Best Things To Do In Los Angeles In September (2024) (2024)

Looking for all the best things to do in Los Angeles in September?

While it’s a little early for most of the Halloween events in LA, there are a ton of Fall, Oktoberfest, and other events that take place all throughout the month of September.

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Best Things To Do In Los Angeles In September

Below are our recommendations of the best things to do in Los Angeles in September.

1. Magic Of The Jack O’Lanterns

Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns is located at the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area inSouth El Monte.

This event takes place on select nights from September 22nd – October 31st.

Enjoy pumpkin trails similar to events likeNights of the JackorPumpkin Nights.

Ticket prices currently start at $24.99 and if you buy your tickets before the opening day there are early bird specials.

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2. Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

This event is not recommended for children under the age of 12.

It’s located in theGriffith Parkarea and it starts on September 22nd.

In addition to the haunted hayride, the town square area is also interactive with scare actors.

There is also a haunted house and live show.

3. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood

This annual event at Universal Studios Hollywood happens on select nights throughout the Halloween season.

It is not recommended for young children or anyone that is easily scared.

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4. Escape Hotel Hollywood

Escape Hotel is an immersive experience where you can enjoy the restaurant, bar, and live entertainment before or after being escorted to your chosen escape room.

From the moment you walk into the lobby it’s like you’re inside a real Tower of Terror experience.

Escape room themes include Haunted Fair, Daycare Chapter, Resurrection, Attic, Zombie, Cursed Crypt, Slaughter, and Purgatory.

On their website, each room lists it’s escape rate to help you choose the level of difficulty that best suits your group.

You can also visit without doing the escape rooms and just enjoy the restaurant.

5. Hollywood Forever Cemetery

This tourist friendly cemetery is the final resting place of many well known celebrities throughout the years.

If the office is open during your visit, they sell a map for $5 or $6 showing you all the noteworthy spots to go to.

Some of the more popular grave sites are of Judy Garland, the dog who played Toto, Mel Blanc, Johnny Ramone, Mickey Rooney, Hattie McDaniel, Burt Reynolds, and more.

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6.Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Cemetery

This tiny, hidden cemetery is home to many stars.

Amongst the famous celebrities include Marilyn Monroe, Hugh Hefner, Don Knotts, Eva Gabor, Dean Martin, Natalie Wood, Mel Torme, and Rodney Dangerfield.

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7. Forest Lawn Cemetery – Glendale

This cemetery is massive and it’s a little harder to find individual grave sites, but there are many iconic people buried here.

The main reason we visited this cemetery was to see Walt Disney’s grave site.

He’s buried with several of his family members in a great location up on a hill amongst a garden.

A little ways away from him is Clark Gable.

8. The Haunt Ghost Tours

The Haunt Ghost Tours can be taken in LA, Temecula, and in Solvang.

These are paranormal investigation walking tours that take place in the evenings.

The LA tour takes place in Chinatown and when we took the tour our EMF readers picked up a ton of activity all throughout the night.

All locations tend to sell out in advance, so you’ll want to make sure to get your tickets early!

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9. Halloween Movie Screenings at Rooftop Cinema Club

They show films seven nights a week at their venues in San Diego, the LA Arts District, Downtown LA, and El Segundo.

Throughout the season, they’re featuring films like:

Films for all ages –Hocus Pocus, Coco, Hotel Transylvania, Cruella, Monsters Inc, Coraline, Halloweentown, The Nightmare Before Christmas

Halloween Classics –Halloween, The Craft, Beetlejuice, The Addams Family, Ghostbusters, Practical Magic, The Mummy,Scary Movie,Friday the 13th,Edward Scissorhands, It

Horror/Thriller Movies –The Ring, Scream, American Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, Final Destination, Zombieland, Get Out, The Conjuring, The Shining, Misery, The Cabin in the Woods, The Blair Witch Project, I Know What You Did Last Summer

Click for more information onRooftop Cinema Club’s Halloween movie screenings!

