DOWN ON THE FARM The month of October is typically blessed with the best weather of the year, filled with sunny, clear warm days and crisp evenings--just right for outings into the countryside to experience the harvest season.

Nearby ranches and orchards are ready for do-it-yourself style picking, reaching up for apples or down for big pumpkins to carry home. One of the most happily active venues is B Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch== (one-fourth mile north of Nicasio Square), a yearly attraction that offers lots of future Jack-o'-lanterns but other pleasures as well, providing a good excursion for folks of all ages. There are hayrides and mazes, a farm stand, and friendly farm animals; weekends bring Frank's Bar-B-Que and children's music by Tim Cain. Special events include 4-H Day on Oct. 11, and an Oct. 18 benefit day for Marin Agricultural Land Trust, with displays and educational booths, wood-fired pizza, Mexican foods and locally brewed beer. The patch is open daily 10am to 6pm until the end of October. Check out details at www.malt.org...

Apples are ripening on trees, awaiting eager pickers. A popular spot for organic heirloom varieties is Chileno Valley Ranch, right on the Marin-Sonoma line. Visitors can gather fruit, learn about and place orders for the ranch's grass-fed beef, and buy eggs from its free-range chickens. Part of the charm of the family farmstead is its main house, now a bed and breakfast inn. Explore online at www.chilenobnb.com. Call owners Mike and Sally Gale to arrange a time for picking apples: 707/765-6664...

Another well-loved organic orchard is Gabriel Farm in Sebastopol where heirloom apples, Asian pears, and persimmons may be picked Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 3pm. Read about the set-up (and find a map) at www.gabrielfarm.com...

We're lucky to have one of the first commercial chestnut orchards in the country within easy driving distance: Green Valley Chestnut Ranch, out near Sebastopol. Lovers of chestnuts should make the trip Oct. 11 or 12 when they can gather glossy brown treasures in their prickly shells, guaranteed to be as fresh as they get. The ranch's chestnut honey, a true delicacy, is for sale in the retail shop. Information: www.chestnutranch.com.

BEER BLAST Wheels-crazy Fairfax is the perfect location for a celebration of the bicycle Oct. 10 as Biketoberfest returns to the FairAnselm parking lot in the town's center, 11am to 6pm. There's no admission charge for the show of vintage bikes, family activities and live music; there will even be free soda tasting for kids. Tasting of another kind will feature beers from 15 Northern California brewers, along with suds-friendly foods, with tickets at $25 per person. Proceeds benefit bicycle advocacy in Marin...

Right next to Biketoberfest, Iron Springs Pub and Brewery will be throwing its fifth anniversary party, noon to midnight. A German band--Phillip Der Stein Quintet (ouch!)--will provide oom-pahs; later, Danny Montana and the Bar Association will play country music. Information: www.ironspringspub.com.

FRESH VENTURES FROM FAMILIAR FACES Recent visitors to San Anselmo were disappointed to find Debbie Does Dessert all shuttered--their favorite brunch place was no more. They can take heart: Debbie Gonnet is making the move to a larger place, Woodlands Cafe, preparing to debut this fall on the site of Willie's in Kent Woodlands. The new restaurant, part of the Woodlands Market complex, will be open for breakfast and lunch. Gonnet will also be adding her expertise to the market's bakery department...

The third time may be the charm with the opening of Cafe Trio in Montecito Shopping Center, San Rafael. Replacing World Cafe, which replaced Cafe Papillon, the new spot has three owners: Mohamed Aboghanem, owner of Saha in San Francisco, Rajae Mazbar of San Rafael's Aroma Cafe and his nephew Reja Mazbar. Their menu has a Middle Eastern touch--falafel, fattoush (the vegetable and pita salad), crostini with a phyllo base--along with soups and sandwiches. Breakfast is also available. Phone 415/485-1404.

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