Top Places To Visit In Northern California In The Fall
Northern California is often associated with its tourist destinations, ranging from San Francisco’s infamous Golden State Bridge, to the bustling city of Santa Cruz, whose boardwalk and beaches host around 3 million visitors every year. But alongside these iconic tourist attractions, California’s north is also home to some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the state, and in the country. From Yosemite National Park’s vast glacial valley, to South Lake Tahoe’s massive alpine lake, Northern California is brimming with natural splendor. As fall sets in, the weather cools, the summer crowds dwindle, and leaves take on their seasonal hues, transforming these landscapes in a truly unique way. The foliage is as diverse as it is beautiful, and you can find anything from classic scarlet oaks in "The City of Trees”, to copper redwood needles in the state’s ancient forests. All in all, a trip to Northern California in the fall has something to fulfill any fall traveler’s desires, whether they are on the hunt for the season's colors, or simply a more secluded nature getaway.
Yosemite National Park
With over 3.5 million visitors every year, Yosemite National Park is not only one of Northern California’s most popular parks, but perhaps the most famous in all of California. Known for its vast granite cliffs, Yosemite Valley, and stunning waterfalls, the park is a sight to behold in all seasons, but fall is an especially great time to visit. One major reason, being the thinned summer crowds. As the weather cools, and waterfalls slow to a trickle, many choose to return when the park is in its summer prime. But even with the famous 2,425-ft. Yosemite Falls carrying little to no water in the fall, this is a great opportunity to take in the park's other year-round waterfalls, like the Nevada, Bridalveil, and Vernal. Their flow may be slowed, but the views are still gorgeous, and more easily appreciated with the absence of shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.
The park is not especially known for its fall foliage due to the majority of its trees being evergreen, but there are hidden gems you will not want to miss. The Valley Tree Loop Trail is one example, its dogwoods taking on a range of reds, while the bigleaf maples adopt a vibrant yellow. Mid to late October is when the foliage is at its peak, which is worth noting, since the park only remains open in November if the weather permits.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Like Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic National Park is gorgeous year-round, but the fall is a great time to visit due to the absence of summer crowds. Even better, less than 500,000 people visit Lassen every year, making this a great alternative to Yosemite if you are really hoping to enjoy the park’s majestic volcanoes and alpine lakes in secluded bliss.
Lassen famously possesses each of the 4 volcano types: composite, shield, cinder cone, and plug dome. For panoramic views of the park (and an incredible story to take home), hike the 5-mile Lassen Peak, one of the world’s largest plug dome active volcanoes. The trail is strenuous, with an 1,957-ft. elevation gain, but well worth it for the view alone.
For an easier hike with views of the peak from ground level, try the 1.5-mile Manzanita Lake loop trail. Make sure to visit in September through October to witness the lake’s surrounding fall foliage, as the season comes early due to high elevations. The shores are lined with evergreens, with the addition of vibrant oranges and yellows from the cottonwoods, alders, and aspens.
Sacramento
Making your way even deeper into California’s north, fall foliage is endlessly stunning in “The City of Trees”. Sacramento, a city famous for its widespread oaks, was once mainly blanketed in grass. Eventually, Gold Rush-era settlers took it upon themselves to plant shade trees where the American and Sacramento rivers met, a decision that greatly influenced the city-scape to this day. From its tree-lined roads, to its public parks, a visit to Sacramento is spectacular in the fall, the city’s oaks, elms, redwoods, sycamores, and maples transformed with the season’s colors. With an estimated 1 million trees thriving within the city’s borders, there is vibrant foliage at every turn.
To view some of the original shade trees planted at the confluence of the American and Sacramento River (the longest river that flows entirely within California), visit Discovery Park. Within its 302 acres, cyclists can savor the scenic 32-mile Jedediah Smith Bike Trail, while others can choose to enjoy a scenic riverside picnic or stroll. With exceptional views of the seasonal colors and wild waters, the park embodies Sacramento’s history and natural beauty in a truly enchanting way.
William Land Regional Park
Just nine minutes south of Discovery Park, you can find another Sacramento park with bold seasonal foliage. William Land Regional Park is one of the city’s best places to take in fall colors, its 207 acres densely packed with trees. The towering zelkovas take on a reddish-brown, while the plane trees transform to a bright yellow, creating a dazzling contrast. Orange sycamores and oaks can also be seen scattered throughout.
