Believe it or not, the fall season has arrived. That means it's time for a light jacket, maybe a scarf, beautiful fall foliage, and right around the corner - Halloween. No matter your age or station in life, you most likely appreciate at least a little bit of frightening-themed fun. This year, consider taking your spooktacular activities up a notch by embarking upon a Halloween train ride that is scary fun for the entire family!
Every fall season, folks all over the Northern California area seek out something new and exciting to do for Halloween.
That’s where the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad comes in! Located in the town of Fish Camp a little over an hour north of Fresno via Highway 41, and about equidistant from the entrance to Yosemite National Park, the company has been a fixture here since 1965.
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Throughout the year they offer a series of themed train rides including a Yosemite Jazz Train and Moonlight Special.
But at Halloween, their historic steam engines turn into fun and spooky railroad adventures. This year’s rides take place on October 29, 30, and 31. A hot dog/hamburger chip dinner is served at 5:00 p.m., and the train boards at 6:00 p.m.
Don your favorite or new Halloween costume and bring the family or a group of friends. The more the merrier!
A wonderful way to start your adventure here is to visit their Thornberry Museum. Here, artifacts and detailed stories provide a bit of history about the Sugar Pine Railroad and its role in the logging industry in the Northern California area.
We hope this guy is not really conducting the train!
In addition to the spooky ride, Halloween revelers can enjoy trick-or-treating at the "Kids’ Depot," pumpkin decorating, and face painting, among other activities.
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No matter your age, Halloween seems to bring out the child in all of us.
Sit back, relax, enjoy the ride, and be sure to take lots of photos.
Other activities offered here throughout the year include gold panning, school field trips, and private tours. The latter is perfect for corporate or association meetings, parties, weddings and receptions, and other gatherings.
Have you dared to ride the Halloween train at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad? If so, we’d love to see your photos and hear about your experience. You can also find out about their year-round special events on their Facebook page.
If you listen closely, you can almost hear all of the best Christmas lights in NorCal switching on for the holiday season. No matter where in NorCal you live, there's bound to be a stunning display of Christmas lights in close proximity to you. However, if you're looking for a truly unforgettable experience at one of the state's largest and most epic displays, you need to look no further than Widmer World in Northern California. Often regarded as one of the most fantastic holiday experiences around, this is the type of display that could make the Grinch's heart grow two sizes!
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Experience one of Northern California's most epic Christmas displays when you visit Widmer World in the town of Pleasanton. This popular holiday attraction is officially open for the season and it's bound to fill you with holiday spirit.
The light displays during Widmer World during Christmas in NorCal usually run through most of December, but you'll have to check the website for the exact dates. This Christmas in California is free to attend and it makes for a truly unforgettable holiday experience with your loved ones.
This beloved display of string lights and Christmas decor is one of the most extravagant in the entire state, so it's no wonder the event typically brings in thousands of families each and every year. Those who brave the crowds get rewarded with a unique experience that embodies everything we love about the holiday season. It's also one of the most fun things to do in Pleasanton with kids.
Widmer World is the passion project of local couple Bob and Susan Widmer. They started their display back in 1983 with just a handful of wooden cutouts perched on their roof. The Widmers would add more and more decorations every year, eventually ending up with one of the most impressive holiday attractions all of California has to offer.
Instead of shying away from its popularity, Widmer World in Northern California became better because of it. The Widmers are always looking for ways to change up the display so that each year is a surprise for guests. It definitely pays off, as visitors are whisked away into a wonderland of both eccentric and magical Christmas decorations.
Guests who visit Widmer World will find themselves immersed in an atmosphere of figurines, model trains, multi-colored lights, and fully decorated Christmas trees. You'll be simply mesmerized by the display from the moment you see it. There's just SO much to look at. It's like Christmas in NorCal is all concentrated in one gorgeous place!
Visiting Widmer World almost feels like stepping into a real-life Christmas fantasy. It's definitely a holiday display that's earned its fame, so be sure to add this stunning destination to your holiday to-do list for a magical evening with your family.
Take a look at this video of a previous year's Widmer World in Northern California event by @abc7news:
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Have you had the opportunity to visit the best Christmas lights in NorCal at Widmer World yet this year? Head to the Widmer World website for more information on the event. Don't wait too long to see this incredible destination! Check out more jaw-dropping holiday spots with our list of magical Main Streets in Northern California.
