Lara Kaylor – California Fall Color

Special Report

New Year, New Fall Countdown

It’s a new year and we are already counting down the days (261!) until fall 2024 begins.

Until then, feast your eyes on some beautiful colors captured by Philip Reedy at the end of 2023. As he explained, “I keep thinking each report will be my last for the year, but it seems that every time I take a walk near my house, I still find fall colors hanging in there.”

On December 28, 2023 he found the ground covered in Velvet Ash leaves and a fair amount of them still on the trees.

While the Chinese Pistache trees have lost all of the gorgeous multi-colored leaves, the bright red berries are now on the trees and covering the ground. Plus, the Scarlett Firethorn bushes are just bursting with bright red berries, providing a post-Christmas palette of red and green.

January 5, 2024 by Lara Kaylor

Autumn is Gone But Some Colors Hang On

“Fall may be officially over, but some colors are hanging on around my house and even up in the mountains,” explained Philip Reedy.

“I spent Thursday morning on the greenbelt next to my house and then Thursday afternoon l drove up to Downieville along the North Fork of the Yuba River to a couple of my favorite spots. The leaves have all fallen along the Yuba, but the ground is covered with bronze colored Bigleaf Maple leaves, which contrast beautifully with the amazing variety of colored rocks along the river.”

Those rocks ensure color addicts can get an off season fix until autumn arrives once again, Reedy added.

Happy Holidays!

December 24, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, Southern California

Farewell Fall?

Arboretum (12/21/23) Frank McDonough We officially said farewell to fall this week, but no one told the foliage at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. As of Thursday, Frank McDonough reported that things were “still looking gorgeous,” however impeding rain in area may change the landscape quickly. Until then, enjoy these colors along […]

December 22, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, Southern California

Peakin’ at the Arboretum

The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden was peaking last weekend, according to color spotter and Botanical Information Consultant, Frank McDonough.

Go Now for a festive feast for the eyes!

December 12, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, Southern California

Malibu’s Golden Hour

Mark Harding captured some beautiful light at Malibu Creek State Park last week, as fall foliage begins to enjoy its golden hour in the area.

“The Coastal Sycamores are in various stage as we get fall pretty late down here,” he explained.

“I also included an Osprey with dinner at Malibu Lagoon. It was a pretty neat sight.”

December 11, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Central Valley

Divine Delta

With the holiday season is full bloom, we’ve fallen behind on a few posts. Get ready to feast your eyes on some beautiful areas in California that still have colors to show off.

Kicking it off here, Rogersl Dunstan exclaimed last week that “Even the delta has some fall color with cottonwoods and some others.”

December 11, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Central Valley, Fall Color Report

“It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over”

In the immortal words of Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over till it’s over,” commented color spotter Philip Reedy this week as he wandered his neighborhood in Davis.

That seems to apply not only to baseball but fall colors as well.

“I’ve been wandering around my neighborhood the past few days with my grandson in tow, looking for last vestiges of color,” Reedy explained. “A lot of trees have lost their leaves, but the Chinese Pistache are still hanging on. However, even after the leaves have fallen, their colors persist a while longer, providing the enterprising photographer many opportunities. On the greenbelt behind my house are Chinese Pistache, Gingko Biloba, Chinese Tallow, Bradford Pear, maples and oaks, so I don’t have to venture far.”

With any luck Reedy thought they may still have fall colors for Christmas, although the storm arriving yesterday may have stripped the remaining leaves from the trees.

December 7, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, Southern California

Radiant in Redlands

A walk about in his neighborhood in Redlands had Michael Ponce giddy with color excitement.

Color remains in pockets such as these around the state. Get out and explore this weekend before Old Man Winter really takes hold!

December 7, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, San Francisco Bay Area

Sunnyvale Selections

It seems like the cooler weather has finally caused the Ginkgo, Tulip, and Chinese Pistache trees in Sunnyvale to turn color.

Lucas Yan took a stroll around his neighborhood the afternoon of Dec. 4 and found some beautiful color, including reds and greens that look like they are right on time for the holiday season.

Sunnyvale (125’) – Peaking (50-75%) Go Now

December 6, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, Southern California

So Cal Hot Spot

If you’re in Southern California this weekend, the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is the place to go for fall color, which is just beginning to take off.

According to Botanical Information Consultant, Frank McDonough, things are at about 10-20% right now.

Even though it’s December, there is still fall color to find, if you know where to look.