THE END OF SUMMER IN CALIFORNIA? You can expect the orchards around Placerville, Oak Glen, and Julian to move into pick-some-pommes mode, with apple enthusiasts arriving in droves. The tule elk will be bugling around Point Reyes National Seashore, giving a high-toned thrill to anyone within earshot. And at Mount Diablo State Park, a short drive east from Oakland? There isn't a tarantula every two feet, but you may come across the handsome eight-legged locals on a sunset stroll. Discovering more about these gentle, low-to-the-ground critters, though, will require joining an outing led by a tarantula-knowing naturalist, and Mount Diablo has long supplied the arachnid experts to fill out the tarantula's tale. There are several of these keep-a-watch adventures coming up, starting in late August and wrapping in early October. The name of these experiences, which take place right when mating season is heating up? How I Learned to Love Tarantulas/Evening Nature Walk, and, for sure, you'll need to make your reservation in advance.
NEARLY A DOZEN DATES... are on the 2026 calendar, so pick yours soon. Once you arrive at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center, you can expect to hoof around two or so miles with "a little elevation gain," and "nature stops along the way" will give participants a moment to pause and stretch. Tarantulas will be the focus, as the event's name suggests, along with other features of the scenic area, so plan on departing as something of a Mount Diablo devotee, if you're not already. Find out what to bring (yep, water and layered clothing is recommended) and what you'll pay for parking by clicking one of the tarantula links on this page. There's also a Tarantula Trek setting out on Sept. 6, an evening that will pay tribute to the area's "teddy bears"; two guest tarantulas will be present for you to ooh and ahh over, with the memorable monikers of Scarlett O'Harry and Wishbone.
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WATCH HEREGOLD COUNTRY EVENT: If you're fully in the tarantula swing this fall, look to Coarsegold Historic Village in Gold Country, near Yosemite, for the 21st Annual Tarantula Awareness Festival on Oct. 24. Activities, education, and tarantula cameos make this animal-championing fest one of the biggest, and, yes, hairiest of its kind.
