海角社区

When you think of fall foliage, what comes to mind? If Southern California was your first thought, you鈥檙e probably from Arizona. Most Americans think of charming towns in Connecticut, North Carolina, Tennessee, or the Midwest. Maybe Northern California鈥檚 state parks, but the land of beaches and聽 palm trees? These days, when I hear foliage, I can鈥檛 help but think of comedian and his bit on the subject. According to Gaffigan, 鈥淲e think it鈥檚 beautiful鈥� it鈥檚 the leaf鈥檚 hospice!鈥� Surprising to some, there are actually some great spots in Southern California to see fall leaves (You鈥檙e not wrong, Arizonans! Though the heat may be getting to you), as if those Californians don鈥檛 have enough already!

We鈥檝e scouted out the towns where you鈥檒l not only find those fall colors you crave, but we鈥檝e selected the ones that are less likely to be crawling with tourists. In fact, I鈥檝e personally experienced fall in each of these towns. So, grab your pumpkin spiced latte and let鈥檚 drive into a big pile of fall-goodness! From sites to see, nature to experience and delicious cuisine and seasonal drinks to sample, let鈥檚 get our fall on with the seven best towns to experience fall foliage in Southern California.

Lake Arrowhead

It鈥檚 only 90 minutes or so from Los Angeles and Orange County respectively (depending on traffic), but it feels like a whole other 海角社区. Lake Arrowhead is located about a mile up in the San Bernardino Mountains and your trip up the winding highway 18 (aka Rim of the 海角社区 Hwy) will expose you to beautiful fall colors the higher you climb and twinkling city lights at night.聽聽

The quaint little village is reminiscent of a Swiss chalet (if it was built by Disney) set on a comely lake with trees of cedar, oak and sugar and ponderosa pines. The best time to visit is October, not only for the colors, but for the Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest in Waterfront Park on the weekends. The climate is typically sunny with highs in the 60s during the day. So, grab a cold beer and a Bavarian pretzel and enjoy some live music and an eyeful of lederhosen.聽

If you鈥檙e spending the night, the Lake Arrowhead Resort is a safe bet, with its 4-star accommodations and private beach access. There are also several charming bed and breakfasts, if that鈥檚 more your speed and of course there are plenty of homes and condos to rent.聽

The lake will likely be too cool for a dip in the fall, but you can go for a 45-minute cruise on the Arrowhead Queen and spot some celebrity lakefront homes. If you鈥檙e an able-bodied nature lover, don鈥檛 miss the hikes and pretty outlooks. If you鈥檝e got the kids, consider the pumpkin patch at Santa鈥檚 Village. The sun does set around 6pm in the fall, so be sure to get all your daytime adventures in before then.聽

As far as eateries, Belgian Waffle Works is the perfect lakeside breakfast spot, and the Grill at Antler鈥檚 Inn won鈥檛 disappoint for dinner either.聽

Fallbrook

Located in north San Diego County, this small town is southwest of Temecula and east of Oceanside. Fallbrook is quite atypical for California. It feels like old town America. The winding Mission road leads into the town with access from the 76 and 15 freeways. You鈥檒l go from busier adjacent mid-size cities to the country quickly.聽

Main Street offers cute little shops and a coffee house. It鈥檚 known colloquially as the Avocado Capital of the 海角社区 and it鈥檚 home to the annual Avocado Festival, which draws large crowds in April every year. However, in recent years, because of drought conditions and rising water costs, many avocado farms have been converted to wineries. Most of the wineries host fun fall events. The Vineyard 1924 has an Octoberfest and a pumpkin patch. Monserate Vineyards and Winery offers a Fall Festival Date Night in October, as well as Grape Stomp events.聽

Fallbrook is full of nature and stunning vistas that will make one think they鈥檙e in Italy or the south of France. Sleeping Indian is the name of a road in Fallbrook, but it鈥檚 also a description of the view of the hills that look like a person sleeping on their back. There are some great hiking trails, including the Santa Margarita trail, which leads to one of the few wild rivers in the area. Here you鈥檙e bound to see lots of lovely colors in the changing season.聽

Fallbrook鈥檚 climate in October is still warm (as it is most of the year), so it won鈥檛 exactly feel like fall, but crank up the AC, put on a scarf and enjoy the views and the friendly people, as Fallbrook is officially known as the Friendly Village. Make sure to stop at Estrella鈥檚 restaurant for some great Mexican dishes and margaritas. There are two Estrella鈥檚, one small, near town, just off east Mission road and a larger venue also off Mission on the south end (opposite end), further outside of town. There鈥檚 also 127 Social House on Main where you can cool off with local beers on tap and a Bavarian pretzel to put you in a fall mood.聽

Temecula

Heading out of Fallbrook to Temecula, one can go the back way through an area known to locals as De Luz, which is also the name of the road. This road snakes through some picturesque countryside along a nature preserve. In October one is bound to find a bounty of foliage. The trees are full of yellows, oranges, and reds. One might spot deer, bobcats and other wildlife on the ground and birds in the air, including hawks.聽

While Temecula isn鈥檛 exactly a small town, we鈥檙e taking you outside the hubbub of the mid-size city to why most visit Temecula, the area known as wine country. There are nearly fifty wineries in the region. Many of them have fun fall events. From harvest festivals to hayrides to pumpkin patches and hot air balloons, there are plenty of family and adult activities to raise fall spirits.聽

