California is one of the most popular destinations in the US any time of the year. Whether visitors are hoping for a beach getaway or are planning a trip to one of California’s most eco-friendly tourism destinations, there is plenty to love about the Golden State.
Fall is a particularly beautiful time of year to visit California, as many towns are preparing seasonal festivals beginning the annual harvest. With u-pick Orchards across the state and California’s famous mild weather at its best, there are nearly endless things to do around the state.
Of all the places to go and things to do in California this Fall, these ten towns are the best of the best, with a little bit of everything that makes this season great.
Fall is a great time to travel to California, not only because of the beautiful scenery and unique activities, but the great deals on accommodations. As the peak travel season ends, many hotels offer deals to entice travelers. Each destination listed includes a top-rated hotel conveniently located near the fun, giving travelers an advantage as they start planning their Fall California vacation.
10
San Luis Obispo
Mountain Bikers follow a trail in San Luis Obispo, CA
Another California fall destination that benefits from the harvest season, San Luis Obispo is a lively coastal town that is popular with more than just human visitors during the Fall. Starting in October, the annual monarch butterfly migration makes its way to San Luis Obispo, filling the foliage with a totally different variety of colors.
San Luis Obispo is also a great Fall destination for those interested in a less crowded alternative to the Napa Valley wine harvest, as San Luis Obispo is the home base for several of its own wineries. With the fresh grapes being picked and processed, Fall is the perfect time to enjoy vineyard tours and wine tastings at these open-to-the-public locations.
About San Luis Obispo in Fall
- Best Places for Fall Foliage in San Luis Obispo: See Canyon Road, Vineyards, Adelaida Road, Highway 46 West, Highway 58
- Things to Do in San Luis Obispo in the Fall: Hiking, Wine Tours, SLO Creek Farms, Cambria Scarecrow Festival, Atascadero Fall Festival, Central Coast Railroad Festival, Octoberfest at Madonna
- Accommodation: Apple Farm
- Address: 2015 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
- Amenities: Outdoor pool, Free Wi-Fi, Free parking, Free airport shuttle
9
Santa Cruz
Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California
There is no bad time of year to enjoy Santa Cruz, home of some of the most beautiful beaches in California. Despite its prominence as a summer beach destination, Santa Cruz is also one of the best towns to visit in California during the Fall.
There are two state parks right around Santa Cruz that are ideal for enjoying the fall foliage and cooling Fall breeze along the ocean. Both Nuevo State Park and Natural Bridges State Park are a must for hikers and casual sightseers alike hoping to get a little more time outside before the weather fully shifts.
Of course, it wouldn’t be fall in California without some of the more classic activities, like Apple Picking at the local Orchards and Fall festivals like the free Festival of Monsters in October.
About Santa Cruz in the Fall
- Best Places for Fall Foliage in Santa Cruz: Nuevo State Park, Natural Bridges State Park, UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Things to Do in Santa Cruz in the Fall: Hiking, Fall Festivals, Apple Picking, Visit a Pumpkin Patch
- Accommodation: Rio Vista Suites
- Address: 611 Third Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Amenities: Adults only, Free Wi-Fi, Air-conditioned, V
8
Napa Valley
Napa Valley, California
Fall is the season of the harvest, and farms of every kind are enjoying the bounty. Napa Valley, the wine country of California, is one of the best places to visit in California in the Fall as it enjoys this time of plenty.
Not only is Napa beautiful during the Fall, enjoying the brightness of the Fall colors, but the air is filled with the smell of grapes being pressed and barreled. Harvest festivals are around every corner, and even the Wine Train that runs through Napa Valley has a seasonal festive twist, with Harry Potter-themed rides throughout Fall.
About Napa Valley in the Fall
- Best Places for Fall Foliage in Napa: Rutherford Hill Winery, Chateau, Chateau Montelena Winery, Nimbus Arts, Harvest Inn, Far Niente Winery
- Things to Do in Napa in the Fall: Wine Train, Active Wine Adventures, Napa Valley Gondola, Balloons Above The Valley
- Accommodation: Archer Hotel Napa
- Address: 1230 First Street, Napa, CA 94559
- Amenities: Spa and wellness center, Bar/Lounge, Restaurant, Free Wi-Fi
7
Oak Glen
Various Pumpkins in a field with shadows at sunset with crops growing in the background
Pumpkins may be the unofficial symbol of Fall, but in California, apples are the true center of the harvest season. For some of the best apple picking in the state, a trip to Oak Glen, California, is a must.
