergeists. Optional VIP Magic Experience includes a complimentary drink and magic show.



Seasonal Apple Picking

Chileno Valley Ranch

 πŸ“Petaluma | 5105 Chileno Valley Rd, Petaluma, CA 94952


 Pick from over 20 apple varieties including Orin, Pinova, Candy Crisp, and Jonagold. The ranch also offers farm tours and local products like honey, cheese, and eggs. U-Pick opens Sept. 15, 2025, Sundays 9am–1pm.


Cloverfield Organic Farm

 πŸ“El Sobrante | 501 La Paloma Rd, El Sobrante, CA 94803

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 USDA-certified organic farm with U-Pick apples and seasonal produce like figs, pears, and persimmons. Open Friday–Sunday, 12–5pm.


Best Outdoor Spots for Fall Colors

SF Botanical Garden

 πŸ“San Francisco | 1199 9th Ave, Golden Gate Park, SF, CA 94122


Spanning 55 acres with over 8,000 plant species, the SF Botanical Garden offers spectacular fall foliage, especially in the Moon Viewing Garden. Ideal for a peaceful autumn stroll or photography.


Japanese Tea Garden

 πŸ“San Francisco | 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, Golden Gate Park, SF, CA 94118


This serene garden showcases stunning fall colors along koi ponds, pagodas, and seasonal plantings. A must-visit for locals and tourists seeking a picturesque autumn escape.


Filoli Estate & Gardens

 πŸ“Woodside | 86 Cañada Rd, Woodside, CA 94062


Featuring 654 acres of historic gardens and deciduous trees, Filoli offers a New England-style fall experience in the Bay Area. Seasonal events make it a perfect autumn outing for families and photographers.


Tilden Regional Park Botanic Garden

 πŸ“Berkeley | 1550 Wildcat Canyon Rd, Berkeley, CA


Tilden Park’s 2,079-acre forested landscape includes a botanic garden with cottonwoods, dogwoods, and other deciduous trees that create vibrant fall scenery. Great for hiking, walking, and nature photography.


Mount Tamalpais

 πŸ“Mill Valley | 3801 Panoramic Hwy, Mill Valley, CA

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Golden grasslands, Coast Live Oaks, and Bay Laurels provide breathtaking autumn landscapes along Mount Tamalpais trails. Ideal for hiking, scenic drives, and capturing panoramic fall views of the Bay Area.

From pumpkin patches and apple picking to scenic hikes and festive autumn events, San Francisco and the Bay Area offer endless ways to celebrate the season. Whether you’re exploring the city or settling into a new home, AMSI can help you find the perfect spot to enjoy all the fall fun the Bay Area has to offer.

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Time: 2–10 p.m. πŸ“ Location: Front Street Entertainment Zone, 240 Front Street Friday, September 18–Sunday, September 20 San Francisco Greek Food Festival Come hungry for three days of Greek food, music, dancing and cultural performances. The long-running neighborhood festival is celebrating its 75th year, and admission is free. Time: Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. πŸ“ Location: Annunciation Cathedral, 245 Valencia Street Saturday, September 19 Festival of the Sea Celebrate San Francisco’s maritime history with live music, waterfront activities and family-friendly entertainment. The free festival offers a full afternoon of performances and hands-on maritime experiences. Time: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. πŸ“ Location: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, 900 Beach Street Glen Park Night Market The final Glen Park Night Market of the season brings local makers, artists, food vendors, live music and DJ sets to the neighborhood. 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