Free Halloween event in OC

Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill Historical Park

Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest is hosting its sixth annual Fall-O-Ween, and it's free. Catch it tonight and tomorrow (Oct. 17-18), or come back Oct. 23-25.

Wear a costume and enjoy decorated historic grounds, fall-themed photo spots, a scavenger hunt for ghoulish goodies, and a spooky straw maze. Leashed pets are welcome, and light refreshments are available for purchase.

• When: Oct. 16-18 and 23-25, 4:30-8:30 p.m.
• Where: 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
• Cost: Free admission and parking
• Info: (949) 923-2230

Grab your costume and camera for a festive night out.

Pumpkin Rock Hike in Norco, CA: A Family Heads-Up

 I hiked Pumpkin Rock and wanted to share what I wish I'd known before heading up. The views from the top are beautiful, but this one is best for healthy, active hikers, not an easy family stroll.

The honest take: The trail is steep and uphill almost the whole way, and the loose gravel makes it risky if you're not wearing proper shoes. I watched several people trip and lose their balance. If you're fit and prepared, it's a rewarding hike. If not, take your time on the way to the top.

Getting there: The neighborhood entrance is at 3500 Crest View Drive, Norco, CA. There are several ways onto the trail, but this is the easiest, much better than going through the horse stables. Since it's a residential street, please park respectfully and keep noise down.

Trail facts

• Distance: about 1.7 miles for the loop (1.5 to 3.2 miles depending on where you start)
• Elevation gain: roughly 300 to 400 feet
• Time: about 30 to 53 minutes
• Terrain: steep dirt and gravel, with rutted, sandy, slippery sections
• Shade: little to none
• Strollers and wheelchairs: not recommended
• Dogs: welcome on a leash

Tips for families

• Wear shoes with good traction or hiking boots. Worn-sole sneakers won't cut it.
• Older hikers may want a walking stick.
• Bring plenty of water, since there's no shade.
• Keep a close eye on little ones near the steep drop-offs and the loose slope on the final push to the rock.
• Watch for wildlife like snakes and tarantulas.
• Go slow, and enjoy the view when you get there.

Bottom line: Kids with basic hiking experience and healthy adults will do fine with the right gear and a steady pace. For anyone with mobility or balance concerns, this one is probably best skipped.

Happy trails!

Free Field Trip: Yakult Factory Tour in Fountain Valley, CA

 Free Field Trip: Yakult Factory Tour in Fountain Valley, CA

Quick Facts

• Cost: Free
• Length: About 60 minutes
• When: Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), at 10 AM, 2 PM, or 4 PM
• Reservations: Required, no walk-ins
• Location: Fountain Valley, California
• Photos: Not allowed in the production area
• Book here: Yakult USA Factory Tours

What We Did

Yakult is a drink many of us know from the grocery store, but have you ever wondered how it's made? On this free guided tour, we learned about the history of the company and then got to watch the production machines up close. It's a great way to show kids (and adults!) how an everyday product goes from start to finish.

What Kids Can Learn

• How things are made: Seeing real machines running is a lot more memorable than reading about it in a book.
• A little science and history: Yakult was created in Japan in 1935 by a microbiologist, Dr. Minoru Shirota, and is now sold in about 40 countries and regions.
• Growing businesses: We heard on our tour that Yakult is building a second U.S. factory in Cartersville, Georgia. That's a nice conversation starter about why companies expand.

For Schools and Colleges

The Yakult office is open to presenting its history to the public, schools, and colleges, which makes this a nice fit for classroom learning and student groups. If you're a teacher or group leader, reach out through the Yakult USA contact page to ask about options for your group.

Educational Materials

Science Behind the Bottle

• Probiotics are live microorganisms (tiny living things, like bacteria) that can benefit your body when you consume enough of them.
• Fermentation is a process where microorganisms change food or drink. People have used it for thousands of years to make foods like yogurt.
• Dr. Minoru Shirota was a microbiologist at Kyoto University in Japan. He worked with a particular bacteria strain, and it carries his name: Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota.
• The gut microbiome is the community of trillions of microbes living in our digestive system. Scientists are still learning how they affect our health.
• Surviving the journey: For a probiotic to work, it has to make it through the stomach's strong acid alive. Researchers have studied how well this strain survives that trip.

Vocabulary Words
Microbiologist, probiotic, bacteria, fermentation, microorganism, production line, bottling, packaging, strain

Questions to Ask on the Tour

1. What steps happen before the drink goes into the bottle?
2. Why do you think the bottle is so small?
3. How do machines help make sure every bottle is the same?
4. Why would a company build a second factory in a different state?

Activities to Try at Home or in Class

• Production line game: Set up an assembly line with your kids (fill, cap, label) and see how much faster it goes when each person has one job.
• Map it: Find Japan, Fountain Valley, and Cartersville, Georgia on a map and talk about how far the product travels.
• Read the label: Compare the nutrition labels on a few drinks. What do you notice about ingredients and sugar?
• Draw the journey: Have kids sketch what they remember from the tour, from machines to bottles.

Learn More (Free Resources from Yakult USA)

• Virtual Factory Tour: a great prep activity before your visit, or a substitute if you can't make it
• Factory Tour Brochure (PDF)
• Yakult History
• Yakult Worldwide

Our Tips for Families

1. Book ahead. Reservations are required, so sign up before you go.
2. Plan around the schedule. Tours only run on weekdays, which makes this a good option for homeschool groups or a day off school.
3. Dress for the warmth. Because it's a production area, it's warm inside. Wear light, comfortable layers you can take off.
4. Tell kids about the no-photo rule first. Photos aren't allowed in production, so it helps to set expectations before you walk in. Plan to take pictures before or after.
5. Check the age guidelines. I'd confirm age requirements and group-size rules on the tours page before booking, especially if you're bringing little ones or a large group.

