Best Places For Fall Colors
1 Capitol Mall, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 552-6800
www.metrochamber.org
Sacramento is known as the City of Trees. The tree canopy in the downtown and midtown areas provide shade from the scorching summer sun. When autumn comes calling, those same trees explode into vibrant swatches of color. Walk anywhere in the heart of the city and you will be greeted with an amazing diversity of colors. When the winds pick up you can find yourself wandering through a torrent of falling colorful leaves. It's right in the inner city, and it is truly wonderful.
Alpine County Chamber of Commerce
3 Webster St.
Markleeville, CA 96120
(530) 694-2475
www.alpinecounty.com
To get to Monitor Pass you'll go through Markleeville and, if you need information, stop in at the Chamber office as you go through. Monitor Pass is on Highway 89 just a bit southeast of Markleeville, and quite a bit higher. As you motor up the road keep your eyes open. The pass itself is bracketed on both sides by aspens and they can be extraordinary when they burst out into autumn garb. Keep going a bit and you'll find that there are many more opportunities to see some of these magnificent trees just a bit further down the road. On the way back, take the time to stop and look at the landscape that unfolds in front of you. Catch it on the right day and the colors seem to go on forever.
P.O. Box 494
Camino, CA 95709
(530) 644-7692 (Growers Association)
www.applehill.com
Head east on US Highway 50. When you get past Placerville, start looking for the signs for Apple Hill. While the area is world famous for all things apple, it also has a very well deserved reputation for being a very colorful place in autumn. Those apple and pear trees put on quite a show. Mixed into the entire area are vineyards, which go head to head with the ranch trees for top of the mark colors. Go early, during the week, as weekends during the apple season can be extremely busy here. Remember to empty your camera's memory card. You'll fill it up here.
Related: Best Places For A Fall Marriage Proposal In Sacramento
U.S. Highway 50 and Nevada State Route 28
Just to the east of the Nevada State Maintenance Station is a trailhead for the Tahoe Rim Trail, and a rest stop. This is a little known spot that locals generally keep to themselves. In autumn the aspens here are simply outrageous — it's mind boggling when you pull in. Hike up the trail a bit for an even better view. Go back to State Route 29 and pull into the Spooner Lake parking area for even more color, and more easy hiking. Go early, enjoy the day. This is one that really should be on your list.
142588 Highway 88
Hope Valley, CA 96120
(530) 694-2203
www.sorensensresort.com
There just isn't any way to overstate how phenomenal this place is year-round. In autumn, this is where the colors in Hope Valley light off first. John and Patty Brissenden, who own Sorensen's, say that the reason for this is simply its location, nestled into a north facing flat that fosters aspens and color, across from the West Fork of the Carson River. From here to the west, the intense spread of color in Hope Valley opens up. Aspens and willows are backstopped by the greens in the forest, all the way to Silver Lake. If you can go to only one place this autumn, this is where you, your family, and your cameras need to experience fall colors.
