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Three Places to See Fall Color in Monterey County 

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Key Takeaways

  • Top spots for viewing fall color in Monterey County are Carmel Valley, Fort Ord National Monument between Salinas and Monterey, and Toro Park in Salinas.
  • Garland Park in Carmel Valley has parking, restrooms, and easy-access trails for kids, and the trees along the nearby Carmel River also change color in fall.
  • Toro Park in Salinas offers more than 20 miles of hiking trails plus restrooms, picnic areas, and playgrounds at the back of the park, and mornings bring fewer crowds and easier parking.
  • Fort Ord National Monument, located along Route 68, has parking and restrooms at its main entrance and is a different park from Fort Ord Dunes State Park in Marina.
  • Fall color day trips within 200 miles of Monterey include Henry W. Coe State Park near Morgan Hill (about 50 miles), Mount Diablo State Park in the East Bay (about 130 miles), and Yosemite National Park (about 180 miles).

Ahhhh, October! The Monterey Peninsula experiences cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. And, while we generally think of the east coast when we think about fall color, we do get some color changes here in Monterey Couny. Here are our top recommendations for viewing fall color in Monterey County:

CARMEL VALLEY 

Located inland of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley offers stunning views of the changing leaves. There are many parks to hike to see the leaves, including the popular Garland Park. There is parking available, along with restrooms and easy-access trails for kids. The trees will display an array of fall foliage to enjoy. Stop to take photos or just keep exploring! You can also take the family to the Carmel River to enjoy the beauty of the fall setting. Many of the trees lining the river will change color with the fall season. If you just want to drive around, follow the main road to see the decorated hillsides. 

FORT ORD NATIONAL MONUMENT 

Located between Salinas and Monterey, this park offers easy hiking trails and stunning vistas for you and your little ones to enjoy the fall foliage. This park is not to be confused with Fort Ord Dunes State Park in Marina; they are entirely different! The area of the national monument is located along Route 68, and you can find many parking spaces and restrooms available at the main entrance. While walking the trails, be on the lookout for the display of fall colors lining the trails. If you reach the pond at the top of the mountain, you can see the entire valley below filled with autumn sights! 

TORO PARK

Located in Salinas, Toro Park has many trees that showcase fall foliage. The county park has been designed with over 20 miles of hiking trails guaranteeing great viewing spots to see the autumn display. You can either park outside of the park or drive along the entrance road to the back of the park, which offers restrooms, picnic areas, and playgrounds for the kids to be entertained. Along the road and trails, enjoy stunning views of the sprawling landscape dotted with yellow, orange, and red fall colors. Some of the trails reach higher elevations for viewing these colors spread along the park. We recommend visiting the park in the morning when crowds are fewer and parking is more available.

Here are five options within 200 miles of Monterey:

1. HENRY W. COE STATE PARK

  • DISTANCE: About 50 miles from Monterey
  • BEST TIME: Mid-to-late October
  • HIGHLIGHTS: This park near Morgan Hill features oak woodlands and riparian corridors, creating a stunning mix of golden and rust colors. Its rugged terrain provides sweeping views of the fall colors.

2. LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST

  • DISTANCE: Around 65 miles to closest entrance
  • BEST TIME: October to early December
  • HIGHLIGHTS: Stretching across multiple counties, this forest offers beautiful fall foliage, especially near the rivers and in higher elevation oak forests. The Santa Lucia Range near Paso Robles is a top spot for autumn colors.

3. HEALDSBURG, SONOMA COUNTY

  • DISTANCE: About 180 miles from Monterey
  • BEST TIME: Late October to early November
  • HIGHLIGHTS: Napa Valley’s vineyards turn vibrant shades of orange, red, and gold during the fall. Along with wine-tasting, the scenic views of the valley’s colorful grapevines make it a great destination.

4. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

  • DISTANCE: About 180 miles from Monterey
  • BEST TIME: Late October through November
  • HIGHLIGHTS: Yosemite’s iconic landscapes come alive with fall colors, especially in areas like the Merced River and Yosemite Valley, where dogwoods, maples, and oaks change color in the fall.

5. MOUNT DIABLO STATE PARK

  • DISTANCE: About 130 miles from Monterey
  • BEST TIME: Late October to early November
  • HIGHLIGHTS: Located in the East Bay, Mount Diablo offers breathtaking fall foliage with its mix of oak, sycamore, and buckeye trees. The panoramic views from the summit allow you to see fall colors stretching across the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which fall color parks in Monterey County have restrooms and playgrounds for kids?

Toro Park in Salinas has restrooms, picnic areas, and playgrounds at the back of the park, reached by driving along the entrance road. Garland Park in Carmel Valley has parking, restrooms, and easy-access trails for kids. Fort Ord National Monument has parking and restrooms at its main entrance along Route 68.