With gentle walkways guiding you through the park, you will pass by several small lakes and various picnic areas. Autumn at William Land is also a great time to take advantage of the park’s family-friendly atmosphere, as it is a bit less busy than it is in the summertime. Nestled amongst the trees, you can find Fairyvale (a storybook themed kiddie spot), along with a golf course, rock garden, and the famed Sacramento Zoo, whose entry offers you access to over 140 native and exotic animals.
Tilden Regional Park
Heading southwest to the San Francisco Bay Area, Tilden Regional Park is not only one of the district’s 3 oldest parks, but also one of its most popular. With over 2,000 scenic acres to explore, fall is an especially remarkable time to visit because the park takes on the season’s changes everywhere you look. Many flock to the park’s 10-acre Botanic Garden for that very reason. Of the thousands of floral species, wild grasses, and trees, the seasonal foliage is amongst the more sought-after. From October through November, you can witness anything from the bright orange cottonwood trees to the transformed snowberry shrubs, whose summer flowers are replaced with white berry clusters. Keep in mind, Sundays and Saturdays are on the busier side, as garden tours are offered for free.
Scenic hikes are another popular Tilden specialty, with around 40 miles of trails with varying degrees of difficulty due to the unique terrains. The moderately difficult Seaview and Big Springs Loop Trail is one of the more popular hikes, offering a blend of flat stretches and steeper hills. The trail is favored for its views of San Francisco on one side, and the San Pablo Reservoir on the other.
South Lake Tahoe
For a fall getaway centered around North America’s largest alpine lake, the Sierra Nevada town of South Lake Tahoe has you covered. About two-thirds of the lake’s 191 square miles and 72 miles of shoreline are located in Northern California (the remainder being in Nevada) and the town offers direct entrance to its crystal blue waters. For views overlooking the famous “Big Blue” and the neighboring Emerald Bay, a hike up Maggie’s Peak will grant you a spectacular picture, whether you stop at one of the earlier lookouts or make your way to its highest point, at 8,699-ft. The cool autumn air makes this challenging climb a bit less daunting, with the added benefit of a less busy hiking trail.
While pines and evergreens are plentiful around the lake, thousands visit South Lake Tahoe in the fall for its gorgeous golden aspens. The white-barked trees begin their transformation in late September, but to view the peak transformation, visit in mid-late October. On the southern shores near Mount Tallac, Fallen Leaf Lake is a much smaller alternative to the nearby Lake Tahoe, and its blond aspen shoreline are a sight to behold in the fall, making it an excellent addition to your Lake Tahoe trip.
June Lake
On the outskirts of the Sierra Nevada mountains, like South Lake Tahoe, June Lake is a community anchored by gorgeous alpine waters. The crystal-clear lake offers a setting so picturesque, you may have seen it in one of the countless calendars or commercials that have taken advantage of its beauty. With the 10,897-ft. Carson Peak in the backdrop, and the 320-acre lake reflected with its scenic caps, you will definitely want to have your camera on hand for a scene this striking.
Another similarity June Lake shares with South Lake Tahoe, are its vivid yellow aspens in the fall.The June Lake Loop on HWY 158 is a great way to take in the trees and turquoise waters. For a closer look at the lake and its surrounding foliage, the Oh Ridge campground is nestled on the eastern edge overlooking the water, surrounded by the Inyo National Forest. The aspens will start to change as early as mid-September, but you will want to wait until October to see the trees in full effect.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
With redwoods towering as high as 365-feet-tall, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is one of California’s greatest spots for a fall adventure or camping trip. The ancient old-growth trees make up around 7% of the world’s remaining redwoods, which can be explored through the park’s 20 miles of trails and 86 campsites.
The Mill Creek Trail is one of the park’s favored paths in the fall, with some of the oldest redwoods in the world mingling with bigleaf maples. The maple leaves are massive in size, measuring up to 12 inches wide. From October through December, they take on a vibrant red and gold, and can be seen scattered on the path with the copper redwood needles, creating a magical autumnal scene.
Whether climbing the highest peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park or exploring seasonal blooms at Tilden Regional Park’s Botanic Garden, Northern California has something for everyone in the fall. Hikers of all ages and abilities can find a trail worth exploring, while families may opt for more family-friendly destinations like William Land Regional Park. Either way, from its parks to its cities, Northern California is overflowing with stunning autumn landscapes and cityscapes waiting to be trekked and strolled.
