The Pearl’s Ultimate Guide to Fall Fun
October is here, and there’s a cornucopia of fun things to do this fall. Oktoberfest is in full swing, so get your gemütlich game on. The apple harvest is underway, and you can pick your own fruit at a number of family farms in Oak Glen, just a few hours from The Pearl. Grab your camera for some leaf peeping action! Oak Glen is a riot of fall colors that will make you feel like you’re in New England. We’ve also rounded up some spooktacular Halloween celebrations, such as Halloween Horror Nights, Nights of the Jack, and even a Haunted Hayride, all guaranteed to fire up your fright factor. Check websites for hours, tickets and other details.
BiergartenLA 206 N Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90004
BiergartenLA was founded in 2010, inspired by a trip to Germany’s Oktoberfest. The welcoming spirit, hand in hand with sharing experiences, company, and culture has now become the fabric of the restaurant. Featured on The Food Network’s Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, this hip gastropub offers Korean and German fusion food, along with other great bar food items. Biergarten’s extensive draft and tap list offers a vast selection of beers and ales from Germany, Iceland, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, as well as domestic brands.
Wurstküche 800 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013
Soak up the Oktoberfest zeitgeist in the Wurstküche Beer Garden. Known as a purveyor of rare and exotic grilled sausages – from rabbit to rattleshake – this popular joint also offers more mainstream meats such as bratwurst, bockwurst, hot Italian sausage, Polish kielbasa, and Louisana hot links. Expect an extensive selection of draft and bottle beers from Belgium, Germany, US, and UK, along with a nice wine list. For a special treat, try a palate-cleansing, digestion-promoting Eaux de Vie, such as the German favorite Underberg, or some fruitier fixes such as Blume Marillen Apricot or Kirschwasser (dry cherry brandy).
Craftoberfest Rose Bowl Stadium 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103
Oct 21 CraftoberFest Los Angeles is the premier Oktoberfest celebration of the season. With over 50 carefully-curated craft breweries from the Southern California area, this food and drink festival will provide each quest with a delicious experience influenced by the world’s largest “Volksfest” (beer festival) in Germany. The event will serve traditional and fan-favorite foods influenced by this internationally-loved holiday. You’ll find pretzels, bratwurst, and unlimited pours of craft beers from local breweries.
The Red Lion Tavern 2366 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90039
Every day is Oktoberfest at The Red Lion Tavern! For over 60 years, The Red Lion Tavern has been one of Los Angeles’ most beloved neighborhood restaurants. This L.A. landmark continues to serve up traditional German food and a wide selection of German beer in a cozy old world atmosphere. Specialty menu items include German pretzels, fried German pickles, bratwurst on a roll, potato pancakes, a robust selection of German sausages, and hearty favorites such as Schweinebraten and Schnitzel.
U Pick Apple Season Oak Glen, CA 92399
One of the most scenic spots in Southern California, Oak Glen is nestled in the heart of Apple Country, located in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. The city of Oak Glen has a five mile loop of apple orchards with colorful fall scenery that will make you feel like you’re in New England. Fall harvest is underway and most orchards are open for you to pick your own mountain tree fresh apples, raspberries and pumpkins. You’ll also find bakeries, eateries, and shopping galore at Oak Glen’s many family-owned establishments, such as Stone Soup Farm & Heritage Orchard, pictured above.
Tim Burton‘s The Nightmare Before Christmas Hollywood Bowl 2301 N Highland Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90068
Tim Burton‘s The Nightmare Before Christmas will be performed in concert, starring Danny Elfman, Catherine O’Hara, Halsey, Fred Armisen, Riki Lindhome, and Ken Page. with a live orchestra featuring Conductor John Mauceri and Violinist Sandy Cameron. Come early for Halloween Fun with a costume contest hosted by Greg Proops (“Who’s Line is it Anyway?”) and explore the Hollywood Bowl transformed into Halloween Town for an incredible trick-or-treat adventure, fun for folks of all ages.
Nights of the Jack King Gillette Ranch 26800 Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas, CA 91302
Thirty miles northwest of Hollywood, tucked in the Santa Monica Mountains, there’s a strange and shadowy wonderland that everyone’s been whispering about. This season, Nights of the Jack is back and brighter than ever. You’ll discover Jack o’ lanterns from every mystical sphere and a spook-tacular illuminated light show under the autumn sky. It’s not just an illusion, it’s an experience. Brace yourself with a hot cider or seasonal cocktail from the Spookeasy bar, and fortify yourself with some festive fall treats. Follow the 3/4 mile trail at King Gillette Ranch, glimmering at every turn with blazing gourds around every corner. Be sure to have your cameras ready and enjoy!
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Griffith Park 730 Crystal Springs Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90027
Experience the world-famous Los Angeles Haunted Hayride – the ultimate halloween event. The Hayride leads to a thrilling adventure of horrors afflicting the town of Midnight Falls, with the Town Square at the epicenter of the festivities. While guests walk around between attractions or hang out to soak in the atmosFEAR, various townsfolk from the Midnight Falls community roam the space interacting with guests and attending to their local business. The Spirit of Halloween comes to life surrounding helpless victims brave enough to board The Hayride.
Carved Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Dr. La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Come discover a mesmerizing pumpkin wonderland, featuring a new route, and even more pumpkin fun! Discover returning favorites and fresh delights You’ll be amazed by luminous jack-o’-lanterns, hand-carved giant pumpkins, and an expanded “Rhizome” installation by Tom and Lien Dekyvere. Enjoy frightfully good food and drinks, including cocktails, beer & wine, Frito Pie, BBQ pork sandwiches, jumbo pretzels, and Day of the Dead Churros. Rain or shine – Carved shines on
Halloween Horror Nights Universal Studios Hollywood 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
Legend has it you should never go alone to Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, Southern California’s scariest Halloween event. Summon your scream squad and you might survive. Enter eight haunted houses inspired by the biggest names in horror. The Terror Tram is back and this time the bugs are taking over. Tour Guide Larry Larva and his bug-headed exterminators are out to get rid of human pests once and for all. You’ll be dropping like flies. Whether you want to scream one night or multiple nights, or get the blood-red carpet treatment on an R.I.P. Tour, there are many nightmares to choose from.
Photo credits:
Photo #1: Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Photo #2: BiergartenLA
Photo #3: Wurstküche
Photo #4: Craftoberfest
Photo #5: The Red Lion Tavern
Photo #6: Stone Soup Farm & Heritage Orchard
Photo #7: Hollywood Bowl
Photo #8: Nights of the Jack
Photo #9: Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
Photo #10: Descanso Gardens
Photo #11: Universal Studios Hollywood