As summer fades, here are some ways to enjoy the fall

Photo by Isabelle Wang

Golden lattice crust apple pie made following AllRecipe instructions.

As fall comes around, pumpkins appear in the entrances of supermarkets and stores stock up on seasonal drinks. 

Fall marks the commencement of school and the stressful lifestyle that comes with it. The Falcon has curated a list of activities you can do with friends and family as a mini break to take your mind off school.

Go to the pumpkin patch

One of the most popular and well-known fall activities is going to a pumpkin patch, such as Saratoga’s very own Queens Pumpkin Patch.

As you enter from the parking lot, you’re greeted by an array of pumpkins lying in the soil and small stations including a hay and cow ride, a petting zoo and a hamster ball. 

Walking around, you can smell the sugary cotton candy and buttery popcorn sold near the ticket booth. The ground is covered in hay, adding a farm feel to the patch. A couple of tents provide shade from the sun. 

The patch, located on Saratoga Avenue, is filled with pumpkins of different sizes and colors. Cardboard cutouts of skeletons and cartoon characters decorate the walking areas — perfect for a quick photoshoot. 

Although a bit pricey, around $20 for a medium-sized pumpkin, Queen’s Pumpkin Patch is a fun place that I enjoyed growing up. The place hasn’t changed much, so it’s nostalgic to go back and experience it all again.

Bake a pie

Another simple yet fun activity is baking pies. The warm and buttery scent of pies baking in the oven can cause anyone’s mouth to water. The cost is low and doesn’t require a lot of preparation or time. 

The recipe I use only requires five ingredients: pie dough, fruits or berries, butter, sugar and any additional spices you’d like. 

It takes around two hours to make, including preparation and baking time. Once the crust is golden and the aroma of sweet spices waft in your kitchen, the pie is finished baking.

Using different techniques, you can also customize the pie to fit your aesthetic: open-faced, lattice top or a braid crust, among other options. 

Making a pie and splitting up the work is the perfect activity to spend time with friends.

Pick apples

I also love to pick apples at Gizdich Ranch, which is about an hour’s drive away from Saratoga near Corralitos. This is a great excuse to take a day trip to a beautiful spot.  

Gizdich Ranch has a simple layout with a great view to sit down and take a break in nature. Wooden benches and low hanging trees surround their sales barn, adding a rustic feel.

You can spend hours in the apple orchards, walking from tree to tree picking ripe apples. Everywhere you go, you can smell the sweet, crisp scent of apples drifting in the air.

There is also a deli where you can buy pies, juice, ice cream, pastries and sandwiches to enjoy during a picnic.

Whether it’s taking a break by getting some fresh air in an apple orchard or de-stressing by rolling out some pie dough, these activities can not only create new fall traditions with friends and family but also help you recharge and bounce back to school with a positive mindset.