Fun things to do in SF and East Bay with the family this Fall.
San Francisco
Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch & Mini Hay Maze
Clancy’s opened San Francisco’s first Pumpkin Patch in 1979, and now has two pumpkin patches in The City. You’ll find a wide variety of pumpkins as well as gourds, corn stalks, and Indian corn. During October, come see the ghosts in the trees, the scarecrows in their patch, live turkeys, and run through fun corn maze. You can even take a hayride in the middle of San Francisco. There’s free admission and free parking at both locations.
San Francisco Botanical Garden
While the color of the leaves in San Francisco will never be confused for Vermont in the fall, that doesn’t mean there isn’t gorgeous fall foliage to be found. San Francisco’s own Botanical Garden is a great place to do some leaf-peeping since their 55-acre garden features plants from around the world. The Garden is one of the most beautiful spots in the city when its Moon View Garden and Temperate Asia Garden begin to turn. Be sure to check out the bright gold Ginko trees and deep purplish-red Dogwoods. The fall peak typically lasts about 2 weeks, often in November. Follow the Garden to see how the leaves are changing on a daily basis.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2025
October 3-5, 2025
One of the largest, free-est and beloved music festivals in the country is held annually the first weekend in October. Be one of over 750,000 attendees over the three-day musical extravaganza in beautiful Golden Gate Park.
Fleet Week 2025
October 5-13, 2025
San Francisco’s largest annual civic sponsored event, San Francisco Fleet Week is a series of free, family-friendly events that honor the contributions of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. The highlight of Fleet Week is The U.S. Navy Blue Angels dazzling air show, taking place over three consecutive days.
Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) around the city
November 1st and 2nd, 2025
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is traditionally celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, and local organizations will honor the holiday with some wonderful cultural events. Look for the Festival of Altars at Potrero Del Sol Park, the 44th annual Day of the Dead Ritual Procession in the Mission District, and a special performance by the San Francisco Symphony. Get details in our full Día de los Muertos guide.
East Bay
Westbrae Pumpkin Patch
North Berkeley | 1272 Gilman Ave, Berkeley | October 1 – 31, 2025 | 9am – 5:30pm
Westbrae Nursery, a worker-owned cooperative, runs its annual Pumpkin Patch from October 1-31, 2025 with 100% of the profits benefiting the local Cornell elementary school. There will be a bake sale on October 18 at the pumpkin patch. They will be selling delicious fall-themed baked goods. One of the few pumpkin patches in Berkeley. – Please note, 2025 opening date is tentative. – Last Updated 9/12/25
Oaktoberfest in the Dimond
Oakland, Dimond District | This family-friendly event covers two days: Sat., October 4 (11am-7pm) and Sun., October 5 (10am-5pm)
Oakland’s two-day, family-friendly festival celebrates craft beer, music, art, and Oakland in a big way! Spanning over a full weekend of fun, Oaktoberfest offers an impressive Main Stage lineup with four additional stages of music and dance performances, roaming entertainment, hundreds of vendors including an outdoor artisan vendor marketplace, a mouthwatering collection of food vendors, plus inspired local kitchens offering traditional German-inspired cuisine.
Stroll down the Head-Royce School Family Strasse for the Kids’ Play Zone and Parents’ Chill Zone for music, games, and interactive fun!
Autumn Lights Festival Near Lake Merritt
Oakland, Lake Merritt: For three evenings in a row, from October 16 to 18, the Autumn Lights Festival will light up the Gardens at Lake Merritt with imaginative, illuminated sculptural works, and the public is invited to enjoy.
Tickets are on sale now, and are likely to sell out. Kids 5 and under are free. ($28 for adults; $12 for kids 6-17 when purchased in advance; prices go up closer to the date). The event takes place from 6 pm to 11 pm each evening.
Purchase tickets to the Autumn Light Festival here >>
Berkeley Harvest Festival
Berkeley, Cedar Rose Park 1300 Rose St, Berkeley, CA | Sat October 18, 2025 | 11:00 am - 4:00 pm:
Join the City of Berkeley’s annual Harvest Festival for a chance to honor the Fall with live music and kids’ activities and celebrate growing and making food.
There will be live music, a seed swap, food contests, and booths where you can meet City employees from various departments, including 311, Public Works, Aging Services, Mental Health, Police, Fire, Library, and the Rent Board. Don’t miss the Ride Electric event at the Cedar Rose basketball courts where you can check out electric cars and test ride electric bikes and scooters. You can also learn about discounts, rebates, and more from local electric vehicle owners and eBike riders.
The “Kids Zone” will have plenty of activities for children, including a zipline, giant inflatables, scarecrow making, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and carnival games with prizes. Toddlers can enjoy the “Tot’s Zone” with a small jumper, arts and crafts, sandbox, face painting, and more.
