Bella Cardall | Writer & Monica Santana Huchin | Photo Editor
September 14, 2025
As fall is approaching and many are trying to find the perfect Halloween decorations for their home, they forget about the best parts of the season. Wondering what to do for fall? There are countless activities to fill your time for this great season, here are some of our favorite activities to add to your fall bucket list.
1. Orange County fall events
It wouldn’t be the fall season without haunted houses and corn mazes. Tanaka Farms in Irvine is known throughout OC for its corn maze along with the Hana field later in the season. In the meantime, Tanaka Farms offers a walk through the corn maze, train rides, apple picking, a petting zoo, and even a barnyard where families can walk and take photos. Another location that offers countless activities is Pumpkin City located in Laguna Hills. At Pumpkin City, you can enjoy countless activities such as pumpkin carving, game booths, bounce houses, and boat rides. If you don’t want to drive far and still get the experience, there is a haunted house that is put together by the Casa Romantica Cultural Center in San Clemente. During fall, the historic seaside property is transformed into a vintage-themed haunted house and garden walk with werewolves, vampires, and ghosts waiting behind every corner to scare you.
2. Baking
Nothing is better than baking homemade goods on a cold fall evening. From baking pumpkin pie to snickerdoodle cookies, this activity is a great way to embody the fall spirit. Pumpkin, a well known ingredient in baked goods like pumpkin pie, pumpkin loaf, and pumpkin pancakes, makes delicious fall foods that are fun to bake individually, or with a friend, to bring out the fall aroma. If you aren’t a fan of the pumpkin flavor, there is also a wide variety of other foods to bake. For example, cinnamon apples and apple pies are delicious, simple, and relatively inexpensive. If the seasonal depression is getting to you, don’t hesitate to hit up the local Trader Joe’s where they have many tasty seasonal foods to choose from.
3. Decorate for fall
Although it’s difficult to feel that same fall spirit in Southern California where we keep our great weather all year long, decorating your house is a great way to manifest that fall coziness. Stores like T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods have countless cute decor items that are not only adorable but are also fun to set up. If you’re on a budget, make a stop by La Tienda or Restoration Thrift, and you’ll be surprised with the amount of fall decorations you can utilize for a good price. Additionally, you can’t forget your fall scented candles and fall crafts that are a great addition to your home. This includes painting pumpkins, which is a more sustainable alternative to pumpkin carving, and, assorting bouquets.
4. Try fall drinks
Not hungry for food? Not to worry, we have plenty of recommendations for you! As fall menus are slowly coming back, local Starbucks locations and other coffee shops are crowded with people eager to try the new drinks. If you find yourself at Bear Coast Coffee, the pumpkin spice latte is a great option to put you in the fall spirit. If you are interested in trying a wide variety of fall drinks, Starbucks also has great options such as the Pumpkin Chai Latte, Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, and Pecan Crunch Oat Milk Latte. “My favorite seasonal drink is the Pumpkin Chai Latte from Starbucks because it has a comforting flavor of pumpkin and cinnamon which tastes like fall in a cup,” described SCHS Junior Antonella Valle.
5. Movie Night
A cozy movie night with friends or family is an excellent way to end the day and spend time with loved ones. Some classic movies to watch are Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, Beetlejuice, and Edward Scissorhands, along with Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, Castle in the Sky, and Ponyo. Don’t forget horror movies like The Conjuring, Scream, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. “My family watches both Hocus Pocus movies every year in October, it’s our favorite movie,” said SCHS Junior Kinen Kane. It’d also be fun to set up a snack station with popcorn, candy, and drinks to enjoy during the movies.
As we reach mid-September, it’s hard not to feel the anticipation for fall. And, hopefully, you now have some creative ways of how to make the most of it!
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