Early Fall is a great time to visit Los Angeles. Although officially autumn runs from the fall equinox to the winter solstice, in most people's minds, it begins after Labor Day when kids go back to school, so that's the time frame included here.
1. It's Not so Hot!
Photo © 2007 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
Summers in Los Angeles can be scorching, with temperatures regularly reaching triple digits in inland areas, including at some popular theme parks. Late September into October can be much more pleasant for activities like theme parks and walking tours.
2. Shorter Lines at Theme Parks
Photo © 2007 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
Once the kids are back in school, lines get much shorter at local amusement parks like Disneyland and Universal Studios, especially during the week.
3. LA County Fair
Photo © 2006 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
LA County Fair is four weeks of all the typical fun of a county fair including agricultural exhibits, pig races, horse races, rides, exhibits, funnel cake and deep fried Oreos.
4. Feast of San Gennaro
Photo © 2005 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
LA's biggest Italian event of the year brings Italian entertainers from across the country and around the world to Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s outdoor stage in Hollywood. Of course there is plenty of Italian food, rides and activities for the kids.
5. Lobster Festivals
Photo © 2006 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
Los Angeles has not one, but three annual Lobster Festivals that all take place in September. You would think we'd be celebrating Pacific rock lobsters, but no, they're shipped in from Maine for the events.
6. October is Arts Month
Photo © 2007 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
Although not as organized as it once was, the local arts communities still feature special events throughout the month of October in honor of Arts Month
7. Harrowing Halloween Events
Courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood
With so many special effects experts, Los Angeles is a master of Halloween horror, and the fun starts in September at some area theme parks and attractions. There are not-so-scary options for the younger set, or gruesome gore for hardcore fans.
8. Day of the Dead
Photo © 2006 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
Not quite the same as Halloween, this Mexican holiday for All Souls Day involves cleaning graves, building altars to the dead, parading skeletons and sugar skulls. Events range from craft classes for kids to street festivals.
9. Downtown on Ice
Photo © 2006 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
Every year just before Thanksgiving, a corner of Pershing Square in Downtown LA is frozen over into an ice skating rink a la Rockefeller Center - without the winter coats.
