When visiting California, fall is an amazing time to visit this gorgeous state as places will be less crowded and the weather will be cooler. There are many underrated fall destinations in California, but below are some of the best options to choose from.
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Underrated Fall Destinations in Northern California
Sea Ranch, California
By Jennifer of FamilyTripGuides
Sea Ranch, California is a stunning and peaceful retreat right on the Pacific Ocean and one of the most underrated fall destinations in California. It is an underrated gem in California, especially in the fall. Sea Ranch is an architecturally interesting group of homes along the rugged northern California coast about 3 hours drive from San Francisco.
Sea Ranch remains underrated due to its remote location and the misconception that it is a summer-only destination. Visiting in the fall offers fewer crowds and serene landscapes. In the fall, Sea Ranch enjoys mild temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to mid-60s Fahrenheit. It can get even colder if the wind is blowing from the ocean. Interestingly, there is less fog compared to summer, offering clearer skies and stunning sunsets!
Sea Ranch is approximately a 3-hour drive north of San Francisco. A car is essential for reaching Sea Ranch and exploring the area, as public transportation is limited. The drive along Highway 1 is scenic and offers stunning views. We stopped a lot along the way to take photos! I recommend staying about 3-4 days minimum to enjoy the natural beauty of Fall and fully unwind. I would highly recommend staying in one of the Sea Ranch vacation rentals. We used Vacasa for our rental. There is also the Sea Ranch Lodge. Costs vary depending on accommodation choices. Vacation rentals range from $200 to $600 per night, while the Sea Ranch Lodge is moderately priced.
Sea Ranch offers a lot of outdoor activities including hiking (Bluff Top Trail), secluded beaches, wildlife watching, surfing, beach combing. Make sure you don’t forget anything while packing with this woman travel essentials list including scarves and hats for the colder days!
Underrated Fall Destinations in Central California
Carpinteria
By Jennifer of The Evolista
Carpinteria, California, is an underrated fall destinations in California. After the busy summer season, Carp returns to its relaxed and authentic California beach town vibe with excellent weather. Throughout fall, you can expect sunny days and temperate weather ranging from the mid-60s to mid-70s.
Twenty minutes south of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor. However, in October, the Avocado Festival is a big draw. With live music, local food vendors, and abundant avocado-themed dishes, it’s a must-visit for foodies and families.
Beyond the festival, one of the best things to do in Carpinteria is to hit the waves at Carpinteria State Beach. It’s also a great place to play volleyball, check out the tide pools, or take a long walk at low tide. The sunsets are absolutely amazing at the end of the day!
Nature lovers should visit the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve for gorgeous Pacific Ocean views and the seal rookery. The Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park is another favorite because you can see bird species that you don’t see elsewhere. In town, shopping along Linden Avenue is perfect for buying souvenirs. You’ll find great restaurants for happy hour and dinner along the way.
A long weekend allows you to enjoy the best of Carp and have enough downtime to relax. The town is easily accessible by car, or via Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner, which provides a scenic coastal route from Los Angeles. Accommodations are available for all budgets starting with beach campgrounds ($45-70/nt.), to charming inns and vacation rentals ($300+/nt.) with stunning ocean views.
Whether you’re enjoying the local festivities or simply soaking up the serene beach vibes, you’ll fall in love with Carpinteria.
Bridgeport
By Jess of Uprooted Traveler
If you’re looking for a cozy fall getaway in California, Bridgeport, tucked in the eastern Sierras, is an excellent choice. It is one of the most underrated fall destinations in California.
Come autumn, the weather here is pleasant during the day, with daily highs in the low 70s—perfect for outdoor adventures! It does, however, get quite chilly at night and early mornings, often dipping below freezing, so be sure to bring plenty of warm layers.
A weekend is the perfect amount of time to enjoy the best of Bridgeport and the surrounding eastern Sierras. For example, enjoy the crisper weather while soaking in either Travertine or Buckeye Hot Springs, the two natural springs in town that offer epic mountain views and geothermally-heated water. There are also some wonderful hiking trails to take in the fall colors in the area—for example, the Twin Lakes or Convict Lake Trail both take you through groves of aspens that turn dazzling shades of gold in fall with jaw-dropping views of the Sierras.
To get here, fly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport, located less than two hours north of Bridgeport. Given this area’s remoteness and lack of public transportation, your best bet will be to rent a car to get to and around the town.
Stay in Bridgeport’s historic (and teeny!) downtown, like at the Bodie Hotel, which was actually built in 1880 and moved from the famous ghost town of Bodie, California, to its current location.
Atascadero
By Rosby of RoseBee and Reya Adventures
Atascadero is by far one of the underrated fall destinations in California and one of the best places for a vacation. Atascadero is located in the heart of Central California’s wine region. Although vacationing in California’s wine country can be expensive, Atascadero is far enough away from the touristy region to make it an affordable town to visit. You can find hotel rooms that range from $90 a night up to $150 a night.
Atascadero is a mid-sized town with a small-town feel that offers many outdoor activities for its visitors. If you are looking for a relaxing weekend getaway, Atascadero is the perfect place. You can spend your day in Atascadero’s downtown area, enjoy coffee or tea at one of the many cafes in town, go for a leisurely walk at Sunken Gardens Park, and visit the Colony Historical Museum.
If you are looking for outdoor activities, you will find several parks near downtown where you can hike, such as Three Oaks Preserve, Helilman Regional Park, and Stadium Park. There are many activities for families as well, such as a visit to Atascadero Lake Park, where you can enjoy a family picnic, walk along the park trails, and go kayaking or paddle boarding. You can also visit the Charles Paddock Zoo, which is located on the south end of Atascadero Lake Park.