What is the best time of day to visit Toro Park in Salinas to see fall leaves?

Morning is the best time to visit Toro Park, when crowds are smaller and parking is easier to find. Families can park outside the park or drive to the back, where restrooms, picnic areas, and playgrounds are located. Some of the park’s more than 20 miles of trails climb to higher elevations with wide views of yellow, orange, and red foliage.

Is Fort Ord National Monument the same as Fort Ord Dunes State Park?

No, Fort Ord National Monument and Fort Ord Dunes State Park are entirely different parks. Fort Ord National Monument sits along Route 68 between Salinas and Monterey and offers easy hiking trails with fall color views. Fort Ord Dunes State Park is located in Marina.

Can families see fall color in Carmel Valley without hiking?

Yes, families can see fall color in Carmel Valley by driving the main road, which passes colorful hillsides. Another easy option is a visit to the Carmel River, where many of the trees lining the water change color in fall. For a short walk, Garland Park has easy-access trails suitable for kids.

What is the closest fall foliage day trip from Monterey?

Henry W. Coe State Park near Morgan Hill is the closest option, about 50 miles from Monterey, with its best color in mid-to-late October. Its oak woodlands and riparian corridors turn golden and rust. Los Padres National Forest is another nearby choice, about 65 miles to the closest entrance, with color from October to early December.

Monterey & Santa Cruz County Pumpkin Patches

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Nothing says fall on the Central Coast quite like a Saturday spent hunting for the perfect pumpkin. Whether your family likes a no-frills farm stand, a corn maze to get lost in, or a full day of hayrides, trains, and photo ops, there’s a patch within an easy drive. 

Before you head out, turn to page 32 for tips on choosing the perfect pumpkin, and keep those recipes handy for using it up once it’s home. 

This year’s list stretches from the Salinas Valley and Carmel Valley to the Santa Cruz coast, with a few worthwhile road trips to Pescadero, Morgan Hill, and Hollister. A few patches sell tickets online or charge for parking on weekends, and hours can change with the weather, so it’s worth a quick check of the farm’s website or social media before you load up the car.

Borchard Farms

  • 142 Rodgers Road, Salinas
  • www.borchardfarms.com
  • Open 11:00 am to 8:00 pm daily through October 31.
  • Open Friday, September 12

Find a large variety of pumpkins, gourds, and squash while enjoying the 5-acre corn maze, Ghost Town, the Haunted Barn, and lots of farm animals. You can even purchase an “Autumn in a Box” display with corn stalks, pumpkins, gourds, squash, and other festive decor for your office, restaurant, or family display. To make your display extra special have your pumpkin engraved with your logo or family name.

Crystal Bay Farm

Pumpkin patch opens October 1. Offering a wide variety of organic pumpkins and gourds for purchase. Stations set up for photos. Check their website for special activities and final operating days and times.

Earthbound Farms

  • 7250 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley
  • earthboundfarm.com
  • Monday-Saturday 8 am-6 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-6 pm

The Earthbound Farms pumpkin patch is open now, with special events planned for the weekends. Visit the farm’s events calendar or Instagram (@earthboundfarmstand) for specific event times. 

Everett Family Farm

  • 2111 Old San Jose Road, Soquel
  • everettfamilyfarm.com
  • Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm open daily late October 10 am-5 pm

You won’t find an official pumpkin patch but you will find a generously stocked farm stand with lots of pumpkins and squash.

The Farm

The pumpkin patch is open and pumpkins are also available for sale in the farm stand. Upcoming events: Maker’s Morning Pumpkin Painting, October 10; Fall Festival, October 24.

Gizdich Ranch

  • 55 Peckham Road, Watsonville
  • gizdich-ranch.com
  • 831-722-1056
  • Open daily 9 am-5 pm, open daily 2nd week of October

U-pick apples are open weekends only, 9 am-5 pm (credit or debit card only, no cash). You can also buy produce and pies and use the picnic area. 

Hacienda Hay & Feed

  • 7180 Carmel Valley Rd. Carmel, 93923
  • haciendacv.store
  • 831-293-8133
  • Hours vary depending on activity. Tues-Sat 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm and closed Monday

Pumpkin stand with a large variety of pumpkins and great photo opps. Plus, a fun hay maze.

The Great Pumpkin Patch

Offering a large variety of pumpkins and gourds in all sizes and shapes. An assortment of fun activities for both the children and parents to enjoy, including a petting zoo, hay and train rides, pumpkin slingshots, bumper boats.

