Autumn is the perfect time to pause and appreciate the beauty and bounty of the East Bay. As people wrap up their summer vacations and return to work and school, there are many opportunities to savor a great time to be outside.
Beer connoisseurs, and those that love them, will enjoy Oaktoberfest in Oakland’s Dimond District, held on October 1st and 2nd this year. Get your oompah on with live German music, traditional German food and an abundance of craft brews.
The Autumn Lights Festival is a creative and enchanting fundraiser for the Gardens of Lake Merritt. Get your tickets early since it’s known to sell out.
You’ll have to take a drive to this one, but the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival is a Bay Area classic that’s back in full swing this year. The world champion pumpkin weigh-off takes place on October 10th and the 1st place winner will receive a cash prize of $9 per pound of the winning pumpkin.
Join the harvest in Fremont at the Ardenwood Harvest Festival on October 9th. Help bring in the corn crop and take home a share. Also featured are historic crafts, cider pressing, and a beautifully restored farmhouse from the late nineteenth century.
Get closer to the source of your food at Cloverfield Organic Farm in El Sobrante. They have weekly “u-pick” opportunities - you can even check ahead to see what’s ready. For help with your harvested bounty, visit Preserved in Temescal. They have equipment, classes and recipes to make the most of all of it.
Many cultural traditions see fall as a time to remember and celebrate departed souls. The Dia de los Muertos celebration in Oakland’s Fruitvale is filled with color and ancestral love. For Wiccans and Pagans there’s a Samhain Festival in Alameda. Halloween revelers can find pumpkins and a Haunted House on Piedmont Ave. For older teens, Fear Overload Scream Park might be worth the trip to Newark.
Since the weather is usually great this time of year, a leaf-peeping hike can be a great treat. Surround yourself with fall colors at local parks and gardens. In Tilden Park there are some great trails for this. Try a walk around Lake Anza or a ride on the Tilden Steam Train.
The UC Berkeley Botanical Garden nurtures trees from all over the world. The many varieties of maple trees are especially stunning right now. Check the California Fall Color Map for more inspiration. Much of our community is urban forest, so we can also watch the leaves change while strolling around the neighborhood.
As the Wheel of the Year keeps turning we have plenty of suggestions for everything from how to craft a creepy costume, find inner balance, or make a Hot Toddy. Just ask.
