So you’ve been seeing those viral videos too, right? The ones where someone’s basically built a full-on haunted house in their front yard, or that reel of the perfect pumpkin patch with golden-hour lighting that makes you want to immediately drop everything and head out. Yeah, same.
And honestly, LA’s doing autumn differently this year, in the best possible way. While the rest of the country is layering up against actual cold weather, we’re out here creating our own cozy vibes under perfectly sunny 75-degree skies.
The thing about fall in Los Angeles is that it’s less about the temperature drop and more about the feeling. It’s the pumpkin spice lattes at Blue Bottle, the sudden urge to hike Runyon in the early morning fog, the way the light hits differently when October rolls around.
And this year, Angelenos are going all-in on the “warmth and comfort” lifestyle that’s been taking over social media.
Weekend Plans Start at Boo at the Zoo
If you’re looking for last-minute plans this weekend, the LA Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo runs October 25-26 with trick-or-treating stations, spooky storytelling, and pumpkin feedings for animals from spider monkeys to Tasmanian devils. Real talk, watching a Tasmanian devil demolish a pumpkin hits different than your average Saturday.
Admission is included with regular zoo entry, which runs between $22 and $27, making it a solid budget-friendly option for families who’ve already blown through their monthly entertainment fund. The genius of Boo at the Zoo is that it manages to deliver Halloween magic without being too scary for the little ones.
Plus, there’s slime-making courtesy of Sloomoo Institute and plenty of photo ops for those Instagram-worthy moments. And let’s be honest, half the reason we do these things is for the content.
Finding Your Perfect Pumpkin Patch Photo Op
Here’s where things get interesting. LA’s pumpkin patch game is legitimately next-level this year, and judging by the videos flooding TikTok and X, everyone’s trying to capture that perfect autumn aesthetic.
The question isn’t whether to visit a pumpkin patch. It’s which one matches your vibe.
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in Culver City is open October 4-30, 2025, and delivers on all the classic fall vibes with their famous Pumpkin Village everyone photographs. They’ve got the full setup: petting zoo with baby goats and sheep, straw bale maze, bounce houses, super slides, and pumpkin decorating stations.
The catch? Admission ranges from $8-15 depending on the day and time, but activities like the petting zoo ($4), pony rides ($7), and face painting ($7-10) are separate. Still, weekday attendees receive $5 in Pumpkin Bucks toward pumpkin purchases, and on weekends kids get 5 Activity Tickets with admission.
The drive might test your patience on the 405, but the photo opportunities make it worth sitting through that traffic. Plus, you can grab In-N-Out on the way back. Balance.
Want something with free admission? Lopez Ranch Pumpkin Patch in Marina del Rey is pet-friendly with free entry and affordable pumpkins, perfect if you’re trying to get your dog in on the autumn content game.
Speaking of which, have you noticed how many people are bringing their pets to these things? It’s a whole vibe.
For an actual farm experience worth the drive, Tanaka Farms offers lots of activities for kids including a petting zoo, train rides, and more. The farm vibe is authentic, the produce is fresh, and the Instagram opportunities are endless.
Just mentally prepare yourself for that Orange County traffic situation.
The Viral Halloween Home Display Phenomenon
Now let’s talk about what’s actually breaking the internet right now. LA neighborhoods have basically turned into immersive theater productions, and some of these displays rival professional haunted houses.
We’re talking full productions with timed lighting, sound effects, and enough decorations to make your HOA nervous. The thing about living in the entertainment capital of the world is that our neighbors don’t do anything halfway.
Many LA home haunts feature professional-quality makeup, sets, costumes, and special effects, though they’re free and operated by horror enthusiasts who do it for the love of Halloween. Some homeowners have literally created walk-through mazes in their front yards.
Toluca Lake is a fantastic spot for Halloween decorations, with the neighborhood south of Riverside between the lake and Ledge Ave being particularly decked out. The Wexler House there goes particularly hard every year.
Meanwhile, Burbank’s Disney-themed displays feature tons of yard decorations, inflated monsters, illuminated jack-o-lanterns, and ghostly projections. Basically, people are migrating to these streets like it’s a pilgrimage, and honestly, I get it.
For something more intense, Beware the Dark Realm in Santa Clarita returns this October with performances on October 26 and 31 from 7-10pm. After presenting a smaller setup last year, they’re back with their full production.
The address circulates on social media if you know where to look, and apparently the wait is worth it.
Creating Cozy Fall Vibes Despite the Weather
Look, I know what you’re thinking. How do you embrace “cozy fall energy” when it’s still hitting 80 degrees in October?
Here’s the secret that every LA local eventually figures out: it’s not about the temperature. It’s about the aesthetic and the feeling you create.
Start with the little things. Swap your cold brew for a hot drink, even if you’re immediately regretting it by the time you reach your car. Light a pumpkin spice candle at home.
Throw on a flannel for your morning coffee run to Alfred’s, then tie it around your waist by 10am when reality sets in. We’re all playing pretend here, and that’s okay.
The real magic happens when you lean into the golden hour. LA’s autumn light is genuinely spectacular between 5-7pm.
That soft, warm glow makes everything look like it’s been run through a vintage filter. This is when you want to be at Descanso Gardens for their Carved event, featuring hand-carved giant pumpkins, illuminated jack-o-lanterns, and wood spirit carvings by Chainsaw Jenna, running through October 30.
Tickets run from $20-38 for member adults and $10-23 for member kids, with non-member prices at $27-45 for adults. The Valley gets surprisingly atmospheric in October too.
