10 Fall Hikes In California That End In Breathtaking Views

Fall in California is a hiker’s dream – cooler temps, fewer crowds, and vibrant colors from coast to mountains. These 10 scenic trails showcase the state’s natural beauty at its peak, each ending in stunning views that make every mile worth it. Lace up your boots – autumn adventure awaits!

1. Dipsea Trail to Stinson Beach

Nothing compares to the dramatic coastal-to-forest transition of the Dipsea. Starting in Mill Valley, this historic trail winds through redwood groves where fall brings a subtle but beautiful transformation – not with changing leaves but with golden light filtering through the canopy in ways summer never allows.

After climbing 688 steps and several rolling hills, you’ll emerge to sweeping Pacific Ocean views. The trail’s difficulty varies wildly, from steep staircases to gentle forest paths, making the 7.5-mile journey an adventure rather than just a hike.

My favorite fall tradition? Reaching Stinson Beach as the afternoon sun casts long shadows across the sand, then rewarding myself with clam chowder at the local café before catching the shuttle back. The contrast of warm soup and cool ocean breeze is quintessentially Northern Californian.

2. McWay Falls Trail at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

If fairytales were real, they’d look like McWay Falls in autumn. This easy 0.6-mile trail delivers arguably the most photographed view in Big Sur – an 80-foot waterfall that plunges directly onto a pristine beach, framed by coastal cliffs wearing their fall colors.

Unlike many California hikes, the journey here is mercifully gentle. Wheelchair accessible and requiring minimal exertion, it proves that breathtaking views don’t always demand breathtaking effort.

Autumn brings fewer tourists and more dramatic skies to this coastal gem. I’ve visited during all seasons, but fall’s moody fog patterns and golden hour lighting transform the scene into something otherworldly. The contrast between turquoise waters and the rusty hues of coastal vegetation creates a color palette photographers dream about. Time your visit for late afternoon when the light hits the falls just right.

3. Alamere Falls Trail at Point Reyes

Where else can you find a waterfall that cascades directly onto a beach? Alamere Falls offers exactly this rare natural phenomenon, made even more magical during fall when coastal fog creates an ethereal atmosphere around this 8.4-mile round-trip hike.

Though challenging in parts, the trail rewards persistent hikers with diverse ecosystems – from oak woodlands showing off their autumn colors to coastal scrub and dramatic cliff views. The final scramble down to the falls requires careful footing, but that’s part of the adventure.

Fall brings mushroom season to Point Reyes, adding an element of woodland treasure hunting to your hike. I once counted seventeen different fungi varieties along this trail after autumn rains. The crowd-free weekdays and cooler temperatures make this sometimes-busy trail much more enjoyable than during summer months.

4. Fern Canyon Loop in Prairie Creek Redwoods

Walking through Fern Canyon feels like stepping into a prehistoric world. Made famous by Jurassic Park 2, this magical ravine features 50-foot walls completely draped in seven different species of ferns – all reaching peak verdancy in fall after the first seasonal rains.

Though relatively flat, the 1.1-mile loop requires navigating across small streams and fallen logs, adding a sense of adventure without excessive difficulty. The canyon’s narrow walls create a microclimate that traps fall’s characteristic misty mornings, adding a mystical quality to the already surreal landscape.

Fall brings a special gift here – the sound of returning salmon fighting their way upstream through the canyon’s creek. I sat silently watching this ancient ritual while Roosevelt elk bugled in the distance. The combination of fewer visitors, vibrant greenery, and wildlife activity makes autumn the perfect season to experience this coastal redwood treasure.

5. Inspiration Point at Yosemite National Park

Standing at Inspiration Point feels like hovering between heaven and earth. The golden oaks and fiery maples frame the iconic view of El Capitan and Half Dome, creating a painter’s palette of fall colors against granite giants.

Morning fog often lingers in the valley below, adding mystique to this moderate 2.6-mile round-trip hike. I’ve watched sunrise here three times, and each experience left me speechless in a different way.

Though popular, fall weekdays offer surprising solitude. Bring a thermos of hot chocolate and wear layers – the temperature drop at 3,200 feet elevation can catch unprepared hikers off guard. Trust me, that first sip of warmth while gazing across Yosemite Valley in autumn glory will become a core memory.

6. Sentinel Dome in Yosemite’s High Country

How about standing on a granite dome that offers a complete 360-degree panorama of Yosemite’s most famous landmarks? Sentinel Dome delivers exactly that after a moderate 2.2-mile round-trip hike that’s accessible to most fitness levels.

