15 Amazing Places To Enjoy Fall Colors In California

1. Yosemite National Park

Visiting Yosemite is an incredible experience year-round. But the fall season just takes it up a notch!

Yosemite National Park’s fall season typically lasts from mid-October to the beginning of November. During this time, you can witness the changing of trees from lush greens to golden hues all throughout the Yosemite Valley.

By mid-November, the fall colors are usually gone, and the park starts shutting down its amenities in preparation for the winter to come.

Start your Yosemite trip by stopping at Tunnel View, where you can see fall colors dotting the valley in front of you. Then go for a scenic drive along the Yosemite Valley Loop, stopping at iconic landmarks including Bridalveil Falls, Cathedral Beach Picnic Area, Cook’s Meadow boardwalk, Yosemite Valley Chapel, and Sentinel Bridge.

For shorter day hikes, I recommend the 2-mile-long Cook’s Meadow Loop and the 5-mile-long Mirror Lake Loop. Both of these trails will provide plenty of opportunities for fall leaf peeping.

If you’re staying overnight and are looking for a longer day hike, consider the 11-mile-long Yosemite Valley Loop Trail that passes all of the top park attractions, including Yosemite Falls, El Capitan rock formation, and crosses the Merced River.

If the Tioga Pass is still open, this is a gorgeous drive through the Yosemite backcountry that offers stunning scenery and beautiful fall colors. Tioga Road typically closes by November due to snow.

Read Next: 20 Best Places Where To See Fall Colors In Yosemite

2. McGee Creek Trail

McGee Creek Trail to Horsetail Creek is a wonderful hike in the Sierra Nevada mountains. This is the perfect day adventure near Mammoth Lakes, which offers incredible mountain views and gorgeous fall colors.

The trailhead is located just a 25-minute drive south of Mammoth Lakes town, so this is a very popular hike to do for those visiting Mammoth.

The McGee Creek to Horsetail Creek trail is 3.6 miles long round-trip. It is moderate in difficulty with 700 feet of elevation gain, but overall, it’s not too challenging.

I recommend hiking this trail in early October when the entire valley is dotted with yellow and orange-colored trees. We hiked this trail in October with our toddler, and the scenery was just jaw-dropping!

The fall colors start by the parking lot, so you don’t need to go far to see them. Many people do shorter sections of the trail and turn around when they start feeling tired. As a fun option, you can also go on a horseback riding tour that follows the same trail.

3. Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake is hands down one of the best places to see fall colors in Southern California. Big Bear is located just a short drive from Los Angeles, making it a popular outdoor destination year-round.

There are many places to see fall foliage around Big Bear Lake. By far the most colorful location to see the changing of leaves is in the downtown area around The Village. You’ll see a variety of colorful trees in downtown, from aspens and maples to black oaks and dogwoods.

Take a stroll down Pine Knott Avenue, venture into some of the smaller side streets, browse through the souvenir shops, and stop by for a pumpkin spice treat at one of the local eateries.

If you enjoy hiking, the 3-mile-long Castle Rock Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Big Bear Lake. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with amazing fall colors and incredible views of Big Bear Lake from up top. 

Book this Big Bear Fall Colors Hiking Tour and discover all of the best trails in Big Bear for leaf-peeping with a local expert!

4. Rock Creek Road

With rugged mountain views, serene hiking trails, alpine lakes, and colorful foliage, Rock Creek Road is one of the most beautiful destinations to visit in California in the fall.

Reaching an elevation of 10,255 feet, Rock Creek Road is one of the highest paved roads in California, lined with aspen trees that turn into a sea of gold in the fall months.

Rock Creek Road is located just a 30-minute drive south of Mammoth Lakes town. This is a paved 10-mile-long road, so any car can do this scenic drive.

I did this drive in early October during the peak fall colors, and it was the perfect timing! Be sure to set aside a few hours to do the drive, stop at various pullout spots along the way, and visit Rock Creek Lake.

Visitor Tip: While in the area, stopping by the Rock Creek Lakes Resort for lunch is a must. Located at 9700 feet in elevation, this mountain café is known for having the best ‘Pie In The Sky’ (that I can personally vouch for!).

5. Idyllwild

Idyllwild is a hidden little gem in Southern California. I visited this mountain town with my husband and toddler in November for fall colors and absolutely loved it!

