

The scenic drive and the foliage surrounding the lake will take your breath away. You don’t have to work too hard to find fall colors popping up in this area. In the San Bernardino Mountains, an hour and a half from LA, lies Lake Arrowhead. Stay at nearby Lake Hemet Campground for a stunning fall scene, or use iOverlander to find dispersed camping within the San Bernardino National Forest. Surrounded by national forest, this mountain town is the perfect autumn escape to combine outdoor activities like hiking, camping, fishing, and rock climbing with quick access to quaint dining and shopping. Manker Campground is a good one to try first! Idyllwild, San Jacinto Mountainsįall views from Idyllwild (Photo Credit: Victor Baro)ĭrive two hours east of LA and you’ll find yourself in the village of Idyllwild. The campgrounds in the Angeles National Forest are mainly first-come first-served, so plan on securing a spot early in the day, or save time before dark to scout for pull offs. Still, for a quick fall escape, it’s a prime spot. The trail can get crowded on weekends, which is no surprise considering how close it is to the city. With just a mile of the trail you’ll get to enjoy the fall foliage along the river. The Ice House Canyon Trail is rated as hard on AllTrails, but there is no need to complete the loop to enjoy the view. Just an hour east of LA you can find stunning fall foliage in October. Ice House Canyon Trail, Cucamonga Wilderness Here are 4 places near LA for fall leaf peeping. Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a road trip, there are hiking trails and scenic drives to be had. Luckily, you don’t have to travel far for sweater weather and a picturesque autumn scene. Living in sunny SoCal is pretty idyllic year round, but for a week or two in the fall you might find yourself missing the seasonal change.
