These Small Towns in Northern California Come Alive in Fall

While California is known for attracting tourists during its sweltering summers, only made bearable due to its proximity to ocean waters, the autumn season, with its milder weather, smaller crowds, festive ambiance, and gorgeous foliage, makes the prospect of visiting California, and particularly Northern California, during the fall season, a tempting prospect. With harvest and Halloween celebrations, crisp evening air, and a cozy atmosphere, Northern California is made to be visited in the fall. 

As the middle of September rolls around, the many small communities of Northern California switch from the exhausting summer heat into the lively autumn season. From Pacific Ocean coastal villages to High Sierra communities, how different locals celebrate this season varies from place to place. While having so many options is undoubtedly a good thing, it can also make choosing where to visit challenging. To help narrow your choices, we have put together our favorite fall towns in Northern California. But, if the town you were considering does not appear, have no fear, it only means there are too many exciting options for them all to fit onto this list. 

McKinleyville

In McKinleyville, California, fall celebrations animate this Northern California town each autumn. ‘The Thing Festival,’ showcasing the season with various musical events such as live performances and workshops, is an excellent way to kick off the season. For those who love live music, the Annual Fall Into Music Festival occurs about a week before 'The Thing Festival,' typically. Although it's a 95-mile drive west of McKinleyville, music lovers will find the trip worthwhile. Closer to home, just 7 miles south, the Thanksgiving Day Walk at Arcata Marsh offers a wonderful way to end the fall season. To enjoy fall colors near McKinleyville, visit Hiller Park, Pierson Park, or Azalea State Natural Reserve, which offers a stunning sensory experience during autumn. 

Ferndale

Ferndale, California, with its stunning Victorian buildings and coastal redwoods, offers a unique autumn charm. Nestled in Northern California's landscape, this town is a mosaic of rich history and natural beauty. Every October, Ferndale comes alive with the spirited Pumpkin Festival, capturing the season's spirit and community essence. Not to be missed, Francis Creek Inn is famous for its pumpkin spice lattes and delicious pumpkin pies, enjoyed by both locals and visitors. For those eager to connect with nature, Russ Park features trails filled with fall colors, serving as a peaceful retreat. As evening falls, the Ferndale Repertory Theatre becomes a center of cultural activity, with performances that reflect the town's artistic heritage. 

Crescent City

Popular among Oregonians living just miles north of the California-Oregon border, the Crescent City Fall Fest celebrates the fall season and attracts visitors from across the United States and North America. Organized by the Crescent City Downtown Partnership, it is also a yearly favorite for locals. For those wanting to enjoy the region's natural fall beauty, Brother Jonathan Park offers mild weather and stunning colors. On a larger scale, visiting Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, just 5 miles south of town, or hiking to Fern Waterfall are excellent options that will be unforgettable highlights of your autumn trip to Crescent City. 

Mammoth Lakes

Of all the towns in Northern California, Mammoth Lakes is one of the first to see its leaves turn to the autumnal colors we all know and love. Because of its altitude, at 7,880 feet above sea level, the fall season arrives comparatively early in mid-September and lasts through the first two weeks of October. As the majestic forests around Twin Lakes and Lake Mary, the closest bodies of water to Mammoth Lakes, and the entire Mammoth Lakes Basin transform into their autumnal colors, this region becomes nothing less than magical. A great way to enjoy the leaves as they change colors in the Mammoth Lakes region is to take the Panorama Gondola up Mammoth Mountain to get a panoramic view of the foliage canopy of California’s Sierra Nevada. In town, Mammoth Lakes also celebrates the fall season with a range of events, including Mammoth Lakes’s Oktoberfest and the Leaves in the Loop multi-day festival, put on in conjunction with the town of June Lake, attracting many visitors.

Placerville

Are you searching for a memorable fall vacation for the whole family? If so, consider visiting Placerville, California. Placerville is the center of the Apple Hills region, which attracts visitors from far and wide each year for the region’s apple harvest. Among the local orchards, nearly 40 in the Apple Hill area alone, High Hill Ranch stands out as the top spot, offering a variety of apples on site. So, if you're in the area from mid-September to early November, take some time to go apple picking.

After a long day working on ladders and among apple trees, reward yourself with some of the renowned local hot apple cider or fresh apple pie at nearby restaurants or coffee shops. If you're visiting without children, consider visiting local hard apple cider makers, which often offer tastings during the fall season.

June Lake

Once more, we head to the Eastern Sierra Nevada, finding June Lake at an elevation of 7,621 feet above sea level. Like Mammoth Lakes, the foliage in the region of June Lake changes earlier than most of California. While its name may suggest that June is the best time to visit this community, rest assured it is the autumn in June Lake when this town comes alive. Most would guess that this region's forests are primarily pine tree forests, which do not change color in the fall, where there is access to flat ground and fresh water, as there is around June Lake and the many valleys of the Sierra Nevada, you will find a healthy population of aspen, willow, and cottonwood trees, each known for having lovely fall foliage. 

One of the highlights of June in Lakes is the June Lake Leaves in the Loop joint festival with Mammoth Lakes, held annually in mid-October. Taking place in Gull Lake Park, this festival celebrates autumn-inspired art from the Eastern Sierra Nevada, featuring photography hikes, landscape painting, and guided historical walks among its activities. For those wanting to explore the region's fall colors, Horsetail Falls Trail, Minaret Falls Trail, and Twin Falls Trail offer relatively easy hikes through stunning deciduous forests.

Mendocino

Mendocino, California, is renowned for the Redwood trees just outside its borders and is among the closest communities to some of the world's tallest Redwoods. During fall, the town's appearance transforms because, unlike many trees, Redwoods do not change color. Instead, the forests form a stunning multi-layered canopy: the lower trees display shades of gold, orange, and red, while the towering Redwoods remain deep green. To experience this unique autumn scenery, visitors can enjoy scenic train trips along the California coast, where the ocean lies on one side and vibrant fall foliage on the other. The Mendocino County: Skunk Train Wolf Tree Turn Train Ride offers an unforgettable journey. Alternatively, visiting Russian Gulch State Park or Cypress Grove provides lovely views of fall colors without taking a train. During this season, Mendocino hosts several fall events, including the popular Paul Bunyan Days in September and the Harvest Festival in November. 

Half Moon Bay

As the pumpkin capital of the world, Half Moon Bay embraces the autumnal aesthetic. Throughout the fall season, you will find musical performances in Mac Dutra Park and Shakespeare plays in Carter Park. The season's highlight is the world-famous annual Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival, held in mid-October. During this multi-day event, the largest pumpkin competition features entries that often rival the size of a small car. The festival concludes with the Great Pumpkin Parade, where the winning and runner-up pumpkins, along with their owners, parade through the Half Moon Bay townsite. Visitors can also enjoy around 250 booths of high-quality, handcrafted, unique wares from artisan vendors across the United States. The festival also offers many food trucks and bakery booths with delicious, pumpkin-infused treats for all ages, including pumpkin dog treats. 

Get to know Half Moon Bay history while also reveling in the beauty of the fall season at Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park, or wander the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, where you will experience the unique phenomena of a deciduous conifer that turns golden orange and fire red during the autumn.

The Take Home

As the days become shorter and the temperatures drop, the knowledge that the cold of winter gets closer and closer with every new day can be pretty disheartening. But remember, for many towns in Northern California, fall is the most spectacular season to visit. From the autumnal aesthetic that pops up all around the region, as well as inside local small towns, and the associated cross-cultural festivities celebrated during this part of the year, this season brings Northern California and its communities to life in the best way possible. With food, family, and fun all in the fall, who could ask for more?