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10. LA Beer Fest At Los Angeles Center Studios

Update: This year’s festival will actually be held on October 12th, instead of in September!

There will be over 80 breweries, 200 beers, and 15 food trucks.

For entertainment, they’ll have live bands, Power 106 DJ, and more!

The event takes place from Noon to 3pm and 5pm to 8pm.

More Fun Things To Do In Southern California In The Fall

If you’re looking for more places to explore throughout the Halloween season, there is plenty to do in Southern California!

These are our favorite Fall events that we like to go to year after year.

🎃 Nights of the Jack Halloween Event in Calabasas

This night time event at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas is fun for everyone.

It’s got a pumpkin trail, which is the highlight of the event, plus food trucks and a “spookeasy”.

This is also a popular place to spot celebrities throughout the Fall season.

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🎃 Carved at Descanso Gardens

This family friendly night time event is hosted in La Canada Flintridge, in the area surrounding Pasadena, Glendale, and Burbank.

Descanso Gardens is most known for their Christmas lights, though they are now delving in to the spooky season too.

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🎃 Roger’s Gardens Witching Hour Halloween Boutique

This plant nursery in Corona Del Mar, near Newport Beach, has been transforming it’s Halloween boutique for several years now.

In the boutique you’ll find tons of Halloween decor and props.

Each year it gets a new theme and the theme for 2023 was The Witching Hour.

Some previous themes include The Nightmare Before Christmas, Cabinet of Curiosities, A Pirates Life For Me, and my personal favorite, Malice In Wonderland.

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🎃 Fearplex Presents LIGHTS OUT At Pomona Fairplex

This all new event is located at the LA County Fairgrounds and is for anyone 13+ years old.

There’s haunted mazes, zombie paintball, scare zones, food, drinks, and more.

🎃 Oktoberfest At Pomona Fairplex

On select weekends in October, enjoy this 21+ event filled with all the best German beers, German foods, and German bands.

Each night Oktoberfest runs from 6 pm – 11 pm.

🎃 Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch In Irvine

The best and most popular pumpkin patch in all of Orange County is easily Tanaka Farms.

They’ve even been featured in shows like The Real Housewives of Orange County.

Enjoy fun Fall activities like wagon rides, pumpkin picking, arts and crafts, and more.

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🎃 The Best Things To Do In Southern California This Fall

For even more ideas, check out our list ofall the best things to do in Southern California this Fall.

We’ve got events, festivals, Oktoberfests, Fall foliage towns, and more.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In Los Angeles In September

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we see about things to do in Los Angeles in September.

✓ Is September A Good Time To Visit Los Angeles?

September is generally a good time to visit Los Angeles.

Tourist crowds are smaller, making it easier to explore popular attractions.

However, wildfires can be a concern, potentially affecting air quality.

Just check for current conditions and plan activities accordingly.

✓ Can You Go To The Beach In September In Los Angeles?

Yes, you can go to the beach in September in Los Angeles.

The weather is typically warm during the day and the beaches are open year-round.

✓ What Clothes Should You Wear In LA In September?

In September, you should wear lightweight and breathable clothes in Los Angeles due to the warm and generally dry weather.

T-shirts, shorts, dresses, and comfortable footwear are suitable for daytime.

However, bring a light sweater or jacket for cooler evenings or unexpected temperature drops.

Sunscreen and sunglasses are essential.

Conclusion: Things To Do In Los Angeles In September

From festivals to cemetery events to limited engagements, there are so many things to do in Los Angeles in September.

Best Things To Do In Los Angeles In September (2024) (2024)

FAQs

Is September good to visit Los Angeles? ›

March, April, September and October are the peak months to visit Los Angeles. It's the perfect time to visit the beaches of L.A. because the weather is pleasant, neither too hot, nor too cold or wet.

