Less Ghosting, More Toasting ✨🍂🥂

Spooky season is in full swing across Contra Costa, Alameda, and Solano counties, and we’ve rounded up the absolute best ways to spend your Saturday and Sunday. Mount your broomsticks, grab your favorite warm brew, and let’s explore the local haunts!🍎🥧🎃🕸️

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🏰VOTE on our First Street Scarecrow Display for “Best Story Book”🌪️

Follow the Yellow Brick Road down to see Twin Oaks’ very own scarecrow display on Benicia's First Street and cast your vote to bring us a win!🌈👠🦁

Pour on the spooky charm along Benicia’s historic waterfront! 🍷Stroll down First Street to sample pours from local wineries at participating boutique shops, antique stores, and tasting rooms. Costumes are highly encouraged for this lively seasonal favorite.

Day-Of Ticket Sales: On-site ticket sales ($40/person) open on Saturday, October 17 at 10:01 AM. They are sold in person on a first-come, first-served basis at Benicia Main Street (90 First St) and Coldwell Banker (900 First St) while supplies last.

💡Insider Tip: Head downtown right around 10:00 AM on Saturday to grab their day-of wristbands before they officially sell out!

Get ready for one of the East Bay’s most magical autumn traditions! For three nights only, the Gardens at Lake Merritt transform into a glowing, immersive wonderland.

Local artists bring the botanical gardens to life with mesmerizing light installations, glowing sculptures, fire performers, and live music scattered along the dark, winding pathways. It’s colorful, atmospheric, and completely unique to Oakland—perfect for a date night, family outing, or just soaking in some incredible art under the stars.

💡 Insider Tip: Grab your tickets as early as possible from their website—this event almost always sells out in advance!

The World Pumpkin Capital goes all out for its 54th annual festival along historic Main Street!

See the massive world-champion weigh-off pumpkin on display (this year’s winner tipped the scales at a staggering 2,389 lbs), check out 250+ artisan booths featuring hand-blown glass pumpkins, catch the Great Pumpkin Parade on Saturday at noon, and sample pumpkin pie, craft brews, and pumpkin ice cream.

💡Insider Tip: Traffic on Highway 92 backs up early—aim to cross the hill before 8:00 AM! Head straight to the City Hall lot for the morning Pancake Breakfast to fuel up before the crowds arrive, and leave pets at home (service animals only).

Celebrate autumn at Cedar Rose Park with a full day of live music, delicious food trucks, and vibrant community spirit!

This year’s lineup packed full of highlights includes food contests, a seed swap, and a brand-new Specialty Vehicle Exhibit where kids (and kids at heart) can climb aboard city garbage trucks, street sweepers, and emergency vehicles.

The Kids Zone comes fully loaded with a zipline, rock wall, inflatables, and pumpkin decorating, alongside a dedicated Tot Zone and a quiet Sensory Tent for anyone who needs a calming break from the action. 🚜🌾

💡Insider Tip: Ditch the parking search! Skip driving altogether and take AC Transit Route 52 or a short walk from North Berkeley BART.

What do you get when you combine gleaming chrome, engine roars, and Bavarian autumn vibes? Vallejo’s ultimate fall mashup! Browse rows of immaculate classic cars, custom hot rods, and sleek lowriders while soaking up live music, grabbing a cold brew, and diving into delicious local eats. With artisan pop-ups and a dedicated Kids Zone, it’s a full-throated celebration of classic car culture and fall fun.

💡Insider Tip: Enter the lot early off Fairgrounds Drive to snag easy parking before the midday rush. If you want to check out the classic lowrider hydraulics and specialty builds, the main vehicle showcase area gets most lively between 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM.

Celebrate the end of grape harvest in scenic Suisun Valley! Enjoy live outdoor music, local food trucks, and award-winning wines surrounded by colorful autumn vineyards. It's a relaxed, laid-back outdoor event ideal for soaking up an October afternoon.

💡 Insider Tip: Bring low lawn chairs or a picnic blanket to set up on the grass under the trees. Tasting tables can fill up quickly, so snag your wine glass and outdoor spot early in the afternoon!

A Sunday morning classic right in our own backyard! Held year-round on Locust Street, the downtown market really shines in the fall.

You'll find stalls packed with seasonal produce like crisp apples, pomegranates, and squash, alongside freshly baked sourdough, artisanal cheeses, local honey, and hot coffee. It’s the ultimate low-key way to kick off a Sunday and support local Bay Area growers and vendors.

💡 Insider Tip: Park for free in the garage at Locust and Cole (or grab a spot in the library lot), and aim to arrive right around 9:00 AM when it opens.

Housed inside a historic building on First Street (once the studio of famed sculptor Robert Arneson), this food-forward taproom pairs Solano County maritime history with a lively, sunlit parklet right on the main drag.

Pair their craft brews (like the Coal Shed Stout or Ferry Tap IPA) with made-from-scratch gastropub plates—think elevated artisan burgers, seasonal flatbreads, house-made pretzels with beer cheese, and fresh salads.

💡Insider Tip: It sits directly along the Witching Wine Walk route! Grab a table out on the streetside parklet early in the afternoon to fuel up with a late lunch before the wine tastings begin.

41 Canal St. Bay Point, CA 94565
4 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 1,126 SQFT
A brilliant Bay Point buy awaits at 41 Canal Drive! This 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath home offers 1,126 sf of comfortable living space on a 0.12-acre lot. The floor plan flows effortlessly, with an updated kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances and a refreshed half bath. Outside, the spacious backyard is ready to be reimagined for entertaining, gardening or relaxing. Your attached garage provides parking, laundry and plenty of built-in storage, while the addition of solar brings modern efficiency and future-focused appeal. Enjoy close proximity to schools and shopping centers, along with quick highway access for an easy commute. This is a fantastic opportunity for first-time buyers, families, and anyone seeking comfort, convenience and room to make a house their home. Turnkey and meant to be!

1012 Mission Cir. Fairfield, CA 94554
3 BEDS | 2 BATHs | 1,592 SQFT
Freshly painted on the exterior and beautifully renovated inside, this move-in-ready home is ready to welcome you. Enjoy gorgeous flooring throughout, along with clean, well-maintained front and back yards perfect for relaxing and entertaining. Take your kids to the playground or walk your dogs to the dog park. Check out the neighborhood and fall in love with this Cordelia beauty today!

27741 Havana Ave. Hayward, CA 94544
3 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 1,000 SQFT
27741 Havana Ave is an updated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home in Hayward that's ready for its next family. Inside, you'll find a fresh, move-in-ready layout designed for comfortable everyday living and easy entertaining. There is a ton of natural light that really enlightens the space for you to enjoy sitting next to an updated electric fireplace. Out back, a large, flat yard offers endless possibilities, whether you're planning birthday parties, a garden, a play area, or relaxed evenings outdoors. Commuters will love the location, with quick access to major freeways for an easy drive south to Silicon Valley, north to Berkeley, or across the bridge to San Francisco. Close to local shopping, dining, and schools, this home blends convenience with comfort. Schedule your showing today and picture your family settling in!

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Until Next Time, Ghoulfriends! 🕸️Don't forget to cast your vote for our First Street scarecrow! We’ll see you back in your inbox next week with fresh local plans. 🍂☕

Ryan DeAmaral

Co-Writer, Twin Oaks Insider

[email protected]