Autumn is a season of enchantment in San Diego's East County, when the foliage of the rolling foothills and mountains change color and temperatures dip ever so slightly to put visitors in a fall frame of mind. East County's change of seasons is pronounced by festive annual traditions like Oktoberfests and a Native-American Pow Wow, as well as seasonal grape and apple harvests that attract visitors from far and near to sample luscious wines and delicious homemade apple pies, ciders and jams.
The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation presents the 24th Annual Sycuan Pow-Wow, Sept. 13-15, on the Sycuan Indian Reservation in El Cajon. This traditional celebration features Indian songs, drums, dance, arts and crafts, games and food. The free event is open to the public; on-site camping is available.
A San Diego tradition "as American as apple pie" is the popular Annual Julian Fall Apple Harvest, September through October, celebrating this historic mountain town's famous homemade apple pies and ciders. Visitors can also enjoy acres of colorful fall foliage, apple picking in local orchards, charming bed and breakfast inns, art shows, quaint antique shops, horse-drawn carriage rides and live entertainment.
Bratwurst, beer gardens and oompah bands can only mean one thing – Oktoberfest! A number of communities throughout San Diego County celebrate this traditional German holiday, but the 40th Annual Oktoberfest in La Mesa, Oct. 4-6, and Oktoberfest in El Cajon, Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, are two of the largest festivals of their kind on the U.S. West Coast. Visitors can enjoy dancing, German food, Bavarian bands and hundreds of crafts and commercial booths along La Mesa Boulevard in La Mesa and Mollison Avenue in El Cajon.
For more information about top events in California take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in California.