How do you spend a perfect day in LA? ›

For the perfect day in Los Angeles, follow the sun; start in the East and make your way West. The short hike to Griffith Observatory with panoramic views of the city is the perfect way to start your day. Continue the day by uncovering some of the city's best coffee, juice, food and boutiques.

What happens in September in California? ›

September is traditionally a warm time for California, though the mountain resorts do begin their autumn chill. The festivals held in September celebrate the best of California's assets such as its almonds, wines and cultures with international food festivals.

Is it worth it to go to LA for 3 days? ›

We'll be the first to admit there's a lot to do in Los Angeles. From Hollywood showbiz and studio tours to amusem*nt parks and beaches, can you possibly fit it all into 3 days? The answer is yes, you can!

What should I wear in LA in September? ›

Even though the average temperature for Los Angeles in September may seem warm, a jacket is always useful for beach visits and cool evenings. Short-sleeved shirts and lightweight pants will become your everyday uniform while visiting. Shorts and heavier layers are good to bring for unexpectedly hot or chilly days.

Is September a hot month in Los Angeles? ›

The weather in Los Angeles in September is very similar to the summer with high temperatures, few showers and low humidity levels. The climate is perfect for exploring Hollywood Boulevard before heading to LA Fashion District for shops, entertainment and fine-dining restaurants.

What is the best area to stay in Los Angeles as a tourist? ›

Spectacular beachside: Santa Monica and its surroundings

Friendly and liberal, Santa Monica is also a great spot to visit - a compact, accessible bastion of oceanside charm. Santa Monica is most certainly one of the best areas to stay in Los Angeles.

How many days in Los Angeles is enough? ›

Depending on your tolerance for weather extremes, you may want to plan your visit accordingly. In general, we'd recommend planning to spend at least four to five days in Los Angeles if you want to see a variety of neighborhoods and attractions.

How much money do you need per day in Los Angeles? ›

To experience the fun side of the city, we recommend budgeting at least between $250 and $300 from your living expenses in Los Angeles. You can hike in one of the many hiking trails in and around the city, spend the day at the beach, see LA's skyline from the Griffith Observatory, or go to a Lakers game.

What part of California to visit in September? ›

Redwoods National Park

Redwood National Park is one of the best places to visit in California in September. The weather is warm and sunny, and it's the perfect in-between season – summers are very crowded, and the rain that this area is famous for doesn't start until October.

What fruit is in season in September in California? ›

Plums and Prunes can be picked from June through September and are at their tastiest in the summer and fall. Grapes are popular California seasonal produce that can be harvested throughout the second half of the year and are in season for almost the entire stretch of the calendar.

Is September a rainy month in California? ›

In September the west coast state of California is warm and dry, making this a great time of year to visit the likes of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Can I visit LA without a car? ›

Los Angeles has a network of subways, trains, and buses that stop at popular tourist destinations. Choosing a centrally located hotel made getting around the city a lot easier. Although most tourist destinations are accessible via public transportation, some require transfers.

How much do I need for 5 days in LA? ›

Solo traveller
Flights$1041
Accommodation$290
Food$30 per day
Activities$50 per day
Total$1891
Mar 21, 2020

What is the best month to visit Los Angeles? ›

The optimal periods for a Los Angeles visit are from March to May and from September to November. During these months, the weather is comfortably warm, the air quality is superior, and the tourist crowds are smaller, making it a great time for outdoor sightseeing and activities.

Is it good to visit California in September? ›

September is the early fall month in California, and it is one of the best times to enjoy a peaceful vacation. This month is one of the best times of the year to play on the beach and enjoy mesmerising sunsets.

Is September rainy season in California? ›

Statewide annual precipitation (1895-2023)

Precipitation totals are in inches and tracked by "water year," from the beginning of the ​typical start to the ​rainy season on October 1 through the following September 30, the end of the dry season.

Does it cool down in September in California? ›

In September the west coast state of California is warm and dry, making this a great time of year to visit the likes of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

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