If visiting the wine region is part of your itinerary, Templeton is only seven minutes away by car. The beautiful wineries of Highway 46 are only 10 minutes away. The famous town of Paso Robles is a 16-minute drive from Atascadero. Sensorio, the popular field of lights in Paso Robles, is also a short drive away.
There is much to see in Atascadero, and its perfect location in wine country offers many opportunities to explore more expensive areas without paying the higher cost.
Underrated Fall Destinations in Southern California
Julian
By Michelle of Travel HerStory
Just an hour and 15 minutes northeast of San Diego is Julian, CA, which looks a lot like East Coast New England during the fall season with its colorful leaves. This is one of the most underrated fall destinations in California. In Julian, you can take a guided history walk, scarf down a slice of pie, grab a hard cider, or head over to an orchard to pick apples!
It’s the perfect day trip for anyone in the Southern California area. Though if you’re from somewhere a bit further away, Julian is an ideal place to spend a relaxing weekend as it’s rich with color and activity. Ideal apple picking time is from August to mid-October, and temperatures range from a high of 86° in August to 72° in October. The later you go, the less crop there will be; however, that’s when those lovely trees will be turning colors as well.
To get to Julian, it’s best to go by car as it’s far from any major cities. The only other way would be to take the Orange line from San Diego to the El Cajon Station, transfer to bus 891 towards Borrego Springs, and get off at Washington St & Hwy 78. That’s an estimated 3-hour trip one way, so I highly recommend visiting by car. There are adorable inns and lodges within Julian if you’re planning for an overnight. However, because it is a small town, they may run on the higher end cost-wise during the high season, which is fall.
In addition to the activities mentioned earlier, you can explore the local stores, experience a hayride, conquer a rock wall, embark on a hike, haggle for antiques, tour a gold mine, or sample the local hard cider. If that’s not your cup of tea, there’s wine and craft beer to enjoy. Just a short drive away is Lake Cuyamaca, where you can rent a boat, go fishing, or bask in the lake’s serene beauty.
Julian, with its small town charm, is often overshadowed by its big city sisters like San Diego but it is one of the most underrated fall destinations in California. However, it’s a hidden gem that’s well worth a visit, especially during the vibrant autumn season. What’s more, its underrated status makes it an affordable destination, allowing you to enjoy a memorable trip without breaking the bank.
Newport Beach
By Tanya of The T Word on Travel
Are you looking to kickback, relax and beat the summer crowds in California this Autumn? Consider arranging yourself a long weekend reservation to the historic seaside town of Newport Beach! This trendy city comprises a dozen small “villages” each with their own unique flair. Browse the lovely boutiques that are characteristic of the area; they are sure to satisfy the most discerning shopper. Enjoy year-round golfing at 3 public and 2 private courses, many of which have stunning ocean views. Newport Beach is the perfect place to take a stroll, with 8 miles of sandy shoreline; from the tide pools at Little Corona to amazing surf at The Wedge.
The weather is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts this time of year (60-70F), and they will be wow’d with the opportunities to hike, bike and bird watch at the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. There are over 200 species of birds living on 800 acres of specially set-aside land. This makes Newport one of the most underrated fall destinations in California.
If you want to leave the car at home, grab a taxi from either John Wayne Airport or the Amtrak Station, both just 10 miles away and check into the picturesque Balboa Bay Resort. This fantastic resort is the only Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond waterfront resort in Newport Beach and is ranked #1 Best Hotels in Newport Beach by U.S. News & World Report.
Stay in an indulgent pool side room for around $2000 for 4 nights. This resort offers complimentary shuttles to anywhere within a 2 mile radius. Enjoy a stunning seafood brunch offered every Sunday at the water-side Lighthouse Room. Book early and save 15% on the total cost of accommodation. This resort has many unique offers to choose from; and depending on the length of your stay, you could receive hundreds of dollars in resort credits, or complimentary bed and breakfast daily.
Big Bear
By Carmen of Basic Economy B
Growing up in the Midwest, fall colors were one of the best perks of experiencing four seasons. To experience this in California, you will want to head to Big Bear, one of the most underrated fall destinations in California. This past year, we headed to Big Bear Lake for a weekend in October in search of the fall colors, and it did not disappoint.
Getting to Big Bear Lake requires a car, as it is nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains. You can reach Big Bear in 2-3 hours from LA or San Diego, depending on traffic. Once you’re in the mountains, the views during the drive are stunning.
The weather in Big Bear in October is still pleasant, but being at such a high altitude, it is cooler than the temperatures you’ll find at the beaches or in the Inland Empire. Mornings and evenings are chilly, but the days warm up, so packing layers is advisable. Big Bear is home to several hiking trails and paths suitable for various fitness levels. Most of these paths offer views of golden leaves nestled among towering pines.
I recommend staying near the lake in Big Bear City for easy access to outdoor paths and trails. You can rent a cozy cabin or stay at a local hotel or bed and breakfast. You’ll also be within walking distance of several great restaurants, bars, and shops, which are all fun to explore, thus making this one of the most underrated fall destinations in California.
Final Thoughts on Underrated Fall Destinations in California
As you can see there are many amazing and underrated fall destinations in California to visit. If you have the time, make sure to check out other options such as Pinnacles National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Channel Islands National Park, Carmel, Laguna Beach, and Lompoc. You can also check out these articles for underrated places to visit in winter, spring, and summer.
