10 Things To Do This Fall in Ventura County
Fall in Ventura County!
Autumn has officially arrived in Ventura County, and there is no shortage of seasonal adventures to share with family and friends. These are our top ten, must-dos to harvest all the fun this fall:
1. Pumpkin Pickin’
Chilly weather is the perfect reminder to pick up a pumpkin. Why stop by the store, when you experience searching for the perfect pumpkin? There is nothing that matches the nostalgia of wandering into a field of orange, and retrieving the perfect pumpkin to carve. In Ventura County, there are no shortages of pumpkins to pick, and the fun is perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
Price: $ – $$
Location: Multiple – We recommend Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark (3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021) and McGrath Brothers’ Great Pacific Pumpkin Patch in Oxnard (5100 Olivas Park Dr, Ventura, CA 93003)
Best time to go: Mid-Morning
Hours: 9am – 6pm (Mon-Sun)
Duration: 1 hour
Kid Friendly: Yes
Maximize Experience: McGrath Brothers’ Pumpkin patch offers hay-rides, and Underwood offers a plethora of activities for all ages. This extra activity encompasses all of the things we love about fall!
2. Ventura County Harvest Festivals: Ventura County has an abundant amount of festivals and markets to visit this season. Snatch up seasonal produce, come decorate pumpkins to impress, or stop by and view local artisans and their offerings for purchase. There is bound to be something for everyone at these recurring Harvest Festivals:
- Pumpkin Fest
- Farmers Market Pumpkin Fun Day
- 20th Annual Fall Harvest Festival
- Mid-Autumn Harvest Children’s Festival
- Ventura Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show
Price: $
Location: Multiple
Best time to go: Morning
Hours: Varies
Duration: 1-4 hours
Kid Friendly: Yes
Maximize Experience: Come ready to shop, and make sure to arrive early! Parking for farmers markets and festivals always fills up fast, so make sure to plan accordingly! Supporting local businesses to Ventura is also the ultimate way to give back this season.
3. Go to an Organic Brewery – Leashless Brew Co. Searching for a new, organic craft brewery to try? Even though they’ve been around for a little over a year, Leashless boasts bold offerings, all with keeping everything organic. With that, they ask that you abide by their non-smoking and non-styrofoam policies. In efforts to help the environment, they ask for smokers to either refrain or deposit their butts in designated areas, and ask their patrons to not bring in any food with styrofoam containers. Come on by for great beer, and even better atmosphere!
Price: $
Location: 585 E. Thompson Blvd Ventura, California 93001
Best time to go: Afternoon – late evening
Hours: Monday- Thursday 4PM to 10PM
Friday – 3PM to 11PM
Saturday -12PM to 11PM
Sunday -12PM to 9PM
Duration: 20 min – 1 hour
Kid Friendly: No
Maximize Experience: This brewery is dog-friendly! Bring your furry friend to enjoy new beer rotations and a handful of events that are always going on around Leashless!
4. Stop by a Winery – Labyrinth Winery Tasting Room
Labyrinth winery boasts a collection of whites and reds that are perfect for any pallet. This fall, why not embark on a new relationship with wine? Labyrinth provides a tasting room, as well as a wine club that features a discounted bottle of wine every month!
Price: $$
Location: 607 E. Main St., Suite D Ventura, CA 93001
Best time to go: Evening
Hours: Wed.-Fri. 3 – 8 PM Sat: Noon – 8PM Sun: Noon – 6PM
Duration: 1 hour – 3 hours
Kid Friendly: No
Maximize Experience: Make sure to check their events page! There are a constant stream of fun events, make sure to pair your visit with good friends!
5. VooDoo on the Bayou Voo-Do you dare to enter this haunted bayou? Simi Valley is offering 15,000 sq. ft. of thrilling maze that will test your mind to its limits. This haunted maze is open for the remainder Friday and Saturdays in October, and their hours varies per weekend. Bring a gaggle of friends to stand up to what is making a boo in the bayou!
Price: $$
Location: 1657 Simi Valley Town Center Way Simi Valley, C A
Best time to go: Night
Hours: Varies on Fridays and Saturdays
Duration: 1-3 hours
Kid Friendly: Depending, ages to enter are 13 and up!
Maximize Experience: Arrive early! The hours are already set to take place entirely at night, so make sure to arrive in time to park and stand in line to purchase tickets.
6. Painting with a Twist Another great indoor activity as the nights fall colder, is breaking out the brushes. Painting with a Twist allows you to create beautiful art, with the easy guidance from a resident-artist. The fun keeps flowing with their on-site wine and beer offerings.
Price: $$
Location: 2298 Ventura Blvd, Camarillo, CA 93010
Best time to go: Evening
Hours: Sat-Sun 1pm to 6pm, check calendar for event specific start times.
Duration: 2 – 3 Hours
Kid Friendly: No
Maximize Experience: Bring a friend or significant other to join in on the fun! Make sure to reserve ahead of time, and designate a safe way to bring your art home with you!
7. Trick or Treating Maximize the spirit of Halloween this year! The Collection is hosting their annual Trick or Treat, with a fun twist; complete with a event passport and map that guides you around to different shops where you either receive a trick, or a treat. All those trick-or-treaters brave enough to complete their maps are entered to win a “spooktacular” grand prize!
Price: $
Location: The Collection at Riverpark 2751 Parkview Court Oxnard, CA 93036
Hours: October 30th, 5-7 PM
Duration: 2 hours
Kid Friendly: yes, and encouraged
Maximize Experience: Purchase tickets online here to avoid missing out! Every trick or treater is required to have a ticket to enter.
8. Boo At The Zoo – Santa Barbara Zoo Don’t miss this years’ Boo At The Zoo, themed “Candypalooza,” hosted by Santa Barbara Zoo! Admission includes lots of activities, like: event entry, trick-or-treating, Zoo Train ride, carnival games, scare zone, animal scooter ride, dance party, animal encounters, performances, bounce houses, and rock wall climbing.
Price: $$
Location: 500 Ninos Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Best time to go: Evening
Hours: October 19, 5:30–8:30 p.m. October 20, 4:30–8:30 p.m. October 21, 4:30–7:30 p.m.
Duration: 1 – 2:30 hours
Kid Friendly: Yes
Maximize Experience: Buy tickets online early, to skip entrance lines!
9. Check out the fall foliage and sip a cozy drink all at once! Spending time outside among the changing colors and grabbing a seasonal drink is an easy and free way to celebrate fall this year. Ventura county offers multiple, year-round hiking trails and parks and exciting coffee houses that are ready to give you a flavorful fall beverage. Check out our recommendations below!
Price: free
Location: multiple
Best time to go: mid-morning
Duration: 1- 2 hours
Kid friendly: Yes
Maximize Experience: We recommend coffee or HOMEMADE Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Prospect Coffee Roasters, or Palm and Boy in Ventura and Hobson Park (5210 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ventura, CA 93001) for a great outdoor experience.
10. Fiesta Noche de Recuerdos On this “Night of Memories,” gather with those you love to join in remembrance this season. There will be specialty drinks offered, festivities, and Dia De Los Muertos altars set up to admire.
Price: $$
Location: Carnegie Art Museum 424 South C Street Oxnard, CA
Hours: October 20th from 6PM – 9PM
Duration: 3 hours
Kid Friendly: Yes
Maximize Experience: Grab a cozy, warm drink to enjoy during the festivities!
Looking for other fun activities in Ventura County? Check out Indoor Rock Climbing at Boulderdash!
If you or someone you know wants to be featured, email us at hello@vcexperience.com
