Discover When Leaves Change Color in California (Plus 5 Towns with Beautiful Foliage)

As the weather cools for fall, it’s helpful to know when leaves change color in California. Once you know when to plan your autumn trip, you should also know where you should go to enjoy the sights.   

You’ll find more fall colors in northern California, but southern California has its share of beautiful autumn foliage. Other parts of California, including San Francisco, will have green leaves and hot temperatures well into October and later. So, knowing where to go to view the beauty of autumn is essential.  

When Leaves Change Color in California 

Knowing when leaves change color in California can be tricky since some areas don’t experience it at all. The areas privy to the beautiful fall foliage sometimes have unpredictable foliage windows (times when the leaves change color). However, mid-October is usually the best time to view the brightest colors.  

Sacramento and Napa Valley differ from the mid-October color change, and leaves don’t change color in this area until late October or early November. While these estimated foliage windows can be helpful, it’s best to be flexible because it can happen much sooner or later than expected. Many common types of trees change color in California, as mentioned below in specific areas.   

5 Places to Find Beautiful Fall Foliage in California  

If you go to a state park in the fall when leaves change color in California, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable experience. The weather is cooler, few tourists will be there, and you’ll see how autumn changes the state. There are also many other places to view the beautiful color changes of the season, including downtown in these areas, around local lakes, and in area hiking spots.  

1. Humboldt County  

One place to visit in Humboldt County to see the color changes is Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It has many deciduous trees, providing plenty of beautiful sights. You’ll see the following trees: 

• Oregon ash  
• Dogwood  
• Cottonwood  
• White alder  
• Red alder  
• Black oaks  
• Big leaf maples  

This park also has poison oak, which changes color during the fall.  

2. Shasta County 

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Shasta County is a good location for finding leaves changing color. Some of the trees you can look for here include:  

• Pacific dogwood  
• Oregon ash  
• Deer and buck brush  
• White alder 
• Big leaf maple  
• Oaks  
• Squaw bush  
• Redbud  
• Red flowering currant  
• Vine maple  
• Oregon white oak  
• California black oak  

Mount Shasta in the Cascade Range is another beautiful place to visit. It’s the fifth-highest mountain peak in California, and it offers gorgeous sights of the fall foliage. You can view many trees, including those in the state park, with a snow-capped background of the mountains.  

3. Napa Valley 

Napa Valley is the place to be in November to see the leaves after they color. You can enjoy downtown or hike at Napa Valley State Park. Late October is the best time to search for the best fall foliage in the area. Not only do the leaves change color, but grapevines in the local vineyards also display colorful scenes.  

The trees that offer the best colors in the area include the following (and more): 

• Silver maples 
• Liquid ambers 
• Ginkgo biloba  

4. Inyo County 

Inyo County offers beautiful views of colorful fall leaves in California. You can go hiking at the North Lake Campground to embrace nature’s beauty. Another option is to go to Bishop Creek Canyon and see the colorful trees and leaves with waterfalls nearby 

The trees in Bishop Creek Canyon typically change colors in mid-October and offer a vibrant scene for those looking for fall foliage. You can find areas to view the gold, orange, and red colors in contrast to the sky and Sierra Nevada Mountain range. Some of the trees you can look forward to seeing here include the following: 

• Aspen  
• Willow  
• Cottonwood  

5. Truckee 

Truckee is a mountain town with old buildings from the Gold Rush still standing. You’ll see plenty of beautiful fall colors, even while strolling downtown. Hiking also offers spectacular sights and autumn foliage, while kayaking the area lakes provides even more opportunities to view nature.  

Some of the trees you’ll find in this area that change colors in fall include the following: 

• Aspens  
• Willows  
• Cottonwoods 

Summary of When Leaves Change Color in California