When the first crisp morning hits, our valley shifts gears. Farmers’ markets swap peaches for pumpkins, trailheads fill with hikers and hot cocoa, and neighborhoods glow with porch lights and mums. Fall in Santa Clara County is more than a season—it’s a rhythm: slower sunsets, closer conversations, and gatherings that remind us why we love calling this place home.
Before we jump into ideas, here’s a fall moment that feels true here: school traffic settles into a rhythm, practice bags live by the door, and calendars fill with game times and parent group chats. The sun dips earlier, dinner moves up a half hour, and the porch lights click on before the last carpool pulls in. Cleats air out by the back step, a crock‑pot hums, and homework spreads across the table next to a stack of permission slips. Every now and then, we catch a gentle rain and everyone exhale‑laughs, “finally.” It’s the ordinary cadence of October—steady, family‑first, and full of small wins that make a house feel like home. And, I love it!
Here’s your family‑friendly, community‑minded guide to making the most of October:
1) Celebrate the Harvest
- Fall Festival at Martial Cottle Park (Oct 11, 9am–2pm): Crafts, live demos, local makers, Master Gardeners, and more at our historic Cottle ranchlands.
- Info & map: parks.santaclaracounty.gov/fall-festival
- Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch (Coyote Valley, through early Nov): Hay rides, corn maze, sunflower photo ops, pumpkin blasters (the kids will talk about it all year). Free admission; onsite tickets for activities.
- Calendar & hours: spinafarmspumpkinpatch.com
- Day on the Bay (Alviso Marina, Oct 4, 10am–3pm): A shoreline festival with family activities, community resources, and a gorgeous South Bay setting.
- Details: parks.santaclaracounty.gov/day-bay-2025
2) Go Wild(ly Local)
- Open Space Authority Hikes & Volunteer Days: From birding at Sierra Vista to full‑moon and sunset hikes at Coyote Valley, these docent‑led outings are perfect for multi‑generational groups.
- Events: openspaceauthority.org/upcoming-events
- Santa Clara County Parks Steward Days: Pitch in with tree‑watering or park care—kids earn serious bragging rights.
- Calendar: parks.santaclaracounty.gov/events
3) Dress Up the Season (Kid‑Approved)
- Happy Hollow’s Green Halloween: Eco‑minded costumes, critter shows, rides, and treats—fun included with admission.
- What to expect: happyhollow.org/green-halloween
- Children’s Discovery Museum: October brings hands‑on art, story time, and inclusive seasonal events like Play Your Way – Halloween (designed for children with autism and their families).
- Calendar & tickets: cdm.org/calendar/
4) A Little Spooky (but make it South Bay)
- Winchester Mystery House: Classic mansion tours plus limited seasonal add‑ons. For older kids and brave grownups, it’s the most San Jose October thing ever.
- Tickets: winchestermysteryhouse.com
- Bay Area “tricks & treats” roundups: If you love lists (me!), regional guides help you plan weekend adventures from pumpkin patches to neighborhood trick‑or‑treat strolls.
5) Cozy Up at Home (Wendy’s quick wins)
- Five‑minute front‑door refresh: Swap a summer wreath for eucalyptus or dried wheat, set a low lantern, and add a textured doormat.
- Apple‑cinnamon stovetop simmer: 1 sliced apple, 1 cinnamon stick, orange peel, and a splash of vanilla—simmer on low while you help with homework.
- The “Sunday Soup + Story” ritual: Everyone brings a short story from their week to the table (a win, a whoops, or a wonder). It’s how my family resets before the week starts.
Why I Share Guides Like This
For more than 40 years in Santa Clara County (and 21 years guiding clients through big moves), I’ve learned that home is built as much by moments as by square footage. Fall is the perfect time to gather those moments—on a hay ride, under red‑gold maples, or on your own front porch with cocoa.
Thinking about a move by year’s end or early spring? Let’s plan your most supported next step—pricing, timing, and prep that match your season of life.
Warmly,
Wendy Marioni
“The Most Supported Move You’ll Make”