Briar Sorensen
Lighthouse Drink
Fall is arguably the best season of the year. Having the privilege to celebrate such a wonderful season annually is something that must be cherished. Luckily, Santa Barbara is one of the most gorgeous places in California, and it is the perfect distance from many amazing fall attractions.
The first and most crucial fall pastime each year is going to the pumpkin patch to try out all the seasonal activities it has to offer. The perfect place to find these activities is Lane Farms, located just off Hollister Avenue. Which is a perfect walking distance from San Marcos!
Hector Mejia Cruz, a beloved junior and photographer at San Marcos, captures its fun beautifully when he said “I like going to the pumpkin patch with family and friends because I love carving unique designs that will catch people’s eyes when they pass by my house!” -Hector Mejia Cruz, Junior.
Lane Farms holds such a special place in our hearts, and fall would not be the same without it in Santa Barbara. It features a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, animals, hayrides, and delicious autumn treats! Whenever you’re feeling bored during the fall season, remember nothing puts you more in the fall mood than picking your favorite pumpkin to carve and sipping on warm apple cider at Lane Farms.
Second, fall would not be complete without the delicious and cozy fall flavors that come along with it! Santa Barbara has several excellent local places to try out if you’re looking for that delicious hug in a cup.
Places like Lighthouse or Handlebar Coffee Roasters are perfect for the occasion. “Handlebar Coffee Roasters is a bustling coffee roastery located in Santa Barbara, CA. They offer a range of coffee options, from black coffee to flavored lattes, all prepared with precision and care. The cafe is known for its friendly staff, accommodating atmosphere, and high-quality coffee that keeps customers coming back for more. Customers have praised the cozy indoor and outdoor seating options, making it suitable for both solo work sessions and group gatherings. The menu pairs perfectly with pastries and scones, enhancing the coffee experience. With their commitment to sustainability, including compostable containers and plastic-free packaging, Handlebar Coffee Roasters creates a welcoming and eco-friendly environment for all patrons. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, this cafe promises a delightful coffee experience worth returning to.” -Handle Bar Coffee Roasters Website Menu.
Next, if you appreciate reading, I highly recommend checking out Chaucer’s Bookstore. “Chaucer’s Books is a local woman and veteran-owned independent bookstore in the Loreto Plaza (on upper State Street) in Santa Barbara, CA.
Packed with over 150,000 titles, Chaucer’s has been a mainstay for booklovers since 1974.
Alongside our excellent customer service, we are committed to providing our community with an impressive depth and breadth of books in any and all genres and subjects. Ask our staff for recommendations!”
Chaucer’s is the cutest local book shop off State Street. It has an amazingly homey vibe that brings the store to life. Books in every nook and cranny, stacked from the floor to the roof. Make sure to pick up a quality book from Chaucer’s, whether it’s a cute romcom or a thrilling murder mystery. They have it all!
Finally, if you’re leaning more toward spooky ways to celebrate this fall season and you’re willing to make the trek, Six Flags Magic Mountain is a theme park that hosts Fright Fest every year during the month of October. It’s filled with spooky actors, thrilling roller coasters, and hauntingly fun mazes of horror. However, if you want even more of a scare, skip Fright Fest altogether and go to Halloween Horror Nights, hosted every year by Universal Studios. They offer a similar experience to Fright Fest, except the actors are scarier and the haunted houses are terrifying. This year, they are featuring one of the most horrifying characters, named Art the Clown. Art comes from the movie series Terrifier, where he does unimaginably petrifying things that get progressively more gruesome over the course of the series. Overall, if pumpkin patches and cafes don’t scratch that exciting fall itch, Halloween Horror Nights and Fright Fest are sure to do the job.
All together, Fall is such a magical few months out of the year, and they shouldn’t be wasted. Make sure to reach out to friends and family to celebrate with any of these comforting activities, like going cafe hopping or book shopping. And if comforting isn’t what you’re looking for, take a step outside your comfort zone and face the terror of Halloween Horror Nights or Fright Fest. September, October, and November roll by too fast to miss out on these exciting opportunities. So make sure to enjoy every last second of fall while you have it, because it will slip through your fingers before you know it.