Photos just received change our previous report on Trinity County from past peak to peak. GO NOW!
Color spotter Gabriel Leete got his snap of fall color along the Trinity River (CA-299), with bigleaf maple at full peak, as the Shasta Cascade’s first major winter storm arrived to dampen leaves.
Gabriel reports the color in west Trinity County is 90% done.
Chinese pistache, Downtown Los Altos (11/7/15) Anson Davalos
There is no street named “Memory Lane” in Los Altos, though there should be.
Chinese pistache, Los Altos (11/7/15) Anson Davalos
Santa Clara Valley color spotter Anson Davalos’ photos of fall color brought back memories of the happy years I lived in Los Altos and enjoyed its temperate climate and adonic autumn color.
When I lived there, the valley hadn’t yet been named Silicon and apricot and plum orchards colored the valley with pink and white blossoms in springtime and gold and orange in fall.
Los Altos (sandwiched between Sunnyvale and Cupertino to its south and Mt. View and Los Altos Hills to its north) has the best weather in California. Orange County comes close, but without the autumnal show.
Anson captured irridescent Chinese pistache planted in downtown Los Altos. Los Altos has a village vibe with compact and interesting shops, the kind owned and operated by someone you know and who knows you.
And, it’s one of the towns in the South Bay that celebrates trees. Others Anson visited include Los Gatos, Saratoga and Campbell.
Fall color is near peak in most of them and will continue to peak for another two weeks.
Ginkgo biloba, Saratoga (10/25/15) Anson Davalos
Ginkgo biloba are now full of bright yellow in downtown Saratoga (they were just starting when Anson got this snap).
I wonder why more cities don’t plant them, as Ginkgos have gorgeous yellow color, creating spectacular boulevards, and they’re non-invasive.
Sweet gum, Campbell (11/5/15) Anson Davalos
And, in Campbell and Los Gatos, Anson found sugar gums sweetening neighborhoods with carmine color.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2015-11-09 22:55:302015-11-09 23:01:13A Walk Down Memory Lane
Balmy weather made visiting Lake Silverwood in the San Bernardino Mountains a perfect getaway this past weekend, reports Southern California color spotter Alena Nicholas.
Peak color is painting Southern California’s mountains with soft and beautiful color, as seen in Alena’s photos.
The Lake Silverwood area seems drier than it did last year, “this late in Fall,” wrote Alena, continuing that there still is “…some nice color in the meadows, and around the shore. Almost all of Oaks, and a couple of cottonwoods have turned.” The days are idyllic with cool mornings andevenings, and warm days.
Alena has promised to visit Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead once again. Big Bear has been at peak for a while, though her latest shots of Lake Arrowhead and Lake Gregory show it Nearr Peak to Peaking.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2015-11-09 12:44:432015-11-09 12:44:43Wonderful Weather and Color at Lake Silverwood
Lake Arrowhead is a late October to early November peak. True to form, it’s at peak, as these photos from San Bernardino Mountains color spotter, Alena Nicholas demonstrate.
Lake Arrowhead Resort (11/7/15) Alena Nicholas
Lake Arrowhead Resort (11/7/15) Alena Nicholas
Rose, orange and gold have decorated the woods near the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. This is one of Marriott’s “Autograph Collection” properties.
Because Lake Arrowhead is a private lake, access to boating and the lakeside trail are limited to property owners and their guests. However, guests at LARS get to use the resort’s boat and a key to hike the trail, exclusive ways to see the color surrounding the lake.
Should you visit the resort, drop into the gift shop to see more of Alena Nicholas’ photos displayed.
Maple and dogwood, Lake Arrowhead (11/7/15) Alena Nicholas
Black oak, Lake Arrowhead (11/7/15) Alena Nicholas
Alena reports that of black oaks are now either peaking or near peak, though dogwood, maple, and cottonwood are still showing lovely color around Lake Arrowhead and in its village. The last time we were there, we included a bit of window shopping and a snack.
Lake Arrowhead’s fall color should last another week, if winds don’t strip the trees.
Next up, Lake Silverwood where many beautiful oaks are peaking, and perhaps a glimpse of Big Bear and what’s happening there.
Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Lake Arrowhead
Dogwood, Lake Arrowhead Resort (11/7/15) Alena Nicholas
Lake Arrowhead (11/7/15) Alena Nicholas
Black oak, Lake Arrowhead (11/7/15) Alena Nicholas
Black oak, Lake Arrowhead (11/7/15) Alena Nicholas
Black oak, Lake Arrowhead (11/7/15) Alena Nicholas
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2015-11-08 08:30:382015-11-08 08:30:38Point Your Way to Lake Arrowhead
San Bernardino Mountain color spotter Alena Nicholas sends these shots of Lake Gregory as it nears peak. It, and nearby Lake Arrowhead, should be beautiful this weekend.
