Harvest Festivals in Southern California for 2022 #2

Sept 10^th to Nov 5^th 2022: 52^nd Annual Big Bear Lake’s Oktoberfest.

Big Bear Lake started their Oktoberfest on September 10^th and runs for 9 weekends until November 5^th including Fridays through October.  A huge and very well-organized event in its 52nd year, this is one of the largest and most authentic Oktoberfest to be found on the West Coast.

For most people, you can’t have an Oktoberfest without German Beer: Beers like Spaten (lager and Oktoberfest), Franziskaner, Warsteiner (pilsner and dunkel) and Konig Ludwig are available from the 2 full service bars inside the convention center and the 4 beer gardens located outside.  Plenty of options for anyone.

It also wouldn’t be an Oktoberfest without delicious German food, and Big Bear Lake delivers with scrumptious bratwurst, knockwurst, or kielbasa with lots of home-style sauerkraut warm German Potato Salad, Bavarian potato dumplings, beer cheese soup, and colossal, mega-sized pretzels. Follow it up with fresh German apple strudel with warm vanilla sauce drizzled on top.

Aside from the Beer and food, there are lots of activities and competitions for all ages, and a variety of German and German/American bands playing for you entertainment.

When it comes to parking (which is limited), the organizers have tried to make things as convenient as possible.  The Free Big Bear Trolley can take you to the convention center.  Then, between 6pm and 11pm they also even have a FREE shuttle service that runs 3 different lines of shuttles throughout the Big Bear Valley, which is pretty convenient!

• Name:  52^nd Annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
• When: Sept 10^th to Nov 5^th 2022 (Weekends only)
  SATURDAYS: 1 p.m. – 11 p.m.
  SUNDAYS: 12 noon – 6 p.m.
  FRIDAYS (October Only): 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
• Where: Big Bear Lake Convention Center
  42900 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
• Website Link: Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
• Other Info:
  • Tickets start from $8.00-$10.00 for Kids, $18.00-$30.00 for Adults, $14.00-$20.00 for Seniors depending on the day you choose.

Parking at the venue is limited, but there are free shuttle services to the venue

Harvest Festivals in Southern California for 2022 #3

Oct 1^st – 31^st 2022: Underwood Family Farms’ Fall Harvest Festival

In its 25^th year the Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival has a big set up and on the weekends they go the extra mile and theme it up for some great Autumn Fun!  The 5 different themed weekends range from Farms to the Wild West and not only can you get your pumpkins here but they also have a Pick You Own experience where you can get to pick your own fruits, vegetables and flowers.

They have 29 different potential experiences included with your entry ticket (some only occuring on the weekends), and a further 9 activities available under a ticketed system.

If you are planning to visit on the weekend, make sure to buy your ticket online ahead of time so that you are not turned away.  Their website is very specific that “Tickets are On-line ONLY on weekends. NO WALK-INS ON WEEKENDS DURING THE FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL”.  It also appears that there are a limited number of tickets available on any given day.

• Name:  25^th Annual Fall Harvest Festival
• When: Oct 1^st – 31^st 2022, 9am – 6pm
• Where: Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark
  [3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021]
• Website Link: Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival
• Other Info:
  • Monday – Friday entry : $14.00 at gate only
  • For Weekend entry Online Tickets purchase Required, ranging from $22 – $26 (varies by date chosen)
  • Children under 2 are free

Harvest Festivals in Southern California for 2002 #4

Oct 15^th & 16^th 2022: Bernardo Winery 45^th Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Fair

A Fall Event with a difference is the Bernardo Winery Fall Arts and Crafts Fair.  Not so much pumpkin centric, there are reportedly going to be more than 125 stalls with local artisans and crafters selling their wares, a food court, as well as multiple outdoor wine bars (it is a winery after all)

In its 45^th year, the venue provides free entry and free parking.  Families are welcome, but four-legged friends are discouraged (no pets permitted).

• Name:  Bernardo Winery 45^th Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Fair
• When: Oct 15th & 16th 2022, 10am to 5pm.
• Where: Bernardo Winery
  [13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego, CA 92128]
• Website Link: Bernardo Winery 45^th Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Fair
• Other Info:
  • Entry is free!
  • Parking is free!
  • Some vendors may not take credit cards, and there is no mention of cash machines being present on their event page: consider bringing cash.

Harvest Festival in Southern California for 2002 #5

Oct 1^st to Oct 31^st: Harvest Festival at Big Horse Feed Big Horse Corn Maze

With an 11 acre maze, the Big Horse Corn Maze in Temecula, CA has been the biggest corn maze in Southern California for many years, and one of the biggest in California.  The massive maze takes quite a while to go through (we’ve completed the maze ourselves and had a blast) and was a big part of the regions fall celebrations.  Unfortunately, this year the excessive heat experienced in the Temecula valley wilted the corn and it didn’t grow tall enough to form the maze walls.

We were sad to initially read off their website that their event was cancelled (and reported so in our vlog) but, fortunately, the venue bounced back (literally) and this year their Harvest Festival includes “tons of inflatable amusements” including bounce houses, giant slides and obstacle courses as well as paint ball and then a range of pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, pumpkin accessories, snacks beverages and more.

