Locations
Fall is finally upon us. The warm, sometimes unbearably hot, days of summer are behind us as the days begin to shorten. The air becomes cooler, but not in an unpleasant way. The leaves on the trees begin to change their colors, and migrations begin. Fall is a magical time of the year and represents changing conditions. The state of California has a lot to offer its residents during this time of year, provided you know where to look.
- Eastern Sierra Nevada Hot Springs – The Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada’s along Highway 395 between Mammoth Lakes and Bridgeport offer beautiful fall colors and plenty of hot springs. However, finding the springs that are safe enough to dip into can be tricky, and often requires talking with the area locals to find the best, secluded spots. After all, these hot springs are carefully guarded secrets.
- Artists Village, Santa Ana – In fall, as Día de los Muertos approaches on November 1st, Artists Village in Santa Ana begins gear up for the holiday. The local sidewalks and art studios fill with color in preparation for the holiday. On top of that, studios and workshops open up their doors for free on the first Saturday of each month.
- Wine Trail, Monterey – In fall, wineries begin their harvest of the year’s crop. This is a great time to take a trip along Monterey’s River Road. The road winds through mountains and passes numerous wineries. The trip offers plenty of stunning views, and the ability to try some of the local wine. Just be sure to have a designated driver.
- Yosemite – Fall brings a change of color to Yosemite, turning most of the valley a stunning gold color. With the temperatures cooler, but not too cold, it is the perfect time to hike, explore, and picnic in the valley. As an added bonus, most of the summer tourists have gone home by this point in the year.
This is just a sampling of what you can do in California during the season of change. California is such a large state, the third largest in the country, and it has plenty to offer all year long.