Best Weekend Trips on the West Coast This Fall

Dig out your lederhosen and dirndls, it’s Oktoberfest time. The German Club of Anchorage celebrates its 52nd annual Oktoberfest October 4-5, at the Egan Convention Center. There’s German-style food and beer on the menu, bell-ringing performances, and two bands. The activities lineup includes bench dancing, which could be just the thing for anyone not feeling up to busting their best moves to Marge Ford & the Alaska Polka Chips.

The theme is Jurassic Alaska at the Seward Music and Arts Festival, set for September 27-29 at Seward’s Dale R. Lindsey Alaska Railroad Intermodal Facility. There are more than two dozen bands on the lineup, as well as art exhibitions, dance performances, and hands-on activities for kids. There’s a beer garden on the premises, along with crafts and food vendors offering regional specialties. Besides aiming to be fun, entertaining, inspirational and educational, the event has a low-environmental impact philosophy.

It’s not too late for a ranger-led walk in the woods at Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve. The two-hour nature walks continue every Saturday and Sunday through the end of October. The easy-paced activity covers up to three miles on a heavily forested trail with slopes ranging from easy to moderate. Hikers will venture through habitats of animals from petite (red squirrels) to massive (moose), plus birds, vegetation and more. Plan to wear sturdy shoes or boots; trail conditions may require mandatory snowshoes or grippers.

You’ve gotta love a town with a Chamber of Commerce that uses “There’s no place like Nome” as its slogan. And it’s probably true. The far western Alaska town has earned a place on lists of best places to view the aurora borealis (Northern lights), because of its low level of light pollution. By November, Nome has fewer than eight hours of daylight daily, and the weather is comparatively mild, with an average low of 11 degrees and average highs about 12 degrees warmer. The town’s road system shuts down as winter approaches, so you may have to fly in to see the sky show.

You’ve already seen leaf season in New England, why not try it on another coast? The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is the home of the Kodiak brown bear, but also a great place to see the reds and yellows of fall in all their glory. Though the very word “Alaska” brings to mind frigid temperatures, that’s not the case in the southeast portion of the state. Fall temperatures in Kodiak range from a relatively balmy 56 during the day in September and a cool 29-degree average for November nights.

The crowds thin out as fall comes to Yosemite Valley, but the sights are still spectacular. Enjoy walking, photography, birdwatching, stargazing, camping, fishing and other activities, as well as scenic drives through the glories of nature. Though most of the trees are evergreen, there’s some fall color likely because of maples, oaks and dogwoods. All areas of the park stay open through October or into November, though there may be occasional short closures at high elevations because of snow. Tire chains may be required on some roads in October or November.

Located in eastern San Diego County, Anza-Borrego State Park contains 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and miles of hiking trails. The desert terrain at California’s largest state park is home to wildlife like golden eagles, mule deer, big-horn sheep, iguanas and rattlesnakes. The temperatures drop come fall, making it an ideal time for hiking and exploring. The park should be the perfect spot for celebrating International Observe the Moon Night on October 5 under the clear desert sky, or stargazing at the Borrego Palm Canyon Campfire Center on October 19. Early risers may enjoy the 7:30 a.m. bird walk, offered October 6 and October 20.

Harvest season lasts through October in California’s Napa Valley, with numerous events scheduled throughout the fall. Even kids and dogs are invited to the Harvest BBQ at Rutherford Ranch Winery in St. Helena on September 28; there’ll be games and live entertainment in addition to the food and wine. On October 3 Fantesca Estate & Winery, also in St. Helena, starts the day with Champagne and breakfast, the ideal meal to get you in the mood to pick grapes, learn about winemaking, enjoy a poolside luncheon and indulge in wines and desserts in the tasting room. Bell Wine Cellar offers adults the chance to try their hand…uh, feet…at winemaking at a Stomp Party, where you can eat, drink and stomp grapes to your heart’s content on October 5.

There’s never a bad time of year to visit Lake Tahoe, the natural beauty and year-round outdoor activities are strong attractions. Straddling the California-Nevada border at an elevation above 6,000 feet, the lake is surrounded by evergreen forests, which will be punctuated this time of year with the bright hues of changing leaves. Fall brings a number of special events and celebrations to the area, such as Fall Fish Fest, marking the salmon migration at South Lake Tahoe’s Taylor Creek on October 5-6. Expect costumes, family fun and educational presentations. While you’re in the neighborhood, check out Oktoberfest on the same dates at nearby Camp Richardson, where you can linger in the beer garden, chow down on traditional foods, watch — or enter — a “peeps and pups” costume contest, or take a turn on the climbing wall.

There’s a lot to like in California’s oldest state park, Big Basin Redwoods. Huge, ancient trees, waterfalls, bobcats and birds, and 80 miles of hiking trails nestled in the Santa Cruz that meander through a variety of habitats from dense woods to the beach are among the wonders. Enjoy them at your own pace or check out the fall schedule’s full lineup of activities. Meet for coffee and crafts at a free October 6 event, or take one of the 90-minute redwood grove walks offered on weekends through October 27. Hearty souls can volunteer to work with a trail crew October 12 (BYO work gloves!) or sign up for the 11-mile Berry Creek Falls Hike set for October 13. You’ll have firm footing on two-hour dog-friendly walks along a traffic-free paved road to see the old-growth redwoods along Opal Creek, October 13, 20 and 27.

Portland and coastal Oregon get most of the love directed toward this state, but those in the know are familiar with treasures to be found by driving east, such as the pristine beauty of Crater Lake National Park. The lake’s blue waters go down almost 2,000 feet, making it the deepest in the U.S., and among the deepest in the world. Most of the park’s vegetation is old-growth forest, and there are deciduous trees adding bursts of fall color among the evergreens. Enjoy the sensational views on the scenic rim drive, by bike or on the extensive hiking trails, or just relax and take it all in from trolley tours offered through the end of September.

