2025's Towns In California That Come Alive In The Fall

California is getting the memo: sweater weather is on its way, even if some spots are a little slower to catch on. Whether you are in one of the corners already feeling the crisp nip in the air or still sweating through 80-degree days, it is never too early to start planning your cozy fall adventures! The following seven towns are perfect for kicking off the fall season, offering harvest festivals, Oktoberfests, and scenic foliage hikes that will have you feeling fully immersed in the cozy autumn atmosphere.

Mammoth Lakes

Located in the heart of the Eastern Sierras, Mammoth Lakes turns into a gold, crimson, and orange landscape each fall, with foliage generally peaking between mid-September and early October. Several hiking trails in the radius are perfect for a fall hike, such as the Mammoth Rock Trail, which offers panoramic views of the valley and town below, along with colorful aspens and willows. Keep your eye out for Eastern Sierra Red Foxes and grey squirrels while on your hike, both of which are more active in the fall! On October 1st, travelers can learn how to make their own fire cider during a Fire Cider Workshop, taking place between 5:30 and 6:30 that evening. Take advantage of the crisp weather by sipping a beer in the outdoor beer garden at Mammoth Brewing Co., which also hosts periodic live music performances.

Quincy

Quincy, which lies in Northern California’s Sierra Nevadas, is filled with dogwood, maples, redbuds, and aspens, making the fall a prime time to visit. Foliage usually begins to change color near the end of September and continues into mid-November. Travelers can start their journey with a scenic drive along the Feather River Scenic Byway, which connects Quincy to Oroville, displaying all kinds of color. For a gorgeous hike, make your way to Bucks Lake, about a half-hour drive from town. Resting at 5,200 feet, the lake is surrounded by groves of aspen and creek willows. On October 4th this year, the town will host its annual Quincy Pumpkin Patch at Rugged Roots Farm, also featuring live bluegrass tunes and activities for the kids. The Mountain Harvest Beer Festival, taking place on October 18th, is another beloved event, held to support art programs in Plumas County. The festival features live music, local vendors, craft beer, wine, and plenty of food, all surrounded by the town’s beautiful fall foliage!

Placerville

Placerville’s strong agricultural roots make apple orchards and other fall crops especially abundant this time of year. Pine-O-Mine Ranch is a great farm to check out during your time in the area, home to over 1,000 apple trees and offering a U-pick experience each fall season. The farm also has a pumpkin patch and tap room on the premises. If you are on the hunt for fall foliage, you have plenty of options, with colors generally peaking early to mid-October. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is a popular place for foliage peeping, offering views along the American River accompanied by stands of colorful trees. The park will also host the Coloma Gold Rush Live event from October 10th through 12th. This event recreates a 1850 tent town, complete with wagon rides, candle making, puppet shows, a bakery, local vendors, and more.

Big Bear Lake

Just two hours east of Los Angeles, Big Bear Lake is surrounded by oaks, aspens, and maples, offering some of the region’s most spectacular foliage displays between late September and late October. There are also some pretty incredible ways to take it all in, including soaring through the trees on Action Zipline’s nine-line course for a unique vantage point of the autumn scenery. You can also enjoy foliage views from the lake on an excursion with Sailing Big Bear, which offers both three-hour and full-day trips. From September 6 to November 7, the town holds its ongoing Oktoberfest season, featuring weekend performances by German bands, traditional contests, and plenty of authentic German fare.

Nevada City

Set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada at about 2,500 feet, Nevada City owes its brilliant fall foliage to red maples that early gold rush settlers planted along the streets. The colorful leaves combined with Victorian architecture create a truly memorable setting. Although peak colors in the area are typically difficult to predict, travelers are almost certain to spot some nice colors between mid-October to mid-November. For a colorful hike, consider an afternoon on the Deer Creek Tribute Trail, which departs right from town and weaves through a rural, forested neighborhood. Just a short drive south, you can also reach the Bierwagen's Donner Trail Fruit and Pumpkin Patch, which opens for the entire month of October for its famed pumpkins. On October 31st, meanwhile, join the town for its Nevada City Halloween celebration, which consists of trick or treating, a cemetery hike, pumpkin ice cream, and other fall fun.

Bishop

Bishop is another wonderful Eastern Sierra destination for fall foliage, where golden aspens are the star of the show. Peak foliage varies pretty significantly depending on the elevation around town. The color changes begin in mid-September at higher elevations, continuing well into November as you descend into the plains of the Owen Valley. If you were to visit only one destination in the area, it should be the Bishop Creek Canyon, which absolutely bursts into color each Autumn. A short drive west, along State Route 168, will take travelers to the canyon where they can view aspens and willows. Afterward, head back into town for a warm coffee and freshly baked pastry on the outdoor patio of Black Sheep Coffee Roasters, where you can appreciate the cool weather and changing of seasons. If you will be in town from October 3rd through 5th, make sure to attend the Fall Colors Car Show, which brings both car lovers and nature enthusiasts to town to marvel at vintage cars and colorful foliage.

Lake Arrowhead

Lake Arrowhead, in the San Bernardino Mountains, is another great weekend trip destination for Los Angeles residents and sits close to several prime foliage spots. While foliage peaks can vary, October is a generally popular time to visit. Travelers seeking a foliage-filled drive can head out to the Rim of the World Scenic Byway, which offers colorful and panoramic forest views. The Heaps Peak Arboretum is another favorite spot for foliage peeping, with the Sequoia trail being a great spot to see changing oaks, aspens, and dogwoods. Between September 20th and October 26th, the town will host its renowned Oktoberfest, featuring German beer, food, music, and contests. Stop by SkyPark at Santa’s Village from October 11th through the 26th for a pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, puppet shows, and more.

Now Is The Time For Your Fall Adventure

Fall is undeniably special, and you do not want to let it pass you by. Now is the perfect time to plan a trip or two, with each of these destinations offering plenty of colorful foliage and seasonal activities to get you in the autumn spirit. If you want a fresh way to enjoy the state’s fall colors, towns like Big Bear Lake will not disappoint, while places like Lake Arrowhead offer plenty of festive ways to celebrate throughout the month of October. So grab your hiking boots, a cozy sweater, and a steaming cup of coffee, and get ready to soak in the very best of California’s autumn!