I really look forward to fall in California. It’s the time of year when the burning heat of summer dials down to a gentle simmer, the golden hills shine and the fog finally lifts from the coast. Take a night kayak tour on a sparkling ocean, welcome back the monarchs or hunt for spectacular foliage for a fabulous fall getaway!
Note: Unfortunately, October is also the peak of the wildfire season in California. Before planning a trip, check local conditions for air quality and avoid regions with fire completely, by using the links below:
Bioluminescence In Marin
If you are heading to San Francisco in October, take a side trip to Tomales Bay. This charming Marin County town is world-renowned for its oysters, which are harvested from the cool, clean waters of the bay.
In October, you can also catch a beautiful natural phenomenon on the water: bioluminescence. After sunset, Blue Water Kayaking will take you out on a three-hour kayak tour for a once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness the ocean glow bright blue under your paddle.
Blue Water Kayaking has a minimum age limit of 13 for public tours and ten for a private tour. All under 18-year-olds must be accompanied in a double kayak with an adult. For younger adventurers, the tour company suggests an overnight camping trip at the boat-in campground in Point Reyes. A shorter night-time excursion is included in the itinerary and children as young as five can paddle.
While you’re in the area, check out the lighthouse at Point Reyes and the cypress tree tunnel for a crisp fall morning hike. Stay at the fabulous Nick’s Cove in an over-water bungalow or the cozy Cottages at Point Reyes Seashore.
Return Of The Monarchs In Santa Cruz
Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz is a favorite rest stop for monarch butterflies journeying south on their epic west coast migration. Every year, between mid-October and December, the state park’s eucalyptus grove is packed with butterflies seeking a cozy spot to spend winter.
By taking the boardwalk down into the canyon, you will find yourself surrounded by these entrancing creatures. The population peaks in late November but the colder it gets, the less likely they are to fly, so pick a sunny day if you want to see them in action.
Monarchs are probably the most-loved North American butterfly species, known for their spectacular orange color and migration, which is unique among butterflies. Western monarchs travel from Canada to southern California every year – a voyage so long, it takes several generations to complete.
Santa Cruz is a fun town to visit with kids, with beautiful beaches, the famous boardwalk, a real steam train to take you into the redwoods and an aquarium showcasing Californian marine life. If you are looking for somewhere to stay, Dream Inn Santa Cruz is centrally located and has a pool.
Sierra Fall Colors
The east coast may hog all the glory but you can see some pretty spectacular autumn color in California too. Although there is not much going on at the coast, you need only to seek out the higher elevations inland to find stunning landscapes of red, gold and green.
As an added bonus, many of these areas are cooler and less crowded after Labor Day, making fall an ideal season to visit the tourist hotspots of Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and Napa Valley.
Higher elevations transform first, so try an eastern Sierras road trip down the 395 to Mammoth Lakes and Bishop mid-to-late September. Lake Tahoe’s aspens are beautiful in October, when the water is still just about swim-able. In Southern California, Angeles National Forest is a good place for an autumnal hike.
Continuing into November, the grape vines in Napa Valley and Sonoma look stunning at this time of year. The cooler weather is also a good opportunity to take a dip in Calistoga’s hot springs.
For a real-time map of fall California foliage, visit California Fall Color, a website dedicated to tracking the changing foliage.
Whale Watching In Monterey Bay
In California, you can see whales all year round as the rich Pacific waters are favored by many different species. Fall is when the summer feeding season and winter migrating seasons overlap, so you have the opportunity to see humpback whales, blue whales and killer whales from a tour boat.
Dolphins, sea otters, sea lions and seals are also frequently spotted on whale watching cruises, rounding out these sea safaris.
September and October are good times to be on the water because the coastal fog that shrouds the coastline during the summer dissipates during fall, increasing visibility.
Several tour companies offer cruises of Monterey Bay, departing from Monterey, Moss Landing and Santa Cruz. Operators recommend booking a morning tour, when the wind is light and the ocean smoother.
If you are visiting Monterey, don’t miss the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium to learn more about the amazing wildlife found off-shore. Portola Hotel and Spa is located one minute from Fisherman’s Wharf and has private parking, so you can easily walk to all of Monterey’s attractions.
Star Gazing In Death Valley
Death Valley National Park has the highest recorded temperatures on earth – so best avoided during the summer months. However, the thermometer starts dropping in mid-October and reaches a pleasant 77°F average by November.
Aside from holding the temperature record, Death Valley boasts the lowest point in North America, beautiful sand dunes, interesting rock formations plus the remains of old mining operations to explore.
When the sun goes down, sit back and enjoy the night skies. The International Dark Sky Association (IDA) gives Death Valley National Park its highest rating for darkness, which means this is one of the best places in the world to view stars.
If you time your visit for December 13 and 14, you could catch the Geminids meteor shower, which is peaking on these dates this year.
There are several National Park walk-up campgrounds open from October 15 and one site where you can make an advance reservation, Furnace Creek. Panamint Springs RV Park is also inside the Park and has camping spots, plus motel rooms.
What’s your favorite fall adventure? Let us know in the comments below!
Have to return to California in the Fall, because all these destinations sound awesome! Would love to see the monarch butterflies.