Some people say Spring Quarter is the best, but they have it all wrong. You can’t beat the Fall feeling of seeing your best friends after months, trying all the new autumn items at the Westwood Trader Joe’s and most importantly, sensing the holidays right around the corner. There is a certain energy to Fall Quarter that everyone should make the most of, and here are some great bucket list items to do with your besties, roommates or whoever the most important people in your life are:
- Echo Park Swan Boats
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Los Angeles Autumns are still pretty warm. Heck, it’s October and the lowest temperature in the 10-day forecast is 75 degrees. However, the cold weather is going to sneak up on us before we know it, so it’s time to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. One fun activity to do is the Swan Boats at Echo Park. It is a little out of the way, but rideshares are affordable if you go during a non-peak time (especially if you split the fare with your friends). Or if you are up for some extra bonding time, the bus is anywhere from one hour to 90 minutes. You can even make a day out of it if you go on the weekends and catch the nearby Silver Lake Flea Market as well, where you can find some pretty awesome stuff.
- Paint A Fall Pottery Item at Color Me Mine
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Need some fall decor for your apartment or dorm? Maybe you make something personalized from Color Me Mine. Right down the street in Beverly Hills is an adorable pottery shop with a variety of ceramics, including multiple Fall items. I was just there and saw pumpkins, ghosts, turkeys and many other Fall-themed designs. Bus and car rides are quick and there is something to paint for all price ranges! Color Me Mine is also on an adorable street, so after you spend a couple of hours painting, go to Upper Crust Pizza, the french bakery or one of the other multiple restaurants close by.
- Bake a Trader Joe’s Seasonal product
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We are in the era of pumpkin spice and everything nice at Trader Joe’s, from pumpkin cinnamon rolls to pumpkin oatmeal cookie mix and so much more. If you are in an apartment, the opportunities are endless. You can even create your own recipe if you are up to it! All the Trader Joe’s influencers have been doing their variation of pumpkin french toast using the pumpkin brioche bread mix. Don’t worry if you’re in the dorms — you can use the Hitchen to bake or you can even get non-perishable seasonal items like Spooky Bats and Cats or Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s. Altogether, you can make a Fall TJ’s charcuterie board. You can also get things like pumpkin cream cheese, keep it in your mini-fridge and save it to eat with a bagel from The Study.
- Visit a “Pumpkin Patch”
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Los Angeles does not really have pumpkin patches, but there are dedicated spaces for lots of pumpkins. You can pick up a pumpkin at The Grove, or you can travel to some of the nearby “patches” like Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch in West LA, Mr. Jack O’Lanterns on Santa Monica Boulevard and Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in Culver City. Maybe you can drink a pumpkin cold brew and pretend you are in the countryside
- Visit the Melrose Rooftop Theater
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There are so many new film releases this Fall, and going to the Melrose Rooftop Theater is such a fun, unique way to experience them. Grab some friends (and some blankets) and enjoy a film and a nice view. There are bean bag chairs, international food stands and cocktails! It’s perfect to do it now before the nights get too cold. Unfortunately, you do have to be 21+ for this event, so this is for my junior and senior girlies!
- Visit the Art of Costume Design
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Calling all my fashion and film lovers! The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising is having a limited edition Fall exhibit on costume design. Don’t miss the opportunity to look at amazing outfits and take advantage of living in the best city in America for film. The exhibit ends on November 5th!
- Visit the Rose Bowl Flea Market
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We all just finished moving in and your room may be missing a few extra touches. Rather than taking another trip to the Westwood Target, find some unique items at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. It takes place on the second Sunday of every month and has a variety of vendors with vintage, handmade and other one-of-a-kind items you won’t find in stores!
- Haunt-o-ween
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I’m personally a Christmas girl, but I know a lot of people who are into the spooky season. If you are looking for something to get hyped for Halloween, check out Haunt-O-Ween. It is a pop-up Halloween village that isn’t super scary and has photo ops, candy and more. It’s exclusive to LA and New Jersey, so it’s definitely worth checking out!
Fall Quarter doesn’t have to be all about studying and readjusting. There are so many activities LA has to offer, so get out there this Fall and start your year strong both academically and socially!