The 7 Least-Crowded Towns In California To Catch Fall Foliage
As people return home after the summer tourist frenzy typical of California, fall foliage covers the "Golden State" trail paths, making small towns stand out as quiet, tempting prospects. With its milder weather, smaller crowds, and gorgeous foliage, the autumn season grants apple harvesting events, crisp alpine air, and a cozy atmosphere. Whether seeking a short stay in a rustic cabin along Lake Arrowhead shores, a stroll in the beautiful Oak Glen Preserve, or taking some artistic photos during the June Lake Leaves festival, the warm autumn hues embrace these less crowded California towns, allowing for some priceless experiences. These seven towns give away their tourism mayhem for a tranquil fall ambiance amidst crimson forests and deep blue lakes, creating unique atmospheres that beat all the others.
Lake Arrowhead
Lake Arrowhead perches in the "Alps" of Southern California. This charming lakeside village set within the San Bernardino National Forest provides visitors with a cozy mountain resort paradise. Trailing around the extended network of all-level trails along the mountain, hikers can witness raining orange leaves and majestic ponderosa pines with their reddish look typical of fall. Additionally, the blue waters of Lake Arrowhead contrast the Amber fall foliage, creating a surreal view amidst a peaceful natural landscape. Nature comes to life through the change of colors here, and the town's lodging options grant stunning vistas of the surroundings.
Oak Glen
Oak Glen is a close-knit agricultural community replete with rustic farmlands and berry fields, and it is known for its outstanding fragrant apple orchards. The town's main road runs across a gorgeous valley with the Grand Potato Canyon and Wilshire Creek Canyon on either side. The Oak Glen Preserve is one of the main attractions, providing a crimson autumn spectacle. The Preserve is the home of the Conservancy's Southern California Montane Botanic Garden and Children's Outdoor Discovery Center and includes the 114-year-old Los Rios Rancho Apple Farm. Wild lynxes and bears often roam the Preserve with curiosity. Fall is the apple season, and Oak Glen organizes apple-picking events annually, providing fresh, crunchy apples and apple pies at Los Rios Rancho—Oak Glen Apple growers operate the orchards, packing shed, and bakery and are part of a long-term lease from The Wildlands Conservancy aiming to keep the apple business in operation for generations.
Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake shines with fall colors from the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains and is the perfect place to take a break from the urban hustle and see the landscape ablaze with russet fall foilage around this quiet village. From the clear lake waters with its beautiful bankside through the foothills and into the isolated wilderness reserves, Big Bear Lake provides a serene hiding spot away from crowds. You can enjoy peaceful fishing at the marina and sights of chipmunks, coyotes, and deer in the surrounding treeline. Hikers can venture into the untamed wilderness, including a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail and the inspiring 2.6-mile trail to the Castle Rock outcrop overlooking the lake. The Bluff Lake Reserve grants a piece of pristine nature with its towering pines and dense undergrowth. The warm autumn hues embrace this lakeside town, creating breathtaking views amid a tranquil getaway.
Placerville
Placerville hides between the Sierra Nevada mountains and is the hub of the Apple Hills region. Of all the local orchards, nearly 40 are just around Apple Hill alone. With a range of apple varieties growing on-site, High Hill Ranch is best visited between mid-September and the first few days of November to participate in the annual apple harvest event. Apple Hill is not just about apple orchids but is also replete with vineyards. On top of the majestic conifer trees with their fall vestige, the partially orange vineyards adorn the rolling hills of the Sierra Nevada. After spending a long day at apple harvesting, try some of the famed local hot apple cider or fermented grape must at one of the local restaurants like Smokey Ridge Ranch.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a whopping 6223 feet (1,897m) atop the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range on the California and Nevada border. Locals call autumn the "secret season," as the crowds lighten on the trails and beaches, but they are perfect for outdoor activities. With the pleasant temperatures in September, you can even bathe in this spectacular lake without crowds. The Lake Tahoe scenery is very similar to the Yosemite National Park one, with aspens that redress in bright yellow before lighting on fire vibrantly against the green fir trees. If you are a fan of winter sports and snow, you should plan your getaway for the second half of November to be among the first to hit the Tahoe ski slopes before the busy wintertime skiing season.
Julian
Amidst the breathtaking alpine scenery overlooking San Diego County, the small town of Julian provides the ideal mixture of bucolic charm and apple theme. Not much has changed since the short-lived gold rush in the late 1800s, and today's Julian continues to be a friendly town with a small-town living tradition. The Laguna Mountains give Julian a climate that's unusual in sunny Southern California, with the fall season as prime for apple picking and hiking. The International Dark-Sky Association officially declared Julian as an International Dark Sky Community for its outstandingly clear night skies, allowing for some of the best views of our galaxy, the Milky Way. From authentic Dutch pastries to an apple pie served with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream, you can indulge in your all-time favorite fall pursuit along the main street restaurants.
June Lake
Heading to the Eastern Sierra Nevada, June Lake, and its namesake village stand out among the Mammoth Lakes for their beautiful forest that completely transforms in the fall earlier than most of California. Most would guess that this area's forests are composed primarily of pine tree forests, which are evergreen and do not change color in the fall, but where there is access to flat ground and fresh water, as there is around June Lake and the many valleys of the Sierra Nevada, you will find a healthy population of aspen, cottonwood, and willow trees, each known for their stunning fall foliage. Hikers can explore this region's fall colors by walking the Horsetail Falls Trail, Twin Falls Trail, or Minaret Falls Trail, each providing outstanding vantage points through breathtakingly beautiful deciduous forests. Travelers visiting the village of June Lake in mid-October can enjoy the June Lake Leaves festival. Held in the nearby Gull Lake Park, this festival celebrates fall season art with photography hikes, guided historical walks, and landscape painting.
Conclusion
Autumn is able to transform the landscape of many towns in every state, but these secluded retreats provide some of the best fall foliage in California. As many tourists return home after the summer holidays, these getaways grant many pretty sights away from crowds. From Oak Glen's jaw-dropping canyons to the outstandingly clear night skies in Julian or the mesmerizing apple orchids of the Apple Hills region near Placerville, autumn is the most spectacular season to visit these California towns. Experiencing the golden season in the "Golden State" can give warm memories to end the year on a high note.
