13 California Harvest Festivals And Farms To Plan Your September 2026 Road Trip Around
September stacks California’s best festivals and farms into one unforgettable stretch of road.
Grape vines get stripped bare, apple crates pile up in mountain towns, and beach parking lots fill with guacamole lovers. Tractors haul visitors through orchards while carnival rides spin nearby.
Certain stops hand you a corn maze and a tractor ride. Others turn an entire valley into a parade of half-timbered buildings and pastry shops.
These stops mix festival weekends with farms open all season long, so timing barely matters. Plan a loop through orchards, fairgrounds, and roadside stands, and the whole month practically maps itself.
Grab a big cooler and clear your calendar, because California just handed you a whole month of reasons to hit the road.
1. Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, Lodi
Grapes get top billing here, but the carnival steals the show. The Lodi Grape Festival Grounds hosts this Central Valley classic every September, and it fills fast on opening day.
Expect a fair atmosphere rather than a quiet vineyard tour. Rides spin, live music plays, and tribute acts draw big crowds.
Head to the Ag building for the grape exhibits. That is where the fruit actually takes center stage, alongside the painted grape murals people come to photograph.
Food vendors work the midway hard. Grape chicken sandwiches show up on menus, and booth prices stay reasonable compared to bigger fairs.
A shaded seating area sits on the grounds too. Parking is free, restrooms stay clean, and staff keep things moving.
The venue books other events year-round, including a pinball show and dog shows. Bring the kids, wear comfortable shoes, and plan a full afternoon.
Find it at 413 E Lockeford St, Lodi, CA 95240.
2. Gravenstein Apple Fair, Sebastopol
Pie eating contests. Live bands.
Apples everywhere you look.
The Gravenstein Apple Fair runs as a two-day country fair in Sebastopol, and it leans hard into old-fashioned Americana. Presentations and demonstrations fill the schedule alongside music and dancing.
Sonoma County growers built this event around one specific apple variety, and the farm-to-table spirit shows in every booth. Organizers run it as a zero waste gathering, so bring your own reusable cup.
Craft vendors set up in long rows. Artists, makers, and food stalls give you plenty to browse, though prices run higher than a standard farmers market.
Go early if you want pie. Popular items sell out, and nothing stings like reaching an apple stand with empty shelves.
Kids get their own activities, and the grounds include gender-neutral restrooms. Parking is paid, both in lots and on nearby streets.
The fair takes place at 500 Ragle Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472.
3. California Avocado Festival, Carpinteria
Guacamole by the bucket. Avocado ice cream in a cone.
Yes, really.
Carpinteria hands over its main street each fall for the California Avocado Festival, and admission costs nothing. That alone makes it one of the easiest stops on any coastal road trip.
Live bands play throughout the day. Vendors line the pavement with crafts, snacks, and every avocado-infused food you can imagine.
Face painting keeps younger travelers happy. The scale stays manageable, so you can walk the whole thing without wearing out.
This quaint beach town sits just south of Santa Barbara, which makes it a smart pairing with a morning at the shore. Free parking lots and free street parking help, though spots go quickly.
Restrooms are available on site. Come hungry, and try the guacamole before the lunch rush hits.
You will find the celebration at 800 Linden Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013.
4. Solvang Danish Days Foundation, Solvang
A Danish parade in the middle of California? Solvang pulls it off every year.
Danish Days lands on the third weekend in September, making it one of the most reliably timed events on this list. Organizers call it California’s premier Danish heritage festival.
The Santa Ynez Valley setting does half the work. Half-timbered buildings and windmills already give the town its look, and the festival adds a parade down the main streets.
Bakeries are the real draw for me. Danish pastries paired with coffee or tea taste better when the whole town leans into the theme.
Rolling farmland surrounds Solvang, so scenic countryside drives sit minutes away in every direction. Plan a slow morning here before driving on.
On-site parking and restrooms are available near the festival area.
Base yourself around 1639 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA 93463, and let the pastry aroma guide you from there.
