Fall Colors Near San Diego?

I know a lot of you are in Northern California or able to make it up there, but does anyone know of places to see Fall colors near the San Diego area. I can't travel up North because of family and you know work - the place that says I have to show up to get paid. The nerve.

I grew up in Massachusetts and the Fall colors where literally in my backyard, but since moving to San Diego I haven't really had the chance to experience the color change in Fall. I was thinking of visiting the Idyllwild and San Jacinto area to maybe catch some color at higher elevations.

Any ideas of where and when to go would be great. I have been looking online, but with no luck. Thanks for the help.

- DMP

David, it's been awhile, but I think there are some small clusters of various fall color type trees, including some aspen as I recall, around the Julian area. Again, it has been quite sometime so you may check with the locals down in that area through the Chamber of Commerce.
Years back that was an annual trip for my wife and I around this time of year, but these days we hit Oak Glen for fall apple harvest time instead.

Thanks Paul. Looks like the drive in and around Julian yields some color when the temperature begins to drop. Found some info online - thanks for the tip of checking out the Chamber of Commerce. October looks like the time to go, but I will keep checking the weather section of Julian's Chamber of Commerce web site to get an idea when to head up there. I didn't think colors of Fall would be so close to my home. Thanks again.

- DMP

There's Idyllwild in the San Jacinto Mts, there is a mixture of conifers and oaks. The Highway that goes to Big Bear from the South through Oak Glen, I believe it's 38. Angeles Crest Hwy 2 in the San Gabriels, and there are allot of Dogwood around Lake Arrowhead off Hwy 138. I took this in the late spring of 2006. I posted it to give you an idea of the richness of some of the dogwood stands. I understand they turn color in the fall.

I'd heard about Julian being a good spot too - never been though. David - would you mind posting here if you find anything out about when's good to go? Or shoot me an email? My October is going to be real busy, but I might be able to meet up if things work out.

I've seen nice work of autumn color (black oaks) from Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, south of Julian. I remember driving through years ago (I live in Northern California) and seeing the black oaks there, which turn bronze, yellow or sometimes even ruddy-orange in the fall. Palomar Mountain State Park might be another possibility; I seem to remember seeing black oaks there too.

I don't know how those stands are faring today; as I understand it, most of the the mountains around and especially south of Julian burned in the big wildfires of -- lets see, was it fall 2003 and 2005? In one of those fires, I believe Cuyamaca Rancho almost completely burned over.

Scott, you are correct about Cuyamaca area. That was a large fire and a lot of that area burned. However, that was some of the general area I was thinking about when I mentioned the Julian area overall. I also think there were some places around Lake Hanson too. Palomar Mountain is also a possibility. It is mostly oak around Julian territory as you pointed out, very little aspens in the entire area as I recall.

David,
The Cleveland Nat'l Forest is full of sycamores that turn every year. The potential for color depends the years rainfall. Sycamores have giant leaves the size of a human head. November and December is when they turn so keep in mind when the temperature drops you need to begin checking. I would take a drive and scout it out. Hwy 78 near Banner is one of my fav's down that way.
Steve
Good luck in the hunt.

Thanks all for the information. Looks like I will be visiting Julian and the Banner area this October and November - will be checking in with the Julian Chamber of Commerce for updates. They have told me early November is the usual time of year for good Fall color. Again thanks to all.

Floris, if interested in meeting I will send you an email with some dates I will be heading up there. Julian is a nice place to visit. Been there a few times, but never in the Fall - small town - and good apple pie. Anyone else is very welcome to join the quest for color.

- DMP

I'd be interested David since I've only been down there a few times.

Steve,

I will be checking in with Julian Chamber of Commerce mid October to see if any color is showing. Have a few dates in mind - late October and November. I will have more specific dates come October - I will let you know.

- DMP