Fall in Placer County is something straight out of a dream, complete with picturesque views, a kaleidoscope of color, and crisp, welcoming mornings urging you to take on the day. So, when the question, “What should I do with my kids this fall?” comes up, the answer has never been clearer. Head to Placer County for a getaway the whole family can enjoy! From warm, tasty drinks to family-friendly activities, Placer County is sure to make your fall trip one worth remembering.
Pick the Perfect Produce
It is a basic and undisputed law of fall that you simply cannot allow the season to slip by without visiting a pumpkin patch or farm of some kind. Lucky for you and your family, Placer County has no shortage of farms, farmers’ markets, and designated pumpkin patches to fit this fall requirement. Starting in September, the Dora Dain Pumpkin Patch at Dueling Dogs Brewing Co. in Lincoln and Little Field Farms in Loomis will open their doors. And by October, you will find even more options, such as the Fowler Ranch Pumpkin Patch in Lincoln and the Rickey Ranch Pumpkin Patch in Granite Bay. The Horton Iris Garden and Pumpkin Patch in Loomis even offers a unique twist on this tradition, giving guests the opportunity to pick their own flowers as well. Similar you-pick farms like Sunset Ridge Fine Fruits in Newcastle and Serendipity Flowers in Lincoln grow seasonal produce and flowers like pomegranates, mandarins, sunflowers, amaranth, and so much more. Speaking of mandarins, don’t miss your chance to attend the Mountain Mandarin festival the weekend before Thanksgiving, where you will find a wide variety of mandarin-inspired products to try and take home with you. So, whether you’re hunting down the perfect pumpkin to carve, picking flowers for a fall bouquet, or gathering fresh produce to snack on, the farms in Placer County effortlessly provide everything you need to savor the festive spirit of autumn.
Sip On Seasonal Drinks
Once the fall breeze really kicks in, you’ll undoubtedly begin looking for an easy way to warm yourself right back up. Well, what better (and tastier) way to do just that than with a festively flavored, warm drink from a local café? You and your family can find the joys and comfort of fall in every sip and bite from local favorites like Depoe Bay Coffee Company and The Pour Choice in Auburn, Newcastle Produce Café in Newcastle, Smithville & Co. and Flower Farm Café in Loomis, Snapdragon Provisions in Colfax, Pause Coffee House in Rocklin, or Rebel Hen Café in Lincoln. Each menu offers its own unique take on bottling up the cozy flavors that have become synonymous with the season, like pumpkin, apple, peppermint, and brown sugar. From steaming drinks to seasonal pies, muffins, and tarts, there is truly no shortage of tasty treats to try. Here are some of our favorites worth checking out:
- Depoe Bay Coffee Company (Auburn): Gingerbread Latte, Peppermint Mocha, Pumpkin Spice Latte, or Spiced Brown Sugar Latte.
- The Pour Choice (Auburn): Field Spice Latte, Brown Sugar Latte, or the Spiced Apple Chai Cider.
- Newcastle Produce Café (Newcastle): Seasonal Lattes and Scones.
- Smithville & Co. (Loomis): Signature 1862 Latte, Brown Sugar Latte, or the White Mocha.
- Flower Farm Café (Loomis): Hot Chocolate and Seasonal Pastries.
- Snapdragon Provisions (Colfax): Classic Pecan Pie, Vegan Apple Pie, or the Gluten Free Chocolate Cream Pie.
- Pause Coffee House (Rocklin): Maple Latte, Thai Iced Coffee, Honey Lavender Lemonade, or White Chocolate Mocha.
- Rebel Hen Café (Lincoln): London Fog, Shakerato, Matcha or Lincoln Sunrise.
Follow Trails of Gold
Tired of only seeing the beauty of fall from a window or from far away? Embark on an easy fall hike to put yourself right in the middle of the magic! Families looking for some of the best views of golden, sunlit leaves and lush canyons can lace up and head out for an easy hike along the North Fork of the Middle Fork Trail in Foresthill (1.03 miles each way), or the historic Griffith Quarry Park and Museum in Penryn, which features five easy trails just under 1 mile in distance. If your family prefers a more intermediate, longer biking or hiking trip, worry not; the Hidden Falls Trail in Auburn (3.2 mile loop) and the Miner’s Ravine Trail in Roseville (8.8 miles each way) offer smooth rides and similarly photo-worthy views. Although all beautiful and special in their own way, these trails are specifically ideal for families of varying skill levels who are looking to soak up some fresh air and reconnect with the great outdoors. So, if that sounds like you, gear on up and get out there!
Harvest More Fall Experiences
Of course, the fun of the season doesn’t stop at admiring the leaves and frolicking through a field of pumpkins. If you’re looking for beyond the traditional fall festivities, you are in luck. Placer County is home to a wide variety of other exciting activities and events to keep your family thoroughly entertained, no matter what you’re in town for. Families visiting for a sports tournament might enjoy killing time in between games at the local bustling art gallery, Blue Line Arts gallery in Roseville, AMF Rocklin Lanes, Top Golf Roseville, or one of the mini golf courses, like the Magic Carpet Miniature Golf course in Carnelian Bay, North Lake Tahoe. Where families coming for a vacation might enjoy something a bit more time-consuming, like a trip to the Goathouse Brewing Co. Farm in Lincoln to pet and feed the baby goats, an indoor skydiving lesson at iFLY in Roseville, a day at the thrilling Roseville Golfland Sunsplash amusement park, or attending an event like the Auburn Harvest Festival in October, for a day of entertainment. The urban adventurers among us can enjoy a trip to Quarry Park Adventures in Rocklin for some zip lining, and rock climbing in the historic old Quarry site. You can also take a long stroll through the Westfield Galleria or The Fountains, both located in Roseville, for a well-deserved shopping spree at over 240 luxury retailers like Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, and Zara, all of which pair perfectly with restaurants like Land Ocean, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, or The Cheesecake Factory. No matter what your family gets up to, you are sure to have a good time!
From scavenging through the pumpkin patch for your perfect front porch fall addition and sipping on seasonal drinks to making the most of your time with local adventures, Placer County is undeniably the perfect destination for a fall adventure. Whether you’re a local making the most of the season or a visitor passing through town, there is simply no better place to celebrate the season with your family.
Plan your family visit to Placer County today to make the most of the beautifully festive fall season.