Escape to These Charming Mountain Towns in Northern California Before Fall Ends

Northern California isn’t exactly what one thinks of when envisioning a place to visit for a perfect autumnal day of fun. It’s true that there’s less fall foliage, fewer ‘typical’ historical buildings, and the activities may not match that of the Northeast. But this part of the state knows how to make the most out of what they can offer, and the days spent here in the fall are no less gorgeous and exciting. If you are looking for the perfect place to escape this autumn, we recommend one of the charming mountain towns in Northern California, and the following are a few of our favorites.

1. Truckee

• Location: Northeastern California near Lake Tahoe
• Points of Interest: Downtown Truckee and everything "Donner" Related (Donner Pass, Donner Lake, Donner Memorial State Park)

Truckee is a town where even just a casual stroll through downtown can be an exciting trip. But you cannot deny that this NorCal town shines during the autumn season with its outdoor activities. When the temperature drops and the crowds start to dwindle, you can find yourself viewing fall foliage on a hike, horseback riding alongside a mountain, spending time near the lake, or even enjoying a round of golf. 

2. Mendocino

• Location: Northwestern California, above San Francisco 
• Points of Interest: Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens and the Mendocino Headlands and Russian Gulch State Parks

An ocean town, Mendocino offers a harmonious blend of California's coast and it's wine country. In conclusion, it offers great wine, stunning ocean views (with possible whale sightings), calming hikes through the mountains, and the occasional pumpkin patch and hay ride!

3. Nevada City

• Location: Northeastern California near Lake Tahoe
• Points of Interest: Empire Mine State Historic Park

This town is one of the most well-known hotspots to see fall colors in Northern California. There’s even a self-guided tour that the city promotes—the Victorian California Fall Colors Tour. For those more historically inclined, this town is also a goldmine for Gold Rush history. 

4. Pescadero

• Location: Northwestern California between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay
• Points of Interest: Año Nuevo State Reserve, Pigeon Point Lighthouse Historic Park

Fall is a time where the nearly ever-present fog lifts from this town on the California coast. This means that whale watching for blue and humpback whales is excellent, and that the Fall Haul Out for the elephant seals at Año Nuevo is underway. Also, the area is a popular choice for pumpkin patch visits. 

5. Weaverville

• Location: Northern California to the west of Redding
• Points of Interest: Trinity Alps Wilderness, Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park

This hidden gem of a town nestled deep in the mountains offers an abundance of charm, especially during the autumn with its adorable downtown area awash in fiery colors, delightful Fall Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival hosted at the oldest Chinese temple in California.

6. St. Helena

• Location: Northern California near Santa Rosa
• Points of Interest: St. Helena's downtown area, multiple vineyards and wineries

Residing in the middle of California's wine country, St. Helena during the autumn is all about the harvest. As such, the Hometown Harvest Festival can be a sight to behold with multiple local vendors, games, and live music. Of course, there’s always wine tasting at nearly every event the town offers, but don’t sleep on the farm-to-table dining as well!

7. Felton

• Location: Northwestern California near Santa Cruz
• Points of Interest: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

This quaint mountain town in Santa Cruz County is known for redwoods, so they're not exactly the types of trees that change most in the fall. However, the area is extremely popular for hiking, and the cooler weather that comes with the autumn means that the trails are both less crowded and more pleasant to traverse overall. Also, there's always the Roaring Camp Railroad!

8. Mount Shasta

• Location: Northern California near Redding
• Points of Interest: Mount Shasta wilderness, Lake Siskiyou

This small town is set snug in the Mount Shasta wilderness and, as such, is gorgeous during the fall due to the changing red and orange leaves set between evergreen trees. Luckily, there’s a plethora of outdoor activities to engage in, so take advantage of these temporary colors, like hiking, boating, biking, and swimming in waterfalls (if you can brave the cold, of course). 

What other charming mountain towns in Northern California would you add to this list? Let me know by filling out this nomination form. We'd love to hear from you.

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