1Prevent frozen pipes. Broken and frozen pipes, and the resulting water damage, are the second leading cause of home insurance claims in the United States—following only hurricanes. Guard against these mishaps by insulating all exposed pipes and setting your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees. Also, make sure you know how to turn off your main water line if necessary.
2 Take a ride on a holiday train. Put on your pajamas and head to Sunol, Calif., to hop aboard Niles Canyon Railway’s festive Train of Lights. Visit the snack bar to munch while you marvel at the lights and music as you ride in the railway’s antique coaches and open cars for an hour-long chug.
3 Inventory your winter gear. Your cold-weather wardrobe has been gathering dust for a year, and now is the perfect time to shake out the cobwebs to see what still works. Separate clothes and accessories you’ll use this winter, and donate what you no longer need.
4 Check your car tires. Before the roads get slick with ice and snow, make sure your tires are in proper shape. Inspect the tread first, using the penny test as a guide. (If you can see the top of Abe’s head, your tires need to be replaced.) Then visit your local AAA Approved Auto Repair center to have your tires rotated or replaced. Find a shop near you at AAA.com/autorepair.
5 Watch for whales. Head to the coast to see one of nature’s great spectacles. Starting in November, you can spot whales migrating south from the arctic to warmer waters off Mexico’s Baja peninsula. Catch gray whales breaching along Marin County’s Point Reyes National Seashore, or join a whale-watching tour in Monterey Bay to spot humpbacks. —katie henry