Photos show the best places in California to see fall foliage

Melissa WellsJan 12, 2024, 12:53 IST

The sun shining through the yellow aspen trees in the Sierra Nevada mountains of CaliforniaAlexey Olenchenko/Shutterstock

The West Coast isn't known for the seasonal changes of the East Coast, but it has its hidden gems.
These spots across California are picturesque if you want to catch the changing leaves.

California may not be known for its fall foliage compared to states like Vermont or North Carolina, but that doesn't mean there aren't places you can go to see the changing colors of red, orange, and yellow.

The autumn displays of vibrant scenery can be found across locations from the Sacramento Valley to the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California.

Photos taken in previous years show what 26 of those destinations look like at the height of fall.

This time of year, the leaves of trees surrounding the snow-capped Mount Shasta in Shasta County, California, transform in color.

Trees change colors around Mount Shasta in Northern California.LHBLLC/Shutterstock

At McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, the leaves surrounding the waterfalls turn shades of orange and yellow in the fall.

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Shasta County, Northern California.Alexey Olenchenko/Shutterstock

The sequoia trees that line this path in the redwoods forest of Russian River in Guerneville are a fiery red this time of year.

Redwoods forest of Russian River near the Pacific coast in Guerneville in Northern California.oliverdelahaye/Shutterstock

In Napa Valley, California, ginkgo trees bursting in yellow line a path at a vineyard.

Yellow ginkgo trees through a wine vineyard in Napa Valley, California.Spondylolithesis/Getty Images

It's no secret what Wine Country in California is known for, but come October, it is also home to gorgeous fall foliage.

Fall in Wine Country, California.b33photography/Getty Images

The yellow leaves of Sacramento Valley's trees make it look like a postcard.

Orchard in Sacramento Valley, California.Diane Miller/Getty Images

Visitors can hike through fall foliage at the Muir Woods National Monument, where aspen trees also burst with yellow.

Hiking trail lined up with aspen trees in the Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley, California.Sundry Photography/Shutterstock

Head to Truckee, which is close to Lake Tahoe and the Nevada border, to see the changing leaves.

Truckee, California.Robyn Havard/Shutterstock

On the way to Lake Tahoe, spot the spectacular natural views.

South Lake Tahoe, California.Stefan Prinz/Shutterstock

In Eldorado National Forest in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, red leaves frame a waterfall.

A small waterfall on a creek in the Eldorado National Forest in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range.Danita Delimont/Shutterstock

In Hope Valley, trees with yellow leaves reach up to a crisp, blue sky.

Fall foliage in Hope Valley, California.Always Wanderlust/Shutterstock

The Sonora Pass in Northern California makes for a scenic drive.

Driving through the Sonora Pass in the Eastern Sierra Mountains, California.Sundry Photography/Shutterstock

Lundy Lake in Lee Vining, California, is also home to breathtaking fall scenery.

Lundy Lake, California.Asif Islam/Shutterstock

California's greenery surrounding Mono Lake transforms into a fall-foliage wonderland during the season.

A Fall Sunrise at Mono Lake, California.David Toussaint/Getty Images

The fiery red leaves around Yosemite's El Capitan rock formation will take your breath away.

Yosemite National Park, California.Kari Siren/Getty Images

Lining June Lake Loop in the Eastern Sierras, the trees look more yellow than red.

Trees at June Lake Loop in California.Kit Leong/Shutterstock

Fall is the perfect season to see the changing leaves surrounding Convict Lake in Inyo National Forest.

Convict Lake in the Inyo National Forest of California.Gerald Corsi/Getty Images

Amid the greenery around Rock Creek Lake in the Eastern Sierra Mountains, trees burst with vibrant colors.

View of Rock Creek Lake, California.Sundry Photography/Shutterstock

Bishop Creek in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is full of aspens, which turn variations of bright yellows and oranges in the fall.

Aspen trees line Bishop Creek in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Bishop, California.Ron and Patty Thomas/Getty Images

Bishop Creek Canyon is home to rocky, snow-capped mountains in the distance, and foliage in shades of reds, oranges, and yellows.

Bishop Creek Canyon, California.Steven Castro/Shutterstock

Fall scenery is reflected in Lake Sabrina in Bishop, California, in the Inyo National Forest.

Lake Sabrina, Bishop, California.SNEHIT PHOTO/Shutterstock

The crystal-clear waters and beautiful fall colors of Grass Valley Lake in San Bernardino County make for unmatched panoramic views.

San Bernardino Mountains at Grass Valley Lake near Lake Arrowhead, California.Ron and Patty Thomas/Getty Images

The contrast of the blue of Big Bear Lake in Southern California to the red and orange of its trees is a sight to behold.

The shore of Big Bear Lake in Southern California.Patricia Elaine Thomas/Shutterstock

Autumn in the San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California is full of oranges and yellows.

San Jacinto Mountains, California.AJ9/Shutterstock

At the height of autumn, vibrant views can be seen across the vineyards of Temecula Valley in Southern California.

Vineyard landscape in Temecula Valley, California.Sanghwan Kim/Getty Images

At Mount Laguna in Southern California, popular forest roads such as this one are encircled by trees of changing colors.

A forest road in Mount Laguna, California.Ray Tan/Getty Images

Stylists reveal 12 items you should get rid of from your fall wardrobe

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