Autumn in California doesn’t arrive with noise, but rather slips in quietly, slowly but surely. One week, the treetops look the same as always, and the next, they’re covered in a golden hue. Because of this, it can be tricky to find the perfect fall setting (especially in SoCal) unless you use this tool.
The Explore Fall Foliage Map tracks color changes across the U.S., and according to it, much of California is only now reaching its peak. The Eastern Sierra (from Bishop Creek Canyon to June Lake and Mammoth Lakes) is glowing with yellow and orange, while Lake Tahoe and Mount Shasta are just catching up. Lower areas, like the Bay Area hills and parts of Southern California, will turn later in November.
This slower change has a lot to do with the weather. Warm nights in September and a late drop in temperatures delayed the color shift, and dry conditions in some regions made trees lose their leaves early instead of changing color.
Reports from Bishop Visitor Center and Mono County Tourism show bright color in higher spots above 7,000 feet, while lower elevations are softer: more yellow and brown than red.
California’s fall has its own kind of beauty, with golden aspens against gray cliffs, cottonwoods glowing by rivers, and vineyards fading from green to copper. While you won’t find huge forests of red like on the East Coast, the unique character of fall in the Golden State makes every trip worth it.