Fall is easily my favorite time of the year. I love everything about this season, from the cooler weather to pumpkin patches. However, if I had to choose one thing I love most about autumn, it would be the changing leaves. Northern California is one of the best areas in the West to view fall foliage due to its diverse landscapes and longer season. However, there’s not just one picture-perfect destination to view the transforming landscape—there are many! That’s why I created this fall foliage road trip in NorCal.

To truly get the most out of this road trip itinerary, timing is everything. Using a Fall Foliage Predictor Map can help you best plan your road trip and determine when the leaves are most likely to reach their peak color. With the help of this map, mid to late October is a terrific time to see fall foliage in Northern California in 2025. Now, this road trip is long, so I suggest you break it up into three to four days, but feel free to customize it according to your own schedule.

Autumn is Calling in Northern California

Yes, this isn’t a short road trip, and you’ll want several days to complete it, especially if you take your time at each stop. However, it’s going to be breathtaking, stunning, and unforgettable. Autumn is calling. Hop in your car and chase it.

Photo credits (from top to bottom): db – stock.adobe.com, adonis_abril – stock.adobe.com, Stephen – stock.adobe.com, Rachael Goforth/AllTrails, haveseen – stock.adobe.com, FiledIMAGE – stock.adobe.com, John Nakata – stock.adobe.com