No season can top the flavors of fall—and Mitchell’s Ice Cream (the beloved SF institution), shows out with their ice cream delights. Make sure to try the most popular Pumpkin flavor, made with brown sugar, pumpkin, and spices. And if you’re feeling adventurous, come back for their delicious eggnog, cinnamon snap, and other holiday scoops all season.

Where: 688 San Jose Ave San Francisco.

For more information on Mitchell’s Ice Cream.

The wildly popular Autumn Lights Festival is back at the Gardens Lake Merritt. Visitors can amble through the magical 60+ illuminated art displays intertwined through Oakland’s beloved seven acre city gardens. Tickets are now available for reserved times over three spectacular nights: October 13-15.

Where: Gardens at Lake Merritt: 666 Bellevue Avenue Oakland, CA

For more information on Lake Merritt Autumn Light Fest.

Creep on over to The Palace Theater on Halloweekend for séances, ouija boards, tarot readings, and more spooky fun. There will also be a Pumpkin Patch Photo Booth, a costume contest (with prizes!), a Vaudeville show, plus live music and a ghostly DJ spinning electro-swing records!

Where: The Palace Theater: 644 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133
For more information on The Speakeasy: All Hallows' Eve.

Head to the Grand Library for their free Día De Los Muertos Fiesta. Tons of arts and crafts activities are planned (while supplies last), plus the movie “Coco” will be screened. Activities will include coloring calavera masks and catrina balloons, creating cempasuchil tissue paper flowers, making buttons and more. All ages are welcome. 

When: 

Saturday, November 5; Arts and Crafts from 1 PM to 3 PM, Ballet Folklorico Dance Lesson from 3:30 PM to 4 PM

Where: South San Francisco Grand Library, 306 Walnut Avenue South San Francisco, California 94080

For more information on Día De Los Muertos Fiesta at Grand Library.

Cheer on and view the masterpieces of the 40th annual Leap Sandcastle Classic. This year’s theme is “Remix,” meaning each team will design a sandcastle theme highlighted from the past 40 years to remix in a fresh, new way! Happening October 22nd from 11 to 3:30 at Ocean Beach.

Where: Ocean Beach at Balboa Street.

For more information on Leap Sandcastle Classic.

Looky for the perfect moody but romantic autumn date night? Look no further than the Beauty and the Beast Cocktail Experience! Enjoy an immersive Victorian cocktail party inside an enchanted castle, try your hand at making some magical drinks, and hit the dancefloor to be the belle of your own ball. 

Where: Trademark Bar: 1123 Folsom Street, San Francisco

For more information on the Beauty and the Beast Cocktial Experience. 

Gather your friends and don your lederhosen for 21st Amendment’s Oktoberfest 2022. The brewery will be celebrating in both their San Francisco Brewpub and San Leandro Taproom. It all takes place October 10 to October 16 in San Francisco, and October 12 to October 16 in San Leandro. Of course, 21st Amendment’s very own Oktoberfest Festbier will be flowing as it’s released for the season. Plus, expect polka music to dance to and classic German cuisine available to taste. 

When: San Francisco Location: October 10 to 16 from 11:00am to 10:00pm

Where: San Francisco Location: 563 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94107 

For more information on Oktoberfest At 21st Amendment Brewery.

Sipping hot tea in a red and yellow “leaf-ed” garden is calling our names. Before the weather gets too cold, stroll through the famed arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, and zen garden of the Japanese Tea Garden. Then enjoy a meditative cup in the tea house in the center of the garden, overlooking the picturesque koi pond. The garden is open daily at 9 AM until 5:45 all October, and 4:45 all November.

Where: 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive

For more information on the Japanese Tea Garden.

Treat yourself to a day of fun at a San Francisco or Bay Area pumpkin patch. Find the perfect pumpkin, at two of our top picks: Clancy's Pumpkin Patch in SF and Arata's Pumpkin Farm in Half Moon Bay.

Every day during October, Clancy’s will have everything for your fall decor and meals. Its first pumpkin patch opened in 1979, and a reviewer online described their time there as a "good ol' mid-west pumpkin picking experience right here in San Francisco." There are two locations around the city.

Or head to the pumpkin capital of California: Half Moon Bay. Wander Arata Pumpkin Farm's two-acre Minotaur’s Labyrinth hay maze, explore the six-acre corn field, get spooked in their haunted barn, or simply relax in the picnic areas. Open daily in October.

Be sure to check out our full list of the top farms, pumpkin patches, and fall festivals in the Bay Area.

Where:

Clancy's Pumpkin Patch: 2101 Sloat Blvd, San Francisco and 1620 7th Ave, San Francisco

Arata's Pumpkin Farm: 185 Verde Rd, Half Moon Bay

For more information on Arata’s Pumpkin Farm and Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch.

Take part in a cultural celebration at Davies Symphony Hall on November 5 when SF Symphony’s special Día de Los Muertos festivities occurs. The vibrant event plays homage to Latin American music and culture, including lobby installations by local artists. The concert’s program includes “Sensemayá” by Silvestre Revueltas and “Huapango” from José Pablo Moncayo García. End the evening with a post-concert reception and dinner. 

Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave

For more information on San Francisco Symphony Día de los Muertos Celebration.

It’s not spooky season without some dark history stories, right? For your Bay Area fix, you can hit the world famous Alcatraz Island. 

As the official concessioner to the National Park Service, Alcatraz City Cruises offers in-depth daily (and nightly, for the brave) visits to Alcatraz. Your visit includes round-trip transportation to the Island and outdoor National Park access.

For other California hauntings, check out the local Winchester Mystery House, or take a whole haunted California road trip! We’ve rounded up a list of spine-shivering places from SF to San Diego, right here. 

Where: Alcatraz City Cruises: 31 San Francisco Pier 33

For more information on Alcatraz Island.

Share boos and specially priced brews at this North Beach bar crawl! You’ll start at NorthStar Cafe to grab your wristbands and maps of the participating bars, then be on your way to a day of cover-free bar hopping. And, since all good Halloween events last three days, you can choose when to join the fun: October 28, 29 or October 31.

Where: NorthStar Cafe: 1560 Powell St San Francisco, CA 94133

For more information on Trick or Drink: Halloween Bar Crawls.

The SF Fleet Week Air Show returns in October with the headlining U.S. Navy Blue Angels! Held annually between the GG Bridge and Alcatraz, this is the only air show in the US with a commercial airliner—the United 777— to perform a fully choreographed act. 

Whether you want a prime official waterfront seat, want to take a sailboat or cruise to get even closer to the action, or simply want to “people watch” the crowds of in-uniform sailors all over the city parks and bars—this weekend’s got something for everyone. Happening October 7-9.

Where: Marina Green 200 Marina Blvd.  

For more information on Fleet Week.

Cozy craft season is here, and we have just the thing for some inspiration. SF Open Studios (SFOS) is the largest and first open studios program in the country. And every fall, SFOS hosts a month-long event showcasing over 800 emerging and established local artists in their studios. This year, it’s running from October 20 to November 13. 

Where: SOMArts Cultural Center: 934 Brannan Street, 2nd Floor

For more information on SF Open Studios Schedule.

Bucket Listers is excited to bring you the “Best Comedy Experience in SF” (as voted by SF weekly)—AKA a new series of speakeasy comedy shows at the historic Palace Theater. Where comedians from Comedy Central, SNL, Netflix and HBO are sure to leave you with a night to remember. 

Plus, stylish prohibition-esque cocktails to complete the whole underground club vibe. PS: hidden entrance is through Sam Lee Laundry (to the left of China Live).

Where: The Palace Theater: 644 Broadway

For more information on the Set Up Live Comedy SF. 

San Francisco Coffee Festival was designed to be an immersive coffee experience. Now in its 6th year, the festival is a great opportunity to enjoy the best of the Bay Area’s top roasters. Enjoy specialty roasters and coffee shops with unique beans, delicious snacks, live entertainment, and more. Tons of specially curated exhibitions and educational panels will be available, too. It all takes place at the iconic Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture’s Festival Pavilion.

Where: Festival Pavilion: 2 Marina Blvd Suite 260, San Francisco, CA

For more information on the San Francisco Coffee Festival.

Hardly Strictly is making a glorious return to Golden Gate park this fall! The annual festival is 100% free, and boasts an eclectic lineup of country, soul, and folk artists who perform on six outdoor stages over three days. Grab a blanket, dress in layers, and move from one soulful stage to the next. Happening September 30, October 1 and 2, 2022.

Where: Hellman Hollow, Lindley & Marx meadows in Golden Gate Park.

For more information on Hardly Strictly Bluegrass.

San Francisco has a storied history with murders, cults, earthquakes and the paranormal—leading to some excitingly chilling tours all throught the 7x7 streets. 

Take the Haunted Haight Walking Tour or the Nob Hill “Vampire Tour” to hear the neighborhoods' supernatural stories, or visit Alcatraz prison in the dead of night. There’s also a ghost hunting tour (with Spirit boxes and EMF meters!) covering all the historical true crime corners of Chinatown. Plus, the much beloved tour of City Hall by SF City Guides, which is very popular and free to take! Just make sure to arrive early to snag your spot. 

Bucket Listers is partnering with Daybreaker SF to offer you exclusive ticket pricing to their incredible dance party experience! This is the final event in the 10-city Joy Tour, celebrating human stories through body movements. Tickets include free breakfast bites, beverages, and a few other surprises. Come ready to dance Sunday, October 9 11 AM to 1 PM in the iconic waterfront Ferry Building.

Where: 1 Ferry Building

For more information on Daybreaker.

In keeping with our craft and art-enthusiasm, don’t miss hunting for the perfect small biz gem at the Renegade Craft Fair, happening Nov 5th and 6th at the Fort Mason Center. We’re talking the coolest art prints, candles, bath and beauty products, jewelry—and so much more.

Where: Fort Mason Center: 2 Marina Blvd.

For more information on Renegade Craft.

EXPLORE MORE:

The Best Farms, Pumpkin Patches, and Fall Festivals in the Bay Area