10 Best Fall Drives in California For Incredible Scenery

1. June Lake Loop

Known for golden aspens, turquoise alpine lakes, and dramatic mountain peaks, the June Lake Loop is hands down one of the best places to visit in California in the fall months. This drive is best done in October when the surrounding aspen trees change to vibrant yellows and oranges.

Highway 158 (also known as June Lake Loop) is 16 miles long and takes about 30 minutes to drive without any stops. But from my personal experience, you’ll want to pull over plenty of times along the way!

When in the area, I recommend stopping at the June Lake Beach access point. This lakeshore viewpoint provides excellent views of June Lake set against rugged mountain views.

Read Next: 20 Gorgeous Lakes To Visit In Mammoth

2. Rock Creek Road

Located about 30 minutes south of Mammoth, Rock Creek Road is a bit of a hidden gem. But if you’ve done this drive yourself, you’ll agree with us that it’s one of the most spectacular places to see fall foliage in the Golden State.

Rock Creek Road is one of the highest paved roads in California, lined with aspen trees that turn into a sea of yellows and oranges in the fall months. We drove this highway in early October during the peak fall colors, and it was the perfect timing!

This highway is 10.5 miles long, and it takes about 20 minutes to drive the entire distance without stopping. But trust me, you’ll want to set aside half a day to drive it at a leisurely pace and stop many, many times to take photos of the gorgeous fall colors.

3. Bishop Creek Canyon

Bishop Creek Canyon is another scenic highway that is home to gorgeous scenery in the fall months. This route follows Highway 168 going west of Bishop town.

Highway 168 is a paved two-way highway, so any car can make this drive. The route passes Aspendell community and stops at Sabrina campground and trailhead.

This is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the fall as the trees start changing colors. There are several trails that you can take within the canyon that lead to pristine alpine lakes surrounded by rugged mountains.

4. Silverado Trail In Napa

Does anything sound better than fall colors and wine tasting? In Napa Valley, you can enjoy both during the autumn season!

Silverado Trail is a scenic highway that travels along the eastern edge of Napa Valley. This is a less crowded route that offers sweeping views of the local vineyards surrounded by rolling mountains.

From October to November, Silverado Trail is a great place to go for a scenic drive and stop at a couple of the wineries for some wine tasting. During this time, the vineyards change from bright greens to golden yellows, oranges, and deep reds.

5. Yosemite Valley Loop

Although Yosemite Valley Loop Drive is quite short, it doesn’t lack in scenery. Just around every turn, you’ll want to say WOW and marvel at the colorful maple trees set below the towering granite walls.

Yosemite Valley Loop follows Yosemite Valley in a loop for about 13 miles going one way. The best time to do this drive is mid October to early November when the fall colors are peaking in Yosemite Valley.

Read More: Guide To Visiting Yosemite National Park In Fall

6. Hope Valley

Located just a 30-minute drive south of South Lake Tahoe, Hope Valley is a wonderful destination to visit in the fall months.

Hope Valley is located near the junction of Highways 88 and 89, where aspen groves put on quite the show of changing colors in October and November. There are many side roads and alpine lakes like Red Lake that you can explore for spectacular fall foliage.

Read Next: 15 Amazing Places To Enjoy Fall Colors In California

7. Tioga Road In Yosemite National Park

Reaching an elevation of 9945 feet, the Tioga Pass is the highest elevation road within the Sierra Nevada mountains. With the higher elevation, you can see some pretty incredible fall scenery of golden aspen trees and meadows surrounded by towering granite peaks.  

Tioga Road typically closes for winter sometime in October or November after the first snowfall. If you plan to drive this highway in the fall months, it’s best to check the Yosemite National Park website for road updates before heading out there.

Read Next: 15 Most Scenic Drives In California

8. Sequoia National Park

Although Sequoia National Park is mostly known for its enormous sequoia trees, this is another great place to visit for some fall color peeping.

Driving along the winding Generals Highway is always a treat, but especially in fall when the road is lined with colorful trees. Plus, in the fall months, the park will be much cooler and less crowded, offering more solitude and empty trails.  

A few of my favorite day hikes to do within Sequoia National Park include the Congress Trail, Moro Rock Trail, and stopping by the General Sherman Tree.

9. Convict Lake Road

Although the Convict Lake Road is quite short, it leads to one of the most spectacular destinations in the Eastern Sierra – the Convict Lake. This is a place that belongs on everyone’s bucket list, especially in the fall!

Convict Lake is a drive-up lake, so it’s very easy to access off Highway 395. If you have extra time to spare, I recommend going on the 2.5-mile-long Convict Lake Loop that goes around the entire lake.

10. Highway 32

Highway 32 (also known as Deer Creek Highway) is a hidden little gem. This route will take you from Chico heading north towards Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Much of this winding highway follows a creek, creating the perfect backdrop for colorful fall scenery. In October and November, this stretch of the road is especially beautiful with big leaf maples, oak trees, and other shrubs turning to various shades of gold, orange, and red.

Have you done any of these fall drives in California? Let us know your favorites in the comment section below!

Looking for more California fall travel inspiration? Be sure to check out these popular posts next:

• 20 Best Places Where To See Fall Colors In Yosemite
• 15 Incredible Things To Do In Mammoth Lakes In Fall
• 10 Best Things To Do In Idyllwild, California
• Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail In Idyllwild-Pine Cove
• 20 Best Waterfalls In Central California 

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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