9 Most Beautiful Fall Destinations in Northern California

Northern California is beautiful all year long, but it's especially stunning during the fall season. As the temperatures drop and the leaves begin to change, many of NorCal's most beloved landscapes transform into scenes that look like they could be the backdrop on a calendar.

Check out this list of the nine most beautiful destinations during fall in Northern California that you'll want to be sure to explore for yourself this season. After all, this type of beauty only comes once a year!

1. Lassen Volcanic National Park

Fall is an excellent time of year to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park! Cooler temperatures in the autumn are ideal for hiking, backpacking, and enjoying campfires under the stars. The park's southwest campground offers year-round camping, but the park's other campgrounds are typically open through October as well.

2. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is a stunning place to visit in every season, but fall is particularly great for seeing areas of the park without the summertime crowds. All areas of the park usually remain open through October (sometimes into November), and you'll love the vibrant array of fall colors across the park's many deciduous trees.

3. Napa Valley

Fall is harvest season and that means it's the perfect time to visit Napa Valley. Wine country itself transforms into a vivid landscape of colorful grapevines and radiant trees—the perfect backdrop for a wine-tasting experience at one of the dozens of Napa wineries.

4. June Lake

It doesn't get better than the Eastern Sierra in autumn. Sitting at an elevation of 7,654 feet, June Lake is a great place to soak up the Sierra's bright shades of yellow and amber. Take the June Lake Loop Trail to see the very best of the area's famous fall foliage.

5. Sacramento

As far as fantastic fall cities go, Sacramento definitely takes it. Being the "City of Trees" and all, you're bound to come across some fall beauty in California's capital. From the tree-lined streets to the lush public parks, this city is definitely a gorgeous sight in autumn.

6. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

If you're not too concerned with fall colors but still want to be swept away by NorCal's beauty, a visit to the redwoods is an awesome choice. Summer is typically when Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park sees the most visitors, so take in the breathtaking beauty of these towering trees in solitude with an autumn visit. Time it late enough in the season and you'll even have a shot at whale watching from the redwood coast.

7. Bay Area

Finding fall beauty in California's coastal regions can be tricky, but the Bay Area is home to plenty of spots that are worthy of an autumn visit. See the warm hues of fall in gorgeous destinations around the Bay like Tilden Regional Park, Sunol Regional Wilderness, Henry W. Coe State Park, or even the San Francisco Botanical Garden.

8. Lake Tahoe

Fall in Lake Tahoe should not be overlooked. It can get cold early in the season up here, but it's worth it to see the bright autumn colors contrasted against Lake Tahoe's brilliant blue waters. Plus, you'll still have the chance to take advantage of outdoor activities like hiking and mountain biking.

9. Gold Country

When it comes to brilliant fall foliage, it doesn't get much better than California's Gold Country. The region explodes with color this time of year, attracting leaf peepers from all over the state. Enjoy this showy parade of colors at destinations like Apple Hill, Fallen Leaf Lake, and Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.

Do you love the autumn in Northern California as much as we do? If you are searching for even more fall adventures, check out these charming mountain towns in NorCal that we recommend visiting before winter arrives. And don't forget to take a look at our list featuring more than a dozen of our favorite things to do in fall in NorCal.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own autumn adventure using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.