We are diving headfirst into San Francisco’s fall season, and it’s sure to be a good one! Now that summer has come to an end, we’re arriving at the time of year that promises pumpkin carving, seasonal menu items, bountiful county fairs, Halloween treats, and amazing house decorations. Not sure what you’ll get up to? Start planning with our list of fall activities in the Bay Area for 2026.
Fall in San Francisco brings temperatures between 52-72°F. September and October are considered the warmest and sunniest months in San Francisco, with minimal fog and rain. Learn more in our article about the best time to visit San Francisco.
Fleet Week is a major SF tradition that fills the city with plenty of excitement every October. You can expect a parade of ships, ship tours, and the ear-splitting Blue Angels Air Show over the weekend. People often gather on the waterfront and hilltops throughout the city to watch the airshows, and you can expect the city to be plenty busy during the week.
đź“… Dates: Fleet Week is Oct. 4-12, 2026. The Air Show is scheduled for Oct. 9-11.
Get lost in a corn maze
Nothing screams fall like a corn maze. Check out these ones in the Bay Area:
- Three Nunns Farm: This farm has two different corn mazes, as well as tractor rides, a pumpkin patch, a farm stand, and more.
- Cool Patch Pumpkins: Cool Patch is worth the drive for its enormous world record-holding corn maze! The maze is unique every year, and this year, the design honors farmers’ hard work.
San Francisco’s Victoria Theatre is welcoming back SF’s favorite Star Wars burlesque show! The Empire Strips Back has sold over 500,000 tickets across the globe, selling out in cities like L.A., Chicago, and New York. Don’t miss out on its newest SF run.
Don’t miss the historic Italian Heritage Parade through North Beach on October 11 at 12:30 PM.
The annual Italian Heritage Parade returns to North Beach on Sunday, October 11, 2026, starting at 12:30 PM and running from Jefferson & Powell in Fisherman’s Wharf south through North Beach to Washington Square. The parade — the oldest Italian Heritage Parade in the U.S., dating to 1868 — features community celebrations, restaurants along the route, and this year’s grand marshal Joe Mantegna.
Do you know about the spirits that haunt our historic city? Consider taking a tour this month to get in touch with SF’s spooky side:
- Haunted SF: Ghosts, Murder and Mystery
- San Francisco Ghost and True Crime Tour
- Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco
- Fort Point Candlelight Tours
- More haunted places in SF: See our breakdown of the most haunted spots in the city, including Alcatraz, Stow Lake, the Queen Anne Hotel, and more.
Did you know that Half Moon Bay is considered the pumpkin capital of the world? Whether you’re looking for family activities with kids or getting ahead of your Halloween decorating, these excellent Bay Area farms and pumpkin patches have got you covered.
- Lemos Farm (Half Moon Bay)
- Arata’s Pumpkin Farm (Half Moon Bay)
- Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch (San Francisco)
- Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch (Alameda)
- See our full list of Bay Area pumpkin patches.
This fall, Candlelight will host some gorgeous Halloween-themed concerts in an intimate environment surrounded by hundreds of luminous candles. You can expect to hear songs from some of your favorite artists and movies. The concerts are held in some of SF’s most beautiful venues, including St. Ignatius Church and the Four Seasons San Francisco.
We’ve rounded up some of the best haunted houses in the Bay Area, plus some ghost tours for those wanting a tamer experience. Here are a few popular haunted attractions from last year that we expect to return this autumn.
- Terror Vault: Slashed at the SF Mint
- Pirates of Emerson
- Festival Fright Nights at the Winchester Mystery House
- See our full list of Bay Area haunted houses
Apple season peaks in the Bay Area in September and October, so many local orchards will open their doors for “U Pick,” when people can visit and pick their own apples.
- Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch (Sebastopol)
- Gizdich Ranch (Watsonville)
- Chileno Valley Ranch (Petaluma)
- See our full list of Bay Area apple orchards
Each year, the Ruth Bancroft Garden adorns the plants with multicolored lights, lasers, and more, transforming the already spectacular 3.5 acre space into an otherworldly outdoor adventure. Guests can stroll through the beautiful Garden of D’Lights to discover countless photo ops and exciting displays.
