What do you do to get into the fall season mood? Maybe you start pulling out your favorite sweaters (even though it's still a bit too warm to wear them) or maybe you try pumpkin spice-flavored everything. There's no shortage of ways to celebrate autumn in Southern California. One beloved fall tradition is Nights of Jack, an immerse walking trail event that will light up your evening with the endless glow of carved jack-o-lanterns. If you have yet to experience this unique event, you'll want to make this the year that you do!
A classic fall tradition for countless Southern California families, Nights of the Jack is an immersive Halloween experience like no other. Open this year from October 1 through October 31, this is an event that's not to be missed!
Tucked away in the Santa Monica Mountains, Nights of Jack is the ultimate Halloween event complete with hundreds of glowing jack-o-lanterns. Walking along a 2/3-mile trail, visitors are completely immersed in the magical setting in which glimmering pumpkins can be seen at every turn.
The experience takes place at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas. Visitors can start to arrive at 6:30 p.m. when the sun has set and the glow of intricately carved pumpkins lights up the night. Most guests spend around an hour and a half exploring the grounds and taking part in the fun activities before or after walking the trail.
Be sure to drop by "The Spookeasy Bar" to pick up a seasonal cocktail or hot cider to take with you on the trail. There are a variety of LA food trucks and vendors to keep you well-fed during your time at Nights of the Jack!
All ages are welcome to partake in the fun at this seasonal event. The trail experience is not scary, although there are a few spooky moments. After completing the trail, you can stop by the souvenir shop for a spooky present or go watch as pumpkin carving experts turn pumpkins into masterpieces in front of your eyes.
Tickets for the event must be purchased in advance online. Tickets are $34.99 and up depending on the day and time you plan to attend. Children two years and under can be admitted free of charge.
Nights of the Jack is officially open for the season, so don't wait much longer! This immersive walking experience will be the source of some unforgettable Halloween memories. Learn more about the experience and purchase your tickets here.
Have you ever attended the Nights of Jack in Southern California? Share your favorite memories of this classic fall tradition with us in the comments below!
Summer was just made for adventure. Here in SoCal, there are some things that are just better in the summer, and even others we can only enjoy this time of year. Have you made your summer bucket list? I am here to tell you that you don't have to leave the state to have a stellar summer season, and to prove it, here are nine unforgettable summer activities In Southern California that will make it one for the books.
Summer festivals abound in SoCal celebrating everything - tacos and tequila, wine and beer, fruit and flowers, music, and everything else you can imagine. One festival everyone should experience at least once is the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach, California’s longest-running outdoor fine arts exhibition. It features the work of some 140 local artists - from paintings to jewelry to handcrafted furniture and more. Arguably the most spectacular part of this over 90-year-old annual event is the renowned Pageant of the Arts, which brings famous artworks to life in front of your eyes.
Jetski2Catalina offers an unforgettable experience, crossing the ocean from Long Beach to Catalina Island on a jet ski. Not only is it a thrill to be out on the open water, but you’ll have plenty of adventures within the adventure. Ride among pods of dolphins, catch a glimpse of migrating whales, get up close to California sea lions, and even see giant sunfish. You’ll stop to do a little snorkeling along the way and enjoy a few hours at Catalina’s Two Harbors.
In the sparkling warm turquoise waters of San Diego’s La Jolla Cove, you can swim with beautiful leopard sharks. Scores of these docile, spotted sharks gather super close to the shore each summer - so close, in fact, you can wade right in from the sand and swim among them. Leopard sharks are just one example of the beautiful marine life you can enjoy in La Jolla. Bring your mask and snorkel to get a clear view of the sharks, bright orange Garibaldi, and even an occasional sea turtle! And keep your eyes peeled above the water, too, as dolphins can often be seen playing in the surf offshore.
About an hour’s drive (up a winding mountain road) from Santa Barbara is a popular hiking trail that leads to one of the coolest natural swimming holes, known as Red Rock Pool. There is a parking area and vault toilet at the Gibraltar Trailhead and the main pool is just a short half-mile hike in, surrounded by dramatic rock formations. If you prefer not to share, there are several pools as you hike further along the trail, each more secluded and less crowded than the last.
