Best Fall Foliage Destinations Near Los Angeles, California

Fall is beautiful and you don't have to go all the way to Vermont to see the splendid colors of Autumn. Los Angeles, California has many near by 'Fall Foliage Get-a-Ways' that will amaze you. All of the following destinations can be reached within a three hour drive from Los Angeles.

The Arboretum, Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden- Be a 'Day Tripper' and trip on over to the city of Arcadia for a peaceful respite from Downtown Los Angeles. Check out this Fall Photo by Flkr User, WinterWaves. The Arboretum is located at 301 North Baldwin Avenue Arcadia, CA, 91007. The main grounds are open from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., grounds close at 5:00 p.m. Adult Admission is $8.00.

Idyllwild, California is a favorite site for camping, hiking, fishing or a quiet weekend retreat. Visit Lake Fulmor for its splendid beauty or stay at Idyllwild Inn ; well known for its rustic cabins with Fall foliage right outside your door. The town of Idyllwild has some of the best artists and musicians you'll ever want to see because they know a good place to conjure creativity when they see it. With great restaurants and many choices of nightly entertainment Idyllwild, California is as colorful as it gets for a Fall foliage retreat.Yahoo Maps Directions to Idyllwild proper from Los Angeles.

Julian, California is just outside San Diego and is a charming town any time of year. Fall weather is wonderful here and colorful foliage abounds. Julian, California is beautiful in the fall with it's apple orchards and grapes. There are many events during October and November among them are APPLE DAYS FESTIVAL, October 2nd and 3rd at Menghini Winery just three mile north of downtown Julian. Yahoo Maps Direction to Julian proper from Los Angeles.

Dilly Preserve, Laguna Canyon, California- This is a very close destination and a beautiful spot for hiking in the early crisp Autumn morning sunlight. There are so many things to see, colorful sycamores, phacelia drying out for the winter, deer wood, croton, buckwheat and critters galore. Jennifer Wood, certified naturalist and volunteer for OC Parks best describes the scenery on October 30^th, 2009 "This morning at 7:45 AM, Thea Gavin and I went on a nice little hike on Canyon trail in the James Dilley Preserve. It was a nose-numbing 46 degrees outside, and our warm bodies were the only ones shivering in the otherwise peaceful, waking landscape. We were greeted immediately by a very healthy-looking coyote - and I was ecstatic!" This quiet Preserve is the perfect place for a God moment in all its Fall foliage splendor. Directions to trailhead: From the San Diego Freeway (405) in Irvine, exit onto the Laguna Freeway (133), which soon becomes Laguna Canyon Road. Drive south miles to the signed entrance for James Dilley Preserve on the left (east) side of the road and park in the dirt lot. The preserve entrance is just north of San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor (toll road).

San Marino, CA- The streets are beautiful to drive through, Lacy Park is splendid in the fall, just outside Pasadena this is a quaint town full of Fall Foliage. It's only about twenty minutes from Los Angeles. Yahoo Maps Direction to San Marino proper from Los Angeles

Temecula, California- Wine Country, Hot Air Balloons, Harvests, and Camping. It's just the best. Lake Skinner is a perfect place to camp in the fall for RV and Tent Campers alike. This location would also be perfect for a marriage proposal above the Vineyards in a Hot Air Balloon. It would also make a lovely wedding location. Consider an Autumn Wedding at Villa De Amore, 40205 Calle Cabernet, Temecula, Calif. Los Angeles, Yahoo Maps Directions to Temecula.

Writers Note: These are just a few of my favorite places in Southern California for Fall Foliage. I don't even know them all to name them and if I did it might take an entire book or three. I've been to so many more places that I've failed to mention but I hope this gets you started on Los Angeles Fall Foliage Destinations you might love.