It was almost a year ago that the kids and I set off to explore the Eastern Sierra fall colors with our own eyes. I had heard of their glory and a quick Google search showed that fall colors near me existed just a few hours away. So away we went…. and the heavens we found!
Fall in California is glorious, but I had no clue until I went on a hunt for fall leaf colors. Living near the beach doesn’t grant us the traditional landscape that I wanted the kids to experience. Ok, ok… I just wanted to take some beautiful pictures. But, what we found was something more magical than I ever expected.
Tucked into the mountains, away from the evergreens, we found stunning California fall colors that rival the most fluorescent rainbows. Amplified by the mountains and crystal clear lakes, the sights engulf you into another world and reminds us we explore.
California Fall Colors
Eastern Sierra Fall Colors
If you’re looking for the best October vacation destinations, you need to add the Eastern Sierras to your list. If you have a bucket list, add it there too. California is abundant in seasonal landscapes, but it totally shows off in Autumn with these Eastern Sierra fall colors.
This area of California is one of the best places to visit in the fall, especially if you’re looking to wrap yourself in the beauty of orange and yellow. Mild temperatures, easy and flat roads, and plenty of activities make the Eastern Sierra area – specifically Mammoth Lakes – great places to visit in California. The last time we visited this area we were welcomed with vistas like this. I can hardly put words together how majestic this moment was.
Mammoth Lakes Fall Colors
Mammoth is a popular California destination for skiing and winter resorts, but personally, the fall and summer months are the most breathtaking. These California fall colors are only about a 5-hour drive from LA and are absolutely worth the trip. We’ve been several times within a few years and I still can’t get over the insane beauty to found during the fall foliage. My best tip is to visit Mammoth.com as their website and IG account is a great resource for finding the best spots and up-to-date foliage reports for picnics and bucket-list worthy photographs.
Nestled in the Eastern Sierras, Mammoth fall colors explode against the backdrop of rocks and mountains, casting perfect reflections on their many lakes. The Mammoth Lakes fall colors include all the traditional Autumn colors, but its the contrast against the rock that paints such a magical scene. Our favorite areas in Mammoth to find stunning Autumn in California are Rock Creek Lake, Convict Lake (super fun hike around the lake!), Sotcher Lake and Lake George.
The June Lake fall colors are also gorgeous and totally worth the drive. That’s where most of these photos were taken, actually! Follow the road that veers off the main lake road to find creeks and marshes basking in beauty. This tall grass was actually a marsh, but the kids and dog had a great time playing anyway (while mom’s photographer’s heart soared).
When you’re considering where to go in California this fall, definitely check out Mammoth Lakes. You can find our complete guide to adventures in Mammoth Lakes with kids right here. Check out those posts for details on where to find gorgeous serenity in Mammoth and tons of photography inspiration on your vacation.
Fall Colors in Southern California
I hope each one of you gets to experience this abundance of seasonal beauty at some point in your lifetime. I love living by the beach, but being wrapped in these colors was an experience we will never forget. We’re already planning to go back this year! I had no idea that fall colors in Southern California were just a few hours outside the city, making this yearly tradition one of our favorites.
So if you’re looking for the best places to visit in California in October, add the Eastern Sierras to your bucket list.
