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Peak Fall Predictions

Tulip tree, Sunnyvale (11/5/22) Lucas Yan

It’s the first day of fall and while we wait for the colors to really kick off throughout the state, we thought we’d give our answer to the million dollar question: When and where will fall color peak in California? 

  • Late September to late October – the Eastern Sierra (Inyo and Mono Counties, US-395);
  • October – the Northern Sierra (Hope Valley/Carson Pass, Lake Tahoe, CA-89);
  • October – Southern California’s mountains (San Bernardino, San Gorgonio, San Jacinto and Laguna mountains, Angeles National Forest);
  • Mid October to early November – the Shasta Cascade (Plumas County, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Trinity Alps, CA-299, Redding, Chico);
  • Mid October to early November – the North Coast (Redwood National & State Parks), Elk rut late September to mid October;
  • Late October to early November – California’s vineyards (peaking by grape variety);
  • Mid October to mid November – Central Coast (wineries,  Salinas Valley, Monarch butterflies);
  • Late October to mid November – Gold Country (Calaveras Big Trees SP, Apple Hill, wineries, Hwy 49 and its chain of 1850s Gold Rush towns);
  • Mid October to Thanksgiving Day – Western & Southern Sierra (Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks);
  • November – the Central Valley (walnut and pistachio orchards, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, wildlife refuges);
  • November to early December – California’s urban forests (Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Stockton, Modesto and arboreta and botanic gardens); and
  • December – The Deserts and Coastal Islands.
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