Believe it or not, but San Diego does have season changes. The leaves may not change colors and fall to the ground, but the air is beginning to be more crisp, still warm during the day but cooling down a lot at night. Locals are pulling out their sweaters, tourists still think it’s warm. Fall means two things, no matter where you are: pumpkins & apple cider!

 Finding a pumpkin in San Diego is not like finding a pumpkin in Michigan. There are not tents on every street corner selling pumpkins and there are not pumpkin patches every 10 miles. If you want the pumpkin picking and apple cider experience in San Diego, be prepared to drive a little while.

 Pumpkins:

 Pumpkin Station has 7 locations: Del Mar, Rancho Bernardo, El Cajon, National City, Bonita, Chula Vista, Mission Valley and Del Mar.

 Pumpkin Station has pumpkins from baby pams to their famous Bodacious Pumpkins. Activities include; kiddie rides, giant slides, pumpkin jumps, inflatable play centers, petting zoos, game zones, free entertainment and group tours. Get lost in the corn maze and have fun with the farm animals! www.pumpkinstation.com.

 Carlsbad Village Farmers Market’s annual festival includes a pumpkin patch, apple bobbing, pumpkin decorating contest and a scavenger hunt.

 Bates Nut Farm pumpkin patch is complete with picnic spots, hayrides, pony rides, games, balloons, petting corral and more. More than just pumpkins, Bate’s country store has nuts, fudge and candy!

 Apples:

 Calico Ranch U-Pick in Julian is open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. the ranch is open until all of the apples are gone. A variety of antique apples and pears await your picking! www.spencervalley.com.

 At Julian Mining Company you can discover gold and minerals, take a hayride, make your own cider, visit the gift shop and pick pumpkins and raspberries. www.julianminingcompany.com.

 Raven Hill Orchard U-Pick in Julian is open until the apples are gone! Open every day of the week from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Raven Hill has over 8,000 dwarf trees. www.ravenhillsculpture.com.

 Wynola Valley Orchard in Julian is open Friday through Monday from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Wynola grows over 30 varieties of apples and pears and can be found in local supermarkets.

 The Julian Pie Company is a well known company in Southern California. Featuring over 22 pie creations some of the most popular are: Original apple pie, dutch, natural, boysenberry, pecan and strawberry. Open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 Whether apple and pumpkin picking is a family tradition or a new tradition you want to start, it is a fun thing to do with family, kids, friends and it’s a great date idea! Grab a sweater, put on some comfy shoes and hop in the car for a great fall day!