5. Apple Hill – High Hill Ranch, Placerville
Sacramento locals treat this drive as a fall ritual. High Hill Ranch anchors the Apple Hill region above Placerville, and it stays open from August through December.
Everything apple gets its moment here. Pies, cider, fritters, and fresh fruit straight off the farm fill the stands.
The setting deserves credit too. Rolling Sierra foothills, quiet ponds, and shade trees make the grounds pleasant even when crowds build.
Weekends stretch an hour later than weekdays, so time your visit accordingly. Rain does not ruin it either, since much of the shopping happens under cover.
Dogs are welcome, including inside, which makes this a rare farm stop for travelers with pets.
Parking options run from free lots and street spaces to paid on-site lots during peak weekends. Arrive before midday if you want an easy space.
Multiple generations of Camino and Placerville families keep coming back, and the ranch has earned that loyalty.
Visit at 2901 High Hill Rd, Placerville, CA 95667.
6. Kelseyville Pear Festival, Kelseyville
Pears rarely get their own party. Lake County disagrees.
Kelseyville built a community gathering around the pear harvest, and it stands out because so few festivals honor this particular fruit. The surrounding orchards have shaped local farming for generations.
Expect a small-town feel rather than a sprawling fairground. That is the appeal, and it makes the day easy to navigate.
Accessibility gets real attention here. The grounds include a wheelchair accessible entrance, a wheelchair accessible parking lot, and wheelchair accessible restrooms.
Lake County sits inland from the Sonoma coast, wrapped around Clear Lake and backed by oak-covered hills. The drive alone justifies the detour.
Pair the visit with time by the water. Late September usually brings warm afternoons and cooler evenings, so pack a light jacket.
Confirm dates before you commit, since community events can shift year to year.
Head for Kelseyville, CA 95451, and follow the crowds toward the pear crates.
7. Murphys Community Park, Murphys
Grape stomping in Gold Country? Murphys has been doing it for decades.
Murphys Community Park serves as the venue for Calaveras County’s signature autumn harvest event, the Grape Stomp and Street Fair. The park and the downtown fair run side by side.
A creek runs through the grounds, and a gazebo sits near the picnic areas. Concerts and picnics fill the calendar outside festival season too.
Families get plenty here. Swings, slides, a playground, barbecue grills, and public restrooms cover the basics.
Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds, so arrive early if you want a picnic table. The park stays open from morning until late evening.
Dogs are allowed, and parking includes free lots plus free street spaces nearby.
Historic Murphys itself is worth wandering, with a walkable main street lined by old buildings from the Gold Rush era.
Set your GPS to 505 Algiers St, Murphys, CA 95247.
8. Los Rios Rancho, Yucaipa
Oak Glen sits high in the San Bernardino mountains, and Los Rios Rancho makes the climb worthwhile.
Pick your own apples straight from the orchard. Then cross the road to the bakery tent for fresh apple pies and pressed cider.
The farm packs in plenty beyond fruit. Tractor rides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, carriage rides, trails, and a park keep every age group busy.
Barbecue meats and a cafe handle lunch. Seasonal programs like Movies on the Green and u-pick berries rotate through the calendar.
Dogs are welcome inside, which surprises a lot of first-time visitors traveling with pets.
Crowds swell on autumn weekends across Oak Glen, but parking here holds up well. Free lots and street spots ease the pressure.
The ranch closes on Wednesdays, so double-check daily availability before driving up.
Apple season peaks in September, making this a smart anchor for a Southern California harvest loop.
You will find it at 39611 Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa, CA 92399.
9. Julian Farm and Orchard, Julian
San Diego County hides a mountain apple town, and Julian Farm and Orchard sits right along the highway into it.
Seasonal pick-your-own produce drives the visit. A pumpkin patch opens as fall settles in, and an artificial ice rink appears later in the year.
Apple picking wraps up earlier here than at other Julian orchards. September travelers should plan accordingly and go sooner rather than later.
A food truck parks near the entrance and handles hungry visitors well. Grab something before wandering the rows.
