Best Outdoor Fall Family Traditions in OC 2024

by Michele Whiteaker

October is my favorite month for families in Orange County! I made my picks of the best outdoor fall family traditions in OC based on the family outdoor experience and if it’s low or no-cost.

Wait! Almost forgot. Before you read any further, think about your fall. Think about how you want to spend your time. If you want to snuggle at home with a cup of soup and a good book, that’s okay!

If you want to be out under the trees with the leaves falling all around – you don’t necessarily need the excuse of an event. Just find a park and hang out. The kids will love it.

Better yet – come up with your own family fall tradition:

a pilgrimage to a special far away restaurant
an overnight stay at a certain favorite hotel or AirBnB
making sandcastles on an empty beach
cooking a family recipe together
attending a local community event or festival

It doesn’t have to be a big deal at a crowded place to be special!

If you want a day-by-day list of ideas, check out my 31 Days of October Play Plan post which has specific things for your family to do each day (a lot of them easy and at home). It even has a printable calendar and list.

Make sure you pay attention to the weather and check all the OFFICIAL details for fees and suggested ages. Click on the bold green titles to link to official information.

Outdoor Fall Family Events in Orange County

KID-FRIENDLY SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER

U-Pick Pumpkin Patch at Tanaka Farms in Irvine is perfect if you want to visit the farm and support our local farmers. There are wagon rides, a barnyard educational exhibit, and lots to do at the farm. You must book and pay ahead. Opens September 14th through October 31st. The Hana Field Pumpkin Patch & Flower Field in Costa Mesa is a smaller and more relaxed experience only open on weekends starting October 5th. (They usually have U-Pick sunflowers, but unfortunately something ate the seeds this year).

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch. Open from September 14th through October 31st. (It’s free if you just wander around the patch.)

Apple Picking at Oak Glen* — I, personally, like to wait until it’s COLD (like, in the 40s in the morning when we arrive!). It may mean there are no apples left to pick, but that’s okay with me. Make sure you hike the Children’s Nature Trail and visit the Montane Botanic Garden.

*Not OC, but as my daughter reminded me — it’s tradition so we have to go!

Remember, you don’t have to wait for someone else to plan fall fun! You can always take your kids outside to play anywhere in this beautiful weather (even if it’s just the front yard!).

Fall events on the 1st weekend in October

23rd Annual Irvine Global Village Festival

(FREE Event) is from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, October 5th at Great Park. It’s celebrating its 23rd anniversary and there is plenty for families and your kids to experience.

Our family clears our schedule every year for this favorite of fall traditions and we have so many fond memories of the people we’ve met and the stories they’ve shared with us.

Check the entertainment schedule (will be updated closer to the event date) and event map showing the Kids Village and more.

U-Pick Pumpkins at UC South Coast Research & Extension Center

This doesn’t happen every year, but be on the lookout for this fun and not crowded opportunity by following the @ucsouthcoast account on Instagram for potential U-Pick. We loved it last year. It was affordable and all we had to do was register ahead of time. It happened in 2023 on the 1st weekend in October.

Fall activities starting the 2nd weekend in October

Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill Historic Park – October 11-13 & 18-20, 4:30-8:30 PM

(FREE Event & FREE Parking) for 2 weekends October. Super sweet family event at an amazing location.

Tour the decorated historical grounds during special park hours and take your picture at a variety of fall and Halloween-themed photo opportunities.

Try to find your way through the hay maze and complete a scavenger hunt for ghoulish goodies at this free, family-friendly event.

Costumes are encouraged and pets are welcome on leashes no longer than 6 feet. Be sure to bring your cameras!

See the official flyer for all the official information!

Special Note: This event has become more and more popular over the years and for 2024 you might expect long lines. I used to love it because it was mellow with no lines, but in the age of Instagram it’s become very popular.

Environmental Nature Center Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch

October 13, 2024. Proceeds benefit their environmental education programs.

Pumpkin Patch, children’s crafts and games, face painting, entertainment, and Savor OC restaurant showcase.

Santa Ana Zoo – Boo at the Zo o

October 19th & 20th + October 26th & 27th events from 5:30pm to 7:30pm so you get to experience the zoo after hours in the evenings. Must purchase an advance admission ticket online before you go. They say: “Halloween family festival including: trick-or-treating lights & decorations nocturnal animal presentations scavenger hunt, and rides (ride tickets required).” Ticket discounts if you are a member. Limited number of Santa Ana resident tickets also available.

Fall traditions the last weekend in October

Boo at the Bay: Family Halloween Party at Upper Newport Bay

Saturday, October 26th from 11am-3pm. Visit the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center for a fun family Halloween party featuring spooky stories, creepy crafts, wacky science experiments, bizarre animals, and hair-raising games.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive in costume. The event will also feature booths and exhibits from community partners including the Orange County Bird of Prey Center, the Environmental Nature Center, and the OC Parks Paleontology department.

The event and parking are free.

See the official flyer for the Boo at the Bay.

Halloween OC Zoo-tacular

Saturday, October 26th from 10am-4pm. It’s awesome – the animals get pumpkins filled with treats.

Join them for Halloween fun at the OC Zoo! Activities include trick-or-treating*, spooky kids crafts, a scavenger hunt*, and fun games!

Come see the zoo animals receive treat-filled pumpkins throughout the day!

Reservations are not needed. Activities are free with paid zoo admission ($2 per person, ages 2 & under free).

Zoo coupons and free passes are not valid for this event. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

(It’s easy to pair this outing with the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch, but it’ll be busy this particular weekend!)

See the official flyer for the OC Zoo-tacular.

Costume Week at Pretend City

Oct 23rd-27th: Get $2 off general admission for each person wearing a costume (only when tickets purchased at the door since they can’t make adjustments to pre-purchased tickets).

I know, it’s not outside – but hard to pass up a chance to play and show off a costume. They also have a Neurodivergent Family Night planned with a Halloween theme for October 24th.

[Tip – Check Pretend City’s event calendar to get info on more October events including Día de los Muertos.]