THE PATCH AT 10 RIVER ROAD 

  • 10 River Road, Salinas 93908
  • Instagram: @thepatch10riverroad
  • Open 7 days a week

With an expanded lawn space, display area, and corn maze, this year’s pumpkin patch is bigger and better than ever. It’s fun for the whole family with hay rides, bounce houses, and more. Daily and seasonal passes available.

Post Street Farm

Urban farm with a wide selection of organic pumpkins, fall flowers and other seasonal goodies. Halloween photo ops, pet rabbits, bee hives and more.

Rancho Siempre Verde Pumpkin Patch

  • 2250 Carbrillo Highway, Pescadero
  • rsvtrees.com
  • 9:00 am-4:30 pm daily

The Rancho Siempre Verde Farm Fall Festival Pumpkin Patch is here and you can pick pumpkins, cut flowers, grab a peck of apples, make a fall wreath, have a picnic, take a swing on the swings, slide down the big slide, and enjoy farm activities all overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Tickets are per car (up to 6 guests): $115 online, $125 at the festival, and include five pumpkins, a flower bouquet, and apples. Purchase tickets online for Fall Festival held on Saturdays and Sundays through October 25.

Rodoni Farms

  • 4444 Coast Road, Santa Cruz,
  • North of Santa Cruz on HWY 1
  • www.rodonifarms.com
  • Open through Oct. 31, 11 am-6 pm

Come roam through fields of pumpkins located along the beautiful California Coast on Hwy 1. There are many to choose from, from traditional Howdens to Gallileos! Enjoy hay bales, scary cutouts, a 5-acre corn maze, and all the varieties of produce you can expect from an autumn harvest. Pumpkins and squash are half price on the honor system through November 30.

Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch

Free admission; attraction tickets are sold on-site only (no online sales). Parking is free Monday-Thursday, $30 cash only Friday-Sunday. Trains, new Bee Train, cow train, hayride with dino walk, corn maze, pumpkin blasters, plus a wide variety of pumpkins. Park Pass $45.

Swank Farms

  • 4751 Pacheco Pass, Hollister
  • www.swankfarms.com
  • Opens October 4, 2025
  • Thursdays 10 am – 6:00 pm
  • Fridays – Sundays 10 am – 10 pm

Tons of fun planned for the entire family. Kids will enjoy a 9-acre corn maze riddle hunt, pumpkin patch, sunflower field, farm animals, and much more. 


Monterey County Autumn Bucket List

By |

October on the central coast is made for slowing down with your family — cooler mornings, golden light in the valleys, and just enough chill  in the air to justify a hoodie and a cup of cocoa.

Here are 24 simple, sweet ways to soak up the season together, right here in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties.

  • Pick your own apples at Gizdich Ranch. Head to Watsonville for u-pick apples at this local institution — then bring your haul home for baking.
  • Take a golden-hour walk on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. October light hits the water differently. Bundle up and stroll from Lovers Point toward Pacific Grove for the best of it.
  • Browse a local pumpkin patch for your family’s pumpkins. Skip the grocery store bin and make an afternoon of choosing the perfect ones straight from the vine.
  • Carve or paint pumpkins together. Save the seeds — roasted with a little salt and olive oil, they’re the best part.
  • Check out our Halloween Events guide for costume parties, trunk-or-treats, and trick-or-treating spots around the county.
  • Check out our Fall Festivals roundup for harvest celebrations, corn mazes, and hayrides happening this month.
  • Bake a batch of pumpkin bread or muffins. Let the little ones measure and stir — the whole house will smell like fall.
  • Drive up to Carmel Valley for a taste of changing colors. The sycamores and oaks along the valley floor put on a quiet, understated show this time of year.
  • Build a bonfire at a designated beach fire pit. Marina State Beach has fire rings available — bring the marshmallows!
  • Go stargazing. October’s clearer, cooler nights make for great stargazing from your backyard or a dark stretch of beach.
  • Visit Elkhorn Slough to spot migratory birds. Fall migration brings an influx of shorebirds and waterfowl to this Moss Landing treasure.
  • Make homemade applesauce or apple butter. A great next step for that bag of apples from Gizdich — and a good excuse to fill the kitchen with cinnamon.
  • Do a Halloween craft night. Paper-bag jack-o’-lanterns, painted rocks, or spooky window clings — keep it simple and messy.
  • Rake a big pile of leaves and jump in. Yes, you’ll rake it twice. Worth it.
  • Start a fall front-porch display. Mums, hay bales, and gourds turn any entryway festive without a single dollar spent on plastic decor.
  • Curl up with fall-themed picture books from the library. Ask your local branch for a fall or Halloween reading list — a cozy, screen-free afternoon activity.
  • Take family photos among the pumpkins or fall color. No professional photographer required — just good light and a little patience.
  • Try a new soup or chili recipe as a family. Let each kid pick one ingredient to add, even if it’s a little unconventional.
  • Make caramel apples or caramel corn at home. Sticky, sweet, and a great group project on a Sunday afternoon.
  • Have a cozy family game night. Dim the lights, light a candle, and break out the board games once the sun sets earlier.
  • Start a gratitude journal together as the season turns. A simple nightly practice — one good thing from the day — heading into the busier holiday months ahead.

