Best Fall Festivals In Southern California

Halloween is my favorite time of year in Southern California. There's so much to do outside with family and friends and the stress of having to buy 157 gifts is not present. It's just about getting together and having a great time. The colors of the landscape are wonderful and the change of seasons is special to watch. If you're in the southern part of the California, here are some wonderful activities to celebrate the special time of year.

Pack up the kids for this exciting train ride in Southern California. You'll be able to show the kids what life was like 75 years ago (they won't believe it). This historic train ride in Southern California is a favorite for kids and adults. We don't think about riding the train anymore outside of commuting in New York City. It's too slow and we live in a fast-paced life now. But that is unfortunate because this train ride is about an hour of enjoyment with family and friends in the scenic landscape of Southern California. You get to enjoy the views of Mt. San Cayetano and the Topa Topa Mountain, the Fall-induced changing landscape, and views of avocado orchards and pumpkin patches. The actual passenger cars are actually from the 1930's and 1940's with original combustion engines from the 1950's that have been slightly modernized for efficiency. The 1920's-era business district greets visitors as they turn off of rural Highway 126. Fillmore is in the heart of The Heritage Valley, where travelers find themselves steeped in the history of local farming families and rich in agricultural treasures. This throwback in time is not to be missed.

Lombardi's Ranch is a family favorite for all of us in the Santa Clarita Valley of Southern California. Every year we make the short pilgrimage to Lombardi's Pumpkin Patch to enjoy roasted corn, live music, a fun corn maze, scarecrows created by local kids, and of course tons and tons of pumpkins. Grab a handmade wheelbarrow and get pumpkin shopping! Family owned for a century, Lombardi's supports the local families and farmers with locally produced produce and crafts.

Calabasas is most known for its reality-TV celebrity family, the Kardashians but it should not be overlooked for the pumpkin festival. Calabasas is not just about big homes and expensive cars, it is also a family-oriented town to live in. And this pumpkin festival is about bringing the families together but don't expect to see Kim and the Gang working the front door. Calabasas Pumpkin Festival offers reptile and nature shows, live bands, contests for kids, an inflatable ride and giant slide, carnival games for kids and adults and a one-of-a-kind car show on Sunday. This is not just for locals but good to know for a California Vacation.

In Southern California we cherish the Fall Season for the way the landscape looks and for the family holiday Halloween. Families get out to the pumpkin patch for caramel apples, roasted corn and pumpkin pie as well as family time. For memorable times together as a family, these festivals are not to be missed