Families move through easily, and the layout stays simple to navigate with small children.
The farm closes Tuesday through Thursday, so build your trip around the Friday to Monday window.
Free parking sits on site, along with restrooms including gender-neutral options.
Julian itself is famous for apple pie, so the whole area doubles down on harvest season. The drive up through the backcountry rewards you before you even arrive.
Address: 4381 Julian Hwy, Julian, CA 92036.
10. Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair, Bishop
Snow-capped peaks behind a Ferris wheel. Bishop delivers that view every Labor Day weekend stretch into September.
The Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair runs as a traditional agricultural gathering. Local exhibits, a carnival, rodeos, concerts, and demolition derbies fill the schedule.
Livestock shows and auctions form the backbone. Families return year after year for that part alone.
Food contests and art competitions include categories for children, so young travelers can actually participate rather than just watch.
A free rodeo and unlimited ride passes on Saturday make that the best value day. Plan around it.
Vendors serve a wide range of food, and staff work hard keeping the grounds tidy. Restrooms and showers stay notably clean, which matters if you are camping nearby.
Bishop anchors the Owens Valley along Highway 395, one of California’s most scenic drives.
Local artists perform throughout, giving the fair a personal, small-community feel.
Find the fairgrounds at 475 Sierra St, Bishop, CA 93514.
11. Avila Valley Barn, San Luis Obispo
Zucchini bread and olallieberry jam pulled me in. The hay maze kept me there longer than planned.
Avila Valley Barn operates as a family-owned farm just off the road between San Luis Obispo and Avila Beach. Country fun meets shopping in one easy stop.
Pony rides and tractor rides run for kids. Classic barbecue dishes handle lunch, and local produce fills the market side.
Fresh baked goods are the reason many travelers detour here. Pies, breads, and jams disappear quickly on weekends.
The barn opens daily with long hours, which makes scheduling simple during a Central Coast road trip.
Dogs are allowed, and parking is free in both the lot and along the street.
Pismo Beach and Avila Beach sit close by, so pair a morning at the shore with an afternoon on the farm.
Six-year-olds love this place. So do adults with a weakness for jam.
Stop by 560 Avila Beach Dr, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405.
12. Manteca Pumpkin Fair-Manteca Sunrise Kiwanis, Manteca, CA
Free admission, downtown streets, and pumpkin everything. Manteca knows how to close out harvest season.
The Manteca Pumpkin Fair reaches its 41st edition and takes over Library Park in downtown Manteca. Organizers run it as a family-friendly event with no admission fee.
Live entertainment plays through the day. Rides, food stalls, and pumpkin-flavored treats round out the lineup.
The 2026 dates fall on October 3rd and 4th, running from 10 am to 6 pm. That makes it the perfect bookend to a September road trip through the Central Valley.
Manteca Sunrise Kiwanis puts the whole thing together. Volunteer opportunities open up for visitors who want to pitch in.
Variety keeps people coming back across both days. Music, food, and social space suit every age group.
Manteca sits in San Joaquin County, close to Lodi and Stockton, so stacking farm stops is easy.
Kiwanis meeting details list 580 Moffat Blvd, Manteca, CA 95336.
13. Tanaka Farms, Irvine
A working farm in the middle of Orange County sounds unlikely. Tanaka Farms proves otherwise.
Three generations of families gather at this long-running interactive farm in Irvine. U-pick fruit, a market stand, seasonal pumpkin patch, and animals fill the property.
Education sits at the center of everything. Hands-on programs teach visitors where food comes from and how it reaches the table.
Japanese heritage runs through the farm’s story and its community events. Seasonal celebrations like the Hikari light experience draw big local crowds.
Fresh produce and organic products stock the market. Food is available on site, and the great produce reputation holds up.
Weekend mornings and afternoons get busy. Midweek visits, especially Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons, stay much calmer.
Parking covers free lots, street spaces, and paid options. Restrooms include gender-neutral facilities.
Doors open daily, so this works as a flexible finish to a Southern California harvest run.
Roll up to 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612, and grab a wagon seat.