Just driving through wine country with the foliage, rolling hills and hanging grapes, you鈥檒l start to relax and breathe in the fresh air. Some of the wineries offer excellent dining options and boutique hotels and B&Bs for overnights. Bottaia Winery is a gorgeous, Italian-styled vineyard, which should be on your must-list, with its charcuterie board bites, excellent wine selections, views and even a resort-like swimming pool in the warmer months.聽

Julian

Have you ever had a Julian pie? If not, head up to the little mountain town of Julian, located in the Cuyamaca Mountains in East County San Diego. Even if you鈥檝e already had their pie, head up there anyway, it鈥檚 a great little getaway to kick off your autumn season right! This mountain town is packed with charm from its traditional country stores to its Victorian architecture. It鈥檚 also full of nature and endless views and hiking trails with plenty of fall foliage.聽

The Julian Caf茅 and Bakery is a must. Not just for their famous pies, but for their downhome cooking with fried chicken, chili, and many other scrumptious selections. Don鈥檛 miss the apple orchards for an old-fashioned picking experience and their fresh spiced cider. There are of course trails to hike and bike, but for a more relaxed experience, stroll down historic Main Street and browse the antique shops and unique clothing and jewelry, some of it made by locals.聽

The town is rich with gold rush history. Take the kids and head on over to Eagle and High Peak Gold Mine, where you and your family can take tours of the Julian Mining Company and even try your hand at panning for gold.

To discover more of Julian鈥檚 history, consider stopping by the Julian Town Hall and Visitor Center and don鈥檛 forget the Julian Pioneer Museum.聽

Finish off the day with a glass of apple wine at Volcan Mountain Winery and enjoy the mountain views and fall trees adorned with golden leaves.聽

Wrightwood

A delightful town in the San Gabriel Mountains, Wrightwood is located 6,000 feet up and offers skiing in the winter for all skill levels. However, it鈥檚 also a choice spot for a fall excursion. Once a Serrano Indian homestead, the community has preserved many of the old structures that will give one a glimpse of a distant 海角社区.聽

There are hiking trails, but for a more exhilarating way to see Wrightwood鈥檚 mountain and fall foliage views, consider a visit to Ziplines at Pacific Crest. The 300-foot high, 1,5000-foot-long course will take you through the hills and trees and let you see Wrightwood the way the eagle鈥檚 do.聽

There鈥檚 also a farmers market, orchards, and live music to experience. For those outdoor enthusiasts, consider a longer stay at a campsite near Jackson Lake for some fishing, hikes through the pines and starry night wonders at Mountain Oak Campground. Be aware of bears and wildlife and lock up that food!聽聽

Big Bear

Just up the road from Lake Arrowhead, get ready to be met this fall with shades of crimson, gold and copper and smell that crisp, pine mountain air in Big Bear. There鈥檚 the Big Bear Oktoberfest with its German traditions and free concerts at The Village. There鈥檚 even an annual mountain biking event in October, for a more active way to experience the season. After your biking and hiking adventures, consider joining the Bear Crawl, a fun pub crawl in The Village, which also serves as a fundraiser for wildlife conservation.聽聽聽

There鈥檚 a lot to do for active families from ziplines and Segway tours to alpine slides and go karts. Of course, there鈥檚 the lake with boating activities and fishing. But there鈥檚 also horseback riding, the Big Bear Alpine Zoo to safely see the animals up close and helicopter tours for a bird鈥檚 eye view of all the fall colors, mountain, and shimmering lake views through Helicopter Big Bear.

There are plenty of accommodations from lodges, cabins, and rentals to suit couples and larger families. The Holiday Inn and Lodge is decent and relatively affordable. There are several restaurants worth trying from modestly priced breakfast fare at the Grizzly Manor Caf茅 to the more upmarket Peppercorn Grille with a delectable macadamia crusted halibut. Contrasting Big Bear with nearby Lake Arrowhead, I鈥檇 say Big Bear is the better, more affordable choice for active families. Lake Arrowhead offers a more upscale experience, better suited to couples.聽

Arcadia

Located 13 miles from downtown Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley at the base of the mountains is Arcadia. This town might seem like an unusual choice for fall foliage, but it鈥檚 home to the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden where you鈥檙e guaranteed to see some pretty fall colors and take in the tranquil gardens. In October there鈥檚 even a pumpkin patch at the Arboretum.聽

Fall is a great time of year to tour the Queen Anne Cottage, a late 1800s estate and ranch. There鈥檚 also the Santa Anita Park for the Autumn Meet horse races and their Octoberfest event. While not directly in Arcadia, nearby San Marino boasts a must-visit caf茅 and gourmet market, Julienne Fine Foods and Celebrations. The alfresco dining ambience oozes the charm of Pasadena old money, and the dishes, pastries, coffees, and ice teas are delicious.聽

Autumn in Southern California

Even sunny Southern California has great fall day trip locations and weekend getaways. We hope this list of 7 Southern California towns with fall foliage has put you in the mood to take a break from the beaches and palm trees or served to generate ideas for your next Cali fall vacation. So, grab some hot cider and start planning!聽