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As fall is upon us, the city of Santa Barbara has many hidden festivities for locals and tourists searching to get into the mood for the season. From pumpkin patches to shopping, there are options for all ages.
“Going to the pumpkin patch is my favorite thing to do around October during the fall time, especially at Lane Farms to go through the corn maze!” Gianna Cardi remarked, a sophomore at Santa Barbara High School.
Lane Farms Produce Market, which opened for the season on Sept. 27, is open every day until Halloween with a pumpkin patch, corn maze, petting zoo, and tons of fall treats. Lane Farms provides opportunities for picnics and photos during this time of the year for everyone.
Another fan favorite activity for when it gets dark is a fall movie night. Movie marathons have been circulating on social media as a perfect group bonding pastime with friends in colder weather. As the crisp fall air starts to become more prominent, a movie night is a warm and cozy way to be with friends!
A more productive option compared to movies is to get community service hours completed. Places like the Santa Barbara Zoo provide opportunities during the Halloween season at their famous “Boo At the Zoo!” night. This is a trick-or-treat event inside the zoo designed for elementary school kids. Teenagers can participate as scare actors and event coordinators and gain community service hours in a unique and exciting way.
“Little kids can do whatever they want, which I love. And teenagers can volunteer to earn hours, which are mandatory for graduation, and receive free candy. Yes, I love the free candy.” Eva Zackrison, a 19-year-old local of Santa Barbara, commented on “Boo At the Zoo!”
With more rain and greenery during this time of year, hiking becomes a very popular activity. Many trails in Santa Barbara are known for their beauty during the fall, such as the Cold Spring Loop, Jesusita Trail, and Rattlesnake Canyon. With various levels of difficulty, this is a great fall activity for exercise and quality time.
Although there may not be many changes from summer to fall in Southern California, it does not mean that there are no spirited activities. All ages can find things to do to stay busy in Santa Barbara, whether it’s something traditional like a pumpkin patch or getting to hike in the great SoCal weather, fall is always a fun time here by the beach.