Looking for more fall ideas? Read Our Monterey Family’s Autumn To-Do List: https://www.montereybayparent.com/our-monterey-familys-autumn-to-do-list/

Celebrating Autumn at Home

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With dozens of activities planned throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties for the month of October, it’s a busy time. Why not take some time this fall to enjoy being home with the family?

School is in session, pumpkin spice lattes are back, and it’s time to embrace fall! While we may share common autumn activities like pumpkin patches, apple picking, Halloween festivities, or local hikes without the summer crowds, here are three additional activities to expand your family’s repertoire as you enjoy the season together at home. Be sure to check page 31 for cultural celebrations that you can learn about as a family.

1. Take a family photo. Fall is a great time to capture colorful family photos, which might be helpful for upcoming holiday greeting cards. Embrace the fall colors with color-coordinated family outfits, or carve some time out on your calendars to have fun taking that family photo you keep putting off. Make the experience enjoyable, low-stakes, and involve the kids. Let them pick their favorite outfits, what colors everyone should wear, or what decorations or props to add. This makes the experience more fun and meaningful for everyone, plus it increases your chances of getting a great family photo and story for the memory books.

2. Get crafty. Start your craft activity with a hike into Garland Park or Toro Park. Collect leaves to use for a family crafts project. You can also purchase a bag of artifical autumn colored leaves if you want to make things super easy. You can create leaf rubbings, leaf collages, or even press them between wax paper to make beautiful window decorations. Even little ones can help attach leaves to a wreath frame you can purchase inexpensively at Michael’s. They’ll be super proud when you hang it on your front door to welcome guests. You’ll find a ton of ideas on Pinterest to get your creativity flowing.

3. Practice gratitude. Fall is the perfect season to pause and reflect before entering the bustling holiday season. Have each family member write or share something you are grateful for each day for a week or longer. Keep it simple: take turns at the dinner table or in the car to share something you appreciate, or write it down on a post-it note and stick it on the fridge. For craftier families, you can prepare different colored paper leaf cutouts, have each family member write down something they are grateful for daily on a leaf, and then make a tree or scrapbook with the leaves. When the week or month is over, spread the joy of gratitude by mailing some of those leaves or post-it notes to people your family might have referenced, especially if it is a friend or family member who lives far away.

4. Have a movie night. Choose classic or family-friendly fall-themed movies (“Hocus Pocus,” “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” or “Harry Potter”). Set up a cozy movie night with blankets and pillows, and prepare fall snacks like caramel popcorn, hot cocoa, or s’mores.

The most important part of any season is the experiences you share and the memories you make as a family.

Denise Green has worked in education for over a decade, specializing in mathematics pedagogy and professional development. She, her husband, and their two children reside in the sunny hills off Highway 68.

Pumpkin Crafts and Pumpkin Patches

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Fall is in the air and it’s time for pumpkin crafts and pumpkin patches. Read on for four fun pumpkin-themed crafts plus a list of Monterey and Santa Cruz Pumpkin Patches!

For toddlers: Little ones can explore colors and shapes and use their fine motor skills when you help them create an Easy Yarn Pumpkin Craft. You just need a few readily available items: orange yarn, glue stick, and brown and orange crayons. Draw a pumpkin shape on white paper with the orange crayon and add the brown stem. Help the child color the pumpkin and stem and then scribble glue stick all over the pumpkin. Then your little one can randomly place the yard bits on the pumpkin.

For complete instructions, click here.

For preschoolers: This papercraft pumpkin is great for practicing cutting and gluing skills. You’ll need some fall-colored paper, white paper, child safety scissors, and a few other household craft supplies. From there it’s easy gluing to line up the strips on the back paper and then adding the pumpkin cut out. Finish up with a pretty tulle and twine bow.

For complete instructions, click here.

For grade school-aged children: The Pumpkin Portrait is a great way to introduce older children to chalk pastels. They’ll learn how to blend colors and which color choices create a pleasing blend. It’s a great project for a group of kids of various ages because they will all be able to complete a portrait with different degrees of expertise.

For complete instructions, click here.

For teens and adults: The Book Pumpkin isn’t just adorable, it’s a frugal way to recycle and then decorate your home with items you already have. You’ll need a paperback book and some simple items like orange craft paint. Plus, you’ll need sharp scissors or a craft knife to cut the book.

For complete instructions, click here.

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