With a number of unique varieties of apples growing in and around Oak Glen, most of the town’s orchards remain open from September through October. While out exploring the farms, visitors can also enjoy petting zoos, locally baked goods, and classic fall colors, making Oak Glen one of the best Fall destinations in California.
About Oak Glen in the Fall
- Best Places for Fall Foliage in Oak Glen: Oak Glen Conservancy hike, Mill Creek Road, Oak Glen Preserve Trail, Castle Rock Trail
- Things to Do in Oak Glen in the Fall: Apple Picking, Fall Festivals, Oak Glen Preserve, Riley’s Farm, Oak Tree Mountain
- Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Beaumont – Oak Valley
- Address: 1864 Oak Valley Village Circle, Beaumont, CA 92223
- Amenities: Outdoor pool, Spa and wellness center, Free Wi-Fi, Business center
6
Lake Tahoe
Changing Fall Colors frame a road to Lake Tahoe, CA
Lake Tahoe is another popular California destination better known for its summer fun. The dense evergreen forest hides a variety of beautiful towns one and around Lake Tahoe, each with its own unique approach to the Fall season. South Lake Tahoe, perhaps the most prominent destination on Lake Tahoe’s shore, is particularly fun during the Fall.
The weather around the lake is still plenty warm enough for swimming during the day, and even overnight temperatures hold enough to make camping possible. What really makes South Lake Tahoe one of the best places to visit in California in the Fall is the unusual seasonal activities, including the Freakers Ball and South Lake Tahoe’s free Multicultural Celebration.
About Lake Tahoe in the Fall
- Best Places for Fall Foliage around Lake Tahoe: Zephyr Cove, Sand Harbor, Highway 89
- Things to Do around Lake Tahoe In Fall: Freakers Ball, Multicultural Celebration, Hiking, Swimming, Camping, Scenic Drives, Halloween Celebration at the Heavenly Village
- Accommodation: Tahoe Seasons Resort By Diamond Resorts
- Address: 3901 Saddle Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Amenities: Outdoor pool, Fitness center, Bar/Lounge, Free Wi-Fi, Business center
5
Nevada City
A historic storefront in Nevada City, CA
Nevada City, which, despite its name, is located firmly within California’s boundaries, is often overlooked as just another stop on the way to Lake Tahoe. Those who take a little more time to look around will quickly realize, however, that Nevada City is one of the best towns to visit in California.
Nevada City is a great California destination for those looking for a less-touristy town that still has plenty to do, and this is particularly true in the Fall. The higher elevation of this mountain town means that the vibrant fall colors come later than many other stretches of the country, with reds and oranges arriving later in October and November. Walking tours of Nevada City and the Grass Valley area are a great way to enjoy these exceptional landscapes after a majority of the state’s fall season has come and gone.
About Nevada City in the Fall
- Best Places for Fall Foliage in Nevada City: Yuba-Donner Scenic Byway, Historic Downtown District, Victorian California Fall Colors Tour
- Things to Do in Nevada City in Fall: Walking Tours, Drive the Yuba-Donner Scenic Byway, Bierwagen’s Farm, Victorian California Fall Colors Tour, Grass Valley BrewFest
- Accommodation: National Exchange Hotel
- Address: 211 Broad Street, Nevada City, CA 95959
- Amenities: Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Free Wi-Fi, Free parking
4
Palm Springs
Palm Springs in California
As the winds begin to change, finding a great Fall destination in the US can be challenging. Fortunately for California travelers, Palm Springs is ready with daytime temperatures in the high 70s to mid 80s well into Fall. These warm temperatures make it easy to explore the wide variety of seasonal activities going on in this popular California town.
In fact, Palm Springs is generally more enjoyable in the Fall, as its outdoor activities are more pleasant without the extreme heat. The crowds that often inundate the town also thin out in the Fall, making it the perfect time to stroll through downtown, jump on a hiking trail, or drive over to nearby Joshua Tree National Park.
