2024's Towns In California That Come Alive In The Fall
It is no surprise that the Golden State welcomes the majority of its visitors during the months of June through August. Promising endless sunshine and some of the prettiest beaches in the country, for many, California is synonymous with summertime.
That being said, California’s autumn is becoming increasingly popular with travelers hoping to avoid the summer heat and crowds. Paired with exciting fall festivities and kaleidoscope landscapes transformed with the season’s colors, it is easy to see why more and more people are choosing to visit California in the fall.
While New England is certainly the country’s most famous region when it comes to fall foliage and seasonal charms, as you will see, California comes alive with its own stunning fall scenes and celebrations. And if you are someone who loves exploring underdog travel destinations to reap the rewards of underrated sights and attractions, consider adding these towns to your travel itinerary to get the most out of your fall in 2024.
Half Moon Bay
Over on the state’s stunning Northern coast, Californians travel from near and far to visit Half Moon Bay, the “Pumpkin Capital of the World.” As the nickname implies, what this cozy coastal town lacks in fall foliage, it makes up for with its famous selection of pumpkin patches, which reach peak popularity in early to mid-October. Whether picking a pumpkin and wandering through a corn maze at Andreotti Family Farms or visiting Pastorino Farms for some pumpkin pie and rural train rides, these farmsteads promise family fun and “gourd” vibes only.
In October, the 52nd Annual Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival is another fun way to celebrate the season’s bountiful harvest. On October 14th, 2024, the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off will kick off the celebrations, followed by the festival itself on October 19th and 20th. This free-admission event will take place on Half Moon Bay’s historic Main Street, promising the Great Pumpkin Parade, live music, tons of scrumptious pumpkin-themed delicacies, and so much more.
Big Bear Lake
Along the southern shore of its namesake reservoir, the town of Big Bear Lake is the perfect alternative for those looking to see the leaves change. Thanks to its elevated location in the San Bernardino Mountains, visitors can expect to see the colors of the surrounding San Bernardino National Forest transform in mid-October to early November. The area is rich with maples, aspens, and oaks, meaning the landscape takes on a spectacular mural of amber, gold, and ruby-red leaves. Whether taking in the views on a Scenic Sky Chair ride or hitting up hiking paths like the Towne Trail or Castle Rock Trail, the crisp mountain air and gorgeous fall colors will take your breath away.
Big Bear Lake also keeps the fall fun going with tons of festivals and events, like their annual Oktoberfest celebration. This year, the festivities kicked off on September 7th, 2024, and will run every Saturday through November 9th. For family-friendly fun, Big Bear Lake’s adorable town center, “The Village,” also hosts countless Halloween events, like trick-or-treating at the district’s shops and a Halloween concert. But if you would prefer to enjoy the natural splendor of this alpine lake town, you may want to rent a boat from the Big Bear Marina for a day on the water. Whether enjoying the lake’s surrounding treeline or casting a line (fall is one of the best times for rainbow trout fishing in Big Bear) the tranquil sights and sounds of the season will not disappoint.
Lake Arrowhead
A 40-minute drive from Big Bear Lake will bring you to Lake Arrowhead, the perfect alternative for those looking to savor San Bernardino Mountain views with smaller crowds. Along with a quieter atmosphere, this alpine town is a nice retreat for those looking to leaf-peep later in the season. With a 6,750-foot elevation, Big Bear Lake’s peak foliage typically happens a week before Lake Arrowhead, whose 5,200-foot elevation makes for slightly warmer temperatures and a slower transformation. Despite this, both towns promise the same beautiful reds, yellows, and oranges, and a similar peak time in late October and early November.
To behold the beauty right from your car, there are countless scenic drives you can take. The Rim of the World Highway (also known as Highway 18) features a stunning display of fall foliage between Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, or you can turn onto Highway 189 to travel the loop around Lake Arrowhead’s namesake lake. A cruise aboard the Arrowhead Queen is another lovely way to see the surrounding fall colors, while hikes like the Arrowhead Pinnacles offer stunning panoramic views of the foliage. Back in town, the Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest is another delight of fall, promising beer tastings, daily sausage toss competitions, live German-American oompah bands, and children's games from September 14th to October 27th, 2024.
