Summer is usually when Los Angeles sees its tourism bump, as the siren call of theme parks and sunny beaches draws in vacationing visitors far and wide. There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in Los Angeles during the summer. But the heat and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds can be a turnoff both to tourists and locals who want to experience the best that our sunny state has to offer. That’s why autumn is actually one of the best times of the year to visit SoCal.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Southern California or you’re a local in search of fall activities in Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire, or other surrounding areas, there are options aplenty!
From museums to theme parks to the best shopping in the world, the choices are endless. That’s why we’ve assembled our selection of the best activities around LA to keep you busy and entertained this fall.
1. Visit a Theme Park Near Los Angeles
Southern California is known as the home of Disneyland and many other world-famous amusement and theme parks. Although theme parks are excellent summer activities, fall is actually the best time to visit thanks to the cooler weather and smaller crowds.
Disneyland
If you’re in the mood for those Instagrammable “autumn vibes,” Disneyland dresses up for Halloween and autumn with plenty of orange leaves and pumpkins to make you feel more like you’ve stepped into a fall village – even if it’s still close to 80 degrees out.
Universal
Universal Studios Hollywood is another great choice for an LA fall adventure, as it offers an amazing studio tour, fun rides for all ages, and the entertaining Universal CityWalk.
And if you’re traveling to Universal Studios in the evenings in September and October, don’t miss Halloween Horror Nights! With its walkaround scare actors and numerous haunted houses, Halloween Horror Nights is a true treat for spooky-season visitors who don’t mind taking a walk on the scary side.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Visiting Knott’s Berry Farm in the fall feels like stepping into two worlds at once: a classic theme park full of rides and family fun, and a seasonal celebration with its own unique atmosphere.
During the day, the park leans into cozy autumn vibes with pumpkin decor, fall treats, and lighter seasonal festivities that make it a great spot for families. Then, after dark, the park transforms into Knott’s Scary Farm, another one of the best Halloween events in Southern California, with haunted mazes, scare zones, and live shows for the ultimate spooktacular sensation.
Travel Tip
To make the most of your trip, keep your travel plans tight and plan transportation in advance. Getting to Anaheim for Disney or Universal City can be time consuming if you’re staying in a distant Los Angeles neighborhood. Plus, parking passes can be expensive, and rideshares tend to charge higher prices for busy locations like theme parks and airports. Booking your travel through a shuttle service can minimize many of the obstacles that arise when trying to navigate between airports, theme parks, and hotels.
2. Embrace the Outdoors
For the ultimate autumnal ambiance, the best place to go is the great outdoors. The Los Angeles metro area is filled with parks and botanical gardens that transport guests into a flora-filled world that’s as beautiful as it is educational.
Huntington Gardens in San Marino is one of our favorite fall destinations. It gets bathed in golden and orange hues as their foliage turns over for the season. And if the Los Angeles heat is still a bit too much even in September and October, you can head inside to the museums to cool off and engage with history and art.
To make that outdoor adventure a little more active, hiking in Los Angeles is second to none, especially in fall. Hike the famous Griffith Observatory’s trails, which will take you through the Hollywood Hills, or enjoy sweeping coastal vistas along the Santa Monica Mountains. The leaves will have begun to show their autumnal palettes and the weather will be fair, ensuring a beautiful trip for everyone involved.
September also marks the start of classic outdoor fall activities in Los Angeles that are perfect for anyone seeking a harvest season experience. The Oak Glen Apple Butter Festival is an all-ages activity that opens up apple picking, candle making, and plenty of delicious treats to try.
Pumpkin patches crop up all over Los Angeles county, some with festival amenities ranging from bites to eat to rides and petting zoos, depending on the patch.
Travel Tip
If you’re planning a day of outdoor walking, make sure everyone’s shoes are up for the task. Wear something comfortable and preferably already broken in. Also, don’t forget sunscreen! Even as the weather cools down in the fall, the Southern California sun can still pack a punch if you’re outdoors all day.
3. Take to the Seaside
You might not think “whale watching” when you think about autumn, but this is one of our favorite fall activities in Los Angeles and Southern California. Although whales are spotted in the waters off SoCal all year-round, May through November is when blue whales are more likely to head to the surface to breach.
You’ll find tours through Long Beach and Dana Point that will grant you a chance to see the world’s largest mammal in its natural habitat – without battling the heat and crowds of summertime. Whale watching tours vary in price and scope, meaning there are options for any budget.
If you’d prefer something more active, consider renting a bike or scooter and cruising the boardwalk from Santa Monica to Venice Beach. Autumn in Los Angeles means the sun is still shining bright, but the temperatures are cooler, which makes it the perfect season to break a light sweat along the coast.
Fall is also the perfect season for a beach bonfire. Grab some friends, some wood, and your favorite bonfire essentials – for us, that’s blankets and s’mores! LA beaches might be slightly chillier, but they’ll also be less crowded, helping you guarantee a prime firepit.
Travel Tip
Unless you’re staying nearby, traffic to-and-from Los Angeles’ beach neighborhoods can be intense. Schedule your trips so that you’re skipping rush hour. Alternatively, book a private ride and skip the hassle of traffic altogether!
Make the Most of Fall in Los Angeles
Dress For the Weather
If you’re visiting from anywhere with a colder climate, such as New England or the Pacific Northwest, expect a warmer autumn than you’re used to in Los Angeles. Warmer weather and sunshine is characteristic of Southern California, so pack accordingly.
Because of this, there’s no need to tote along heavy coats or thick woolen socks, as temperatures average from the mid 80s in late September to the low 70s in November. Depending on your heat tolerance and when you’ll be arriving, you might not even long sleeves.
Keep the heat in mind while you’re getting around, too – you don’t want to be over-encumbered with luggage or stuck waiting for public transportation while you’re already sweating.
While buses in the area are inexpensive, their schedules can be unreliable, and they might not be the best option for senior travelers or those with limited mobility. A shuttle service, meanwhile, will offer a clean and reliable ride (with plenty of luggage space) right to your destination.
Be Prepared
If you’re doing a longer daytrip or a weekend getaway to hit all the best fall activities in Los Angeles, make sure you’re prepared for anything. Have an itinerary of what you’d like to do, and ensure plenty of travel time between locations. Dress in layers, bring water and snacks, and keep your phone charged.
Travel Smart This Fall
Southern California is a massive metropolitan area. Even for locals, getting around can be tricky at times. It’s 33,000 miles across five counties, which means your favorite fall activities in Los Angeles might be far and afield from one another. Parking is rarely free, and if it is it’s not easy to find, and might not be close to the event. Rideshares come with the woes of surprise surge pricing, long wait times, parking zones that are faraway from your event’s entrance, and questionable drivers.
That’s where Xpress Shuttles steps in. Booking a shuttle with Xpress will help you and your group get around SoCal at a flat rate, in a clean, spacious vehicle that can drop you off right at the entrance of your destination. Our knowledgeable and friendly drivers will handle the traffic while you relax and enjoy your fall trip through Los Angeles – and we’ll even take you back to your home or hotel, or to a local airport if it’s time to fly out.
So avoid the hassle and reserve your shuttle in Los Angeles and Southern California today.