Idyllwild is a small mountain community, but there is plenty to do in the area. Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail and Idyllwild Park Trail are two popular day hikes in the area that are also great for seeing fall colors, especially oak trees and maples.

During my visit, I stayed at the Tahquitz Pines Retreat that boasts charming accommodations and excellent amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant & bar, game room, basketball court, and pickleball court, and on-site hiking trails.

The entire property is just gorgeous, covered in colorful trees and plants that turn to vibrant hues of reds, oranges, and yellows in the fall season. 

Read More: 10 Best Things To Do In Idyllwild, California

6. June Lake Loop Drive

June Lake Loop is a wonderful place near Mammoth to go for a scenic fall drive. This is a paved 16-mile-long drive along Highway 158 that passes several gorgeous mountain lakes, including June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake.

While you can certainly enjoy the entire drive from your car’s window, it is worthwhile making a few stops along the way. June Lake can be easily accessed from June Lake Beach, where you can go for a serene walk along the lake’s shoreline.

After exploring the area, stop by June Lake Brewing to enjoy a crisp and refreshing beer in the relaxing mountain setting.

Many people do this drive while visiting Mammoth Lakes. If you plan to stay overnight, the hotels in June Lake are much cheaper than Mammoth. A few of my top picks to stay in June Lake include:

• Double Eagle Resort and Spa
• Heidelberg Inn & Resort
• Gull Lake Lodge

7. Mammoth Lakes Along Lake Mary Road

Located just 10 minutes outside of Mammoth Lakes town, Lake Mary Road is an excellent place to head out for some fall color chasing.

I recommend stopping by Twin Lakes Vista Point and Twin Falls Overlook, which offer amazing views of the surrounding alpine lakes and landscapes.

Lake George is another excellent location in Mammoth where you can see golden aspen trees around the lake. Go for a leisurely walk around the lake or tackle the moderate Crystal Lake Trail for some incredible views of the Mammoth Lakes Basin along the way!

On my Mammoth fall trip, I stayed at the recently renovated Outbound Mammoth Hotel in downtown Mammoth. Inspired by the local landscape and great outdoors, this hip hotel features cozy, vibrant rooms along with an outdoor pool, hot tub, outdoor fire pits, and a lively restaurant with a bar.

Read More: 15 Incredible Things To Do In Mammoth Lakes In Fall

8. Convict Lake

Another one of my Mammoth favorites, Convict Lake, is a stunning destination to visit year-round. With turquoise water, rugged mountain views, and gorgeous hiking trails, Convict Lake is a must-see in the Eastern Sierra region.

Located just 15 minutes south of Mammoth Lakes, Convict Lake is easily accessible off Highway 395. If you’re short on time, drive up to the Convict Lake Resort Marina to see a panoramic view of the entire lake from the boat dock.

There is an easy 2.5-mile-long Convict Lake Loop Trail that goes around the entire lake. In the fall season, I highly recommend going on this tranquil hike to see the bright yellow aspen trees pop against the blue lake color.

If you’re looking to stay near Convict Lake overnight, the Convict Lake Resort is an excellent option. This mountain resort boasts 28 cabins and 3 lodges surrounded by golden aspen trees.

Read Next: 20 Gorgeous Lakes To Visit In Mammoth, California

9. Napa Valley

Planning a romantic getaway in the fall? Nothing sounds more relaxing than pairing wine tasting with fall foliage, and you can do exactly that in Napa Valley!

Fall is one of the best seasons to experience the California wine country. The colder seasons bring out gorgeous colors in the vineyards as the grape leaves turn to vibrant golden hues.

Fall is also the harvest time in Napa, so there are plenty of exciting activities to enjoy, from wine tasting and hot air balloon rides to grape stomping events and harvest parties.

Not sure which wineries to visit? Book this Napa Valley Small Group Winery Tour that will take you to 3 highly rated wineries in the region!

10. Oak Glen

Fall is the best time to visit Oak Glen for all things apples, berries, and pies. Located just a 1.5-hour drive from Los Angeles, this Southern California destination offers incredible fall foliage and exciting fall activities that everyone in your family will enjoy!

Snow Line Orchards is a favorite for their mini apple cider donuts and apple cider slushies. They also have a tasting room on the property where you can try their hard ciders and wines.

