Now that it’s finally fall, what better way is there to start this cozy season than through some iconic fall activities? I’ve compiled a list of the best fall activities in the Bay Area that are accessible and enjoyable to high school students!
1) Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Spending some time at pumpkin patches is the perfect way to start October! Not only do they have fields of pumpkins, but they also offer a range of other activities to visitors. Webb Ranch, a family-owned pumpkin patch in Portola Valley, is a great option close by. The ranch, which opened for the season on September 21, allows visitors to join in on a scenic hayride or roam through their haunted house, petting zoo, and corn maze. Or, if you’re willing to make the drive, Half Moon Bay has numerous pumpkin patches that are perfect to explore, including Andreoetti’s Family Farm and Bob’s Pumpkin Patch.
2) Fall Thrifting
Searching for new garments better suited for the dropping temperatures is a fun way to spend the weekend! However, buying a new, seasonal wardrobe can get expensive quickly. Luckily, thrift stores offer the perfect alternative. Savers, located in Downtown Redwood City, contains an excellent selection of fall clothes with prices as low as $2.
3) Halloween Movie Marathon
Having a movie marathon can be a great way to relax over the weekend, especially if the weather is cold and gloomy. Grab a cozy blanket, some popcorn, and settle in with friends. Here are some of my recommendations: Scream, a ‘90s slasher horror movie, follows a string of gruesome killings in a small town and is filled with plenty of gore and jumpscares that kept me screaming throughout the film. If you have a tough time with scary movies, Hocus Pocus is the perfect choice, being a more family-friendly movie. This Halloween staple is a great, lighthearted option. Last Night in Soho is another fantastic choice, following a young aspiring fashion designer as she travels back in time to the ‘60s to investigate a murder.
4) Fall Playlist
Compiling a playlist filled with songs that evoke memories of rainy days, falling leaves, and the coming season is an essential in autumn. Some of my go-to fall songs include Jeff Buckley’s “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over,” Phoebe Bridgers’ “Waiting Room,” Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well,” and Girl in Red’s “We Fell in Love in October.”
5) Pumpkin Carving
One of the most iconic October activities, without a doubt, is pumpkin carving! Go to a local grocery store and pick out a pumpkin. Trader Joes, located in downtown Menlo Park, contains tons of pumpkins and gourds of all sorts of sizes, shapes, and colors. Carefully inspect your options, choose the perfect one. After picking a pumpkin, you just need to hollow it out, carve in your design, add a light, and voila! You’ll have your very own jack-o-lantern.
6) Bake Taylor Swift’s Famous Chai Sugar Cookies
Taylor Swift’s album Red and baking are both fall staples, so what better way to spend fall than to combine them? This is possible, thanks to the popstar’s 2014 recipe. Tune into some Taylor Swift while baking these delicious cinnamon-filled cookies.
7) Study at a Coffee Shop
The only negative about fall is the increasing difficulty of school and time spent studying or doing homework. Whether you’re with friends or by yourself, visiting a cute coffee shop to grind out your homework is a great activity that allows you to be productive while simultaneously chasing the fall vibes.
8) Read a Murder Mystery
Even if it might be cliché, there is a reason why the saying, “This weather makes me want to stay at home curled up with a good book” exists. October’s cold and gloomy weather makes for the optimal reading environment, especially for murder mystery books, which incorporate Halloween-type spookiness into reading! “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides is a great option, a creepy thriller following a psychologist that features a shocking twist. Karen McCanus’ “One of Us is Lying” is another great choice, following four students involved in their classmate’s murder. Both are exciting page-turners that will provide a break from the serious reading already done throughout the school week. Grab a fluffy blanket, light a candle, and settle in with your book of choice!
