After a long, hot summer, we’re more than ready for milder autumn weather. One bonus when the weather cools? Fall foliage, of course! The trick with fall foliage in SoCal is knowing when it will peak. The folks at SmokyMountains.com have created a Fall Foliage Prediction Map, which shows the foliage at its peak times across the country. Take a look at what they have to say about this year’s fall foliage in Southern California:
Something we get asked time and time again here in Southern California is “Do the leaves change color in SoCal?” and “Is there fall foliage in SoCal?” and “When does fall happen in SoCal?” To all of these questions, the answer is, “YES!”
Don Graham/Flickr
Each year, fall arrives in SoCal with a flourish, and it’s so important to know when this seasonal sea change will occur because there are so many lovely fall drives and fall hikes in SoCal that let you really savor this special time!
Matthew Dillon/Flickr
The Fall Foliage Prediction Map has a slider bar underneath that allows you to see how Southern California’s leaves will change throughout the autumn months.
Sharon Tate Soberon/Flickr By the beginning of October, the leaves will just be starting to turn here in our corner of the country. Expect to see some light color here and there as the month progresses.
By mid October, the leaves will be, for the most part, in some process of changing in Southern California. October 24 is peak fall foliage for much of the SoCal region, with some outliers peaking the following week.
Don Graham/Flickr In other words, by Halloween, SoCal will have experienced peak fall foliage this year, and the leaves will be in the process of falling!
For great fall foliage, make plans to visit places with plenty of maples and aspens, like Big Bear Lake, shown here.
Luiz Alfredo/Tripadvisor We also love Lake Tahoe, Lake Gregory, and Jackson Lake. Really, any of our lovely lakes here in SoCal are extra sublime when surrounded by fall colors!
Where is your favorite spot in Southern California for leaf peeping? Give our readers some tips in the comments below!
Don Graham/Flickr
Matthew Dillon/Flickr
Sharon Tate Soberon/Flickr
By the beginning of October, the leaves will just be starting to turn here in our corner of the country. Expect to see some light color here and there as the month progresses.
In other words, by Halloween, SoCal will have experienced peak fall foliage this year, and the leaves will be in the process of falling!
Luiz Alfredo/Tripadvisor
We also love Lake Tahoe, Lake Gregory, and Jackson Lake. Really, any of our lovely lakes here in SoCal are extra sublime when surrounded by fall colors!
Looking for more ways to enjoy fall foliage in SoCal? Here are some of our favorite fall day trips in Southern California!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Fall foliage in SoCal September 19, 2022 Sarah M. What are some of the best places to view fall foliage in SoCal? Now that you know when to expect peak fall colors in Southern California, you’re probably wondering where to view fall foliage in SoCal. The options are numerous! Green Valley Lake is one of our go-to spots for seeing fall foliage in the region; known as the “best-kept secret in the San Bernardino Mountains,” a day trip or weekend getaway to Green Valley Lake will quickly become your new favorite fall destination. Spend some time out on the water and soak up the colorful scenery all around you that captures the very best of the fall season. Another fall locale we love, the town of Oak Glen is home to some of SoCal’s most charming farms. With an abundance of orchards, u-pick farms, and serene country backroads, this peaceful hideaway is always at the top of our list for a beautiful fall destination. And, of course, fall in Southern California isn’t official until you’ve made a day trip to Lake Arrowhead, a marvelous mountain town in SoCal. With the changing colors of the leaves and the festive vibe inside the village, you’ll be drawn to Lake Arrowhead, where the autumn season comes to life.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Fall foliage in SoCal
September 19, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some of the best places to view fall foliage in SoCal? Now that you know when to expect peak fall colors in Southern California, you’re probably wondering where to view fall foliage in SoCal. The options are numerous! Green Valley Lake is one of our go-to spots for seeing fall foliage in the region; known as the “best-kept secret in the San Bernardino Mountains,” a day trip or weekend getaway to Green Valley Lake will quickly become your new favorite fall destination. Spend some time out on the water and soak up the colorful scenery all around you that captures the very best of the fall season. Another fall locale we love, the town of Oak Glen is home to some of SoCal’s most charming farms. With an abundance of orchards, u-pick farms, and serene country backroads, this peaceful hideaway is always at the top of our list for a beautiful fall destination. And, of course, fall in Southern California isn’t official until you’ve made a day trip to Lake Arrowhead, a marvelous mountain town in SoCal. With the changing colors of the leaves and the festive vibe inside the village, you’ll be drawn to Lake Arrowhead, where the autumn season comes to life.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Now that you know when to expect peak fall colors in Southern California, you’re probably wondering where to view fall foliage in SoCal. The options are numerous! Green Valley Lake is one of our go-to spots for seeing fall foliage in the region; known as the “best-kept secret in the San Bernardino Mountains,” a day trip or weekend getaway to Green Valley Lake will quickly become your new favorite fall destination. Spend some time out on the water and soak up the colorful scenery all around you that captures the very best of the fall season. Another fall locale we love, the town of Oak Glen is home to some of SoCal’s most charming farms. With an abundance of orchards, u-pick farms, and serene country backroads, this peaceful hideaway is always at the top of our list for a beautiful fall destination. And, of course, fall in Southern California isn’t official until you’ve made a day trip to Lake Arrowhead, a marvelous mountain town in SoCal. With the changing colors of the leaves and the festive vibe inside the village, you’ll be drawn to Lake Arrowhead, where the autumn season comes to life.
