Woman walking on a hiking trail flanked by oaks at Volcan Mountain in San Diego.

So Fall-filling

Who says California doesn't get all four seasons? Autumn in SoCal brings golden sunlight and some earth-toned foliage. Enjoy a change of scenery on these three fall-filling hikes.

Week: 10.15.2024
Regions: Southern CA

Hiking in Hulda

Hike at Hulda Crooks Regional Park in Loma Linda

Hiking the 2.5-mile Beaumont Ridge Trail loop is the perfect introduction to Hulda Crooks Regional Park in Loma Linda. It’s an easy lollipop loop that gains 354 feet in elevation over its course as it showcases everything the park has to offer.
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Fall Is Made for Coasting

Explore the Olympic Peninsula and Washington State’s Pacific Coast

Ready to coast? For extra autumn magic, head to the Olympic Peninsula and Washington State’s Pacific Coast for historic lodges, marquee waterfalls, lighthouses, beautiful beaches, and rainforests.
Explore the Olympic Peninsula

Planet of the Oaks

Fall Color Hike in Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve in San Diego

Hike San Diego Volcan Mountain Wilderness
Let us count the number of oak tree species in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian: coast, scrub, canyon, black, and Engelmann. Five! The preserve’s Five Oaks Trail is a 3.2-mile hike that boasts all five.
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Pumpkin Empire

Fall Fun at Cal Poly Pomona's Pumpkin Festival

The best part of fall? Pumpkins, of course! One of the largest pumpkin patches in the state is right here in SoCal, situated on more than 20 acres of farmland in Pomona. The rare pumpkin patch with academic credentials, it’s located at the Cal Poly Don B. Huntley College of Agric
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  1. Hike the Oursan Trail alongside Briones Reservoir in the East Bay

    Opt for Oursan

    Hike the trail less traveled in the East Bay's Briones Regional Park. The Oursan Trail is pure serenity on a wide hiking path skirting the northern shores of Briones Reservoir.

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  2. Panorama Park

    From a distance you might wonder what it is … this very pointed, silvery structure rising above the horizon near the Bay Bridge. It’s the 69-foot-high Point of Infinity, a newly installed permanent sculpture located at San Francisco’s new public park, the very aptly named Panorama Park at Yerba Buena Island.

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  3. Most Peaceful Hike of All

    Is this the most peaceful one-hour hike in the Bay Area? It's got our vote! Lake Lagunitas is the smallest lake in a series of five found on the north side of Mount Tam, so it’s got that tiny but mighty charm. Do a 1.5-mile loop around the lake's shore-hugging trail.

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  4. Hike at Olompali State Historic Park in Marin

    Historically Serene

    Olompali State Historic Park is a small park that packs big California history. Go on a mostly easy 3-mile loop hike where oak trees, big-leaf maples, and madrones are stunning in autumn.

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  1. Lace Up for Lacy

    Lacy Park in San Marino is a hidden gem that may very well be the most pristine green space in greater Los Angeles, and a concealed pair of nearby stairways makes it all the more appealing.

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  2. Hecata, Yeah!

    You’ll have to travel further afield for this lighthouse gem on the magnificent Oregon Coast, but some things are worth the enlightenment! Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint is worth an overnight stay if you’ve always wanted to spend the night at a historic beacon.

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  3. Hiker amid trees at Oak Glen Preserve in Yucaipa Southern California

    Apple of Your Eye

    That fall feeling is definitely in the air and on display at the Oak Glen Preserve. Apple orchards and colorful leaves are a bonus, as are the apple cider donuts and slushies you can enjoy post-hike.

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  4. Nighty Light

    Just 25 miles south of San Francisco on California’s rough-and-tumble coast lies a centuries-old beacon that’s still lighting the way for voyaging ships. Point Montara Fog Signal and Light Station—operating since 1875—has become the distinguished (and well-preserved!) elder statesman of the seaside.

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