Mammoth Lakes
Heading to California's Sierra Nevada Mountains, Mammoth Lakes is another alpine town famous for its vibrant fall hues. Like other California communities, the foliage timing varies, but generally, mid-September through early October is when nature’s metamorphosis really shines in Mammoth Lakes. As cool autumn mornings give way to sun-warmed afternoons, average daytime temperatures in September and October range from 60 to 70°F, creating thinned summer crowds and peaceful hiking trails. Popular paths include gems like the Heart Lake Trail and Shadow Creek Trail, both featuring views of the area’s famed yellow aspen groves.
With wildlife preparing for winter, Mammoth Lakes visitors can also anticipate the thrill of wildlife spotting in the fall. Eastern Sierra red foxes are elusive but sometimes spotted in the higher elevations this time of year, and mountain lion sightings, while also rare, are the most frequent in the fall when hunting is at its peak. As for more likely sightings, visitors can keep an eye out for the majestic American Black Bear, busy at work preparing for their hibernation ahead.
El Portal
Just a 3-mile drive from Yosemite National Park’s stunning Arch Rock entrance, no name is more fitting than the town of El Portal’s, meaning “The Gateway” in Spanish. This tiny town may have less than 500 locals, but of the 5 million who visit Yosemite every year, many use El Portal as a home base for their park adventure. This is no exception in the fall, when Yosemite’s autumn colors generally peak in late October, leaving plenty of time for leaf-peepers to make their way here.
Since most of the park’s trees are evergreen, Yosemite is admittedly not extremely famous for its fall colors, but finding the pockets of vibrant foliage and other seasonal landmarks is half the fun. The Arch Rock entrance, for instance, is close to Bridalveil Fall. As one of the park’s only year-round waterfalls, visitors can enjoy the cascade in the autumn without the hassle of busy summer crowds. As for fall foliage, around mid-October, hikers can find the first sign of El Portal’s entryway changing color, with willow trees turning a gorgeous shade of yellow and poison oaks taking on a deep red. As the closest park entrance to the Yosemite Valley, El Portal is also a gateway to black cottonwoods and Bigleaf maples, which both turn a gorgeous shade of gold.
Julian
Although Julian’s renowned Apple Days Festival has already come and gone in 2024, autumn remains the prime season to indulge in the adorable town’s sweet treat. From mid-September to mid-November, the Julian Fall Apple Harvest envelops the town in a warm, cozy atmosphere, drawing visitors from all over the state. While the town’s signature apple pie is a year-round favorite, local spots like Mom's Pie House and Julian Pie Company see a significant influx of out-of-town guests during the fall. Infused with a delightful mix of cinnamon and fresh local fruit, these award-winning pies offer a comforting taste of the season.
Apple picking at places like Julian Farm and Orchard is another beloved autumn experience for locals and visitors alike, who can agree that there is nothing quite like the crisp autumn air and the taste of juicy apples plucked straight from the trees. The orchard also hosts a variety of fun fall activities for the entire family, including tractor-pulled hayrides, cider-press demonstrations, and a hay bale maze. As for autumn scenery in Julian, the town’s orchards once again hold the key to seasonal bliss, their trees brightening with the season's hues from late September through November.
Nevada City
Finally, we have the forest-wrapped town of Nevada City, one of the more underrated places for leaf-peeping in California. Since much of the Tahoe National Forest is made up of pine trees, the area is not extremely popular with those looking to experience the colors of the changing season. But hidden inside the town itself, you can embrace fall’s warm hues from mid-October to mid-November using the town’s Fall Colors Map, available at Nevada City’s Visitors Center or online.
Nestled among the town’s Victorian neighborhoods, visitors can take a self-guided walking tour to behold century-old red maples, bright yellow American Lindens, and a wide range of other trees transformed from their usual green. While not as colorful, Nevada City’s surrounding landscapes are also stunning in their own right and definitely worth exploring, especially in the mellowed heat. Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park is a crowd-favorite, known for its stunning cliffs that can be explored across over 20 miles of Sierra foothill trails.
Final Thoughts
While New England is typically the most celebrated region for autumn foliage, California has some of the most underrated fall scenes in the country. Combined with cozy attractions and festivals celebrating the season, California serves as a refreshing alternative for fall enthusiasts looking to savor the season. From pumpkin picking in Half Moon Bay to leaf-peeping in Mammoth Lakes, this sunny state may not have been your first thought for an autumn destination, but may just prove to be the perfect place to spend your fall in 2024.
