SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — We might not get the changing colors of the seasons in San Diego, but we still have plenty of fall-time traditions. From an annual Oktoberfest in East County to apple picking in Julian to a pumpkin patch in Valley Center, these memories of autumn in the 1980s and 1990s might give you ideas of how to spend some time this year.
La Mesa Oktoberfest 1984
Though 6,000 miles away from Munich, Germany - La Mesa is fond of putting on its own yearly Oktoberfest. In 1984, they were doing so for the 10th year and News 8's Chris Saunders was there to capture the sights and sounds as the East County neighborhood went Bavarian with beer tents and bratwurst. And they'll do it again starting Friday, Oct. 1 and going all weekend this year.
Words and pictures of fall in Santa Ysabel 1986
For this piece in 1986, News 8's Hal Clement captured the beauty of fall in the mountains of Santa Ysabel through the eyes of some young artists. Many of the students at the Spencer Valley School shared images they created of trees with falling leaves. Others painted something a little different.
Though the foliage they observed was more green than the fall colors they painted, the youngsters found other ways to enjoy the mighty oak tree.
Apple season in Julian 1994
Apples of all sorts were ripe and ready in the fall of 1994 when News 8's Robin Mangarin visited Julian. She spoke to growers about their crops that year which produced 25 different varieties with interesting names including Rome Beauty and Hyslop Crab. While most people flocked to Main Street, other apple sellers tried to draw crowds to areas outside the main drag.
Larry Himmel presents 'News from Julian' in fall 1997
News 8's Larry Himmel captured small-town charm in this piece dubbed "News from Julian" in 1997. There was a new pie on the market - the apple mountain berry - and a new building going up. Himmel jokingly asked a local if it was going to be a Starbucks Coffee with a Ben and Jerry's on top. A bluegrass festival was coming up in Julian as was apple season - a sure sign of fall.
A visit to Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center in fall 1997
One staple of the fall season in San Diego County is a trip to Bates Nuts Farm in Valley Center. On this visit in 1997, News 8's Larry Himmel found an assortment of adorable pumpkin lovers. Some were learning about bees pollinating the pumpkins while others were planning how they would carve their gourd for Halloween. Kiddos were also treated to hayrides and of course, frolicking around in the pumpkin patch.