Riley’s Farm is a great stop for apple, pear, and raspberry picking. The harvest schedule is posted on their website so you can see what fruits and veggies are ready for picking before you get there. Afterward, be sure to indulge in some delicious BBQ and crumb crust apple pie!

Established in 1906, the Los Rios Rancho is the largest apple farm in Southern California. From apple, pumpkin, and chestnut picking to freshly pressed cider and fun fall events like Apple Butter Festival, this location is an ideal stop for fall season fans. 

11. Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Calaveras Big Trees State Park is a wonderful sequoia park just a 2-hour drive from Sacramento and 1.5 hours from Stockton. While the summer season is a popular time to visit Calaveras Big Trees State Park, the fall season brings an extra magic to this region.

Although sequoia trees themselves stay evergreen year-round, the wild shrubs and trees at Calaveras Big Trees State Park turn to colorful hues of goldens, oranges, and reds.

There are two popular trails that most visitors hike here: the 1.6-mile-long Calaveras North Grove Trail and the 5-mile-long Calaveras South Grove Trail. With enormous sequoia trees, vibrant dogwoods, maple trees, and black oaks, this is the perfect place to go hiking in the fall season!

Read Next: 12 Best Places To Visit Sequoia Trees In California

12. Hope Valley

Located 30 minutes south of South Lake Tahoe, Hope Valley gets a lot of attention when it comes to autumn colors.

There are a couple of scenic routes to drive in Hope Valley, such as Highway 88 and Luther Pass (Highway 89), to get your fill of fall colors. Along the way, stop at pullout spots near golden aspen groves or go on a few hiking trails.

Two of the most popular day hikes in this region are the 4.7-mile-long Lake Margaret Trail or the 4.8-mile-long Woods, Winnemucca, and Round Top Lakes Trail.

The Hope Valley Red Barn is an iconic spot for photography that is a must-see in the fall season! This barn is located on private property, but if you have a good zoom lens, you can capture photos of it from Highway 88.

Visitor Tip: I recommend staying at the Desolation Hotel Hope Valley overnight while exploring this area.

13. Julian

Located in San Diego County, Julian is a wonderful place for Southern California residents to get a little taste of fall. Go fall color chasing in the town or end up at one of the many local wineries and cider bars like Julian Hard Cider or Calico Cidery.

Julian Farm & Orchard hosts a fall festival that takes place from the end of September to the end of October. This family-friendly festival includes a petting zoo, hayrides, axe throwing, rock climbing, and more. You can also book an apple tour at this farm and go pick your own apples.

If you have a sweet tooth, stop by the famous Julian Pie Company for a freshly baked pie and apple cider donuts. With so many fall activities, there is something fun to do for everyone!

14. Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is an absolute dream destination in California. While it is mostly known as a summer or winter getaway, autumn is a great season to explore the Lake Tahoe shoreline to see beautiful displays of fall colors.

Go for a scenic drive around Lake Tahoe or spend the day exploring Emerald Bay State Park, where you can see pockets of rich golden hues from quaking aspens, cottonwoods, willows, and meadows.

Located off Highway 89, Fallen Leaf Lake showcases brilliant fall colors set against the rugged mountains as the backdrop. Taylor Creek is another gorgeous place where you’ll find autumn foliage in South Lake Tahoe.

15. Sacramento

Sacramento is one of the best city destinations for fall colors in California. Come October and November, this is quite the prime location for fall color viewing!

Known as the ‘City of Trees’, Sacramento has a lot of neighborhoods with mature maple, oak, and sycamore trees that turn color in the fall months.

You’ll find gorgeous autumn foliage along the American River Parkway, Capitol Park, and McKinley Park.

Map Of Where To Find Fall Colors In California:

Map Tip: Click on each location to see more details!

Although California does not seem like your typical fall destination, there are plenty of places to find fall colors in California (if you know where to go).

Do you have any fall trips planned this year? Share your favorite places to see fall colors in the comment section below!

Looking for more things to do in California? Be sure to check out these popular posts next:

• Guide To Visiting Yosemite National Park In Fall
• 20 Charming Mountain Towns To Visit In California
• 15 Incredible Hot Springs To Visit In California
• 15 Top Cheap Places To Visit In California
• 15 Best Day Trips To Take From Los Angeles

This post is written by Laura. Hi, I’m a California local and the founder of the California Wanderland travel blog. I currently live in Ventura County and help 50,000 readers a month discover things to do in Central California! Read more about me here.

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