Fall Foliage for Families in Northern California

You might not think of California as a destination for fall foliage trips. The blazing maples of New England and the golden glow of aspens in the Rocky Mountains are what comes to mind when someone mentions fall, but California? Think again when you plan your family’s fall travels and head to the Golden State.

California’s wine country is at its busiest during the harvest season, when vines have turned to shades of orange and crimson. The Sonoma Valley towns of Carneros, Glen Ellen and Kenwood are appealing stops on a drive through the rolling hill country, past miles of colorful vineyards. In the town of Sonoma, stop to visit 200-year-old Sonoma Mission.

Historic Highway 49 — named for the 49ers of the California Gold Rush — runs the length of historic Gold Country, through scenery painted with orange, red and yellow foliage of dogwood, aspen and maple. Views along the America River are especially colorful in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma, where the whole family can try their hands at panning for gold.

Dogwoods, maples and oaks are some of the trees that put on an autumn show as they frame the waterfalls and granite cliffs of Yosemite National Park. Highlights of the 7-mile-long canyon are El Capitan, the world’s tallest granite monolith, and Yosemite Falls, North America’s highest waterfall. Discover giant sequoias with the free family guide from Save the Redwoods League.

Kids don’t have to be left out of the fall fun of a leaf-peeping trip in California. Along with panning for gold in Coloma, they can become Yosemite Junior Rangers, completing activities with a self-guided handbook while they explore the park. They can even ask for the free Yosemite Junior Ranger handbook at the visitor centers and receive a badge when it’s completed.