Traveling through California this fall? Then you're in for a treat -- as the Golden State lives up to its name, and then some, as majestic California mountains and valleys take on the multi-colored hues of Autumn.
Leave Hollywood and head north for an all-natural movie set complete with technicolor backgrounds and breathtaking special effects.
Nominated for best California fall color are places like Big Sur, the Bay Area, the Napa Valley, and Humboldt Redwoods State Park. But usually the golden Oscar goes to (you guessed it).... Yosemite National Park.
Enjoy the whole day or the entire weekend during California fall festival season. Have fun!
There's something for everyone at the Hardly
Strictly Bluegrass music fest in San Francisco.
September 26 - September 27. 2025 -- Arroyo Grande Valley Harvest Festival Arroyo Grande --
Central California’s 'big event in a small town' celebrates with freshly-harvested local produce, a fish fry, arts & crafts, and food tastings from local restaurants.
October 3 - October 5, 2025 -- Hardly Strictly Bluegrass San Francisco --
Make your way to Golden Gate Park for a music fest of blues, rock, country, Dixieland and, of course, America's best bluegrass bands.
October 10 - October 11, 2025 -- Oakhurst Fall Festival Oakhurst --
Check out the line of food trucks, carnival rides, kids' activities and live entertainment as Oakhurst ushers in the fall in the Southern Sierras.
October 10 - October 13, 2025 -- San Francisco Fleet Week San Francisco
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There's the flyover by the Navy Blue Angels, parade of ships, and more at San Franciso's legendary fall happening.
October 18 - October 19, 2025 -- Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival Half Moon Bay --
The “World Pumpkin Capital” South of San Francisco celebrates the season with enormous pumpkins, sculpted pumpkins, a pie-eating contests, and the Great Pumpkin Parade.
More about California fall colors around the Web:
Best California fall foliage reports and locations - And they mean it, with a long list blogs, magazine articles and other resources for scoping out the best places to see and photograph California foliage.
Big Sur Scenic Vistas - Spectacular anytime of year, this guide to the coast includes a complete list of what to see including bridges, scenic overviews, and additional facts on campgrounds and state parks.
Bizz Johnson Trail - Located at Eagle Lake in northeast CA, here's a guide to the spectacular views, map & contact info, and related resources