Summary
- Explore the beauty of California in the autumn with stunning fall wildlife and vistas only found in the Golden State.
- Visit Yosemite National Park in October for a less crowded experience and witness the famous waterfalls surrounded by the breathtaking colors of autumn.
- Experience the unique Southwestern Joshua Trees at Joshua Tree State Park and be amazed by their prehistoric history and ancient lives.
When people think of autumn in the United States, what usually comes to mind are images of New England during the fall. But the West Coast has plenty of things to do in the autumn, as well, many of which are not as well-known as their East Coast counterparts. Natives to California will know that some of the country's most beautiful fall wildlife and vistas are found only in the Golden State.
California is a treasure trove of adventures. This state can boast ancient trees, prehistoric glyphs, stunning marine wildlife, abundant forest wildlife, countless camping sites, and some of the country's best scenic drives. Whether a traveler heads to the mountainous and forested north, to the dry deserts in the east, or stays on the abundant Pacific Coast, they will find experiences that will stay with them for years to come.
Explore the top fall destinations and activities in California in this ultimate travel list!
10 Hike At Yosemite National Park
Visiting Yosemite in the summer allows visitors to explore the park during what many consider to be the nicest time of year, but a weekend trip to Yosemite in the autumn has plenty of benefits, as well.
With fewer crowds, many consider October to be the prime time to visit this iconic American park. Seeing the famous waterfalls of Yosemite surrounded by the reds and golds of autumn is a sight everyone should strive to see at least once in their lives.
Visitors here should look for Yosemite's Firefall, a waterfall that seems to glow red at certain times of the day.
- Admission: Entrance pass for vehicles: $35, Entrance fee for walking visitors: $20
- City: El Portal, California (nearest town)
- What to know before going: Yosemite is known for its bears, so travelers backpacking or camping here should be sure to respect local wildlife and protect their food and supplies in bear canisters
9 See Deep Blue Water At Lassen Volcanic National Park
Northern California comes alive during the autumn, making Lassen one of the best weekend trips for fall. One of the best places for hiking, wildlife viewing, and natural autumn vistas is Lassen Volcanic National Park.
From small lakes to lava plateaus to cone-shaped volcanoes, this park has many natural wonders for travelers to see. One particular attraction visitors should look for is Lassen Peak, which is heralded as one of the largest plug dome volcanoes in the world, and Cinder Cone, another nearby volcano.
Visitors here in the fall will be able to hike through shaded pine and aspen forests, gazing out on the once-green fields of the park that have turned gold from the autumn temperatures. The volcanoes may or may not have snow caps at this time of year (it all depends on the weather!), but seeing the gray peaks against the pale blue autumn sky is well worth a drive up.
One of the crown jewels of this park is Lake Helen, which sits just south of Lassen Peak. This glacial lake is famous for its dark blue water and still reflections of the pine trees and mountains.
One fun fact about this lake is that it's named for 19th-century California painter and mountain climber Helen Tanner Brodt.
- Admission: Entrance pass for vehicles: $10-$30 depending on season and car model, Entrance fee for walking visitors: $10
- City: Chester, California (nearest town)
- What to know before going: Even in the warm summer months, there still may be snow on the ground by Lake Helen, so visitors should dress warmly and wear waterproof footwear
The park has waived entrance fees on certain holidays, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Veterans Day. Visitors should check their website for more information on scheduling.
8 See Ancient Trees At Joshua Tree State Park
Located at the intersection of the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree State Park is one of the best places in the world to see the unique Southwestern tree, the Joshua Tree.
With their branches like uplifted hands, these trees aren't actually trees at all: they're succulents! Not only that, but these trees are relics of a far more ancient time. Part of the trees' historic ecological niche was as food for the Shasta ground sloth, which lived among the caves and rock formations of the Grand Canyon area.
The prehistoric history of these trees is paired with the ancient nature of these trees' lives; they can live up to 1,000 years old (and perhaps even longer!). In the modern era, these trees face dangers from wildfires and climate change, so tourists should be extra careful when visiting these majestic natural wonders.
Another thing this area is known for is its desert sports. Visitors here come from all over the world to enjoy the park's unique rock climbing opportunities. Camping is also popular at this location.