• Name:  Harvest Festival at Big Horse Feed (previously known as Big Horse Corn Maze)
• When: Oct 1^st to 9^st
  Oct 1^st to Oct 10^th  Mon – Fri 3pm to 9pm, Sat & Sun 10am to 8pm
  Oct 10^th to 21^st Mon – Fri 2pm to 8pm, Sat & Sun 10am to 9pm
  Oct 22^nd to 31^st Mon-Fri 1pm to 9pm, Sat & Sun 10am to 9pm.
• Where: Temecula Ca.
• Website Link: The Big Horse Corn Maze Temecula
• Other Info:
  • Inflatable Amusement Discounted Cash Pricing:
    • $17 for 30 minute wristband
    • $21 for 60 minute wristband
    • $30.00 For all day pass (Sold on a limited basis. Not available the last two weekends in October)
    • Credit Cards transactions will be charged a 3.99% fee
  • No Giant Corn Maze in 2022, Check back in 2023 to hopefully enjoy their massive 11-acre Corn Maze.

Harvest Festivals in Southern California for 2022 #6

Saturday October 22nd, 2022: Great Pumpkin Beer Festival

If you are into Steam Punk, Pumpkins, Beer straight from a 100lb pumpkin keg, or just a rowdy good time, then the (21+ only) San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Great Pumpkin Beer Festival is going to be just what the doctor ordered.  Citing their inspiration as “Steampunkin” (“a meld of steam punk and all things pumpkin”) the organizers encourage attendees to dress up in theme (whatever “Steampunkin” means to you) or just as any costume that makes you happy.  Patrons wearing the most awesome costumes will be hand selected and asked to participate in an on-stage costume contest judged by an “insane panel of judges” with “sick prize packs” on the line for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place.

This festival has over 40 pumpkin and seasonal beers, lots of squash based bites you can eat, including butternut squash pizzas, and of course different pumpkin desserts.

As far as entertainment, a selection of bands and DJs, the previously mentioned costume contest, Axe throwing, special coins that can be found all over the venue (and possibly reverse pickpocketed onto your person) that can be traded for swag, a fortune teller, the gourd games, multiple photo opportunities, and so much more!

• Name:  The Great Pumpkin Beer Festival
• When: Saturday October 22^nd, 3:25 pm – 8:55 pm (VIP entry at 2:25pm)
• Where: San Diego GasLamp District
  [702 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA]
• Website Link: The Great Pumpkin Beer Festival
• Other Info:
  • The Great Pumpkin Beer Festival is a cashless event: Bring your credit card (and your ID!)
  • General admission $60 (includes 10 tastings)
  • VIP admission $90 (includes early entry & unlimited tastings, $2 discount off purchase of full beers, Access to VIP executive rest rooms, Pumpkin Club credential)

Harvest Festivals in Southern California for 2002 #7

Oct 22^nd and 23^rd 2022: Original Farmers Market Fall Festival

With a variety of activities including games, pig races, live music, kids crafts, and even a pumpkin patch on the premises, the Original Farmers Market Fall Festival is fun for all ages. Starting with the Mr Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch with its bounce houses, games and more (some for a small extra charge through a ticketed system), you can also enjoy a Petting Zoo, Pig racing, Live Music, face painting, artisan demos, kids crafts and more (check website for more details.

Of course, you can also visit any or all of the retailers and many, many restaurants that are open year round in the complex!

• • Name:  Original Farmers Market Fall Festival
  • When: Oct 22^nd and 23^rd 2022, 11am to 7pm
  • Where: The Original Famers Market

  [6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036]

  • Website Link: The Original Famers Market Fall Festival
  • Other Info:
    • The event appears to be free entry, and parking is discounted with validation ($24 maximum).
    • Event includes a Jack O’Lantern’s Pumpkin Patch on the premises – Free admission and many free attractions, some attractions cost extra utilizing a ticketed system.

  Jack O’ Pass ($25) Includes Tickets for all 5 games (10 tix or 5 games), unlimited bounce houses, and painting kit with mini pumpkin, purchasable online through their website

Harvest Festivals in Southern California for 2002 #8

Nov 4^th – 6^th 2022: The LA Fall Faire

LA Fall Faire takes place over the first weekend of November on the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th in the afternoons and evenings until late. Entrance to the fair is only $5 (parking is free), and fairgoers will get to enjoy rides, carnival games, stage entertainment, and a food court to keep your energy up for the rides!

They have 25 rides that you can purchase tickets for individually or buy a wristband for unlimited rides for only $30 dollars presale ($38 at the event) and the entrance to the Fair itself is only $5!  The 25 rides are listed on the website, and though some have restrictions for the safety of smaller kids, there are still plenty for the whole family.

The actual schedule for live music was not yet released at the time of this article, but it does state that on Saturday and Sunday there is going to be live music from “many genres”. There is also little information available about food vendors (presumably standards of fair fast food), but if the video highlighting scenes from previous fairs is anything to go by it should as fun as ever.

• • Name:  LA Fall Faire
  • When: November 4-6, 2022
    Friday 4^th Nov 5pm-11pm, Saturday 5^th Nov: 2pm-11pm, Sunday 6^th Nov: 2pm-10pm
  • Where La Prada Event Plaza
    [1600 Rosemead Blvd, South El Monte, CA 91733]
  • Website Link: Los Angeles Fall Fair
  • Other Info:
    • Entry at the gate is just $5.00
    • Buy the Unlimited Ride Wristband online for $30 presale before Nov 3^rd at 11:59pm or at the event for $38.
    • No opened toe shoes or sandals: wear comfortable walking shoes (tennis shoes advised)