This Is the Best Place to See Fall Foliage in California

For sure, California isn’t normally the primary state that involves thoughts for fall foliage—however the Golden State is not all seashores and sunshine. Nestled on the base of the hovering Sierra Nevada mountains, the small city of Bishop, California, has autumn views that rival leaf-peeping locations the world over.

This rugged little mountain city is positioned in Owens Valley on Freeway 395, close to landmark locations similar to Death Valley National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Mount Whitney (the tallest level within the contiguous United States). Because of this, vacationers typically consider Bishop as a pit cease on the way in which to Mammoth Lakes or Lake Tahoe—however belief me, that is one place the place it is best to take your time.

As an East-to-West Coast transplant that loves fall, I’ve spent years trying to find leaf-peeping locations in California, and Bishop is my favourite. Surrounded by Inyo National Forest, Bishop has a powerful collection of eating places and comfy stays inside metropolis limits, along with points of interest like Keough’s Hot Springs, the Owens Valley Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center, and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.

Bishop is a real year-round vacation spot, with mountain climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking, fly fishing, and lots of extra issues to do within the space—however the city actually shines within the fall. As temperatures drop, close by groves of aspen, willow, cottonwood, and different deciduous bushes flip into an excellent show of scarlet, gold, and orange.

“It would not simply occur in a single place in a single day,” says Julie Faber, the advertising specialist on the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. “The autumn colours begin in mid-September and undergo October, relying on Mom Nature. Due to the intense elevation shift, it begins up excessive and goes slowly downhill because the season progresses. It’s enjoyable to discover completely different locations relying on what’s peaking.”

And on the subject of locations to discover, you’ll have the choose of the litter. A brief drive out of city will convey you to locations like Bishop Creek Canyon, the place you possibly can cruise previous waterfalls and colourful foliage all the way in which as much as the equally attractive Lake Sabrina, North Lake, or South Lake. 

The city additionally performs host to the Fall Colors Car Show, certainly one of three occasions (the opposite two being the Millpond Music Festival and the Bishop Pabanamanina Pow Wow) that happen throughout peak leaf-peeping weekends yearly. “It’s a basic automotive present,” says Faber. “Everyone gussies up their automobiles after which they take them up Bishop Creek Canyon, the place all the colourful foliage goes off. It’s this spectacular present of gorgeous automobiles and delightful leaves.”

Whereas a scenic drive by no means goes amiss, mountaineering round Bishop will allow you to stand up shut and private with these fall colours. About 40 minutes away from city, Lower Rock Creek Canyon Trail follows a collection of excessive alpine lakes and meadows over 9 miles, although you possibly can cease at any level to absorb the sights. “Decrease Rock Creek is spectacular,” says Faber. “[There are] large aspen groves by that whole eight miles. It’s one which I might positively recommend.”

In the event you’re understandably feeling overwhelmed by all of the choices, check out Bishop’s online fall color tutorial or cease by the customer heart on the town to seek out out what’s peaking and the place. “If in case you have any questions, we will level you in the best course for these explicit days you are on the town,” says Faber.

With all that leaf-peeping, you’re certain to work up an urge for food. Sit down at spots like Mountain Rambler Brewery, recognized for its craft beers and seasonal menu made with domestically grown components. About quarter-hour south of Bishop is one other private favourite of mine, Copper Top BBQ. Although traces can get lengthy at this Massive Pine joint, the smoked ribs and pulled pork are nicely well worth the wait.

For on-the-go meals, choose up sandwiches and pastries from certainly one of Bishop’s two well-known bakeries: Erick Schat’s Bakkerÿ, a Dutch-style eatery widespread amongst Freeway 395 roadtrippers, or the native favourite Great Basin Bakery, beloved for its recent breads. If in case you have time, attempt each—you possibly can’t go flawed it doesn’t matter what you choose. “Bishop is unquestionably generally known as a cease for its bakeries, and we do baked items very well,” says Faber.

Because you’ll in all probability need greater than at some point to expertise every thing Bishop has to supply, guide your lodging nicely prematurely. The Wayfinder Bishop places friends in spacious, fashionable rooms proper subsequent to the serene Bishop Creek. “The Wayfinder has a brand new wine bar that’s open to the general public, so whether or not you keep there or not, they’ve a terrific completely satisfied hour alongside the creek with hearth pits,” Faber provides.

Simply down the highway, the hostel-style Eastside Guesthouse & Bivy has 11 rooms, good for households and teams. For campers, I like to recommend French Camp Campground. Just a little north of city, the campground has operating water and is a brief drive from Rock Creek Lake, placing you in a major place for leaf-peeping and mountaineering.

To get to Bishop, you possibly can take a highway journey alongside Freeway 395 and expertise the gorgeous Sierra Nevada surroundings. Or, if you happen to’re visiting from San Francisco or Denver, fly into Bishop Worldwide Airport (FNT), which has expanded business flights simply in time for leaf-peeping season. “In the event you can hop on a kind of on United, we’ve that service now, and the plan is to proceed rising that into the autumn season,” says Faber.