Fall is my favorite time of year in San Francisco. For most around the country it means cooler temperatures and changing leaves, but here it usually means summer has finally arrived. I think this time of year with young children is magical with all the excitement around Halloween. However, for us in San Francisco, Halloween is just one of many events that mark the beginning of fall. Here are a few of my favorite ideas for some fall family fun.

Fleet Week: Depending on how old your children are, either you love Fleet Week or you hate it. I remember when we had babies, without fail just as I got them to sleep, the Blue Angels would come roaring over the house. Now that the kids are a little older and are not as bothered by the noise, we all look forward to this event. If you live in the Marina this is a great weekend to plan on walking everywhere. If you give up your parking spot or come down to the Marina looking to park, you might as well plan on circling the block for an hour or so because they expect another million-plus spectators this year. I remember how fun it was last year on Chestnut Street – between the Blue Angels and the Giants winning, there were cheers spilling out from every restaurant and bar. The best viewing spots are on the Marina Green, from Aquatic Park, or if you are lucky, a bird’s-eye view from a rooftop deck. Remember though, the loud noise can be very scary and alarming for young children so if they are not up for it, it might be best to escape to the other side of town.

Apple picking: If you are looking for an adventure outside of the City where you can get a true taste of fall, try Gabriel Farm in Sebastopol. This 14-acre organic family farm is open every weekend until Halloween and is a great place to pick apples. When you arrive, a farmer will give you a quick tour, point out the different varieties of apples, and show you the proper way to pick them. This is a great activity for the kids because they can each grab a bin and the trees are relatively short so it is easy for even the smallest hands to do some picking. The best part is you are welcome to taste the apples while you pick them. I suggest packing a lunch and making a day of it. There are several picnic benches on the property and a farm store that sells jams, juice and some delicious Asian pears. The price for the “u-pick” apples this year is $2 per pound and depending on how many “pickers” you have, you can end up with a lot of apples very quickly. Then it is time to pull out all the recipes for applesauce, apple pie, and anything else apple you can think of!

Pumpkin Festival: It is impossible to talk about fall fun without including pumpkins and Halloween. Ever since our kids were babies, we have made it an October tradition to head to Half Moon Bay to pick pumpkins. Their famous Art and Pumpkin Festival is Oct. 15–16 this year and it is a great time for all ages. This is where the world’s biggest pumpkin is displayed – a previous winner tipped the scales at 1,658 pounds! However, if you are planning to go on festival weekend, I suggest leaving the City early and preparing for traffic and large crowds. One of our favorite places to go in the area is Lemos Farm, which is less than an hour away. Families of all ages can spend the day enjoying a hayride, pony rides, petting zoo, train ride, and of course a large pumpkin patch. It can get very busy, especially in October, so if you can I would suggest trying to go during the week when it is not as crowded. I would also recommend 4-C’s pumpkin patch, which is right across the street and offers a lot of the same things as Lemos but never seems to be as crowded. No matter where you go in Half Moon Bay in October, you are sure to leave with a few pumpkins and a lot of fun memories.

Fall can get busy with soccer games, birthday parties and spooky festivities so however you decide to celebrate this wonderful season, take time to do it as a family. These are all simple events that will create lifelong memories for your family. Enjoy the time and the experience together. Happy fall!

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