Add a little after-dark magic to your fall bucket list with AURA at Grace Cathedral—one of San Francisco’s most stunning experiences, blending cutting-edge projections, music, and the cathedral’s architecture. This 45-minute show transforms the iconic Gothic space into a living artwork, filling it with dazzling visuals and symphonic sound.
Final two Saturdays on Treasure Island — free admission and ferry passes available.
Off The Grid’s Treasure Island food truck market is ending its season with two final Saturdays on October 10 and October 17, 2026, at Cityside Park. Admission is free, hours are 11:00–16:00, and a free ferry pass (covers 2 adults + 2 children) is available with RSVP.
Party like a German at these epic Oktoberfest celebrations in and around San Francisco, where you’ll sip from ice-cold beer steins, watch traditional Oktoberfest performances and music, play lively beer-fueled games, and ring in the fall season. This year, the Front Street entertainment zone is hosting a free block party for Oktoberfest, featuring food, live music, games, and more.
Whether you decide to take another crack at Tinder or just want a lovely evening in the city, we’re here to help! Lucky for you, our followers know plenty of beautiful outdoor spots to check out. Here are their responses to our Instagram poll asking for the most romantic places in the city. Learn more about each spot here.
Step into the heart of a tense courtroom drama where your verdict makes all the difference. The Jury Experience is an immersive live show that casts you as a juror, pushing your ethics and decision-making to the limit. Blending live acting with multimedia storytelling, it pulls you into a high-stakes trial that puts your judgment to the test.
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is traditionally celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, and local organizations will honor the holiday with some wonderful cultural events. Look for the Festival of Altars at Potrero Del Sol Park, the 45th annual Day of the Dead Ritual Procession in the Mission District, and a special performance by the San Francisco Symphony. Get details in our full Día de los Muertos guide.
Did you know dozens of amazing free concerts happen multiple days a week at the Bandshell? The Bandshell, which is 120 years old, added new lighting, a state-of-the-art sound system, and a new stage during the pandemic. The lineup is seriously impressive, with everything from singer/songwriters to R&B.
Explore San Francisco by foot all October during Walktober 2026.
San Francisco’s Crosstown Trail is launching Walktober, a month-long program of guided hikes and nature outings across the city from October 3–31, 2026, with events ranging from casual pub crawls to all-day treks led by partner organizations.
Ballet of Lights presents a mesmerizing fusion of classical ballet and modern technology. As you settle into the intimate setting of the Brava Theater Center, the stage comes alive with six talented ballerinas adorned in glow-in-the-dark costumes, creating a stunning display of lights and movement.
The Golden Mile in Golden Gate Park has been a summer favorite, especially the new beer garden turned cocktail bar. The Whale’s Tail will stay open in the fall, with musical events scheduled throughout September. The street is perfect for enjoying a sunny fall day or going for a weekend walk.
SF Open Studios allows the public to visit over 400 local artists in their personal studios. The annual event started in 1975 as a way for local artists to increase the accessibility of their work by collectively opening their studios to the public.
đź“… Dates: Sept. 26 – Oct. 25, 2026
The Jazz Room taps into the legacy of San Francisco’s storied jazz scene with tributes to the blues and a journey back in time to the classics of 1920s New Orleans. The hour-long show honors the genre’s New Orleans roots with a blend of classic jazz, swing, and blues, plus dynamic improvisation from a standout local band.
Celebrate George Michael’s hits live with immersive staging and four decades of classics.
A high-energy touring tribute that recreates George Michael’s sound and staging is coming to the Bay Area; the show takes place at The Great Star Theater on November 11, 2026.
Fall foliage is truly a sight to behold. Familiar shades of green give way to red, orange, yellow, and brown during an incredible seasonal display. We might not have the vast color-changing forests that the East Coast loves to brag about, but here are a few excellent local spots to enjoy this seasonal show.
This Woodside estate features picturesque gardens and a beautiful historic home, making for a unique setting to enjoy their rotating seasonal events. Fall is a good time to stroll through the spacious 100-year-old orchard and sample autumnal fruits like apples, pears, plums, and walnuts. This year, Filoli presents a spellbinding Halloween experience with softly glowing candles and stacks of bright orange pumpkins throughout the grounds.
San Francisco Restaurant Week
Restaurant Week happens twice a year, and we always look forward to the fall season. Enjoy great deals and special menus at various San Francisco restaurants, perfect for trying new food or a great date night.
đź“… Dates: Oct. 16-25, 2026