Annual Fall Events around Berkeley

No matter what time of year you choose to do one of the UC Berkeley study abroad programs, there will be much to explore in the Bay Area. Immersing oneself in a new city and culture always adds to the educational experience outside of the classroom. Yulu, an SAF China Global Ambassador, relished exploring Central California: "On the weekends, I would go to Berkeley with my new friends to visit the campus and San Francisco to see the scenery. This experience improved my professional skills and gave me confidence and expectations for my future career development.”

SAF China Global Ambassador Yifan, recalls the inviting and beautiful environment surrounding the university. “The difficulty of jet lag and the different eating habits exhausted me. But it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with this place. First of all, the weather in California is sunny almost every day, and the climate is very cool. This relaxed and happy environment is beautiful to me.”

Fall is one of the greatest seasons to be at Berkeley and experience the autumn spirits that sweep across San Francisco. With the harvest season at its best, this time of year offers pumpkin patches, apple orchards, corn mazes, festivals, and artisan fairs. When it's time to step away from the books and explore some local culture, attend these fantastic events to get a taste of the fall.

Autumn Lights Festival

Uniting nature lovers and art enthusiasts across the Bay Area, this fundraiser for Oakland's Gardens at Lake Merritt includes paintings, performing arts, and refreshments. The community can't get enough of this unique interactive art experience. Attendees of this spellbinding event should expect to be captivated by the fifty or more lit art exhibits created in the area, which will shimmer and shine throughout Oakland's cherished municipal gardens.

Berkeley Bird Festival

Birding field excursions, chalk painting, a lecture series called "Winged Wonderment," and other bird-themed activities are part of the Berkeley Bird Festival, a free public event to respect and promote our native biodiversity. With help from the UC Berkeley Chancellor's Community Partnership Fund and the City of Berkeley, the Golden Gate Bird Alliance and California ICAN put on this festival to celebrate the beauty of our feathered neighbors. Come learn how to grow and energize the movement to protect birds and animals and nurture human communities.

Half Moon Bay Arts & Pumpkin Festival

The Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival takes place every year around the weekend of pumpkin harvest in Half Moon Bay, California, about an hour from Berkeley. It is one of California's oldest and most prominent local events, dating back to 1971, and is free to attend. Over 250 artisan booths, seasonal beverage and food vendors, pumpkin carving, live music, games, racing, and other activities are included during the event. Remember to snap a picture with the 2,000-pound giant pumpkin, and remember that all money raised will be used to improve the downtown area of HMB and support local projects. 

Clancy's Pumpkins & Christmas Trees

Clancy's Pumpkins & Christmas Trees is a multi-generation San Francisco business that began operations in December 1949 to provide San Franciscans with the best and freshest trees. Nowadays, in October, visitors to the patch will discover pumpkins of various sizes and shapes, gourds, and an unending supply of corn. Enjoy a hay ride in the heart of San Francisco while taking home pumpkins for carving, decorating, or baking into pies. See the live turkeys, scarecrows in the patch, and the spooky beings in the trees, and take your chance to escape the exciting corn maze. 

Fleet Week

If you're interested in planes and military machines, Fleet Week is a must-see. Every year, spectators worldwide converge on Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge to see the San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show. This waterfront event features the United States Navy Blue Angels as the featured performers. It is unique among American air shows, including a scripted performance by a commercial aircraft, the United 777. 

If you want to study abroad at UC Berkeley in the fall, have this list available to enjoy an American autumn fully!