Now that autumn is right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start planning your favorite fall outings. One of the best ways to get into the autumn state of mind is to head out on a relaxing weekend drive to check out the changing leaves throughout Southern California. Here are eight of our favorite places to spot fall foliage in Southern California. Do you have a favorite destination on this list? Let us know!
- Jackson Lake
Rennett Stowe/Flickr Located along Big Pines Highway in the town of Wrightwood, this serene lake in SoCal is the perfect setting to soak up the views when Southern California’s leaves start changing. Jackson Lake is located in the Angeles National Forest surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty. Jackson Lake, California 93563, USA
- Oak Glen
Don Graham/flickr Do yourself a favor during SoCal’s fall season and head to the town of Oak Glen for a day trip. Not only will you find some of the most vibrant and colorful fall foliage, but the apple orchards out this way are simply divine. Oak Glen, CA 92399, USA
- Lake Gregory
Albert Tovar/AllTrails Looking for a great destination in SoCal where you can take in the sights of the changing leaves while enjoying a refreshing hike in the great outdoors? Then head out to Lake Gregory where you can take a leisurely walk around the lake while being treated to an abundance of fall colors. Lake Gregory, Crestline, CA 92325, USA
- Big Bear Lake Village
Big Bear Lake Village/Facebook Perfect for a day trip, an overnighter, or even a long weekend away, Big Bear Lake is a fun and festive destination where you can check out the fall leaves changing colors while spending some time in one of SoCal’s most charming towns. From great local shops to fantastic eateries, this SoCal town will completely dazzle you in every way during the autumn season. Big Bear Lake, CA, USA
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Jay E Jenkins/Google Local For an epic view of SoCal’s bold and bright fall foliage, take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and enjoy the autumn scenery as you take a quick ride to the top of Mt. Jacinto.
- Irvine Regional Park
Steven Davis/Google Local Officially known as Orange County’s first regional park, Irvine Regional Park offers 160 acres of mesmerizing beauty to explore all year long. Although there’s plenty of beautiful scenery to see all year long, there’s nothing quite like the burst of fall colors that fill the park during the autumn season. Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869, USA
- Julian
Sacred Mountain Julian/Facebook Seeking the perfect Sunday drive that’s filled with plenty of natural scenery and a slice of fresh-baked apple pie? Then the town of Julian is where you’ll want to navigate to on any given weekend. From colorful leaves bursting with vibrant colors to a hearty slice of apple pie made with apples from a local orchard, you’ll find Julian is a blissful place to be on a lazy weekend. Julian, CA 92036, USA
- Fullerton Arboretum
tdlucas5000/Flickr Tucked inside the Fullerton Campus of California State University, you’ll find a 26-acre botanical garden that is truly heaven on earth and bursting with color each and every fall. California State University, Fullerton - Student Wellness, 800 N State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA
So many beautiful places to spot SoCal’s fall leaves! Do you have a favorite spot on this list? If you’re interested in knowing when to find the most vibrant fall foliage this year, keep an eye on these amazing autumn towns in Southern California.
Rennett Stowe/Flickr
Located along Big Pines Highway in the town of Wrightwood, this serene lake in SoCal is the perfect setting to soak up the views when Southern California’s leaves start changing. Jackson Lake is located in the Angeles National Forest surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty.
Jackson Lake, California 93563, USA
Don Graham/flickr
Do yourself a favor during SoCal’s fall season and head to the town of Oak Glen for a day trip. Not only will you find some of the most vibrant and colorful fall foliage, but the apple orchards out this way are simply divine.
Oak Glen, CA 92399, USA
Albert Tovar/AllTrails
Looking for a great destination in SoCal where you can take in the sights of the changing leaves while enjoying a refreshing hike in the great outdoors? Then head out to Lake Gregory where you can take a leisurely walk around the lake while being treated to an abundance of fall colors.
Lake Gregory, Crestline, CA 92325, USA
Big Bear Lake Village/Facebook
Perfect for a day trip, an overnighter, or even a long weekend away, Big Bear Lake is a fun and festive destination where you can check out the fall leaves changing colors while spending some time in one of SoCal’s most charming towns. From great local shops to fantastic eateries, this SoCal town will completely dazzle you in every way during the autumn season.
Big Bear Lake, CA, USA
Jay E Jenkins/Google Local
For an epic view of SoCal’s bold and bright fall foliage, take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and enjoy the autumn scenery as you take a quick ride to the top of Mt. Jacinto.
Steven Davis/Google Local
Officially known as Orange County’s first regional park, Irvine Regional Park offers 160 acres of mesmerizing beauty to explore all year long. Although there’s plenty of beautiful scenery to see all year long, there’s nothing quite like the burst of fall colors that fill the park during the autumn season.
Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869, USA
Sacred Mountain Julian/Facebook
Seeking the perfect Sunday drive that’s filled with plenty of natural scenery and a slice of fresh-baked apple pie? Then the town of Julian is where you’ll want to navigate to on any given weekend. From colorful leaves bursting with vibrant colors to a hearty slice of apple pie made with apples from a local orchard, you’ll find Julian is a blissful place to be on a lazy weekend.
Julian, CA 92036, USA
tdlucas5000/Flickr
Tucked inside the Fullerton Campus of California State University, you’ll find a 26-acre botanical garden that is truly heaven on earth and bursting with color each and every fall.
California State University, Fullerton - Student Wellness, 800 N State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Fall Foliage in Southern California August 16, 2022 Tori Jane What is fall in Southern California like? Autumn in Southern California is a lovely time (but we might be biased). Sure, the region is known for being recreation and vacation central during the summer, but once the tourists begin clearing out and temperatures begin to change, SoCal takes on a special magic. Typically, your highs during the day are going to shrink, on average from about 84 degrees to 70. Lows decrease from the 60s to the 50s. California is known for its mostly mild climate, and fall is no different. It is, however, ridiculously beautiful. Where can I go to see fall colors in Southern California? There are lots of wonderful places to see fall colors in Southern California! Among our favorites are timeless classic spots like Malibu Creek State Park, which is outrageously beautiful all year, but during autumn, we think it might be at its best. Honestly, all of the state parks in Southern California are wonderful options for an autumn getaway. If you’re near Los Angeles, check out the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, which is known by the locals as one of those “go-to” spots for autumn splendor. Where are some awe-inspiring fall locations in Southern California? The list goes on. In fact, there are plentiful options when it comes to fall locations in Southern California – it’s certainly not limited to the ones above! There are some whole towns – some of the cutest small towns in Southern California – that become extra delightful during autumn, like Big Bear Lake. From October through November, it becomes an autumn wonderland, awash in intense color and easily one of the most scenic places in Southern California. We also love Lake Arrowhead, Palomar Mountain State Park, and, of course, the adorable town of Julian. You likely won’t be shocked to learn there are many more, but these are excellent starting points!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Fall Foliage in Southern California
August 16, 2022
Tori Jane
What is fall in Southern California like? Autumn in Southern California is a lovely time (but we might be biased). Sure, the region is known for being recreation and vacation central during the summer, but once the tourists begin clearing out and temperatures begin to change, SoCal takes on a special magic. Typically, your highs during the day are going to shrink, on average from about 84 degrees to 70. Lows decrease from the 60s to the 50s. California is known for its mostly mild climate, and fall is no different. It is, however, ridiculously beautiful. Where can I go to see fall colors in Southern California? There are lots of wonderful places to see fall colors in Southern California! Among our favorites are timeless classic spots like Malibu Creek State Park, which is outrageously beautiful all year, but during autumn, we think it might be at its best. Honestly, all of the state parks in Southern California are wonderful options for an autumn getaway. If you’re near Los Angeles, check out the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, which is known by the locals as one of those “go-to” spots for autumn splendor. Where are some awe-inspiring fall locations in Southern California? The list goes on. In fact, there are plentiful options when it comes to fall locations in Southern California – it’s certainly not limited to the ones above! There are some whole towns – some of the cutest small towns in Southern California – that become extra delightful during autumn, like Big Bear Lake. From October through November, it becomes an autumn wonderland, awash in intense color and easily one of the most scenic places in Southern California. We also love Lake Arrowhead, Palomar Mountain State Park, and, of course, the adorable town of Julian. You likely won’t be shocked to learn there are many more, but these are excellent starting points!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Autumn in Southern California is a lovely time (but we might be biased). Sure, the region is known for being recreation and vacation central during the summer, but once the tourists begin clearing out and temperatures begin to change, SoCal takes on a special magic. Typically, your highs during the day are going to shrink, on average from about 84 degrees to 70. Lows decrease from the 60s to the 50s. California is known for its mostly mild climate, and fall is no different. It is, however, ridiculously beautiful.
Where can I go to see fall colors in Southern California?
There are lots of wonderful places to see fall colors in Southern California! Among our favorites are timeless classic spots like Malibu Creek State Park, which is outrageously beautiful all year, but during autumn, we think it might be at its best. Honestly, all of the state parks in Southern California are wonderful options for an autumn getaway. If you’re near Los Angeles, check out the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, which is known by the locals as one of those “go-to” spots for autumn splendor.
Where are some awe-inspiring fall locations in Southern California?
The list goes on. In fact, there are plentiful options when it comes to fall locations in Southern California – it’s certainly not limited to the ones above! There are some whole towns – some of the cutest small towns in Southern California – that become extra delightful during autumn, like Big Bear Lake. From October through November, it becomes an autumn wonderland, awash in intense color and easily one of the most scenic places in Southern California. We also love Lake Arrowhead, Palomar Mountain State Park, and, of course, the adorable town of Julian. You likely won’t be shocked to learn there are many more, but these are excellent starting points!
