Where To Enjoy The Most Basic Girl-Pumpkin-Spiced-Spooky Season Activities in LA

You might be asking yourself, what even IS a basic girl? They’re a gal (of any gender) who loves a themed event, coordinated outfits, a good charcuterie board and, in the fall, pumpkin-spice lattes, cute pictures at the pumpkin patch for Insta, and the movie Practical Magic.

We all know someone like this and, maybe, it’s even YOU.

Unleash your inner basic girl

There’s no better time to bring out your inner basic girl than October. What’s not to love? Los Angeles might not exactly have a fall season, but there are places around the city where you can experience that autumn coziness we all crave, get into the spooky spirit, and of course, enjoy pumpkin-spiced everything.

How to LA recently went on a witch hunt around L.A. for the best spots to go full on basic girl fall mode. Here are some of our picks:

(Disclaimer: None of these suggestions are underground, edgy, “cool,” or all that unique. But it’s not meant to be. That’s the beauty of being basic! It is simply a straightforward, cute, wholesome good time. And by following this itinerary, you too can get into the spooky season spirit, even in an L.A. heat spell.)

Treat yourself to a pumpkin spiced latte

Did you know this quintessential fall drink started at Starbucks exactly 20 years ago? To celebrate it's big birthday, stop by "Starbies" and enjoy all your favorite fall spices, some sweetness and most importantly: caffeine. If it’s one of those 90-degree fall days, get it iced. No excuses.

But you should know that Starbucks started a revolution. Now you can find the PSL at many of your local coffee shops in town. Our favorite? The Pumpkin Milk latte at Superba Coffee & Tea. No, this isn’t sponsored, it’s just really good. There are four locations throughout L.A., and they’ve got THIS seasonal latte through the new year.

Visit a pumpkin patch

You might think pumpkin patches are just for kids, but that means you’re not thinking basic enough. Pumpkins are a quintessential fall decor must for any basic girl’s home, front porch, or even office desk.

There are a few iconic, old school pumpkin patches in the area, like Tapia Bros Farm in Encino, Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark, and Tanaka Farms in Irvine where you can pick your pumpkin straight off the vine.

To keep it super local, we suggest: Mr. Bone’s Pumpkin Patch in Culver City. Open 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. until Oct. 29. $10 entrance, reserve tickets here.

Pro tip: Pumpkin patches are really photogenic. A perfectly basic, basic-girl insta story awaits.

How to LA's Brian De Los Santos and Megan Botel pose with their pumpkins at Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in Culver City

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Courtesy of Brian De Los Santos

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LAist

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Explore the spooky forests of Carved at Descanso Gardens

As if Descanso Gardens at night weren’t spooky enough, Carved is an annual fall event that features forests of lit-up jack o'lanterns, spooky music serenading your walk through the gardens, a giant Day of the Dead ofrenda honoring those who’ve died, a hay maze, and of course, refreshments.

“Just let yourself be a kid again,” says Gary, who attended Carved with his boyfriend, Matt. “This is a very special place.”

Open everyday 6-10 p.m. through Oct. 29. $30-$40 for adults and $20-$25 for kids. Less for members. Buy tickets here.

Pro tip: A great second date spot. There’s a lot going on, so it’ll never be awkward, and there are little intimate hideouts where you can get a moment alone and connect

Carved at Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens hosts one of the many fun and spooky fall events around Los Angeles

The Dia de Los Muertos interactive altar at the Carved event hosted by Descanso Gardens

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Megan Larson

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LAist

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Carved at Descanso Gardens

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Megan Larson

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LAist

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How to LA's Meg Botel and Biran De Los Santos smile for the camera while enjoying Carved at Descanso Gardens

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Courtesy of Brian De Los Santos

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LAist

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Take a haunted hayride

Go to what’s known as L.A.'s best haunted house and take an hay ride through the fictional town of Midnight Falls at Griffith Park. Get lost in the “Hellbilly Halloween” maze, partake in some axe throwing or zombie apocalypse paintball and watch a Theatrical Macabre Experience from beyond the grave.

Open now. Prices start at $29.99 on select nights through Oct. 31. Tickets are on sale here.

Celebrate Oktoberfest in Huntington Beach.

Again, basic girls love a themed event. Get dressed in your Bavarian outfits — traditionally, dirndl for women and lederhosen for men — and stroll through the cobblestone streets of Old World Village. Hear some live music, feast on some traditional German bratwurst, enormous pretzels, sauerkraut and pound cake, and have some official Oktoberfest beer.

Open Wednesdays through Sunday until Nov. 5 at Old World Huntington Beach. Free entrance, unless you want to reserve a table for $100. Get tickets here.

Basic girl bonus: cocktails

All of these suggestions have been very cute and wholesome. But some of our basic girls might want to turn up the heat a little bit after dark, and wear their little halloween costumes or favorite cashmere sweaters for a stiff drink.

Here are some of the best places you can get a spooky themed cocktail in the city:

1. Beetle House in Hollywood 
2. Potions and Poisons in Koreatown 
3. The Cauldron in Buena Park  
4. Lily Rose in DTLA