Fall on the Sunshine Coast is a welcome retreat from summer's bustling energy. Crowds thin out, beaches and parks are quieter, and the crisp autumn air brings a refreshing change from the summer heat. The season may usher in a slower pace, but there's still plenty to do. From sampling seasonal flavours at local breweries and farm stands to cozying up in a cabin or resort by the fire, here are seven ways to experience fall on the Sunshine Coast.
1. Sample Fall Flavours
Fall may be the season of pumpkin spice lattes, but on the Sunshine Coast they're overlooked in favour of inventive beers, ciders, and spirits. Try new (and delicious) ales and lagers in Gibsons at Tapworks Brewing, The 101 Brewhouse + Distillery, and Persephone Brewing; in Sechelt at Batch 44 Brewery & Kitchen; and in Powell River at Townsite Brewing. Bonus: the settings are as inviting at the brews, whether you’re sipping a flight in front of a cozy wood stove or bundled up on a patio, in a beer garden, or on the grounds of an 11-acre farm.
Cideries—including Banditry, Sunday, Brickers, and Persephone—shine in fall. It's apple harvest season, which means charming orchard settings and fresh-pressed apple juice. Taste last year's vintage or grab a cider flight and sample year-round favourites. For those who prefer spirits, gins and vodkas infused with seasonal botanicals await. Head to Bruinwood Estate Distillery, One Foot Crow Craft Distillery, The 101 Brewhouse + Distillery, or Salish Sea Spirits in Powell River to sample their offerings.
2. Make the Most of Foraging and Harvest Season
For some, fall signals the start of mushroom hunting season. Chanterelles, lobsters, and oysters can all be safely picked and eaten on the Sunshine Coast. (Note: it's recommended you hunt for mushrooms only with an experienced guide or forager, and to clearly identify the species of mushrooms before you consume any). If you’re new to foraging, consider taking a mushroom workshop with Shaggy Jack himself, a local expert and educator. For those who prefer savouring mushrooms without the hunt, you can find fresh-picked varieties featured on tasting menus throughout the Coast and at Shaggy Jack's store in the Gibsons Public Market.
Foraging at farmers' markets is equally satisfying, with local stands and late-season markets showcasing a range of seasonal fruit and veg. Throughout fall, you'll find squashes, alliums, lettuces, and chards, along with local eggs, meats, flowers, and more. Stop by the Roberts Creek Community Farm Market, and the Davis Bay, Sechelt, and Powell River farmers' markets to pick up everything you need for a harvest dinner.
3. Pick your Own Pumpkin
If there's one event to define fall, it's visiting a pumpkin patch. You'll find farms across the Sunshine Coast that celebrate this mighty squash, from u-pick patches to markets that sell everything from table gourds to pumpkins that will make for prized jack o' lanterns.
Located in the heart of Gibsons, Shady Hazel Farm offers a u-pick patch on Saturdays and Sundays throughout October. This 16-acre farm is perfect for the whole family—while pumpkins (which are picked from the vine) are the main star, they also offer a pig petting area, hot apple cider, mini donuts, a photo station, and more.
Down the road in Roberts Creek is the Little Red Wagon Farm, which displays pumpkins for sale, along with a handful of vendors selling baked goods and other fall harvest items.
In Powell River, the Family Farm B&B offers a family-friendly fall tour that must be booked in advance. It starts with meeting the farm’s resident ducks, geese, chickens, goats, and more. Next up is a cider pressing demonstration before heading to the u-pick patch you can purchase a pumpkin to bring home.
4. Layer up for Outdoor Adventures
Bundle up and take your pick of trails to hike or bike. Cooler temperatures, along with fewer people, make it easy to find solitude in the forest. For mountain bikers, the season's rain translates to muddy berms, loamy descents, and tacky dirt, while hikers can venture into sub-alpine meadows to see the autumn foliage in places like Mt. Elphinstone, Tetrahedron Provincial Park, Knuckleheads Recreation Area, and along the Sunshine Coast Trail in qathet Regional District.
Campsites are also less crowded in the fall—and depending on restrictions, you’ll have a higher chance of being able to roast s'mores around the campfire. Remember to practice the Camper's Code and be AdventureSmart when you head into the outdoors.
5. Cozy Up in a Cabin or Resort
Hundreds of cabins and cottages dot the Sunshine Coast from Langdale to Lund. Some are tucked away deep in the wilderness, others situated right at the water's edge. You might find yourself in a geodesic dome, yurt, or an A-Frame cabin. Some even feature amenities like outdoor baths, wood-fired tubs, and cozy stoves where you can curl up by the fire and while away an autumn evening. For a cozy getaway, choose from private cabins at The Stonewater, Kent’s Beach Cabins, Rocky Valley Resort, or Backeddy Resort & Marina.
Sunshine Coast resorts are one-stop spots to chill out. Check into a room, dine on-site, and take advantage of amenities like spas, saunas, and more. Enjoy the tranquility and charm of waterfront resorts like Painted Boat Resort Spa & Marina, Beach Gardens Resort & Marina, West Coast Wilderness Lodge, Rockwater Secret Cove Resort, Klahoose Wilderness Resort, and The Lund Resort at Klah Ah Men.
6. Immerse Yourself in the Local Art Scene
One of the Sunshine Coast's signature annual events is the incredible Art Crawl that takes place in October. This vibrant celebration draws thousands of people each year who come to check out hundreds of artists in dozens of venues across the Southern Sunshine Coast from Langdale to Egmont. Each year the event brings something new, from opening night reception parties to emerging venues and live music performances. From pop art to post-modern to sculpture, painting, and weaving, you'll be introduced to an array of creative talent. Planning to visit? Check out our Guide to the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl.
Don’t worry if you can’t make the Art Crawl, the Sunshine Coast’s artistic spirit is a part of the fabric of the region. Venture to Roberts Creek and admire this year's mandala, join a local pottery workshop, or tackle the Purple Banner Tour, a year-round, self-guided tour that invites you into local artists' studios and galleries to witness their creative process firsthand.
And, of course, you'll find plenty of live music, community theatre, and other performing arts events throughout the season.
7. Witness Nature's Life Cycle
The shift from summer to fall serves as a powerful reminder that change is an essential part of nature and life. No other season displays this as vividly as autumn: trees shed leaves, animals hibernate, and the salmon return home to their natal streams and rivers to spawn and die. The spawning cycle is an incredible and fleeting natural phenomenon. Two prime locations for witnessing this event on the Sunshine Coast are at Chapman Creek in Sechelt and the Lang Creek Estuary in Powell River.
Without salmon, there are no bears. The season is also a great time for grizzly bear watching when lumbering grizzlies in Toba Inlet fatten up before the winter hibernation by preying on returning salmon. Watch these two opposing forces dual it out from elevated viewing platforms on a tour with Indigenous-owned Klahoose Wilderness Resort.
Find more fall activities here.
