12 California Destinations For The Best Fall Road Trips

Looking for a fall getaway in California? Here are some of the best road trips you can take to enjoy the gorgeous fall season in California.

Even though most of the trees here are evergreens, you’ll still have pockets of vibrant fall colors – so you need to know where to go. I’ve always found that California’s weather is perfect in fall, and by this time it wouldn’t be too crowded.

I’ve put together some of my favorite places in California, and highlighted reasons why you should plan a road trip there in fall. I’ll also share my tips on the how to access each of these destinations, along with some of the best things to do.

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Best fall road trips in California

While it’s hard to pick favorites, my top 3 California getaways for fall road trips would be Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, and June Lake Loop. That said, if you have more time to travel around California, here’s what you can see in 10 days:

• Napa Valley (2 days)
• Lake Tahoe (2 days)
• June Lake Loop (1 day)
• Yosemite National Park (2 days)
• Monterey (1 day)
• Carmel-by-the-Sea (1 day)
• Big Sur (1 day)

Coastal areas like Monterey and Big Sur have mild temperatures in fall, from 50 F (10 C) in the morning to daytime highs of around 65 F (18 C). As you go towards the mountains, places like Yosemite and Lake Tahoe experience crisp mornings around 40 F (4 C) with warm afternoons that can reach up to 75 F (24 C). Overall these are perfect conditions for hiking and enjoying fall foliage.

1. Yosemite National Park

Starting From: Los Angeles (6 hours) or San Francisco (3.5 hours)

Why Visit: Yosemite’s iconic granite cliffs look even more stunning surrounded by vibrant fall colors. The park’s diverse ecosystems include the golden aspen trees to the red maples, with leaves changing colors at different times depending on elevation.

Road trip idea

Take Highway 120 to Yosemite Valley via the Big Oak Flat Entrance. From there, make your first stop at the iconic Tunnel View where you’ll see El Capitan and Half Dome towering over the valley.

As you drive into Yosemite Valley, you’ll find a splash of color along Southside Drive. If you’re feeling energetic, I recommend hiking the Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point as you’ll be treated to a view of gorgeous yellow leaves along the way. It’s best if you can stay near the park to enjoy a full day of activities.

You can also drive up to Tioga Road to see the fall colors which tend to arrive earlier due to higher elevation. This is probably the last time in the year to access these roads as they’ll be closed in winter. If you don’t want to drive, you can also book a Yosemite tour that starts from San Francisco.

2. Napa Valley

Starting From: San Francisco (1.5 hours)

Why Visit: Fall is harvest season in Napa Valley with lots of activity going on in the vineyards. Wine lovers can enjoy in seasonal wine events, harvest festivals, and wine tastings.

Road trip idea

Drive along Silverado Trail as you cruise along various wineries on the way from downtown Napa to Yountville, St Helena, or Calistoga. Before any wine tasting, make sure you get breakfast. Bouchon Bakery is a must-try and has now become my favorite pastry shop.

For your safety, make sure to have a designated driver, or set aside enough time between tastings. Alternatively, book a small group wine tour which is both cost efficient and convenient.

Some popular wineries here include Domaine Carneros for sparkling and white wine, and Del Dotto Wine caves which was famously visited by the Kardashians. Don’t forget to make reservations before going, especially if it’s for a romantic getaway.

If you’re a foodie, don’t forget to check out the restaurants in Yountville. This town has one of the highest concentration of Michelin-star restaurants, such that even casual dining tastes good. Check out Bistro Jeanty for homestyle French cuisine.

3. Big Sur

Starting From: Los Angeles (4.5 hours) or San Francisco (3 hours)

Why Visit: Big Sur’s dramatic cliffs, mild weather, and stunning sunset views make it a fall favorite. The cooler weather provides ideal conditions for coastal hikes and there are much fewer crowds at this time.

Road trip idea

Big Sur is a long section of the California central coast that’s mostly undeveloped and has the best scenic roads. As you drive down Highway 1, you’ll pass by the historic Bixby Creek Bridge which is an icon of Big Sur. If you want to hike, look out for Garrapata State Park and Partington Cove.

One of the must-see viewpoints here is McWay Falls which looks the best during golden hour. Other beaches to check out include Pfeiffer Beach and Andrew Molera State Beach. There are lodging options in Big Sur where you get to enjoy solitude along the coast.

