Autumn is a great time in San Diego for locals to get out and do fun stuff. The summer heat and tourist crowds are all but gone, and the crisp, cooler weather brings a nice feeling, knowing the holidays are around the corner. We may not have a distinctive seasonal change as other parts of the country, but the weather makes for nifty outings and activities. To me, it's the best time to go out and enjoy San Diego. Here are my Top Picks for Autumn Activities.
If you want to get a taste of autumn, there's no better place than to head to the mountain town of Julian. Breath in the cool mountain air, take in the quaint town shops, see the leaves changing colors, eat some famous apple pie - it's only a 90-minute drive. Some of the surrounding local orchards will even let you pick your own apples, when in season. A trip to Julian will put you in the proper autumn mood.
If you head down the eastern slope of the Laguna Mountains from Julian, you'll find yourself in the desert community of Borrego Springs. If heat isn't your thing, then autumn is the perfect time to experience San Diego's desert landscape. Borrego Springs is a bit of a sleepy town, but there are fine golf courses around, as well as the classy Casa del Zorro resort. But the real attraction is the unforgiving desertscape...you'll feel you're a world away.
While most locals will head east to Julian and the Lagunas to get their mountain fix, Palomar Mountain in North County is another spot to explore. Why? Well, the big attraction is truly big: the Palomar Observatory, home of the famous 200-inch Hale Telescope located at the top of the mountain. The state park offers hiking, picnicking and camping amid the meadows and forests, and the drive is one of the most scenic around.
Everyone knows about the San Diego Zoo, but the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, near Escondido, is an undiscovered gem to animal lovers. The large, unique wildlife park features herds of animals roaming large enclosures as they would in their native African and Asian habitats. And with the summer heat over, autumn is the perfect time to explore the Park's expanse, including the Lion Camp and Heart of Africa exhibits.
For fishing enthusiasts, fall means trout fishing season. And the best trout fishing experience can be had at Lake Cuyamaca. Why? Because the 110-acre lake is a true mountain lake situated at 4600 feet in the Laguna Mountains. Which makes it an ideal spot for the cool water-loving trout all year round. The picturesque lake is a perfect spot to take in the scenery and just chill out.
A cruise up San Diego's coast along the old Coast Highway 101 is a great way to take in the area's wonderful coastline. The summer crowds are gone, and autumn is the best time to discover San Diego's famous beach communities: Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff, Leucadia, Encinitias, Carlsbad and Oceanside. Cruise in the car, but make a lot of stops and side trips - it's worth it.
San Diego has a number of "antique rows" and one of the best ones is located in the Normal Heights neighborhood. The Adams Avenue Antique Row is a stretch of Adams Avenue where you can discover that unique find you can share on PBS's "Antiques Road Show." Other good places to go antiqueing is downtowns of La Mesa, Carlsbad, and Ocean Beach.
Whether it's people watching, dining, entertaining guests or just wandering, a day in the Gaslamp Quarter is a great way to get a dose of urban San Diego. Cool autumn weather makes it ideal to explore the sights and sounds of downtown San Diego. And if nightlife is your thing, then the Gaslamp is the place to be. From here, the waterfront is just a short jaunt away, or you can go shopping at nearby Horton Plaza.
Up in Valley Center, in North County, is a place called the Bates Nut Farm, and it's a nifty place to get away from the metropolitan hubbub for a day. The Bates Nut Farm not only sells an wide variety of nuts and goodies from around the world, but it offers a relaxing picnic area for families, as well as regular events. There are hayrides, pony rides, and the best pumpin patch around.
Believe it or not, but San Diego County is home to several wineries, and we actually have a wine country. The local wineries are small, and offer up boutique wines. A number of them are situated in scenic, rural areas, and all offer an enjoyable wine tasting experience. For a more expansive wine country experience, head an hour north to Temecula, which is home to a number of famous wineries in a genuine wine growing area.