About Palm Springs in the Fall
- Best Places for Fall Foliage in Palm Springs: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Stoddard Peak, Coachella Valley Preserve
- Things to Do in Palm Springs in the Fall: Palm Canyon Drive, Joshua Tree National Park, Indian Canyons, VillageFest, Downtown Palm Springs
- Accommodation: Les Cactus
- Address: 555 South Warm Sands Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264
- Amenities: Adults only, Outdoor pool, Free parking, Free Wi-Fi
3
Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes, California
The only thing better than beautiful Fall colors is beautiful Fall colors reflecting off the water. At Mammoth Lakes, the bright colors of the trees that appear between late September and mid-October are made even more exceptional by Mammoth Creek and the namesake Mammoth Lakes.
Generally considered the off-season for Mammoth Lakes, Fall is a great time for those looking for a more budget-friendly California destination. Even as temperatures cool, September and October are a great time to enjoy hiking, biking, or picnicking in and among the Mammoth Lakes fall foliage.
About Mammoth Lakes in the Fall
- Best Places for Fall Foliage in Mammoth Lakes: Rock Creek, Mammoth Lakes Basin, Mammoth Creek, Sherwin Creek, June Lake Loop
- Things to Do in Mammoth Lakes in the Fall: Hiking, Biking, Camping, Picnicking, Devils Postpile National Monument, Rainbow Falls,
- Accommodation: The Mammoth Creek Inn
- Address: 663 Old Mammoth Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
- Amenities: Fitness center, Tea/coffee maker, Free parking
2
Chico
A highway surrounded by forest in the fall
Known as the “City of Trees,” it’s hard to imagine a better place to enjoy the changing colors of Fall in California than Chico. Chico is an excellent fall destination in California where travelers can simply wander the streets and local college campus to enjoy the beauty of the season.
As travelers explore, they are also likely to come across seasonal events that add to the appeal of Chico. Free concerts extend through mid-October in Chico, and special festivals like Johnny Appleseed Days, Chico Art & Wine Walk, and Chico Concours d’Elegance round out a perfect escape in this college town.
About Chico in the Fall
- Best Places for Fall Foliage in Chico: Esplanade, Chico State Campus, The Midway, Bidwell Park, Chico Seed Orchard
- Things to Do in Chico in Fall: Free Concerts, Johnny Appleseed Days, Chico Art & Wine Walk, Chico Concours d’Elegance, Treat Street, Chico Harvest Sidewalk Sale
- Accommodation: Oxford Suites Chico
- Address: 2035 Business Lane, Chico, CA 95928
- Amenities: Outdoor pool, Spa and wellness center, Free Wi-Fi, Free parking
1
Placerville
Apples in a bag from apple picking
California is famous for its vibrant beach cities and summer destinations, but during the fall, the Central Valley in Northern California gets its time to shine. Placerville, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, hosts one of the grandest harvest festivals in the country.
Apple Hill, which runs from Labor Day through October, brings together over 30 farms throughout Placerville for apple and berry picking, fall activities, baked goods, and local vendors.
Visitors from across California flock to Placerville to pick their own apples, enjoy hot Apple cider donuts, wander through local vendor shops, and grab an oven-ready blackberry pie against the backdrop of some of the best fall foliage in California. With such a large area to cover, Placerville is the must-visit fall destination that will keep travelers coming back year after year.
About Apple Hill in Placerville
- Entrance Address: 2952 Carson Rd #1, Placerville, CA 95667
- Entrance Fee: FREE
- Popular Stops on Apple Hill: High Hill Ranch, Abel’s Apple Acres, Rainbow Orchards, Harris Family Farms
- Things to Do at Apple Hill: Apple Picking, Shop Local Vendors, Berry Picking, Enjoy Local Apple-Themed Food
- Accommodation: Glenmorey Country House
- Address: 801 Morey Drive, Placerville, CA 95667
- Amenities: Game room, Free Wi-Fi, Private bathroom, Air-conditioned
On weekends especially, the parking at Apple Hill can quickly back up. Arrive early to find a spot in the main parking lot, or be prepared to find street parking in permitted areas.
The post 10 Best Towns To Visit In California During The Fall appeared first on Crunchbase News Today.