You might not be able to drive the whole way down due to road closures, but there are still lots to see in the southern part of Big Sur. The short trail overlooking Sand Dollar Beach is probably the most underrated. Further in San Simeon you’ll find Hearst Castle and the Elephant Seals vista point.

Whether you’re starting your Big Sur road trip from the north or the south, make sure to check for road closures before setting off.

4. Lake Tahoe

Starting From: San Francisco (3.5 hours)

Why Visit: Fall brings cooler temperatures to Lake Tahoe, making it more enjoyable to hike while still being warm enough for water activities. You’ll also find yellow aspen groves scattered around the area.

Road trip idea

There are many ways to enjoy a fall road trip to Lake Tahoe, and this 2-day fall itinerary details our drive from the north to south shore for various trails, beaches, and viewpoints. You could even visit a nearby hot spring – perfect for cool mornings or evenings.

To see how Lake Tahoe looks like from above, hike up the easy Monkey Rock trail for a bird’s eye view. You could also stop by Sand Harbour to enjoy the peaceful beach.

The area around Fallen Leaf Lake often has the best fall colors, and the annual salmon run takes place nearby at Taylor Creek. Bears are active around the salmon at this time of year, so it’s a great opportunity to view wildlife (safely, of course).

5. Point Reyes National Seashore

Starting From: San Francisco (1.5 hours)

Why Visit: Point Reyes is great for wildlife spotting and long stretches of coastline. It’s common to find animals like elk which are active in fall, deer and elephant seals, and you could even spot a whale in the distance.

Road trip idea

Drive up north from San Francisco and head to Point Reyes Lighthouse, passing by Ocean Beach overlook and the photogenic Cypress Tree tunnel. Nearby, you’ll also have the Chimney Rock Trail where you’re walking along the bluff.

If you’re up for some hiking, check out Tomales Point Trail that passes through the Elk Reserve. This is one of the best applies to see Tule Elk in Point Reyes. In fall, you might even get to them rutting or fighting as part of their mating season.

The beach is also one of the best things about Point Reyes, with Limantour Beach being easy to access with vault toilets and a parking lot nearby.

6. Santa Cruz

Starting From: San Francisco (1 hour)

Why Visit: Santa Cruz offers a laid-back beach vibe with a mix of forest trails and pumpkin patches. You can also see the Monarch butterflies that stop by for their overwintering season starting in late fall.

Road trip idea

Drive down to Santa Cruz either via Highway 1 or Highway 17 through the Santa Cruz Mountains. One of the best fall hikes here is in Felton, in the Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

At the coast, Natural Bridges State Beach has a trail that takes you through a grove where you can see clusters of Monarch butterflies. As its name suggests, there’s a natural arch on the beach that’s home to plenty of intertidal creatures which may be accessible at low tide.

Take advantage of the mild weather and explore the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. There’s much less fog at this time of year, so watching the sunset is another fun thing to do in fall.

7. Lassen Volcanic National Park

Starting From: San Francisco (4 hours)

Why Visit: Lassen Volcanic is a geothermal site that’s home to bubbling hot springs and volcanic landscapes, and fall is the last chance to hike up some of these peaks before snow arrives.

Road trip idea

When the road is still clear of snow, you can drive through Lassen Volcanic National Park via Highway 89.

Bumpass Hell is one of the most popular trails here as it highlights the geothermal features of this landscape. Looking for a challenge? Try hiking up Cinder Cone to look into the volcanic crater, or up to Lassen Peak.

As you drive past Emerald Lake, Helen Lake, and Kings Creek Meadow, look out for the yellow and orange hues that mark the fall season. If you’re visiting during late fall, you might see some snow on Lassen Peak and the best place to see this view is from Manzanita Lake.

8. Alabama Hills

Starting From: Los Angeles (4 hours) or San Francisco (7.5 hours)

Why Visit: Alabama Hills offers a unique landscape of rounded granite formations and stunning views of Mount Whitney, with some fall colors in the surrounding foothills.

Road trip idea

While this is not your typical destination for fall colors, the weather at this time makes it perfect for visiting the high desert region of Alabama Hills. It’s my favorite car camping spot in California even though it’s relatively far from the San Francisco Bay Area.

If you’re planning to camp near the hillside or you’re driving down Mount Whitney Portal, you might see some trees that have changed colors. In addition, if there’s been some early season snow, you’ll get to enjoy snow-dusted eastern Sierra peaks.

