When do leaves peak in California in 2026?

Peak color is predicted for November 1–December 1 (best estimate November 16). Color starts around October 31 and trees are mostly bare by December 9.

How reliable is the California forecast?

The forecast blends recent-year weather normals with photoperiod and elevation; it tightens as the season approaches. Against published peak dates the model lands within a few days for most regions, but it can be a week or more out. Mountains and coastlines are the hardest. Higher elevations turn roughly one day earlier per 300 m.

When is California's autumn season?

California is in the northern hemisphere, so its color season is autumn (September to November). The turn takes roughly 39 days end to end, centered on November 16, and the last 14 of those are thinning canopy rather than color.

What are the best things to do in fall in California?

The iconic stops: June Lake Loop, Bishop Creek Canyon, Yosemite Valley, Lundy Canyon, Apple Hill, Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.

When do the leaves change in California?

Eastern Sierra aspens turn gold along the June Lake Loop, Bishop Creek Canyon, and Lundy Canyon, often paired with turning black oak in the foothills. Peak color generally arrives in early-to-mid October at elevation.

June Lake Loop in California — 📍 June Lake Loop, California· Photo: inkknife_2000 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

2026 Forecast74 weather anchors

Peak: November 1–December 1

Color builds from October 31 · mostly bare by December 9

74 weather points cover California, and the model shifts their answer 3 days later, which is what it takes to match 3 published peak dates from monocounty.org and explorefall.com. This year's weather has the peak running 1 day later than a normal year. California does not turn all at once, and the gap from the earliest corner to the latest runs about 30 days. How the forecast works

Known for

June Lake Loop
Bishop Creek Canyon
Lundy Canyon

Things to do in fall in California

31 iconic stops, including scenic drives, farms, haunts, and the views locals plan their October around.

June Lake Loop

Scenic drive

Peak September 28 2026 forecast

A 16-mile loop off US 395 threads four alpine lakes below Carson Peak, and by early October its aspen groves turn the roadside gold.

Bishop Creek Canyon

Scenic drive

Peak October 2 2026 forecast

South Lake Road climbs from Bishop into a narrow Eastern Sierra canyon where quaking aspens along Bishop Creek turn brilliant gold, usually…

Yosemite Valley

National park

Peak September 30 2026 forecast

Yosemite Valley's black oaks and bigleaf maples color the meadows below El Capitan and Half Dome in late October, thinning the summer…

Lundy Canyon

Trail

Peak September 23 2026 forecast

A trail up Lundy Canyon climbs past beaver ponds and waterfalls through some of the Eastern Sierra's thickest aspen groves, glowing gold by…

Apple Hill

Orchard

Color nearby peaks November 2 2026 forecast

El Dorado County's Apple Hill district strings dozens of family orchards, cider presses, and pie stands along Carson Road above…

Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival

Fall festival

Oct 17 – Oct 18 Color nearby peaks November 24 2026 forecast

Half Moon Bay calls itself the World Pumpkin Capital each October, closing Main Street for two days of giant-pumpkin weigh-offs (entries…

Napa Valley Wine Train

Scenic railway

Color nearby peaks November 21 2026 forecast

Restored Pullman cars roll from Napa's 1868 depot up-valley through vineyards turning red and gold during harvest, pairing the crush season…

Julian

Historic town

Color nearby peaks November 16 2026 forecast

This 1870s gold-rush town in the Cuyamaca Mountains reinvented itself on apples, and Main Street's bakeries queue out the door for cider…

Leaves & views

Sugarloaf Ridge State ParkState park · Peak Nov 19

Farms & harvest

Cider & donuts

Halloween

Towns & rides

Guides

2026 Fall Foliage Forecast: When Leaves Peak in Every State

Our 2026 fall foliage forecast for the US and Canada, region by region, built from ERA5 weather data and a phenology model, with live peak dates on the map.

Understand the season in California

Short explainers on why and when the color arrives here.

A Día de los Muertos altar covered in marigolds and candles

Holidays & Celebrations

Día de los Muertos: Marigolds, Ofrendas, and Remembering Well

Día de los Muertos explained: how Indigenous ancestor veneration and the Catholic calendar combined into a joyful, marigold-scented holiday of remembrance.

2026-07-17 · 4 min read

Frequently asked

When do leaves peak in California in 2026?: Peak color is predicted for November 1–December 1 (best estimate November 16). Color starts around October 31 and trees are mostly bare by December 9.
How reliable is the California forecast?: The forecast blends recent-year weather normals with photoperiod and elevation; it tightens as the season approaches. Against published peak dates the model lands within a few days for most regions, but it can be a week or more out. Mountains and coastlines are the hardest. Higher elevations turn roughly one day earlier per 300 m.
When is California's autumn season?: California is in the northern hemisphere, so its color season is autumn (September to November). The turn takes roughly 39 days end to end, centered on November 16, and the last 14 of those are thinning canopy rather than color.
What are the best things to do in fall in California?: The iconic stops: June Lake Loop, Bishop Creek Canyon, Yosemite Valley, Lundy Canyon, Apple Hill, Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.

See it on the map