The Underrated State Park Where You Can View the Best Fall Foliage in Southern California

Being in the land of endless summers, we don’t exactly have the epic fall color explosion that other states experience. That does not mean, however, that here in Southern California, we don’t receive any fall beauty at all! The fact is that washes of reds and golds are not hard to find—you just need to know where to look. In fact, you can find some of SoCal’s best fall foliage in Newhall, in a state park that goes largely under the radar but puts on a beautiful autumn show.

Placerita Canyon is a California State Park in the western San Gabriel Mountains. With a seasonal creek and a fun educational nature center, this is a wonderful park for families with kids, and the trails are pet-friendly. And come September, the leaves start to change, resulting in gorgeous contrasts of bright yellows and flecks of red against deep and vibrant greens.

The park continues to show off colorful foliage into the winter season, and by the end of the year, huge portions of the canyon are covered in shades of orange and gold. One of the best ways to enjoy these vibrant colors is on foot, and this California state park is home to miles of hiking trails, with literally something for everyone. You can tackle hikes like the short and easy Placerita Nature Center Loop, with its lovely foliage and shaded path, to the challenging 7-mile Los Pinetos Trail with its spectacular scenic overlooks.

One of the most popular trails is the Waterfall Trail, a short and moderately challenging trail with a stunning waterfall, especially after a good rainy season. However, each trail offers a completely different experience, with unique views and terrain. Placerita Canyon features cool shady groves of oak trees, cottonwood trees, a seasonal stream lined with willows and sycamore trees, slopes covered with chaparral, wildflowers in spring and summer, and a wide variety of other foliage.

Beautiful any time of year, this underrated state park also features historic and natural sites, as well as the Placerita Canyon Nature Center, which has several animal exhibits and interactive nature exhibits. It hosts a variety of community and educational events throughout the year.

If you know where to look, even sunny SoCal will dazzle you with the vibrant tones of fall foliage. If you are looking for even more autumn travel inspiration, check out our list featuring some of our favorite mountain towns in Southern California you need to visit before fall ends. And, don't forget to read our list of the best autumn activities in SoCal.

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