Fall on the Peninsula may come with ocean views instead of changing leaves, but there are still plenty of opportunities to embrace the season. Throughout October, local communities are hosting pumpkin patches, harvest festivals, live music, crafts, hayrides and other family-friendly events.
If you are looking for something festive to do close to home, here are a few local events worth adding to your calendar.
Green Hills Harvest Festival
Sunday, October 11 | 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
Rancho Palos Verdes
Green Hills will celebrate the arrival of fall with its annual Harvest Festival, featuring an afternoon of seasonal activities, entertainment and food. Visitors can choose a pumpkin to take home, enjoy a tractor-pulled hayride, stop by arts and crafts stations, and watch professional pumpkin carver Doug Goodreau give a live carving demonstration.
The afternoon will also include live music from Kayln & the New Frontier, sets from DJ Ozzie, and line dancing with Tina Michelle and the Rhinestone Cowgirls. Face painting, caricature artists and local food trucks will round out the event. Guests hoping to participate in the activities may want to arrive early, as activity lines close at 2:45 PM.
Location: 27501 S. Western Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes
Lunada Bay Harvest Festival
Sunday, October 18 | 2:00 PM–6:00 PM
Palos Verdes Estates
Lunada Bay Plaza will once again be the setting for the annual Harvest Festival, hosted by the Lunada Bay Homeowners Association. The neighborhood celebration will feature a pumpkin patch along with face painting, games, crafts, inflatables, balloon art, live music, food and drink vendors, and other activities for families to enjoy throughout the afternoon.
The popular Pumpkin Race will also return as part of the festivities, with additional details expected closer to the event. Held in the heart of Lunada Bay, the festival is a fun way for local residents to spend an October afternoon with family, friends and neighbors.
Location: Lunada Bay Plaza, Yarmouth Road and Via Anacapa, Palos Verdes Estates
Harvest Festival at Terranea
Sunday, October 25 | 5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Rancho Palos Verdes
Terranea Resort puts a coastal spin on the traditional fall festival with an evening celebration overlooking the Pacific.
Held on the resort’s Palos Verdes Meadows, the event features live music, seasonal food and drinks, crafts and other fall-inspired activities. Arriving around sunset makes the setting especially memorable, with ocean views providing the backdrop for the evening. It is an ideal choice for anyone looking for a fall event that still feels distinctly Southern California.
Location: 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes
Terranea is also offering additional seasonal activities throughout October, including pumpkin decorating and other family-friendly experiences.
Mr. Jack O’ Lantern’s Pumpkin Patch
October 2–November 1
Torrance
For a more traditional pumpkin patch experience, Mr. Jack O’ Lantern’s in Torrance is open throughout the month, giving South Bay families plenty of flexibility when planning a visit. The patch offers pumpkins in a variety of sizes, colors and shapes, along with festive photo opportunities and seasonal activities. Since it is open beyond a single weekend, it is a convenient option for anyone who wants to make pumpkin picking part of an afternoon out.
Location: 17520 Prairie Avenue, Torrance
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 12:00 PM–8:00 PM; Friday, 11:00 AM–9:00 PM; Saturday, 10:00 AM–9:00 PM; Sunday, 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
South Bay Pumpkin Patch at Del Amo
October 1–31
Torrance
The South Bay Pumpkin Patch at Del Amo Fashion Center is another easy option for families looking for pumpkins and seasonal activities without traveling far from Palos Verdes. In addition to pumpkins, the event includes attractions such as inflatable rides, a petting zoo and paintball. Admission is $5 for guests ages three and older, while children two and under are free. Parking at Del Amo is also free.
Location: Near Macy’s Men & Home at Del Amo Fashion Center, 3525 W. Carson Street, Torrance
More Fall Fun Around Palos Verdes
Pumpkin picking is only part of the fall calendar around the Peninsula.
South Coast Botanic Garden is once again hosting Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns, a nighttime experience featuring illuminated pumpkin displays throughout the garden. Thousands of carved pumpkins, themed installations and glowing pathways transform the grounds into a seasonal evening attraction.
Rancho Palos Verdes will also host a free Pumpkin Decorating Event at Eastview Park on Thursday, October 29, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Pumpkins and decorating supplies will be available while quantities last.
Celebrate the Season Close to Home
October offers plenty of reasons to get outside and enjoy the community, whether that means picking out a pumpkin, spending an afternoon at a neighborhood festival or watching the sunset during a fall celebration at Terranea.
These local events are a fun reminder that you do not have to travel far to enjoy the season. From Lunada Bay to Rancho Palos Verdes and nearby Torrance, there is something festive happening throughout the month.