East Coasters might be surprised to learn that California has the longest lasting and most varied display of fall color in the country . Lucky Angelenos can find wonderful fall experiences within a couple of hours of home . Here are a few of my favorite fall spots to go day tripping -- So charge up your camera batteries , lower the top on your convertible ( or maybe rent one for the weekend ), put on your sunscreen , and head out for a crisp fall day of adventure .
Oak Glen , CA
This small area of apple orchards in Southern California is one of the best places in the Southland for fall colors . The Oak Glen Conservancy hike is beautiful yearround but especially in the fall : Exploring the small town charm of Oak Glen is easy , as most everything is located off of Oak Glen Road .
Oak Glen is not known for their salads if you get my drift , but if you are looking for hardier fare this is your town . Angus McCurdy ’ s at Parrish Ranch has great burgers , old-school onion rings and a wide selection of apple desserts . Sharing a meal is the way to go at Angus McCurdy ’ s . That way you can enjoy a dessert after your lunch . Another place that does not disappoint is Hawk ’ s Head Public House located at Riley ’ s Farm . Hawk ’ s Head , is an old English tavern re-creation that has an amazing chicken pot pie , yummy corn chowder , and they even have salads .
You will find several orchards in Oak Glen for your apple picking pleasure . The Oak Glen website , http :// www . oakglen . net / lists each of them and the apples that are being picked currently . If you prefer to enjoy the fruits of someone else ’ s labor , there are plenty of roadside stands and shops filled with great apple butter , hard cider , mile high apple pies , jelly and jams and more .
Beyond the roadside stands mentioned above , local merchants and artisans abound in Oak Glen . There are furniture makers , quilters , jewelers , painters and much more . Oak Glen is a great place for food gifts . Almost every store has a section of jams , jellies , baked goods and more . Keep a country vibe in mind for your shopping list . To learn more about the merchants , restaurants of Oak Glen go to www . oakglenca . com .
Important note : Most shops , orchards and even a lot of the restaurants close early ( think sunset ).
Big Bear , CA A short drive from Los Angeles , Big Bear Lake is nestled among the trees in the San Bernardino Mountains and has served as Hollywood ’ s backlot for countless films . October to the beginning of November the changing colors contrast dramatically against the many evergreens in the area . The Big Bear Convention Center plays host to Oktoberfest throughout much of October . Big Bear Village is filled with red maples and rust-colored ferns as well as with lots of shops and restaurants to enjoy .
In Big Bear , it ’ s the early bird gets the pancakes . Grizzle Manor Cafe is known for serving up some of the best breakfast and brunch dishes in California . Walk into this nondescript cabin restaurant and order up pancake stacks , tasty waffles , and even a dish called The Blob ( biscuits and gravy with cheese , bacon , and eggs ). Not an early bird ? Don ’ t worry , after 11 am Grizzle Manor serves great burgers , sandwiches , and other lunch favorites .
Big Bear offers many options for fall foliage viewing beyond just a Sunday drive . Leaf peeping can be done in Big Bear by land , water , and even air . By land , what could be better than a walk in the crisp fall air ? Start your walk at the Big Bear Discovery Center on the north end of the lake to pick up a hiking trail map . All of the walks are beautiful , but three favorite hikes for fall foliage viewing are , the Aspen Grove Trail , the Woodland Trail Loop , and the Cougar Crest Trail . For an easy going hike , try the 1.5mile Woodland Trail loop . For a bit more challenging hike , the Cougar Crest trail is one of the best trails for fall foliage . This 5-mile trail is a bit more challenging , but the views are worth the effort . Or hike the brilliant Aspen Grove area , where all the Aspens turn colors at the same time . Throughout the fall season , these quaking aspens turn gold to yellow . Another great way to experience Big Bear fall foliage is on horseback . Baldwin Lake Stables offers both group and private rides . By air , how about splurging a bit and taking a Helicopter flight over the treetops , filled with autumnal colors . By water , take a sunset boat tour along Big Bear Lake or if you have a group why not rent a pontoon and play Little Big Town ’ s song at full blast ?
Lake Arrowhead . CA
Lake Arrowhead is a scenic mountain community located just 90 minutes from Los Angeles with charming Arrowhead Village along the shore . At the Village , you can enjoy great shopping and dining experiences . Weekends , through Oct . 25th , you can celebrate Oktoberfest , where you can sample local microbrews as well as enjoy free entertainment and activities for all ages . Surrounding Lake Arrowhead you will find woods with