8 Dreamiest Places to Enjoy Fall in California

This is a guest post by Jamie English.

California may not be the first state you think of for your next fall getaway, but it is possible to do some incredible leaf-peeping here. Combine the changing colors of the trees with the state’s famous golden light and mildly cold temperatures, and California becomes its own travel worthy autumnal destination.

Here are the top eight places to visit for your next fall trip as a solo female traveler:

1. Eastern Sierra Nevadas

The eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range is one of the best places you can experience fall foliage in California. It extends for about 400 miles and can be easily accessed along Highway 395 north of Los Angeles. It is much less visited than the western side, giving it a sense of solitude among the changing leaves in early October. 

In this area, you’ll find groves of aspen mingling with cottonwoods, willows, and native grasses. Temperatures can get cold as the wind comes down off the mountains into the desert, so bring layers during the day and dress warm at night as you take in the autumn vibes. 

The colors look amazing at all times of day, but be sure to catch sunrise or sunset as often as you can to see the trees truly light up.

A perfect day here would be to soak in Travertine hot springs in the morning, then head out for an afternoon of leaf-peeping at Lundy Canyon and Conway Summit until the sun sets. On the southern end of the Sierras, find your fall color kick at Rock Creek Road and Lake, then hike from there to Little Lakes Valley; or start your day at North Lake Road with a hike to Lake Sabrina. Finish the day with a soak at Wild Willy’s Hot Spring. And don’t forget to look up at the stars. This part of the state has one of the darkest night skies you’ll see!

Camping abounds, but if you don’t have the right gear to stay warm, we recommend making your home base in Bridgeport at the historic and quaint Bridgeport Inn, or in Mammoth Lakes at the recently updated Outbound Mammoth.

2. The Redwoods

California’s coastal redwoods may not be the easiest to get to at the far western corner of the state, but if you make the 5-6-hour trek from San Francisco or Sacramento, then you are in for a mind-blowing getaway. 

The redwoods are on average 500-700 years old, with some of the oldest being up to 2,000 years. Having lived that long, these trees are among the largest you’ll ever encounter — over 300 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide. Add the colorful fall…