California is a great destination to visit in the fall, October and November are such magical months. Summer crowds are gone and you can experience the fall foliage in some parts of the Golden State. From the beaches to the mountains and cliff sides, you can see how the landscape changes. I love road tripping in California in the fall, because the weather is amazing and it’s more enjoyable to visit - fewer crowds in the national parks, beautiful, golden sunlight on the coast, warmer weather in San Francisco, fall foliage in the Eastern Sierras and orange-hued tones in Napa and Sonoma Valley. Check out this post for fall trip ideas in California, I hope you guys enjoy! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, where I post more often - @sarowly.

Here are my favorite destinations in the fall in California:

Joshua Tree - glamping in the desert

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places to visit in Southern California in October or even November. It’s still warm and sunny there, but not as hot as in the summer. If you love desert vibes and cacti, this is a perfect destination. You can visit it after going to Los Angeles, it’s located only 2 hour drive.

What to do in Joshua Tree? Try glamping on the desert (we stayed in an air stream airbnb), hike in the park, admire huge boulders and rocks & watch stargazing in the night.

Where to stay in Joshua National Park? - Autocamp Joshua Tree, Hidden Desert Luxurious Home, Boho Luxury Villa

Big Sur - cliffs, beaches and stunning views along Pacific Highway One

Fall is the perfect time to drive along Pacific Highway to Big Sur, the weather in the fall is amazing, because it’s not foggy as in the summer, and it’s still warm. The scenery there is absolutely breathtaking, you can admire sandy beaches, spectacular cliffsides, redwoods forests and some waterfalls. This is my favorite place in Californai!

What to do in Big Sur? Stroll around Carmel by the Sea and admire cute houses, hike in Garrapatta State Park, visit Big Sur redwoods, go to McWay Falls. If you have more time you can drive to Los Angeles through Santa Barbara and Solvang - these two towns are worth visiting.

Where to stay in Big Sur? - Carmel Mission Inn, La Playa Carmel, Ventana Big Sur

Yosemite National Park & Mono Lake (through Tioga Pass) - rugged mountains, lakes and more

I love visiting Yosemite in the fall, the summer crowds are gone and the valley has breathtaking shades of orange, yellow and red. Also, you don’t need a reservation to access the park (starting October 2022). The weather is mild, which is perfect for hiking and exploring, this is why autumn is one of the nicest times to visit. Yosemite is truly like no other park.

When in Yosemite, don’t forget to admire sunset from Yosemite Valley and Tunnel View Point. Later on, drive Tioga Pass (keep in mind that the road usually closes in min November) and stay in Lee Vining. In the morning, enjoy sunrise at stunning Mono Lake. This is the oldest lake in North America with a rich history & beautiful scenery.

Where to stay in Yosemite? - Yosemite Valley Lodge, Yosemite Gateaway Motel

Mammoth Lakes - hot springs, lakes and forests

If you’re looking to see a fall foliage in California, Mammoth Lakes is one of the nicest places to go. To watch yellow and orange hues, go to June Lake, Convict Lake and check out the hot springs. I recommend going to Hot Creek Geological Site for the sunset. The best time to visit this destination is September/October, we came in November and it was a bit too late.

Where to stay in Mammoth Lakes? - The Westin Monarche, Tamarack Lodge

Alabama Hills - scenic road, dramatic mountains and lots of rocks

I recently came back from Alabama Hills, and I’m obsessed with this place, which is perfect for the fall roadtrip. At this time of year, the mountains are covered with the snow, and it looks so beautiful, especially during sunrise. Alabama Hills is a hidden gem located in the Eastern Sierras. You can visit this spot after driving after Yosemite to Mammoth Lakes road trip, heading south towards Los Angeles. What to see in Alabama Hills? Hike in between rocks & boulders, climb arches, spot the highest peak of California - Mount Whitney and take pictures on the famous Movie Road.

Where to stay in Alabama Hills? - Quality Inn Lone Pine, Historic Dow Hotel,

San Francisco - indian summer, orangish sunsets & warm days

As you probably know I’m based out in San Francisco and I live here, and I can tell you that October and November are the most perfect months to visit my city! Fall is the warmest & sunniest time in the city, Karl the Fog is already gone, the temperature is higher than usually, it’s just nice and warm. If you ask me what’s the best time to visit San Francisco, I would say FALL. What to do in San Francisco? Watch the sunrise at Battery Spencer, ride a cable car, hike to Lands End & Sutro Baths, explore hidden parks on the hills, admire Victorian Houses. You can check my other posts what to do in San Francisco.

Where to stay in San Francisco? - Here are my favorite hotels in San Francisco:

Le Meridien San Francisco (great views, good food & drinks, amazing location)
Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf (amazing location, close to the ocean and restaurants)
Hotel Argonaut (great location, beautiful room & vibes)
The St Regis San Francisco (upscale, luxurious hotel in downtown)

Siskiyou County - fall foliage & waterfalls in Northern California

Siskiyou County is located in Northern California, about 3-4 hour drive from San Francisco. This destination offers many interesting activities including hiking, water sports, climbing and exploring numerous waterfalls. I went to Siskiyou last year and I experiened there magical fall foliage. Everything was yellow, orange and red, it looked absolutely stunning! I recommend staying in Mount Shasta and exploring the area from there. What to see in Siskiyou County? Go to McCloud Falls, hike to Heart Lake, explore the town of Mount Shasta.

Where to stay in Mount Shasta? - Loge Mount Shasta

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and you got inspired for your next fall road trip in California. Pin this post to save it for later! And follow me on Instagram for more travel tips in California - @sarowly.

Fall trip ideas in California - 7 Perfect Road Trips