Autumn in Los Angeles: 7 ways to make it feel like fall

Kristen Lepore

Published September 22, 2014 at 5:05 PM PDT

It's that time of year again. Summer is on its way out and the Santa Ana winds are blowing in. It's when many of us yearn to layer our clothes and to shovel some leaves.

Whether it feels like fall or not, the autumnal equinox occurs 7:29 p.m. PDT Monday. And this, Angelenos, is the official start of a new season.

Although temperatures will probably be in the '80s most of this week, we can still celebrate the season in our own special ways. (Pro tip: Just think about all those people preparing for polar vortex No. 2.)

1. Go to an amusement park that's decked out for Halloween

Disneyland has its pumpkins and fun fall décor and Mickey and Minnie Mouse, as well as Donald, are in their costumes.

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2. Pick up seasonal foods at a local farmers market

Colder, rainier areas won't set up an outside market during autumn months, but SoCal residents can peruse produce at farmers markets all year long.

Here are a few of our favorite farmers markets:

Silver Lake — 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday
La Cienega — 2 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Hollywood — 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday
Larchmont — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Brentwood — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Pacific Palisades — 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday

3. View fall foliage

Crunchy, fallen leaves of many colors are not that common around here, but you can still take a peek at nature’s metamorphosis at these spots:

Yoga in the garden, anyone? Soak up all the foliage L.A. County's Arboretum has to offer during one of its weekly classes. Info here. More events here.
Take a drive to "The Alps of Southern California" for a fall-ish experience at Lake Arrowhead. Nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest, you can hike, bike and even snow ski.
There's no better way to celebrate autumn than with a trip to Apply Country. In Oak Glen, you can knock off all those seasonal favorites like apple and pumpkin picking. (You can also press your own cider and ride a horse drawn wagon through the orchards.)

4. Go to a fall festival

Pumpkin and fall festivals abound in Southern California, including the Halloween Harvest Festival at the Pierce Farm Center Sept. 26 to Nov. 2 in Woodland Hills. Pick up a pumpkin, explore the corn maze, take a hay ride or get your fright on at the Factory of Nightmares Haunted House.

5. Hit up an Oktoberfest or try local autumn beers

The booming craft beer scene in Los Angeles makes local Oktoberfest festivities and libations that much sweeter.

Angel City Brewery, Golden Road Brewing and Eagle Rock Brewery — the city is your palate's playground. There's also Oktoberfest at Alpine Village in Torrance. Here's a calendar of more Oktoberfest events in SoCal.

6. Curl in front of a fireplace at a restaurant or bar

You may want to save this one for a colder day or night, but L.A. does actually have establishments with fireplaces. If you have a cold drink in your hand, it’ll make it that much easier to enjoy the fiery warmth.

The Raymond restaurant in Pasadena has an outdoor fireplace — perfect for enjoying with a honey-nut old-fashioned from its bar 1886.
Cozy coffee shop and café Penelope’s in La Cañada has a brick-lined hearth inside and a usually low-key scene.
Parq Bar in Beverly Hills has adorable china and cushy couches. Settle in with a jazz, R&B or blues performance from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. nightly.
Grab your favorite literature from Central Library and head over to Library Bar (it's got choices on its shelves, too) in downtown L.A. for a night of booze and books.

7. Shop (a summer sale)

While most people are excited for fall sales, we're still shopping the summer ones. We can layer just like everyone else — just do it with discounts on bathing suits, dresses, shorts and sunglasses. Get it while it lasts.