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California Fall Season: Top 5 Getaways to Explore

The Fall season is here! It’s that time of the year when the season starts transitioning from summer to winter, and the climate is quite pleasant. What’s even better is that the foliage starts changing colors. 

Lake Tahoe

The landscape turns various shades of yellow, orange, red, and brown, whereas the skies turn clear. This makes the fall season the best time to explore the scenic locations around the country, including California.

California weather during fall varies throughout but is generally mild during the fall season. With its diverse geography and climates, California has a lot to offer in terms of activities and places to visit during the fall season. From gorgeous foliage to outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone.

If you’re in and around California this fall looking for things to do, you’re in luck. We have curated a list of the top five getaways in California, where you can have the time of your life during the fall. So without any further ado, let’s get to the crux of the matter.

Napa Valley

Fall is the best time to visit Napa Valley to enjoy the harvest. You might have heard that the autumn period from late August to early October is the best time to visit Napa Valley. However, bear in mind that it’s also the busiest season. The winery is buzzing with excited visitors, and it gets challenging to give dedicated attention to visitors in the tasting room or otherwise.

To avoid this situation, plan your visit to Napa Valley when the crowd has diminished, and the major part of the harvest is over. For this intent and purpose, it’s best to visit Napa Valley during October and November. At this point, the crowd reduces significantly, and wineries will be able to offer personal attention and service to you. 

Moreover, at this point in the year, Napa Valley has the best scenery to offer when it comes to foliage. The grape leaves paint a pretty picture at this time of the year, and you’ll be mesmerized by the yellow, red, orange, and brown leaves all around. So get here during the late fall, get the best wine that the winery has to offer, and soak it all in amidst the prettiest foliage you will ever see.

Lake Tahoe

Another place in California that has the foliage to beat has to be Lake Tahoe. The perfectly warm climate between summer and winter makes it one of the best places to visit during the fall season. The weather is warm enough to sit by the lake or go for a swim.

On the other hand, if you go during November, you might experience some snow and hit up the Tahoe ski slopes. During September through October, visitors can enjoy hikes to see the bright yellow Aspen. What makes it even more striking is the green backdrop of Fir trees. 

Moreover, as the water starts cooling during October, native salmon exit the lake to the nearby rivers to spawn. Simply watching a massive cluster of Salmon leaving the lake is a sight to behold.

Anza-Borrego Desert

Anza-Borrego Desert is one of the best spots to visit during the fall season in California. The State Park and the nearby Borrego Springs are perfect for stargazing. Thanks to the clear skies and no light pollution, the spot offers a great view to stargazers or astrophysicists. 

While the place is great all year round, the desert could be too much to take during summers and make it unbearable to stay out watching stars or trying to capture the milky way or star trails. Plan your trip in the fall to enjoy the balmy weather that makes it pleasurable to stay up all night watching stars.

Moreover, the Joshua Tree National Park is not too far from Anza-Borrego State Park, which means you can check another treasured park of Southern California while you’re here.

Scenic Highway 395

As Aspen starts turning Yellow during the fall season, Mono County is the best place to be in California. Take a road trip through Highway 395, and you’ll be gawking at the scenery all around in whichever direction you look. The place looks breathtaking, with the Aspen trees on the mountainside turning yellow. The site seems closer to Mars than Earth, thanks to its ginormous landscape formations.

Julian

Last but not least on the list is the attractive downtown of Julian with its old-school charm. Julian becomes a tourist hotspot during the fall season purely because of the Apple orchards around the time. During the fall season, the apples are ripe for picking.

You’ll find dozens of roadside stalls selling varieties of Apple that you probably have not heard about. Additionally, visitors can also plan a fun evening out in the orchard with family and friends, followed by homemade apple pie and cider served in almost every cafe in the town.

California has everything to offer from adventure sports to stargazing to its visitors. You must time your trip right and visit your preferred getaway to have a memorable time of your life.

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