The Souvenir

We left with a cute Yakult bottle hand squishy. 😄 A nice little surprise to end the visit!

Is It Worth It?

Absolutely. It's free, it's about an hour, and it's easy to fit into a morning or afternoon. A great low-cost outing for curious kids and adults.

Have you taken your family on a factory tour? Share your favorites in the comments!

Our family Favorite Fall tradition: Apple picking in California

Our family has been hitting up apple orchards since 2011, and it’s hands down one of our favorite fall things to do. We’ve checked out a bunch of spots around Southern California, and there’s always something new and fun to discover.

Usually, the first week of October is the sweet spot—cooler weather and great fruit. But we’ve also gone during opening week and were surprised by how much tasty fruit was already ready to pick!

This year, during opening week, we found not just apples but juicy peaches, berries, pears, and even loganberries.  Bonus!

Apple season in California runs from late August through early December, with the best picks in September and October. Whether you’re after cool heirloom apples, beautiful orchards, or a fun family day, these places have you covered. Just a heads up—some orchards can sell out early and close before the season officially ends, so it’s always a good idea to call ahead or check their websites for the latest updates and reservation info.

If you haven’t tried apple picking yet, now’s the perfect time—fresh air, fall vibes, and fruit straight off the tree. Can’t beat that!

Continue reading down below to find a location near you and tips on how to enjoy the day.

Sharing locations by region:

 Northern California

Sebastopol (Sonoma County)

• Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch
  13128 Occidental Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472
  U-pick Gravenstein, Golden Delicious, and Rome Beauty apples (Sept–Dec). Famous for its fresh-pressed juice.
  
  

• Earthseed Farm
  An Afro-Indigenous, certified organic farm offering u-pick apples on Saturdays by appointment.
  
  

Petaluma

• Chileno Valley Ranch
  5105 Chileno Valley Rd, Petaluma, CA
  Organic u-pick apples (Orin, Pinova, Candy Crisp) on Sundays (Sept–Oct). Reservations required. Offers a farm tour and charges a small carload fee.
  
  

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🍏 Bay Area & Central Coast

Watsonville

• Gizdich Ranch
  55 Peckham Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076
  Popular u-pick farm with apples, berries, and a red-barn picnic area. Apple season begins mid-September.
  
  

• Clearview Organic Orchards
  Organic farm with various apple varieties, juice, and turnovers. Requires advance tickets.
  
  

San Luis Obispo County

• SLO Creek Farms
  A 14-acre organic orchard with u-pick apples, fresh cider, and apple brandy.
  
  

• Stone Pantry Orchard
  Smaller u-pick farm offering different apple varieties and a rustic farm stand.
  
  

• Swanton Pacific Ranch
  Run by Cal Poly, this farm features 16 apple varieties and a long season from September to November.
  
  

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🍂 Sierra Foothills (Apple Hill – Placerville/Camino)

One of California's most beloved fall destinations, with over 50 family-run farms.

• High Hill Ranch
  Large, family-friendly farm with u-pick apples, a bakery, craft fairs, and scenic views.
  
  

• Pine-O-Mine Ranch
  Offers u-pick apples and a peaceful picnic area.
  
  

• Boa Vista Orchards
  While not a u-pick, it features a huge selection of fresh apples, baked goods, and a full produce market.
  
  

• Apple Ridge Farms, Harris Family Farm, Smokey Ridge Farm
  Other great options in the area with pies, cider, and family fun.
  
  

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🌄 Southern California

Oak Glen (San Bernardino Mountains)

Located in a scenic 5-mile loop, Oak Glen is SoCal’s apple country.

• Los Rios Rancho
  39611 Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa, CA 92399
  SoCal's largest and oldest apple orchard (est. 1906). U-pick apples (Aug–Nov), cider, pies, and educational tours.
  
  

• Willowbrook Apple Farm
  Small, organic farm offering apple picking by reservation and DIY cider pressing.
  
  

• Riley’s Farm
  Living history farm with u-pick apples and seasonal reenactments (e.g. Colonial or Civil War days).
  
  

• Stone Soup Farm & Heritage Orchard
  Heirloom, regenerative orchard offering curated u-pick experiences (October only; reservations required).
  
  

Julian (San Diego Mountains)

A historic mountain town with small-town charm and multiple orchards.

• Julian Farm & Orchard
  25-acre farm offering u-pick apples (mid-October), hayrides, petting zoo. Reservations required.
  
  

• Volcan Valley Apple Farm
  Large farm with 8,000 trellised apple trees for easy picking. Over 100 years of apple-growing history.
  
  

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🔍 Tips for a Great Apple Picking Trip

• Call Ahead / Check Online: Farms often change hours based on weather, ripeness, or crowd size.
  
  

• Bring Cash: Some small farms don’t accept cards.
  
  

• Reservations: Required at many popular orchards (e.g., Willowbrook, Chileno Valley Ranch).
  
  

• Avoid Peak Crowds: Try visiting on weekdays or early mornings.
  
  

• BYO Bags: Some orchards ask visitors to bring their own containers for picking.
  
  

Dress for Fall Weather: Layers and sturdy shoes are recommended for farm visits.