California Fall Foliage Report for Campers, Hikers and Anglers

Fall foliage tours usually highlight spectacular colors in Colorado and Maine, leaving out the Golden State. Why not head to California and enjoy a fabulous camping or fishing vacation destination -- in addition to excellent fall foliage viewing opportunities?

Camp at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

Situated in San Diego County, in sunny southern California, the fall foliage map concentrates on the black oak. Color changes include a gorgeous goldenrod, which makes for spectacular vistas. Reserve one of the 81 camp sites at Green Valley (or one of the 85 spots at Paso Picacho) to pitch a tent or park a camper. Hike up to Cuyamaca Peak and enjoy a great look around. Bring a boat, fishing pole and a few dollars for firewood.

Drive through Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Find Humboldt Redwoods State Park in northern California; it boasts maples, dogwood, cottonwood and redwood trees. Although there are 250 campsites between Albee Creek-, Hidden Springs- and Burlington campgrounds, remember that winter rains seasonally close them, especially in late fall. A better bet is the scenic 32-mile Avenue of the Giants road that takes the visitor to a number of wonderful areas for enjoying fall foliage.

Fish at Henry W. Coe State Park

Hiking, fishing, camping and RVing are just some of the highlights that the Henry W. Coe State Park offers. A dedicated California fall foliage map would point to the north-facing regions of the park, where evergreens give way to black oaks, maples and other deciduous trees. Please note that the central coast location of the Santa Clara County park makes it subject to severe campfire restrictions. Pack in a gas stove and err on the side of caution.

When is a good Time for Fall Foliage Tours in California?

Opinions are split, but by and large it is the middle of October for Henry Coe and approximately late September for areas in the Sierras. The duration of the fall foliage spectacular is eight to 10 weeks, depending on late fall rains. As a general rule of thumb, higher elevations go gold and red earlier, while sea-level locales may not change significantly until November. On the flipside, there are plenty of northern California locales that become inaccessible to two-wheel drive vehicles around this time.

Check in with the park ranger at the destination of your choice when making reservations; find out the up to date fall foliage report from a park ranger who is on site and personally familiar with weather conditions and tree health.Then determine your California travel destinations for fall foliage tours.

Destination Information

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

13652 Highway 79 in Julian, CA 92036

760-765-3020

Open year-round from dawn to dusk

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Avenue of the Giants, State Route 254 in Weott CA 95571

707-946-2263

Open seasonally

Henry W. Coe State Park

9000 E. Dunne Avenue in Morgan Hill, CA 95037

408-779-2728

Open year-round, around the clock