Visitors should be wary of the desert's natural environment: it can be very hot, and very dry, and there is no cell service. When hiking, camping, or climbing in the park, visitors should be prepared with food, water, and emergency supplies.
- Admission: Entrance pass for vehicles: $15-$30 depending on season and car model, Entrance fee for walking visitors: $15
- City: Chester, California (nearest town)
- What to know before going: Vandalism is strictly forbidden in the park. In 2015, a graffiti artist was convicted and fined for vandalizing boulders within the park. Vandalizing or harming the trees is also forbidden.
7 Go Glamping At Big Sur
Coastal forests and rich blue seas await those who travel to Big Sur. One of the best ways to appreciate Big Sur is by glamping. This 2010s trend has made camping much more accessible, with glamping tents providing visitors with electricity, heat, and actual beds instead of sleeping bags.
While glamping tends to attract visitors in the summertime because of the hot temperatures, going glamping in the autumn has a special charm. The chilly weather will make sitting by an open fire even cozier, and will make sipping hot chocolate at night even better.
Most glamping locations in Big Sur are located within the area's rich forests, so visitors will have no shortage of fall colors and wildlife to spot.
- Admission: glamping locations in California can range from around $80-2,000 per night depending on resort or campsite choice
- Region: Big Sur, California
- What to know before going: Many locations here are located near the ocean, so visitors should keep a sharp eye out for migrating whales!
6 See Mysterious Prehistoric Geoglyphs At Blythe, California
Settled in the Colorado Desert of California, near the small town of Blythe, are a series of ancient and mysterious geoglyphs. At the ground level, they appear to be just straight pale lines of gravel in the desert.
But aerially, these collections of lines join together to form pictographs of humans, mountain lions, birds, and spirals. Known as the Blythe Intaglios, these geoglyphs are not well studied by archeologists.
It is still unknown who made them or why. Even the dating of these glyphs is uncertain, with some historians suggesting that they're prehistoric, while others suggest a more recent creation date.
Visitors going on a road trip through the Colorado Desert should absolutely stop to see these incredible works of prehistoric human creativity.
- Admission: Free
- City: Blythe
- What to know before going: Temperatures can reach up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so visitors entering the desert should bring plenty of water and sunscreen
5 Experience The Kokanee Salmon Run At Lake Tahoe
The jewel of California's Sierra Nevada is the sparkling Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America. During warm weather, this area is known for its water sports, like boating and scuba diving, and land sports, such as motorcycling and biking.
Hiking is also popular here, and the multitude of aspens found in this region make autumnal hiking even more enjoyable with their bright gold fall foliage.
However, the true draw to Lake Tahoe in the fall isn't the watersports or the foliage, nor even the fabulous hiking. Instead, the Kokanee salmon steals the show. In the fall, thousands of these salmon make their journey from the depths of the lake to the upstream waters of nearby Taylor Creek.
As part of the eons-old ritual, Kokanee salmon turn bright red in the autumn, making them easily visible as they struggle to swim up Taylor Creek to their birthplace to spawn. Travelers here can watch from Taylor Creek's Rainbow Trail, witnessing this incredible natural phenomenon.
To see this event, visitors should plan their trip for late September through the middle of October. During the first week in October, the Taylor Creek Visitor Center has a festival in honor of the salmon migration, which is particularly fun for those with young children.
- Admission: Free
- City: South Lake Tahoe, California
- What to know before going: The salmon run frequently attracts bears, so travelers and hikers here should be sure to be respectful of local wildlife
4 Learn About Exotic Marine Wildlife At The Monterey Bay Aquarium
On a chilly and rainy fall day in Monterey, California, nothing beats heading to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Not only is this aquarium one of the top in the United States, it ranks highly among the top aquariums in the world.
Focusing on the local ecology of Monterey Bay, this aquarium is key to educating the public on local environmental ecosystems and issues. One of the main attractions here is the 28-foot-tall tank dedicated to the kelp forest.
