But you might also consider trying to find them in particular neighborhoods within your city, 'if you're up for a fun urban hike.' 'Their yellow pop, much like aspens in the Sierra, are noticeable,' he says.Īs for locations, for a variety of non-native trees your best options might be in arboretums and on college campuses, González advises. To start with the trees themselves, ginkgos are a great bet for colorful branches, González says, and they can be found in many neighborhoods. José González from Latino Outdoors (José González) If that's you, Latino Outdoors founder José González has two big recommendations: think about the types of trees that are likely to deliver you a riot of beautiful autumnal color, then consider locations in which you could see them. But what if the spots you want to visit are just too crowded right now - or you want to strike out and discover your own havens for fall foliage? Relying on expert recommendations is one thing. in San San José, leading onto Monterey Rd., to see some autumnal hues. Latino Outdoors founder José González recommends a 'fun' drive south down Santa Teresa Blvd. Sometimes, you don't even have to get out of the car to appreciate some fall foliage - and if wildfire smoke is making it unhealthy to be outside, a driving tour is a good way to at least escape the house. Tamalpais at sunset (Olivia Allen-Price/KQED) Tam is an all-year-round treasure, but it shines in the mild, cool season of fall, says Cori Coccia, program director at GirlVentures, a Bay Area nonprofit that combines outdoor adventure with social-emotional learning for female-identified youth.Ĭoccia particularly recommends the Matt Davis Trail along the west side for its 'gorgeous ocean views and the beautiful oak, madrone and Bay laurel forests along Rock Springs trail.' Just be careful, she says, of another plant that pops with 'vibrant red color amidst all the green': poison oak. How to get to Rancho San Antonio Preserve Rancho San Antonio also offers a visit to Deer Hollow Farm, a working farm with historic buildings and farmyard animals that was closed during the first months of the pandemic, but now has reopened. For foliage hunting in the South Bay, he particularly recommends this colorful spot in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space. José González is the founder of Latino Outdoors, which aims to inspire, connect and engage Latino communities in the outdoors.

Rancho San Antonio Preserve, Santa Clara County How to get to Hayward Regional Shoreline Golden spaces in Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve (Samuel Jacob/Flickr) Why? Look for its 'swaths of pickleweed that turn red, rivaling eastern forests in its changing foliage,' Mendoza advises - and migrating shorebirds, too. Hayward Regional Shoreline, Alameda Countyįrancis Mendoza is a naturalist and park ranger with the East Bay Regional Parks District, and says this local stretch of marshes and seasonal wetlands is one of his favorite places to see the changing seasons in action. How to get there: Travel north just out of St. She says Elm Tunnel is 'one of my favorite places' to see fall foliage in the Bay Area.ĭriving through this North Bay spot 'always helped me know what season we were in while headed to the family ranch,' Mapp says. Rue Mapp is the founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, an Oakland-born organization that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature nationally. Skip to: How to find your own fall foliage spotsįall is the perfect time to get outdoors in the Bay Area.With most of Northern California still in extreme wildfire danger, it's advisable to check our map of where wildfires are burning across the state before heading out on a longer trip.

And if it's a popular place, consider planning your visit to ensure you won't run any risk of encountering a crowd. Bring your mask and wear it whenever you're indoors around other nature lovers even if you're fully vaccinated, carry sanitizer if using public bathrooms and share the trails safely by making space for passers-by - to maintain social distancing. And remember: As needed as outdoor air and exercise is for us all, there's still a pandemic raging.

Row of autumn trees