Ah, the fall season. Anyone else choose fall as their favourite? I just love the gorgeous colours of the trees as their leaves begin to die off, and that crispness that freshens the air. I love all of the clothes of fall, and cozying up with chunky blankets. It doesn’t hurt that my birthday is in the fall and as a girl who never really liked cake, instead requested pumpkin pie each year. Mmm, pumpkin! Even growing pumpkins and baking them into delicious treats is fun. Seriously… fall is the best. (I do love summer, too, though. But also because it means I get to look forward to fall!)
Unfortunately for me, fall in San Diego is a tad different from the New Jersey fall’s I experienced until my early 20s. But not to worry, we’ve found plenty of ways to make the best of fall around here. While days are still hot the beach is really the best place to be. Especially while kids are in school, we homeschool families get the beaches nearly to ourselves – a huge relief after the craziness of schools being out for summer and the influx of tourists. But eventually the weather begins to turn (and by turn, I mean it goes back into the 70s) and we embrace all things autumn.
Whether you’re a San Diego native, a transplant from somewhere else (like me), or just visiting, here are 4 fun adventures for the outdoor enthusiast that you do NOT want to miss!
4 San Diego Fall Adventures
Volcan Valley Apple Farm
What is fall without apple picking!? In all honesty, apple picking in Southern California isn’t quite the same as most other parts of the country, where families bust out their flannel shirts, cute scarves, and fall boots. Here in San Diego, apple picking season is generally still hot. But don’t let that stop you, because apple picking is still a TON of fun and is totally worth the day trip to Julian, CA.
At Volcan Valley Apple Farm, you pay per bag (and also per person) to enter the farm and fill your bags with apples from any tree on the farm. They usually have a few different varieties to choose from, and all are delightfully delicious. Our favourite day to go is Friday, because crowds are generally very low. (Homeschool perks!) Another tip: plan to visit early in the season. Trees can get picked over quickly and there have been a few seasons where the farm was already out of apples after only a week or two of opening day. (In 2023 opening day is Friday 9/8)
While you’re in Julian, be sure to grab lunch or dinner at The Julian Beer Co, dessert at Mom’s (I HIGHLY recommend warm apple pie with cinnamon ice cream. Seriously… skip the vanilla and go straight for the cinnamon). Lastly, walk off all that delicious food with a stroll through the Julian graveyard. See who can find the oldest gravestone, and have a conversation about what Julian might have been like during the gold rush.
*Please be considerate when visiting the graveyard and take caution not to step on grave markers.
Hike a Desert Slot Canyon
In the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a beautiful slot canyon that is definitely worth the drive to the most eastern parts of San Diego county. The entire hike is about 4.5 miles, but you can hike only the slot canyon in about 1 mile out and back. When the canyon opens into a large wash, it’s time to turn around. Make sure you wear good shoes, as there is loose sand in the canyon. The slot canyon can also get very tight in areas, so large backpacks are not recommended as you will need to squeeze through some places. However, do remember to pack plenty of water.
If you’re feeling up to it, go for completing the entire loop! Just be sure to check temperatures before you go as early fall can still be too hot for this hike.
You can access this hike from rt. 78, going east from Julian. Just past Borrego Springs Rd. you will find a dirt road turnoff, called Borrego Mountain Wash. Turn left onto that road and drive to the end where the parking lot is located. There is no water here, but the trailhead does have a vault toilet. For more details, use the AllTrails app and search “West Butte, Wind Caves, Slot Loop Trail”, or click here for directions.
*4 wheel drive is preferable but not required. We have accessed this hike in our minivan. Just use good judgment and steer clear of soft, sandy areas. Low riding cars are not recommended.
*For reference, I was able to manage this hike alone with my 5 children, the youngest being 2.5 at the time.
Tide Pools
As we approach winter the tide pools just get better and better. Tide pools can be visited any time of the year during a low tide and there is always something exciting to find, but as we dip into even lower tides, more exciting creatures will be exposed.
Negative tides are extreme low tides, when more of the coast line is exposed. These are most common in winter time, but fall is also a great time to start exploring while weather is still warm. Tide pools offer up all sorts of fun exploration during negative tides where you can find sea anemones, crabs, starfish, and maybe even an octopus if you’re lucky.
Our favorite places to explore the tide pools are in La Jolla on either side of The Shores or by La Jolla Cove, Ocean Beach (OB), or if you have a National Parks pass or purchase a day pass, you can explore the tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument.
Be sure to check tide times and depths before you go. I like to use this chart here.
Hiking in Palomar Mountain
If you’re looking for a more traditional fall vibe in San Diego, Palomar Mountain is the place to be. Palomar Mountain State Park is filled with towering trees and gorgeous views. The park offers lots of hiking trails, a stocked pond, and a campground, in case you’d like to enjoy a longer visit.
Upon entering the park, be sure to grab a map from the park ranger. (There is a $10 entry fee.) Choose from any of the hiking trails and you’re sure to find yourself wrapped in nature. Keep your eyes open for wildlife, too. You might spot deer, fox, coyote, woodpeckers, hawks and more.
The best hike in the park is the hike to the weir where you’ll find a beautiful creek cascading over a dam. Many of the trails cross over one another in the park, so you don’t strictly have to take Weir Trail the whole way. Use your map to decide which route you want to take, but be sure to end at the Weir Historic Site. Consider wearing waterproof shoes as there are a few creek crossings, although most have rocks or log bridges to help you stay (mostly) dry.
You can find the Weir hike and others, in my free San Diego family friendly hiking guide. Head here to grab your downloadable list.
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