Lake Gregory is the closest major San Bernardino mountain resort to the Los Angeles basin. Exotic and native trees surround the lake, providing a colorful mix of yellow, crimson, purple and orange.
A 2.5-mile trail loops the lake, providing for a scenic walk or run. This hike is short and easy.
Rowboats, electric motor boats and kayaks can be rented near swim beach, to see the color from the water.
CLICK HERE for more information about visiting Lake Gregory.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2015-11-06 08:26:122015-11-06 08:42:47Hike of the Week: Lake Gregory Lookin' Good
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2015-11-06 07:53:322015-11-06 07:53:32How Big is Big?
A sojourn to Apple Hill today found vineyards Near Peak, but orchards mostly patchy. Some apples remain to be picked, though many are off the trees.
Because of the range of fall color to be seen, we’ll rate Apple Hill as Near Peak, though expect black oak to be Just Starting, other trees to be Patchy and still others Peaking.
Apple Hill is a harvest destination in the Sierra foothills near Placerville, 50 miles east of Sacramento. Numerous farm stands sell apples, fresh-pressed chilled cider, apple baked goods, preserves and folk crafts.
On weekends, all of the farms are open. Some have live bands and amusements. Midweek, a smaller selection of farm stands remain open. Additionally, several excellent wineries are located along a network of El Dorado County Farm Trails, among them are: Boeger, Lava Cap, Madrona and Grace Patriot.
Nearby is the historic town of Placerville. A must stop is Placerville Hardware, the oldest hardware store west of the Mississippi. It has been in operation for over 160 years. The store’s shelves are stacked high with things you never realize you needed until you visit. Ask the clerk to show you the coin slot cut into the wooden counter where gold miners would pay for their shovels and pans with gold and coins.
Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Apple Hill
Boeger Winery, Placerville (11/5/15) John Poimiroo
Boeger Winery, Placerville (11/5/15) John Poimiroo
Apple Hill (11/5/15) John Poimiroo
Persimmon, Apple Hill (11/5/15) John Poimiroo
Orchard, Apple Hill (11/5/15) John Poimiroo
Apple Hill (11/5/15) John Poimiroo
Toyon [AKA California Holly, Christmas Berry] (11/5/15) John Poimiroo
Boa Vista Farms, Apple Hill (11/5/15) John Poimiroo
Boa Vista Farms, Apple Hill (11/5/15) John Poimiroo
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2015-11-05 18:00:392015-11-06 08:01:33Apple of my Eye
Southside Drive, Yosemite Valley (11/4/15) David Olden
David Olden found bigleaf maple at full peak in Yosemite Valley along Southside Drive. He writes, “While the valley has lots of bare trees already there are plenty of areas of color left. I’d go now….I did.”
David didn’t mention black oaks, though they should be peaking as well near Yosemite Village and Lower Yosemite Falls.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2015-11-05 06:32:232015-11-05 06:38:02Yosemite Valley - Full Peak
El Dorado County color spotter Brian Patterson posted this shot of vineyards at Apple Hill in Camino on our Facebook page.
Previously, Apple Hill color spotter Eileen Javora, a meteorologist at Sacramento’s KCRA-TV3, had tweeted about reds and golds appearing in the vineyards and orchards near the Boeger Winery in Placerville.
Looks like I’ll just have to head up the hill to do some wine tasting… uh, er, I mean to confirm Eileen and Brian’s observations.
Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Apple Hill, Placerville, El Dorado County
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2015-11-04 22:59:072015-11-04 22:59:07Apple Hill Ripe For Picking
Southern California color spotter Alena Nicholas returned home to the San Bernardino Mountains to find the forest near peak along Rim of the World and Arrowbear Lake.
Alena promises to send more photos of Lake Arrowhead and Lake Gregory in coming days, though these already have us wishing we were there this evening to capture that sunset.
Mt. Laguna, San Diego County (11/1/15) Dylan Ren
Mt. Laguna, San Diego County (11/1/15) Dylan Ren
Elsewhere in Southern California, Dylan Ren photographed black oak peaking on Mt. Laguna in San Diego County.
Mt. Laguna is one of the best areas in So. Cal. to photograph black oak. A side benefit of driving the Sunrise Highway to Mt. Laguna is that an end destination is the mountain community of Julian, famous for its pies.
Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Rim of the World
Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Arrowbear Lake
Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Mt. Laguna, San Diego County
