Monday, Sept. 22, the first day of the Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, offers Santa Clarita Valley residents the opportunity to enjoy all the numerous bounties of the fall season.
Find a farmers’ or roadside market, a harvest festival or foodie festival to celebrate harvest time in California.
In case you didn’t know, California is the leading agricultural producer in the U.S., with over $59 billion in agricultural sales in 2022 and $59.4 billion in cash receipts in 2023, providing roughly 13% of the nation’s total agricultural production value.
The state is the nation’s top producer of fruits, tree nuts and vegetables, growing over a third of the country’s vegetables and nearly three-quarters of its fruits and nuts.
Farmers Markets
The Santa Clarita Valley has embraced the “farm to table” movement with four farmers markets operating in the SCV. There’s no better way to celebrate the bounty of the season than to visit a local farmers market to explore what’s just been picked.
“There is no place to get fresher produce, unless you grow it yourself,” said Larry McClements, market manager of three nonprofit farmers markets in the SCV. “It doesn’t just taste better, it’s more nutritious and it lasts longer.”
McClements recommends seeking out fall pluots and plums through November, fresh peaches and corn through Thanksgiving.
“We are starting to see our fall crops come including pomegranates and pears. Apples are now back in our markets. We have two apple farmers that work with us and the apples just fantastic. They grow something like 14 different varieties,” he said. “There are some heirloom apples you won’t find anywhere else.”
McClements said the pears, grown in Tehachapi, are “just wonderful.”
“Lettuce is a cold weather crop so that is something to look forward to,” he said. “We have lettuce year-round, but we don’t have the diversity.”
McClements said California strictly regulates all produce at the farmers markets must be grown locally. It cannot be imported from another country.
Fall squash is also in season now.
“Delicata squash is one we have a lot of now,” he said. “The nice about it is you don’t have to peel it. We also have butternut squash and a honeynut squash which is a hybrid between an acorn squash and a butternut squash.”
Among McClements favorite vegetables is kabocha squash, another squash that doesn’t require peeling.
“You just cut the end off, dice it, throw it in a pan with olive oil and salt and 30 minute later it is ready. It cooks quickly,” he said.
The Newhall farmers market, which features at least 75 vendors, has become the largest farmers market in north Los Angeles County, McClements said.
For fresh produce, fruit and bakery items, among other goodies, visit:
Old Town Newhall Farmers Market
Sundays 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Old Town Newhall Library parking lot, 24500 Main St., Newhall
Canyon Country Farmers Market
Wednesdays 4-8 p.m. Canyon Country Community Center,18410 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country
Valencia Five Point Farmers Market
Sundays 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 27426 Navigation Ave., Valencia
Santa Clarita Certified Farmers’ Market
Sundays 8 a.m.-noon, College of the Canyons Parking Lot 5, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Valencia
This market is organized by the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Markets and features fresh produce, seafood, herbs, honey, eggs, nuts, juices, jams and cut flowers.
Harvest Fairs and Fests
The wonder of California’s bounty in food and wine will be showcased at numerous fairs and festivals this autumn.
California Avocado Festival
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 3-5
Linden Field, 800 Linden Ave., Carpinteria
Info avofest.com
This free celebration of all things avocado features the world’s largest vat of guacamole and numerous avocado dishes you can buy and try.
This festival is one of the largest free festivals to attend in California with over 80 music acts on four stages.
Avocados are the primary agricultural industry along the Central California coast north and south of the city of Santa Barbara.
The Largest Avocado Contest is where you can see avocados you won’t normally see on the average home tree. Winners have previously weighed in at over three pounds.
The Big Crush Harvest Wine Festival
Amador Wine Country, near Sacramento
Saturday – Sunday, Oct. 4-5, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Info amadorwine.com/big-crush-harvest-wine-festival
More than 50 wineries across Amador County celebrate the harvest with tastings, live music and classic activities such as grape stomps. Your ticket grants you access to events, tastings and pairings at select wineries each day, along with a commemorative glass.
Experience the fall wine harvest in action where guests can enjoy an array of behind-the-scenes harvest experiences including barrel tastings and winery tours as well as watching the crush in person at family-owned wineries.
The 78th Annual Corning Olive Festival
Saturday Oct 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., about 100 miles north of Sacramento
1485 Toomes Ave., Corning
Info www.facebook.comcorningolivefestivalandcarshow
Celebrate the history and global impact that Corning, the “Olive City,” has had for more than 100 years. Olive trees cover more than 13 square miles in Tehama County, the Shasta Cascade home of this festival that dates back to 1947. Sample the savory pitted fruit along with its accompanying oils and other products from vendors that feature olive themed products or products made from olives. The festival includes food trucks, car show and vendors.
Before you head back to the SCV be sure to stop at the Corning Olive Pit store to load up on a large variety of green olives and olive oil.
Offering offsite parking at the Olive Pit all day with shuttle to/from the Corning Community Park bus stop.
For more fall fun in California visit www.visitcalifornia.com/experience/october-events-california.