The epic drive to take here is the scenic Movie Road where lots of famous old classics were filmed. You can also hike the Arch Loop Trail and admire the Mobius Arch which perfectly frames the mountain range behind.

If you’re into photography, this place is a gem with the best sunrise and sunset views. The night sky also gets really dark, so astrophotography would be amazing here too.

9. June Lake Loop

Starting From: Los Angeles (5.5 hours) or San Francisco (5 hours)

Why Visit: If there’s once place to go for fall road trips in California, it’s the June Lake Loop. It’s known for the vibrant fall foliage – yellow leaves that surround alpine lakes amidst the backdrop of various mountain peaks.

Road trip idea

If you’re driving from San Francisco, the quickest way to get here is via Tioga Pass through Yosemite. The peak fall colors usually happen in mid-October, just before roads close due to snow. From Los Angeles, take Highway 395 north towards Mammoth Lakes.

While driving around June Lake Loop, make stops at June Lake, Gull Lake, and Silver Lake. If you still have more time, enjoy the fall colors at Convict Lake amidst views of the peaks surrounding it.

This is also the perfect time to check out the Hot Creek Geological Site and natural hot springs nearby like Wild Willy’s Hot Spring and Crab Cooker Hot Spring.

10. Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park

Starting From: Los Angeles (4 hours) or San Francisco (4 hours)

Why Visit: See the giant Sequoias in a different light as dogwoods and ferns turn yellow against the contrast of the reddish brown barks. Temperatures are cooler and roads remain open for most of fall.

Road trip idea

Driving between Kings Canyon and Sequoia in fall is a great way to see two national parks at once. Morro Rock trail takes you to a viewpoint overlooking the valley, one of the favorites in Sequoia. You can also drive under a fallen tree with a cutout – called Tunnel Log.

Next, drive along Generals Highway to get to the iconic General Sherman Tree. Congress Trail is an easy trail that connects from there and takes you to even more giant Sequoia groves. Alternatively, Mineral King Valley and Crescent Meadow are great places to see fall colors blanketing the forest floor.

When you get to Kings Canyon, stop by General Grant Tree, and then head to Zumwalt Meadow to see the high granite walls.

11. Monterey & Carmel-by-the-Sea

Starting From: Los Angeles (5.5 hours) or San Francisco (2 hours)

Why Visit: Monterey and Carmel are the closest coastal towns from Big Sur, with cool weather perfect for beach walks.

Road trip idea

Start with a visit to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, and perhaps go for a whale watching tour from Monterey. Afterwards, see the overwintering Monarch Butterflies in Pacific Grove’s Monarch Sanctuary.

My favorite drive here is the 17-Mile Drive that connects Pacific Grove in Monterey to Pebble Beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Beaches turn into cliffs as you wind through the coastal road and you’ll pass by the famous Lone Cypress tree.

I recommend staying overnight in Carmel as the town is walkable, with plenty of shops, art galleries, and restaurants to check out. Since fall brings sunny days and less fog, it’s also a great chance to visit Point Lobos State Nature Reserve to see China Cove, Cypress Grove, and Sea Lion Point.

12. Joshua Tree National Park

Starting From: Los Angeles (2.5 hours) or San Francisco (7 hours)

Why Visit: Fall is the most comfortable season to visit Joshua Tree National Park, especially if you’re planning to visit at night as it won’t be too cold.

Road trip idea

A visit to Joshua Tree can be as simple as booking a cute airbnb to enjoy the desert landscape. One of the best things about Joshua Tree is that the night sky is really good for stargazing and astrophotography.

Check out the Cholla Cactus Garden during sunrise, and see the golden sun rays bounce off the fuzzy spikes. Another fun thing to do here is see some rock formations at Cap Rock Nature Trail and Hidden Valley Nature Trail.

Conclusion

California’s fall weather is mild with plenty of destinations offering amazing fall colors – especially near the Eastern Sierras and in high elevation areas. My favorite thing about fall road trips in California is that you get the perfect combination of less fog at the coast, fewer crowds, and amazing landscape views.

It’s still warm enough that you can go hiking in Yosemite or Lake Tahoe, but cool enough to start exploring the desert areas like Joshua Tree and Alabama Hills. You also won’t go wrong with a drive down Highway 1 to see the charming towns near Big Sur.