Leaves changing colors in California? Hey, it's not the East Coast / New England, but we have a few decent displays of Cottonwoods & Aspens in Cali.
Summer is over, the tourist are gone & the holidays are right around the corner. Nights are crisp & days area cooler. Autumn is coming upon us, especially in the higher altitudes (elevation 6000'-10,000'). Take some time off before the busy season starts & enjoy nature. Eastern Sierra, NorCal Lakes, the Gold Country, any Sierra Nevada river. Plan a weekend out - before the snow falls on the peaks. Fishing season is prime.
Highways winding along a river gorge, laced with trees who's leaves are changing to brilliant golden colors. Take the time to enjoy what little bit of the fall season that California has to offer. Plenty of places for picnics & hiking. Take a weekend away from everyday routine. Relax, enjoy & see the seasonal beauty.
Activities
Biking these
days couldn't be better! Cooler temperatures & slight breezes
make riding very pleasant. Grab that mountain
bike & head for the local hills.
Camping is still great
in the desert,
coastal &
countryside
areas, but temperatures are really starting to drop in the mountains.
Hot Springs
are nice to visit this time of year. There are plenty of types
to choose: from primitives to resort spas.
Explore the California backroads
& get that SUV a little dusty! Plenty to see along these
remote paths that lead to the ultimate in seclusion. Bring a
picnic lunch &
make a day of it.
Most mountain towns have creeks that are lined with fall colors in early season. Aspens are more likely is Northern California & the Eastern Sierra, while Cottonwoods tend to appear more in SoCal. Some of the oak foothills region of the countryside have a mixed variety of trees that do change colors. A hike through such an area is a beautiful sight. Pack up a picnic lunch & head to the nearest town. Then relax in a local cabin for the evening.
Northern California's Scott Valley is a nice drive in October. Perfect visuals for fall colors in the Autumn months. Take a self guided driving tour. Take the Gazelle - Callahan Rd, off of I-5 (N of Weed), over ridge and into Scott Valley. This valley is a pallet of golden colors with oranges and browns complementing. Continue driving from Callahan north to Etna, Fort Jones and over Forest Mountain to Yreka California.
These campgrounds are located in or near aspen groves & are simply spectacular during the fall months. The higher elevation terrain (7000'-9000') will change earlier in the year (as soon as September), whereas the lower countryside may wait until late October. Pack warmly, cuz the cooler at night (30's) is what makes the autumn leaves change colors.
Campgrounds
To make a campground reservation nearby aspen, see listings below
From the Sacramento River from Castle Crags State Park, this
area offers amazing colors in the fall season. Small town charm
& great fishing is just some of what the area can offer.
Yosemite for Fall: This is one of the best times of year to visit this popular park. The summer crowds are gone & the winter snow has yet to fall. Warm autumn colors against the granite walls are a spectacular sight to see. Night are getting chilly & day temperatures are perfect. Bike rentals are available with paved paths winding throughout the park. October can often bring an early snow, so be sure to check the weather.
bike rides
camping
hiking
picnic
rock climbing
Take the Train
with shuttle bus service directly to the lodge