Fall transforms this high-country experience (8,122 feet elevation) with golden meadows and the season’s first dusting of snow on distant peaks. Unlike summer, when thunderstorms often force hikers to retreat by early afternoon, autumn typically offers stable weather and crystal-clear visibility.

My personal tip: time your hike for sunset. While most visitors rush back to Yosemite Valley before dark, I’ve witnessed the alpenglow paint Half Dome pink while stars begin appearing overhead – a double feature that requires only a headlamp for the easy return journey. The fall chill at this elevation demands a warm jacket, but the solitude and spectacle are worth the goosebumps.

7. Mount Tallac Trail at Lake Tahoe

Though challenging, Mount Tallac’s 9.5-mile round-trip journey rewards hikers with what many consider Lake Tahoe’s ultimate panoramic view. Fall transforms this Sierra Nevada classic with golden aspen groves in the lower elevations and the season’s first snow dustings on distant peaks.

Starting at 6,440 feet and climbing to 9,735 feet, the trail crosses diverse ecosystems that showcase different aspects of autumn. Around Floating Island Lake and Cathedral Lake, fall colors reflect in crystal waters, creating natural mirrors that double the visual impact.

My advice? Start early – not just to beat potential afternoon thunderstorms (less common in fall but still possible), but to catch the morning light on Fallen Leaf Lake below. The summit view encompasses both Tahoe’s cobalt blue expanse and Desolation Wilderness’s rugged beauty. In autumn, the contrast between golden valleys and snow-kissed peaks creates a photographer’s paradise worth every step of elevation gain.

8. Rubicon Trail Along Lake Tahoe’s Shore

Unlike its namesake off-road vehicle route, this Rubicon Trail offers a moderate lakeside journey with continuous postcard-worthy views. Following Lake Tahoe’s southwestern shore between Emerald Bay and D.L. Bliss State Park, this 16-mile out-and-back trail (though you can choose shorter segments) showcases fall’s transformation of both forest and water.

Autumn brings a magical quality to this trail as Tahoe’s famously clear waters seem even more vibrantly turquoise against the yellowing aspens. The seasonal lighting creates deeper blues in the lake’s depths while fallen leaves carpet portions of the path.

Though popular in summer, fall weekdays offer remarkable solitude. I’ve spent hours on granite outcroppings watching osprey hunt without seeing another soul. The trail’s moderate elevation changes make it accessible to most hikers, while its length can be customized to fit your time constraints. Don’t miss the historical Vikingsholm Castle section, where fall colors frame this Scandinavian-inspired landmark.

9. Lands End Trail in San Francisco

Urban hiking doesn’t get better than Lands End in autumn. This surprisingly wild 3.4-mile loop offers spectacular Golden Gate Bridge views framed by cypress trees and coastal scrub that take on subtle rusty hues as fall progresses.

Unlike summer’s notorious fog, fall often brings clear, warm days to San Francisco’s coastline. The trail winds past shipwrecks visible at low tide, the ruins of Sutro Baths, and numerous pocket beaches that become peaceful retreats once summer crowds disappear.

My favorite section follows the cliffside where migrating whales can sometimes be spotted from September through November. Though technically within city limits, parts of this trail feel remarkably remote. Fall’s special gift is the quality of light – photographers call it the golden season when late afternoon sun bathes the coastline and bridge in warm tones impossible to capture in other seasons. The moderate terrain makes this accessible to hikers of most abilities.

10. Mist Trail to Vernal Falls in Yosemite

Though famous as a summer hike, the Mist Trail transforms completely in autumn. Without summer’s intense waterfall spray (which literally soaks hikers), the 3-mile round-trip to Vernal Falls becomes a more comfortable experience with equally stunning views.

Fall’s lower water volume reveals fascinating rock formations normally hidden beneath raging waters. The famous 600-step granite staircase alongside the waterfall feels less treacherous without summer’s slippery conditions. Meanwhile, black oaks and dogwoods along the Merced River create a colorful corridor leading to the emerald pool at the fall’s base.

October and November visitors experience a special treat – far fewer crowds on what’s normally Yosemite’s busiest trail. I’ve sat alone at the top of Vernal Falls on fall weekdays, watching the changing light play across the valley below. For photographers, autumn’s lower angle of sunlight creates rainbow effects in the waterfall mist during mid-morning – a phenomenon rarely seen in summer months.