Vibrant fall foliage erupts along the rivers in Bend, Oregon, with the oft snow-capped Cascade Mountains forming a striking backdrop. Get to know the town at Bend’s Fall Festival, October 6. A Harvest Market offers a chance for some early holiday shopping; test your creativity at pumpkin painting to pique your Halloween spirit. And of course, taste regional specialties offered by a plethora of vendors.Learn to capture awe-inspiring images like these with your camera at a fall foliage photo workshop on October 19. A moderate hike yields photo-ops such as woods and waterfalls. Gear recommendations are provided in advance. The guides provide tips, along with snacks, beer and wine on the day of the workshop.

Portland is cat-lover central on September 28-29, at the Pop Cats Festival, focusing on pop culture, art and, of course, fabulous furry felines. More than 90 exhibitors are expected to flock into the Portland Convention Center, offering clothing, art, cat toys, accessories and all things kitty related. Cat playgrounds, cat adoptions, live music, workshops, face-painting and cat-tooes are among the activities at the family friendly event.

Take a short drive beyond the city limits for the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta in Tualatin on October 19. Entrants paddle the waters of the Lake at Tualatin Commons, in hollowed-out pumpkins big enough to make Cinderella envious. Pumpkin bowling, pumpkin golf, pumpkin tic-tac-toe and pumpkin checkers, are on the lineup, as is a pumpkin-pie eating contest. Bet you can quaff a pumpkin beer at this event, too.

The 93-acre Lithia Park, along the western edge of Ashland, Oregon, blazes with color in autumn, and a self-guided stroll will take you right into the heart of the impressive vegetation. The 100-plus-year-old park—about half of which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places—borders the site of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Don’t let the name fool you, the theater company offers productions of plays old and new, from “Macbeth” to “Hairspray,” in three venues—including the open-air Allen Elizabethan Theatre—through the end of October.

Located due west of Portland, the Tillamook Bay area has bay, ocean, rivers, forests and farmland in its backyard. Experience the bounty of land and sea at Crave the Coast: Coast-to-Table Festival in Garibaldi on September 28. Sample the wares of more than 40 chefs, winemakers and growers, and learn tricks of the trade through demonstrations and games.

Tillamook also boasts numerous hiking trails where walkers can experience the autumnal splendor of the trees, as well as aquatic views. Or do your leaf peeping the easy way aboard the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad’s Fall Splendor Excursion. The vintage trains make the two-hour round-trip on weekends through November 10.

Leavenworth, a Bavarian-style village nestled in the Cascades due west of Seattle, has been throwing a fall festival for more than 50 years. This year’s Autumn Leaf Festival, scheduled for September 27-29, includes a parade, brass band performances, a street dance and a classic car show.

This beautiful region has many opportunities for outdoor fun such as hiking, horseback riding, birdwatching and biking. Several breweries, wineries and distilleries offer tours and tastings.

Head east from the coast to experience the first taste of the new wine vintage at Fall Release Weekend, scheduled for November 1-3 in Walla Walla. Visit wineries, learn about the winemaking process from the pros, sample their wares and gain insights into expectations for the latest harvest’s yield. Several wineries offer wine and snack pairings, special dinners, live music, fireside tastings and art exhibitions, as well as an opportunity to purchase the wine at the source.

Tours of Walla Walla wineries are available on weekends into December.

The cool temperatures and moist air of coastal Washington make the region seem like an ideal site for the North Olympic Fiber Arts Festival, taking place in Sequim on October 4-6. Exhibitions, demonstrations and workshops are scheduled at this 14th annual event; there’s also a marketplace offering the fruits of the artists’ looms and needles.

For art of a different stripe, how about the Kinetic Sculpture Race in Port Townsend, October 5-6. Participants compete in “human-powered” vehicles they’ve created from found objects such as bike parts, Styrofoam and — everyone’s fave — duct tape. The Mediocrity Award, the event’s most coveted prize, shows racers’ devotion to not taking themselves too seriously.

If observing all this art has worked up an appetite, consider dropping by the 35th annual Oysterfest in Shelton, October 5-6, where pros vie for the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championship. Visitors can consume their fill of local seafood, wines and craft beers; enjoy live bands and maybe even adopt a cat while there.

Love the locavore life? Get an up close and personal look at it on the Orcas Island Farm Tour, set for September 28-29. Highlights include tastings of sweet and savory foods from single-varietal preserves to freshly smoked fish; exploring uses of medicinal herbs; and learning about farming best-practices.

The San Juan Brewing Company hosts its third annual Oktoberfest on October 12, in Friday Harbor. Games and activities include a costume contest, liter-holding competition, a German-themed menu, live entertainment and, of course, beer. There could be more than a dozen varieties of the bubbly brew on offer at this event, including San Juan’s Festbier.

Sample ciders hard and soft at the Whidbey Island Cider Festival on September 28. Expect an array of cider-friendly foods such as oysters and a variety of sausages, including elk, plus baked goods and more. The event will benefit the Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship, in Coupeville, where the festival will be held.

Want to make your own scarecrow? Or just taste locally crafted beers and wines? All of the above is on the agenda at the Whidbey Island Harvest Festival, October 5-6, in Langley, along with live music, food and crafts vendors, pumpkin carving and more.

The folks on Camano Island, Whidbey Island’s next-door neighbor, redefine surf and turf with their meat- and seafood-laden 24th annual Chili & Chowder Cook-Off. This year, two dozen professional and amateur chefs will gather at the Camano Center on November 9 to vie for top honors in chili, chowder and booth decor categories. Libations and live entertainment are also on the menu.