Tapia Brothers Farm in Encino has fresh produce including corn, squash, strawberries, and tomatoes, plus a corn maze and pony rides. They’re also known for their bacon-wrapped hot dogs.
Nothing says fall comfort food like a bacon-wrapped hot dog after picking pumpkins, am I right?
Hiking Season Hits Different Right Now
October is legitimately the best month for hiking in LA. The trails aren’t miserably hot, June Gloom is long gone, and wildfire season is (hopefully) calming down.
Plus, if you time it right, you can catch some actual fall foliage. Wait, fall foliage in LA?
Yeah, it exists, but you’ve got to know where to look. Malibu Creek State Park is arguably the best place in LA County to see reds, golds, and yellows, with fall colors expected to reach peak around the first or second week of November.
The park has tons of trails, grassy meadows, rock pools, and a lake, basically everything you need for that autumn hiking aesthetic. For something closer to the city, Runyon Canyon offers a 3-mile loop through the Hollywood Hills with sweeping panoramic views, surrounded by oak and sycamore trees.
Yeah, you’ll probably see at least three celebrities’ dogs and definitely some aspiring influencers getting their content, but the views are legit. If you’re willing to venture a bit further, Big Bear is full of cottonwood, aspen, and oak trees, plus bright red maples in the town village.
The Aspen Grove, Pine Knot Trail, and Castle Rock Trail offer exceptional fall colors. It’s about a two-hour drive up the mountain, but you’ll actually feel like you’ve left SoCal for New England.
Wrightwood is also a solid option at just 1.5 hours up the 2, deep in the Angeles National Forest, with a charming town center perfect for grabbing coffee after your hike. Pro tip: hit the trails early morning.
Not just for the lighting and cooler temps, but because parking at popular spots fills up fast on weekends. Plus, there’s something about morning hikes that feels more autumnal, even when the afternoon’s going to be 78 degrees.
Budget-Friendly Halloween Wins
Between rising costs of basically everything and LA’s already expensive lifestyle, finding free or cheap Halloween events feels like winning the lottery. The good news?
They exist if you know where to look. Several LA pumpkin patches offer free admission, including Lopez Ranch and others throughout the city.
Activities usually cost extra, but you can easily spend an afternoon just wandering, taking photos, and soaking in the atmosphere without dropping major cash. Almost all Halloween home haunts around LA are free and open to the public, with some accepting donations to offset costs or benefit local charities.
Seriously, you can create a whole evening itinerary visiting different home displays without spending a dime. Just map out a route through Burbank or Toluca Lake, grab some Trader Joe’s snacks, and make it a DIY haunted house tour.
For families on a budget, Forneris Farms in Mission Hills charges $5 admission (cash only) that can be used as a discount on pumpkins priced at $10 or more. The math actually works out if you’re buying pumpkins anyway.
The LA Halloween Scene Right Now
Something shifted this year. Maybe it’s post-pandemic energy, maybe it’s everyone finally having an excuse to go all-out again, but LA’s Halloween scene feels more alive than ever.
Walking through neighborhoods like Toluca Lake or parts of Burbank, you’ll see families who’ve clearly been planning their displays since August. The level of commitment is intense, and I mean that in the best way.
Social media has definitely amplified things. What used to be word-of-mouth recommendations about which streets to visit has turned into full-blown viral moments.
Someone posts a video of an elaborate Halloween display, it gets hundreds of thousands of views, and suddenly everyone’s trying to hunt down that exact address. The democratization of entertainment, I guess.
But here’s what makes LA’s approach to autumn special: we’re not trying to replicate New England or Midwest fall experiences. We’ve created our own version that works with our weather, our culture, our perpetually optimistic “let’s make it happen” attitude.
Sure, we’re wearing sweaters when it’s 75 degrees, but we’re also hiking in tank tops on Halloween. It’s chaotic and contradictory and very, very LA.
The beauty is that all of this, the pumpkin patches, the elaborate home displays, the sunset hikes, the crowded zoo weekends, it’s all happening right now. Like, this weekend.
October flies by faster than traffic clears on the 10, and before you know it, we’ll be complaining about holiday traffic instead of Halloween crowds.
Make Your Autumn Plans Now
Real talk: if you’re reading this on October 25, you’re already a bit behind schedule. The best days to visit pumpkin patches are dwindling, Boo at the Zoo wraps up this Sunday, and the really good Halloween displays tend to peak right around Halloween itself (obviously).
But there’s still time to lean into LA’s version of autumn. Grab your friends, your family, your dog, whoever’s down for an adventure.
Map out a route that includes at least one pumpkin patch, maybe a quick stop at a viral Halloween display, and definitely a hike if you’re feeling ambitious. Pack layers because LA weather is unpredictable like that.
Bring your phone fully charged because you’ll want the photo ops. And when you’re sitting in traffic on the way home (it’s inevitable), already scrolling through your photos and planning your Instagram carousel, you’ll get it.
This is what fall in LA looks like. It’s not traditional, it’s not what you grew up with if you’re from anywhere else, but it’s ours.
And honestly? It’s pretty magical.
Check out our complete guide to LA Halloween events for even more spooky season plans. For Boo at the Zoo details, visit LA Zoo’s official site.
And if you’re hunting for the perfect pumpkin, Tanaka Farms is a solid bet. The autumn magic is happening right now, literally as you’re reading this.
Stop overthinking it and just go.
