Guide To The Best Things To Do This Fall In Orange County
Now that the weather is getting slightly cooler and the leaves are starting to change color, it's a great time of the year to get out and explore all that Orange County has to offer in the Fall. From the blue whale migration watching to apple picking to Oktoberfest and everything in between, we've rounded up the best list of Fall family fun in Orange County.
Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch
1 Irvine Park Road
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 997-3968
www.irvineparkrailroad.com
Full of family fun, The Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch is not just any ordinary pumpkin patch. In fact, the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch also has carnival attractions such as face painting, ring tosses, a hay maze and train rides for the whole family plus so much more. The best pumpkins in Southern California can be found inside the locomotive loop and after all of the pumpkin patch fun you can take the family on down to the Wheel Fun rentals to rent a fun tandem bike to ride around the Irvine Regional Park and eat a picnic near the lake. Don't forget to check out the OC Zoo too! Kids and adults will love seeing the exotic animals and attractions.
Riley's Farm Apple Picking
12261 South Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, California 92399
(909) 797-7534
www.rileysfarm.com
Located in the Inland Empire, the city of Oak Glen has gorgeous blue skies, miles of green grass, ancient Oak trees and gorgeous mountain views for you to enjoy. Riley's Farm, which boasts a colonial feel, hosts over 30 apple variation orchards, berries, pumpkins and pears that are perfect if you're looking to come with your family or significant other and go picking. You can even dine at the charming full-service restaurant Hawk's Head Public House which has been modeled after a traditional 18th century tavern.
Celebrate Halloween
Family Fright Zone
ExplorOcean
600 East Bay Avenue
Newport Beach, CA, 92661
www.newportwhales.com
Halloween is a great fun-filled event for adults and children alike come October. This year, as in past years, there are a ton of events to attend. Visit our Halloween Guide or take part in a Family Fright Zone where Halloween creatures will attempt to frighten you. Join others for a great evening at the 3rd Annual event where you'll get to experience spooky costumes, pumpkins, candy, and trick or treat with wizards, witches and others on the Newport Beach waterfront. Other activities to enjoy include storytelling, crafts, face painting and much more.
Orange County Beer Festival
1340 S Sanderson Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 563-4166
www.orangecountybeerfest.com
Dates: Saturday, May 9th 2015 from 2pm to 6pm
The annual OC Beer Festival is back again for its 7th year. Last years sold out event was a major hit and this year's promises to be even bigger and better. The event will feature dozens of international and domestic beers, a handful of food trucks (food sold separately) as well as live entertainment. The 2015 OC Beer Festival will take place at the Phoenix Club in Anaheim, from 2pm to 6pm. VIP admission begins at 2pm and general admission begins at 3pm.
Celebrate Oktoberfest
The Phoenix Club
1340 South Sanderson Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 563-4166
www.thephoenixclub.com
Dates: Ongoing, each weekend from Sept. 18th to Oct. 31st
The Phoenix Club has been celebrating Oktoberfest in the heart of Orange County for over 50 years and they certainly know how to put on a great Oktoberfest party. With plenty of German food and beer on tap, Polkas and Prosts in the Festzelt and Biergarten, you will soon be partying like a German! Head on over for free Polka lessons, live music, beer and sausage eating contests, kid friendly crafts and activities and so much more German fun. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, adults get in for just $10, or if you're a Phoenix Club member, admission with card is just $5. If you're 18 and under, you can enter free. A special military appreciation weekend will also be held from September 25-27 where active and retired military get in free with military ID. You can even bring in one guest for free as well if you're part of the military.
Old World Huntington Beach Oktoberfest
7561 Center Ave. #49
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 895-8020
www.oldworld.ws
Dates: Sept 13th – Nov 1st
Old World Huntington Beach has been host of Orange County's Biggest Party since 1977! Oktoberfest 2015 promises to be the best celebration yet, offering authentic German Food (voted "Best Bratwurst" in California), imported German Beers, German Bands straight from Germany, an army of Beautiful Shot Girls, and other festivities, competitions, games and more. Every Sunday during Oktoberfest is known as Kinderfest which is host to great family fun and loads of delicious German food. During Oktoberfest they have Dachshund races every Sunday at 3pm.
Horse Play Rentals
18381 Goldenwest Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 848-6565
www.hcpec.com
The Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center is situated on 25 acres of beautiful, sea-breezed land in Orange Count and is just two miles from the beach. Home to nearly 400 horses, with multiple trainers and arenas, as well as more than 150 acres of public trails, HCPEC is the perfect location to spend quality family time for riders of all abilities and most ages. Starting at age 5, children can take horseback riding lessons, and children ages 7 and up are permitted to ride the trails.
Orange County Children's Book Festival
2701 Fairview Road
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 432-5072
www.kidsbookfestival.com
Date: Sunday October 4, 2015 from 9:30am-4:30pm
2015 marks the 12th annual Orange County Children's Book Festival and although each year the OC Children's Book Festival gets better and better - this year promises to be the best one yet! There is something for everyone that loves books at the festival and plenty of wholesome family fun for everyone. In 2014, there were over 130 authors, more than 25 illustrators, dozens of storytellers and great family-oriented entertainers.The Festival will feature over 135 booksellers, educational exhibitors and related vendors. There's also an abundance of and family fun activities such as face painting, crazy hair styling, and animal petting area, musicians, dancers, balloons, readings, drawings and so much more.
Dana Point BBQ Championship
Sea Terrace Park
33410 Pacific Coast Highway
Dana Point, CA 92629
www.danapointbbqchampionships.com
Date: October 3rd, 2015
October 3rd, 2015
The City of Dana Point is partnering with the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) to bring a world class barbecue contest to Dana Point. Over 100 of the top teams from California, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona will compete for a share of $30,000 in prize money. So grab your family and friends (and your stretchy pants) and head on down for a finger lickin' good time. There will be several beer stands and plenty of opportunities to purchase samples from the participating BBQ teams. Tasting tickets are $2 each and benefit the Dana Point Veterans of Foreign Wars. Parking and shuttle to the event is free.
Downtown Brea Jazz Festival
210 West Birch Street
Brea, CA 92821
www.breadowntown.com
Date: September 18th, 19th and 20th
Discover all styles of Jazz in this three day musical extravaganza. Day long festivities include a Fine Arts & Crafts Show, Beer & Wine Garden & Kids Zone & Jazz Performers.The main stage will be located on Birch Street, with free seating of 800 chairs provided. A VIP seating section will provide the option of purchasing a ticket for a seat within a reserved seating area. Free general admission includes seating on a first come, first serve basis.
Knott's Scary Farm
8039 Beach Blvd
Buena Park, CA 90620
(714) 220-5200
www.knotts.com
Dates: Sept 24, 2015 to November 1, 2015
Known for their great theme park with roller coasters, thrill rides, and other attractions, Knott's Berry Farm puts on its annual 'Knott's Scary Farm,' where the park turns into a fun filled Halloween themed event. Featuring over 11 mazes and monsters in every direction, it's a great local treat that happens every fall. The theme park transforms into a spectacular Halloween treat with haunted attractions, mazes, zombie hunts and much more to help celebrate Halloween. Although Halloween can mostly be seen as an event for children, at Knott's Scary Farm, people come of all ages to enjoy the horror and interesting Halloween activities. More than 1,000 monsters will be lurking throughout the theme park looking to get a scream out of you, so beware!
