Fall in the 925 comes with its own traditions: pumpkins in Livermore, harvest produce in Brentwood, and a downtown Clayton celebration that gives you a reason to dig out the lederhosen (you do own them, right?)
There’s also a seasonal wildlife encounter on Mount Diablo that feels very Halloween appropriate!
Here are 7 great things to do in the 925 now that Autumn is here.
1. Pick a pumpkin and tackle the corn maze at G&M Farms
If your ideal fall afternoon involves finding the right pumpkin and letting the kids burn off some energy, G&M Farms in Livermore belongs on the list.
The farm’s 2026 season runs October 2-31, with closures on Mondays and Tuesdays. Along with the pumpkin patch and corn maze, the farm offers jump pillows Wednesday through Sunday. Hayrides, pedal carts, and the cow train operate on weekends only.
Want something spookier? The farm lists haunted corn maze nights for October 17 and 24, beginning at dark.
G&M Farms is at 487 East Airway Boulevard. The regular corn maze stays open until 9 p.m. on Saturdays, two hours later than the pumpkin patch.
2. Celebrate Oktoberfest in downtown Clayton
For one weekend, downtown Clayton trades its usual pace for a biergarten, live music, carnival rides, and streets lined with vendors.
The Clayton Oktoberfest returns October 3-4, 2026, on Main Street. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Admission and parking are free, making this an appealing option even if your plan is simply to wander, listen to music, and browse. Food, drinks, and carnival attractions are separate purchases.
There’s also a carnival-only preview from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, October 2. Organizers specify that the Friday session does not include the festival’s vendors or alcohol sales.
3. Look for tarantulas on Mount Diablo
The 925 has a fall wildlife season that might just put you into therapy: tarantulas.
California State Parks identifies autumn as the best time to encounter them on Mount Diablo as they search for mates. Spotting one is never guaranteed, but the possibility adds a little suspense to a familiar hike.
Keep your eyes on the trail, give any spiders you encounter plenty of space, and leave them where you find them. Even if you want to smush them with a boot or run screaming!
The mountain also offers a reason to look up. On a clear day, State Parks says summit views can stretch more than 100 miles, taking in the Sierra Nevada and San Francisco Bay.
Choose a route that suits your group and check the park’s current conditions before heading out. Fall here still includes warm days, so bring water even when the calendar says sweater season.
4. Make time for a Lafayette Reservoir walk
For a fall outing that’s basically a local ritual for everyone in Lamorinda, take a lap around Lafayette Reservoir.
The paved Lakeside Nature Trail runs 2.7 miles. If you want a longer outing, the unpaved Rim Trail is 4.7 miles. Pack a picnic and make a morning of it, or use the shorter loop as an excuse to catch up with a friend outdoors.
The reservoir is at 3849 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, and EBMUD lists daily parking at $7.
One practical note this fall: construction projects are underway. EBMUD says the recreation area will remain open, but some areas may be temporarily affected. Follow posted signs. The agency also has an algae advisory in place; keep children and pets out of the water.
You can see what’s happening with the tower, which is in the process of being shrunk.
5. Shop the fall harvest at Smith Family Farm
Early fall is a particularly good excuse to eat your way through Brentwood’s agricultural season.
At Smith Family Farm’s fruit stand, September is still peak season for tomatoes, peppers, and melons. The farm says its heirloom tomatoes and peppers typically continue into mid-October.
(There’s no relation between me and the farm, despite sharing a name!)
As October and November arrive, the selection shifts toward apples, persimmons, pomegranates, pears, squash, and pumpkins, alongside some lingering tomatoes and other fruit.
The stand is at 4350 Sellers Avenue in Brentwood and operates daily from early June through the end of November. Bring cash or a check; the farm lists those as its accepted payment methods. Selection depends on what’s available when you visit.
They’ve got great farm activities and a pumpkin patch, too.
6. Wander through the Ruth Bancroft Garden
For a quieter outing, spend some time among the cacti, succulents, and other drought-tolerant plants at Walnut Creek’s Ruth Bancroft Garden.
The 3.5-acre garden offers winding paths and large, mature plants worth slowing down to examine. Pick up the current “What’s in Bloom” sheet when you arrive to see what the season has brought into flower.
Visiting with kids? Ask at the admission kiosk for the children’s tour booklet or garden bingo.
The garden is at 1552 Bancroft Road. Current visiting hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last entry at 3:15 p.m. General admission is $15 for adults and $6 for children ages 5-17; children 4 and younger enter free. Browsing the nursery is free, too.
7. Plan a Livermore wine-country date
You can build a fall wine outing around TASTE: The Livermore Valley Wine Experience, scheduled for October 15-18, 2026.
The weekend starts with Taste Our Terroir at the Concannon Vineyard Event Center, where 20 winery-and-restaurant teams are scheduled to present food-and-wine pairings.
The lineup continues with experiences ranging from a literary happy hour and a vineyard walk to a speakeasy-themed evening. Sunday’s offerings include a sparkling-wine brunch and a harvest grape stomp.
Choose an event that fits your idea of a good date, whether that’s learning about the vines or spending an afternoon over food and wine. Check the organizer’s event lineup and ticket availability before making plans, and arrange transportation if you’ll be tasting.
Dates and visitor information checked September 23, 2026. Check the linked organizers’ pages for changes before heading out.