Summer was just made for adventure. Here in SoCal, there are some things that are just better in the summer, and even others we can only enjoy this time of year. Have you made your summer bucket list? I am here to tell you that you don't have to leave the state to have a stellar summer season, and to prove it, here are nine unforgettable summer activities In Southern California that will make it one for the books.
Summer festivals abound in SoCal celebrating everything - tacos and tequila, wine and beer, fruit and flowers, music, and everything else you can imagine. One festival everyone should experience at least once is the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach, California’s longest-running outdoor fine arts exhibition. It features the work of some 140 local artists - from paintings to jewelry to handcrafted furniture and more. Arguably the most spectacular part of this over 90-year-old annual event is the renowned Pageant of the Arts, which brings famous artworks to life in front of your eyes.
Jetski2Catalina offers an unforgettable experience, crossing the ocean from Long Beach to Catalina Island on a jet ski. Not only is it a thrill to be out on the open water, but you’ll have plenty of adventures within the adventure. Ride among pods of dolphins, catch a glimpse of migrating whales, get up close to California sea lions, and even see giant sunfish. You’ll stop to do a little snorkeling along the way and enjoy a few hours at Catalina’s Two Harbors.
In the sparkling warm turquoise waters of San Diego’s La Jolla Cove, you can swim with beautiful leopard sharks. Scores of these docile, spotted sharks gather super close to the shore each summer - so close, in fact, you can wade right in from the sand and swim among them. Leopard sharks are just one example of the beautiful marine life you can enjoy in La Jolla. Bring your mask and snorkel to get a clear view of the sharks, bright orange Garibaldi, and even an occasional sea turtle! And keep your eyes peeled above the water, too, as dolphins can often be seen playing in the surf offshore.
About an hour’s drive (up a winding mountain road) from Santa Barbara is a popular hiking trail that leads to one of the coolest natural swimming holes, known as Red Rock Pool. There is a parking area and vault toilet at the Gibraltar Trailhead and the main pool is just a short half-mile hike in, surrounded by dramatic rock formations. If you prefer not to share, there are several pools as you hike further along the trail, each more secluded and less crowded than the last.
If you live near (or are visiting) the LA area, a visit to Paradise Cove Beach Cafe is an absolute must. During summer and on weekends, the wait can be pretty lengthy without a reservation, but either way, it’s worth it. Enjoy a delicious brunch - with huge portions and delicious cocktails - with your toes in the sand and the ocean breeze in your hair. Spend the afternoon on the beautiful sandy beach for a relaxing day.
Lying just a few miles off the coast of Southern California is a string of five islands that make up the incredible Channel Islands National Park and offer a vast array of fantastic adventures. The park (including the water around it) is a marine sanctuary with some of the best diving in the state. There are hiking trails with spectacular views, gorgeous beaches, seals and other wildlife, sea caves you can explore by kayak, a lighthouse, camping, and much more to explore. Check out the different island trips offered by Island Packers and start planning your adventures in this unique national park.
Warm summer evenings are ideal for movies in the great outdoors and Street Food Cinema turns them into a bucket list-worthy event. Throughout the summer, a wide range of movies are featured at several scenic locations around Los Angeles. There are food trucks, photo ops, and live pre-show entertainment. Bring your chairs, blankets, friends, kids, and dogs for a unique night of cinema fun.
Summer is baseball season, especially here in SoCal where we have three Major League baseball stadiums. We've got the Los Angeles Dodgers in the heart of LA at Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Angels at Anaheim's Angel Stadium, and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Whatever team gets you on your feet and wherever you happen to live, there is nothing quite like the fun and excitement of being in the stands at a live game - cheering on your team with the crowd, doing the wave, eating classic foods and drinking a cold beer, and maybe catching an ice cream or a bag of peanuts from a wandering vendor.
The Southern California coast is one of the best places to get out on the water and chase migrating whales. During summer months, the largest mammals on the planet - blue whales - come up to us from Mexico to feed on abundant krill. Book a tour with Davey's Locker in Newport Beach for one of the most exciting and unforgettable water tours in the state. In addition to whales, you'll likely see hundreds (even thousands) of dolphins, sea lions, and awesome views of the coastline.
So, what does your summer bucket list include? We would love to hear about your favorite summer adventures and which of these awesome places and activities you've already experienced. Whatever time of year it is, we've got tons of ideas for you, so be sure to check in and peruse our favorite summer activities in Southern California! Need a few more ideas for summer? Here are a few more of our best summer ideas.