Visitors here will be able to see sharks and eels swimming among the yellow and green fronds of kelp. Other exhibits include the sea otter exhibit, the giant Pacific octopus exhibit, a penguin exhibit, and the rocky shore exhibit. One new attraction is the "Into the Deep" exhibit, which focuses on deep-sea species rarely seen by humans.
Local California jellyfish called the purple-stripe jellies have made this aquarium famous throughout the world, as the aquarium's conservation center was able to successfully breed, maintain, and study these jellies in captivity. Today, tourists can see the famous jellyfish exhibit, where orange jellies glide in blue backlit tanks.
As a conservation center as well as an aquarium, a trip to this aquarium will make travelers leave feeling motivated about caring for the environment.
Raising awareness about marine issues (like sustainable fishing, marine animal husbandry, and climate change) is a vital part of the aquarium's mission. Visitors will get to see rare or endangered species, like sea otters.
- Admission: Adults $59.95, Seniors $49.95, Youth $49.95, Child: $44.95
- City: Monterey, California
- What to know before going: Visitors should try to go on a weekday to avoid crowds
3 Take A Whale-Watching Tour In Monterey
With binoculars and cameras at the ready, visitors aboard a boat like the Princess Monterey can often be seen waiting under the bright Pacific sun. Just off the coast of Monterey, travelers gather aboard tour boats to look for migrating whales.
The fall is a prime time for whale watching in California. During the month of October, blue whales and humpback whales are often seen traveling in the Pacific as they head to their winter homes near Mexico and Central America.
California's premier whale-watching tour group, Princess Monterey Whale Watching, is one of the many services here that offer exclusive tours to see these majestic creatures.
The feeling of the salty maritime wind brushing on one's face on a clear autumn day is one that tourists shouldn't miss, especially when paired with the sight of a giant whale tail bursting up out of the cold waters of the bay.
As they stand on deck, looking out over the water, visitors should search for blue whales, humpback whales, orcas, and dolphins, among other marine creatures.
- Admission: Princess Monterey Whale Watching--General tour: adults $70, children $45, premium viewing: adult $90, children $65
- City: Monterey, California
- What to know before going: Visitors should dress warmly, bring drinking water, and bring any seasickness medication
Princess Monterey Whale Watching is very amenable to those who suffer from seasickness and is known as a good choice even for those who don't usually prefer boating excursions.
2 Explore Napa Valley's Vineyards
A popular fall activity is to participate in a wine tasting. The best place in California to do that is in Napa Valley. With luxurious hills covered in decadent grape vines ripe with fruit, this region is one of the most beautiful in all of California.
In the fall, the grape vines turn gold and red, which looks especially gorgeous against a golden sunrise or sunset. Some popular wineries in this region include Fantesca Estate and Winery, Far Niente, Pine Ridge Vineyards, and Domaine Carneros.
- Admission: wine tasting prices can range from $40-250 per person
- Region: Napa Valley, California
- What to know before going: Many wineries don't accept walk-ins, so visitors should be sure to book reservations ahead of time
1 See Towering Trees At Sequoia National Park
One of the most impressive destinations in California at any time of year is Sequoia National Park. Even though Sequoias are coniferous trees (meaning their leaves don't change color), many of the other plants and trees in this region do change color.
The carpet of ferns that lie at the ground level can turn a brilliant gold color, looking particularly gorgeous against the red-orange bark of the towering trees. These endangered trees usually grow between 164 and 279 feet high and have massive diameters of around 26 feet.
Visitors here should look for the tree named "General Sherman," the largest living tree by volume in the entire world. This tree isn't just wide; it's also old, clocking in at around 2,500 years old!
- Admission: per vehicle: $35, per walk-in pedestrian $20
- City: Silver City, California
- What to know before going: Visitors should fill up the gas tanks in their vehicles before entering the park, as they may encounter traffic within. Traffic is at its peak in the middle of the day, so visitors should try to arrive early in the morning
California is home to some of the United States' premier wonders, both natural (like the Giant Sequoia Forest) and human-made (like the Monterey Bay Aquarium). The state has abundant and diverse flora and fauna, like the Joshua trees in the Mojave and the humpback whales in the Pacific.
Whether a tourist is taking a day trip or a week-long road trip, visiting these wonders in the autumn is a sure way to make lifelong memories!