What to Eat in Northern California This Fall

September is a fantastic time for seasonal eating in Northern California because it marks the sweet spot where late-summer favorites overlap with the first harvests of fall.

September is such a good eating month in NorCal. Check out local farmers markets for:

Late-Summer Standouts: Tomatoes, peppers, corn, and the tail end of juicy peaches and melons.

Early-Fall Additions: Crisp apples, fresh pears, sweet figs, and early pumpkins.

Hearty Harvests: Fresh grapes, beets, carrots, kale, and squash.

September: Heirloom Tomato + Burrata

My top pick for a seasonal September dish is heirloom tomato + burrata + basil + olive oil.

September is still excellent tomato season in Northern California. When the tomatoes are fresh and ripe, you really don't need much more than creamy burrata, fresh basil, olive oil, and a little salt and pepper.

As Fall Gets Cooler

If you're eating out later in fall, there are a couple of dishes that are heavier but really great for the cooler weather:

October: Wild Mushroom Risotto + California Wine

Wild mushroom risotto is warm, creamy, and hearty enough for the cooler October weather. Pair it with a California wine.

November: Dungeness Crab + Garlic Noodles

Dungeness crab + garlic noodles is great for late fall into winter, once the local crab season gets underway. The season is currently scheduled to open November 7, 2026, making November a good time to start looking for fresh local Dungeness crab around the Bay Area.