Six Great Destinations for a Fall Road Trip From San Diego

The start of fall means it’s time for a road trip from San Diego to one of our amazing regional destinations where you can get some of those fall feels!

San Diego has the best weather in the world. Period. And fall is heaven in San Diego – sunshine, empty beaches, and perfect, slightly cooler temperatures.

But us locals… sometimes we need a break from perfection and want to dust off our sweaters! And what better way than a getaway filled with cool breezes, colorful leaves, and fall flavors? Luckily, Southern California is home to a wide range of climates, and the comforts of the season are never far away.

Here are six day-trip destinations from San Diego where you can get your autumn fix before returning to the land of eternal summer.

Apple Picking and Pie in Julian

Just over an hour from San Diego, Julian moves at its own pace. This small mountain town consists of just a handful of blocks filled with old-fashioned country stores and restaurants that serve hearty, home-cooked meals.

Julian works any time of year, but fall is its season. Apple season runs from late August through October, and October brings a free Oktoberfest downtown (Saturday, October 10, noon to 6 PM) and the Haunted Forest at Banner Ranch for anyone who likes their fall with a few scares.

For U-pick, head to Volcan Valley Apple Farm, open Saturdays into mid-October from 9 AM to 4:30 PM ($5 per person, $20 per picking bag). Its trellised trees keep the apples at arm’s height, so the kids can do the picking. Check the banner on its site before you drive up, since dates shift with the crop

Then there’s the pie. The move is a slice of Caramel Dutch Apple with a scoop of vanilla ice cream at Julian Pie Company, open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM on Main Street.

On the way up Highway 79, pull off at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park for a hike under the black oaks, which are just starting to turn ($10 per vehicle, open 8 AM to sunset).

Fall Colors and Oktoberfest in Big Bear

About three hours from San Diego, Big Bear’s altitude puts a real chill in the autumn air. You can feel the shift by early October, and the leaves hit their gold and crimson stretch from mid-October to early November.

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest runs weekends from September 12 to November 14 at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center, with Friday nights added in October. Sunday is Family Day (kids 12 and under get in free), and anyone 21 and up can settle in with a pint or two (or three). A free shuttle runs Friday and Saturday nights.

Between rounds, hit the hiking and mountain biking trails for an up-close look at the leaves turning gold, orange, and crimson.

If you’d rather skip the ticket line, Lake Arrowhead runs its own free Oktoberfest at Lake Arrowhead Village on weekends through October 25 (Saturdays noon to 7 PM, Sundays noon to 5 PM).

Get an Aerial View of Palm Springs

While the desert landscape of Palm Springs may not immediately jump to mind as the ideal spot to enjoy an autumn vacation, the fall months are some of the best times to visit. The triple-digit days are behind it, and the trails are fair game again.

For real sweater weather, ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up the mountain, where it runs much cooler than the desert floor (and snow shows up once winter hits). The tram closes every September for maintenance (this year, September 8 to October 4), so plan your trip for October onward. Tickets start at $36.95 for adults and $20.95 for kids.

The world’s largest rotating tram car climbs for about ten minutes to Mountain Station, 8,516 feet up in Mt. San Jacinto State Park. From there, you can hike more than 50 miles of trails, take in the view from the observation decks, or book a table at Peaks, where dinner comes with the whole Coachella Valley below you (reservations recommended).

Stargazing in the Autumn Air in Anza-Borrego

Less than two hours from San Diego, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park covers about 600,000 acres, making it the largest state park in California.

Take advantage of the crisp autumn air and bundle up for an evening of stargazing. The remote location offers the perfect backdrop for checking out the constellations without the distracting glow of city lights. Remember to bring warm clothes as the temperature drops quickly in the desert after the sun sets.

Beautiful Views at Palomar Mountain

Palomar Mountain State Park sits at an average of 5,000 feet, and the views from up top prove it. Located only an hour and a half northeast of San Diego, this is an easy day trip.

Breathe in the brisk air and enjoy the scenery while visiting the state park. You’ll find numerous campgrounds and hiking trails to explore. In fall, the California black oaks mixed in with the pine and fir turn bright yellow and orange, usually peaking in early to mid-November.

The mountaintop is also home to Caltech’s Palomar Observatory, a working research site with three telescopes. The biggest is the 200-inch Hale Telescope, the largest in the world from 1949 until 1976. Visitors are welcome daily from 9 AM to 3:30 PM.

If you’re staying up on the mountain to stargaze on your own, pack a sweater or a blanket, because evening temperatures can dip into the 40s.

Fun Fall Festivities in Temecula

Less than an hour up I-15, Temecula is Southern California’s wine country, and fall is harvest season, when the vineyards are at their busiest.

Fall in Temecula runs on grape stomps (Callaway, South Coast Winery, and Europa Village all host them), pumpkin picking and pig races at Peltzer Farms, and the Big Horse corn maze, billed as the largest in Southern California.