What's your favorite time of year?

I've come to the conclusion that while Christmas/Winter is my favorite time of year to celebrate, Autumn (or Fall) is my favorite season to dress for; ergo, I classify from Late September through December as "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"!*

We're in the full swing of Autumn, from pumpkin-spiced everything to deep jewel tones showing up in all the stores, my spirit is fuzzy with anticipation. For those of you looking to get into the autumnal spirit despite the summer weather, here's a list of my top 5 Fall Activities in (and Around) LA!

1. Retreat to the San Bernardino Mountains

My rule of thumb for living in season-less LA is that I must go (or be taken) to the mountains at least once a year to experience clean air and clear skies. Packing up and shipping out of the city for a weekend is the perfect way to get my "weather fix" in. There are some great places to stay on Airbnb, be sure to plan ahead because they get booked up very quickly especially around the lakes!

2. Go Apple Picking

If you drive East of LA for about 60 minutes you hit this magical little land known as Oak Glen. They have apple everything, and it all tastes AMAZING. There's something therapeutic about the quintessential activity of wandering through an apple orchard. Parking and entrance at Los Rios Ranchos are free! You only have to pay for the apples you pick. You can make a whole day out of it, there's a corn maze, bbq, live music and more!

3. The Pie Hole

This is a season MUST DO for me. Like, is it even Fall if I didn't get pie from The Pie Hole? They're known for their seasonal flavors and unique combinations. There are locations located across the city, I'm typically found in the Arts District or over in Venice, and each has a distinct look and feel. If you're a little stumped about which pie to order, the Earl Grey Tea always hits the spot (I mean there's tea, how could it not?!).

4. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkins. For Fall. Groundbreaking. In the States at least, pumpkins are the king of the vegetables for the fall season. Literally, E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G is pumpkin themed.

Confession time, prior to moving I didn't think that pumpkins served any purpose other than being carved around Halloween time. It's safe to say that I was shocked when I moved. The most popular spots, both located in Culver City, are Shawn's Pumpkin Patch and Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch.

5. Do Some Seasonal Baking

This doesn't technically require you to leave your house, but you will have acquired a lot of seasonal fruit and vegetables and instead of letting them rot, I would suggest putting to good use and making your stomach very happy. This season I've tried apple doughnuts (or donut?), pumpkin muffins and a caramel rose apple tart. All were crowdpleasers but my personal favorite was the apple doughnuts and they were SO easy to make!

I recognize that most of these require venturing outside of the city to experience true delight, but it's worth it to take a break from the metropolis every once in a while.

*yes, I was listening to a youtube 3-hour Christmas playlist while writing.

Until next time,

BG