Fall family traditions can include pumpkin patches, fruit picking, jumping through leaf piles, and sipping warm drinks by the fire.
These are fall traditions that you don’t want to miss with your family. Whether you take photographs of these things and events for an album or keep them close to your heart, creating memories is so important. Below are 5 fall family traditions that you might want to start with your family this autumn.
And remember: if you want to do these activities or attend these events but can’t seem to make time, Family Matters can help. We can take care of your errands and complete your to-do list while you and your family go out and create those memories!
Fall Family Tradition #1: A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch!
There’s absolutely nothing like going to a pumpkin patch to select your own pumpkin! Local farms want this to be a fun event for your family. Besides having beautiful acres and acres of pumpkins, your family will enjoy tractor rides, hay rides, rock climbing, petting zoos, and a nice picnic lunch. Below are a couple local farms in the Bay Area that you and your family must visit!
Clayton Valley Pumpkin Patch
The kids will love their “Plumpkin Playland” and the giant tunnel of straw. There’s duck races, “Horsey Hop-a-Long” and a “Barn Ball Toss” and a petting zoo with farm animals. Hop on the train rides too! And on weekends, don’t worry about packing lunch. They have BBQ, snacks, and kettle corn! Open from October 1st-31st.
Location: 1060 Pine Ln., Clayton, CA (925) 672-5198
Pumpkin Patch Hours: 9 AM – 8 PM Every Day.
Train Hours: Weekdays: 3 p.m.-Dusk | Weekends 9 a.m.-Dusk | Train Tickets: $3.00 (12 months and under are FREE)
Cost: Weekends: Unlimited all day admission is $7/child | Weekends: $9/child | Adults (21+) are free with a child admission. | Children under 12 months are FREE
Nicasio Valley Farms
In beautiful Marin County, Nicasio Valley Farms offers a variety of attractions for all ages including face painting, hay rides, mazes, bounce houses, rock climbing walls, an inflatable slide, and a mechanical bull! On weekends enjoy the music performances, award-winning BBQ, and gourmet ice cream. On Sunday, October 2nd, 9th, and 16th from 12:00-2:00PM Elizabeth the Good Witch visits and there the children can make their wishes! Every Sunday Tim Cain does a children’s sing-along every Sunday from 11AM-12PM. Open from October 1st-31st.
Location: 5300 Nicasio Valley Rd., Nicasio (West Marin) CA; (415) 662-9100
Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM Open Every Day
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
You cannot miss this annual festival! The Art and Pumpkin Festival celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor with a special display of enormous/heavyweight champion pumpkins, four stages of live entertainment, the Great Pumpkin Parade, a Haunted House, harvest-inspired crafts, tasty home-style foods, premium wines, seasonal craft beer, pumpkin-infused ales, pumpkin-flavored artisan cocktails. There’s so much to experience in just the two days it’s open!
Location: Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA
LIMITED DATES: October 14th & 15th ONLY
Hours: 9AM – 5PM Each Day
Admission: FREE
Fall Family Tradition #2: Go Fruit Picking!
Find an orchard or a farm that offers pick-your-own fruit! There are so many “U-Pick” Farms along our beautiful West Coast. Fall is all about finding your Local Harvest and getting the freshest produce around. It’s a nice outing for kids and adults. Experience picking fruit from the trees or berries from right from the bushes! Bring a picnic blanket and basket and enjoy the scenery!
Potrero Nuevo Farm
Location: 1045 Tunitas Creek Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Contact: (650) 726-5700
Everett Family Farm
Location: 2111 Soquel San Jose Rd, Soquel, CA 95073
Contact: (831) 566-0472
Swanton Berry Farm – U-Pick Coastways Ranch
Location: 640 CA-1, Pescadero, CA 94060
Contact: bear@swantonberryfarm.com
Fall Family Tradition #3: Warm Drinks By The Fire!
What’s nice about fall is that the cool weather brings your family inside to spend time together! There’s nothing better than staying in one night with hot cider with a cinnamon stick, hot tea or yummy hot cocoa (preferably pumpkin cocoa, right?)! Take time with your family to enjoy one movie night at home. It’s important that you and your family create these little memories or even traditions to look back on in the future.
Fall Family Tradition #4: Make A Thankful Tree!
Cut pieces of fall colored paper into shapes of leaves and write on each leaf what you’re thankful for. Clip them on little branches and twigs and place them in a pretty vase. Creating a Thankful Tree brings your family together and brings all closer. It’s early in the Fall season but there’s nothing wrong with getting started and adding along the way! Fill the Thankful Tree as much as you can throughout the days until Thanksgiving. It’s a beautiful symbol of your family.
Fall Family Tradition #5: Jumping in a Pile of Leaves!
The sound of crunching leaves is great but there’s nothing like falling into a pile of them! This fall tradition never gets old 🙂