If you live near (or are visiting) the LA area, a visit to Paradise Cove Beach Cafe is an absolute must. During summer and on weekends, the wait can be pretty lengthy without a reservation, but either way, it’s worth it. Enjoy a delicious brunch - with huge portions and delicious cocktails - with your toes in the sand and the ocean breeze in your hair. Spend the afternoon on the beautiful sandy beach for a relaxing day.
Lying just a few miles off the coast of Southern California is a string of five islands that make up the incredible Channel Islands National Park and offer a vast array of fantastic adventures. The park (including the water around it) is a marine sanctuary with some of the best diving in the state. There are hiking trails with spectacular views, gorgeous beaches, seals and other wildlife, sea caves you can explore by kayak, a lighthouse, camping, and much more to explore. Check out the different island trips offered by Island Packers and start planning your adventures in this unique national park.
Warm summer evenings are ideal for movies in the great outdoors and Street Food Cinema turns them into a bucket list-worthy event. Throughout the summer, a wide range of movies are featured at several scenic locations around Los Angeles. There are food trucks, photo ops, and live pre-show entertainment. Bring your chairs, blankets, friends, kids, and dogs for a unique night of cinema fun.
Summer is baseball season, especially here in SoCal where we have three Major League baseball stadiums. We've got the Los Angeles Dodgers in the heart of LA at Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Angels at Anaheim's Angel Stadium, and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Whatever team gets you on your feet and wherever you happen to live, there is nothing quite like the fun and excitement of being in the stands at a live game - cheering on your team with the crowd, doing the wave, eating classic foods and drinking a cold beer, and maybe catching an ice cream or a bag of peanuts from a wandering vendor.
The Southern California coast is one of the best places to get out on the water and chase migrating whales. During summer months, the largest mammals on the planet - blue whales - come up to us from Mexico to feed on abundant krill. Book a tour with Davey's Locker in Newport Beach for one of the most exciting and unforgettable water tours in the state. In addition to whales, you'll likely see hundreds (even thousands) of dolphins, sea lions, and awesome views of the coastline.
So, what does your summer bucket list include? We would love to hear about your favorite summer adventures and which of these awesome places and activities you've already experienced. Whatever time of year it is, we've got tons of ideas for you, so be sure to check in and peruse our favorite summer activities in Southern California! Need a few more ideas for summer? Here are a few more of our best summer ideas.
There are few places more magical than the boardwalk in the summertime. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an iconic destination in Northern California. This summer, the Boardwalk is hosting free movie nights on the beach. So bring a big blanket, and some snacks, and join in on this fun event.
advertisement
The Boardwalk is a place where core memories are made. And Santa Cruz has the most beloved and famous boardwalk in Northern California! Visitors can ride the rides, play arcade games, enjoy a round of mini golf on one of the coolest courses around, and, of course, take in the beautiful beach. Despite the intense heat Northern California has been under for the past week, Santa Cruz's weather is usually pretty mild, especially in comparison to the Central Valley.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is offering free 2024 summer entertainment for visitors of all ages. This year’s lineup includes the popular Free Movies on the Beach summer series as well as live music, magicians, acrobats, and DJ dance parties during Evenings on the Colonnade.
New this summer, the Boardwalk is introducing Mornings in the Plaza, featuring half-priced arcade games, breakfast specials, and a morning dance party for guests arriving before the Boardwalk rides open for the day.
Free movies on the beach will be shown every Friday night at 9 p.m. through August 9. Classic films like The Sandlot and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off combined with modern hits like Barbie and Wonka are part of the exciting roster of fan favorites.
For special accommodations or Closed Captioning requests, contact the Manager on Duty at least 48 hours in advance at (831) 423-5590.
For many years the Boardwalk has hosted concerts on the beach, Fourth of July fireworks displays, and many other events that have attracted people from all over the state.
We recommend staying for the entire day. You can enjoy the boardwalk and end the evening with a movie. If you want to stay overnight, there are several great VRBOs nearby, as well as a campground.
There are several parking lots but the most convenient is the main lot, which is open 24 hours. The cost of parking is $20 for the day.
To see directions and more parking options, check out the Boardwalk's parking page on their website.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a timeless seaside amusement park known for its historic Giant Dipper roller coaster, family-friendly rides, midway games, and indoor arcades featuring mini golf and laser tag. Since 1907, it has been a beloved destination for beach visitors, offering a blend of classic charm and modern entertainment.
For more information and to plan your visit, check out the full summer schedule at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk website.
