Finding Fall in San Diego
The arrival of fall in Southern California can be subtle. Shadows lengthen. Back-to-school shopping entails new shorts and sneakers—not parkas and boots. Liquidambar trees show off magenta, gold and sunset colors, then dry Santa Ana winds transition fall into winter rain showers.
If you have a hankering for autumn’s chill and winter’s frost, they’re closer than you think. Take your family on one of these festive day-trips or weekend getaways and celebrate the season.
Day Trips
San Diego County
• Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado, San Diego. 619-239-0512; www.balboapark.org
Revel in autumn’s beauty with a walk through Balboa Park. Pecan, Fremont cottonwood and Chinese flame trees will light your way with gold and yellow foliage. Look on the corner of Quince and 6th Avenue for American sweetgum trees—the best tree for fall color in Southern California—with brilliant shades of red and orange.
• Borrego Days Desert Festival 2008, Borrego Springs. www.borregospringschamber.com/BorregoDays
Two hours away from San Diego, this annual event features the Borrego Days Desert Festival Parade with this year’s Grand Marshal, Huell Howser, a vintage car show, live music, KidsZone attractions and more. Nearby Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center opens in October and offers a desert garden and museum.
• Mount Laguna, 10678 Sunrise Hwy (Laguna Mountain Lodge & Store). 619-445-6235 (Cleveland National Forest).
Where to go for snow? Drive up Sunrise Highway from Interstate 8 and park along the forest service roads. You must display an Adventure Pass, available at forest offices, county vendors, and online at www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap. Alternatively, go to the Laguna Campground for sledding and hiking (day use fee).
• Palomar Mountain State Park, 19952 State Park Road, Palomar Mountain. 760-742-3462; www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=637
Head forty miles east of Oceanside and enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific while surrounded by cedar, fir, pine and colorful black oak forests. Offers camping, hiking and trout fishing (fishing license required). A 3.5-mile trail loops around the park.
• Witch Creek Winery, 2906 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad. 760-720-7499; www.witchcreekwinery.com
(Also located at: 2000 Main Street, Julian, 760-765-2023.)
Treat yourself to wine tasting at Witch Creek Winery, just a block and a half from Carlsbad State Beach. End the day with a relaxing spa treatment at nearby Carlsbad Mineral Spa.
Orange County
• Caspers Wilderness Park, 33401 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano. 949-923-2210; www.ocparks.com/caspers
View a range of yellow and bronze fall foliage and enjoy camping, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking amidst the park’s California sycamores and coastal live oaks.
• Persian Festival of Autumn: Mehregan, October 11-12, Orange County Fair & Exposition Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. www.nipoc.org/mehregan.htm
Learn more about Iranian culture through this festival’s savory food, art, and colorful live performances. Mehregan celebrates nature with “love, knowledge and commitment.”
Weekend Getaways
Julian, San Diego County
www.julianca.com
One hour east of San Diego in the Cuyamaca Mountains, Julian’s small-town charm is big on history. Julian got its start back in the 1870s when gold was discovered in the area, and you can still pan for gold and head home with a nugget in your pocket. Today, Julian is also well known for its apple orchards, quaint shops and picturesque setting.
Things to Do & See in Julian:
• Raven Hill Orchard, 1284 Julian Orchards Drive. 760-765-2431.
In the foothills of Volcan Mountain, this orchard offers 8000 dwarf trees and “maintains the natural order of things,” says owner Patrick Brady. He encourages visitors to slow down and enjoy each moment of their visit. U-pick apples offered into November.
• Julian Cider Mill, 2103 Main Street. 760-765-1430.
Stop in for a caramel apple or bag of candy for munching while you stroll around town. Don’t miss a free sample of cider made fresh from local apples.
• Julian Mining Company, 4444 State Hwy 78. 951-313-0166; www.julianminingcompany.com
Harvest Hoedowns will be hosted on October 18 and 25 featuring: dinner, a Sleepy Hollow event, pumpkin carving and seed spitting contests and more. Offers U-pick pumpkin patch, U-pick raspberries, U-press cider, candle dipping, gold panning and gem sluicing.
• Mom’s Pies, 2119 Main Street. 760-765-2472; www.momspiesjulian.com
Stand outside and let your kids watch pies being assembled through the large storefront window—they are sure to get a smile and a wave from the friendly bakers. Come inside for a slice or take home a whole pie.
• Julian Pie Company, 2225 Main Street. 760-765-2449; www.julianpiecompany.com
Enjoy a slice of warm, homemade pie or purchase whole pies for the family.
Where to Stay: From bedding down in a historic bed and breakfast to squirreling up in a forested campsite, Julian offers a variety of lodging choices.
• Julian Gold Rush Hotel Bed and Breakfast, 2032 Main Street. 760-765-0201; www.julianhotel.com
Settle in for a long winter’s nap in the heart of Julian. This hotel is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Southern California and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Find other bed and breakfasts online at www.julianbnbguild.com.
• William Heise County Park, 4945 Heise Park Road. 760-765-0650; www.co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/Camping/heise.html
See real fall foliage or the first winter’s snow, at this 900-acre park. Bring your tent or RV—or get comfortable in a rustic wilderness cabin—and camp within mountain meadows and oak, pine and cedar forests.
Oak Glen, San Bernardino County
www.oakglen.net
Just two hours north of San Diego, historic Oak Glen offers crisp mountain weather and family-friendly fun. Although many farms and shops are open year-round, seasonal activities, such as U-pick apples, began Labor Day weekend. With its mile-high climate, you may run into rain, a little hail, or winter snow—so check the forecast, dress warmly and bring a jacket—even if nearby towns are sunny and warm.
Things to Do & See in Oak Glen:
• Snow-Line Orchards, 39400 Oak Glen Road. 909-797-3415; www.snow-line.com
Buy a bag of freshly made mini-donuts and hot cider, and snack outside under California’s oldest chestnut tree. Arrive in early fall for U-pick raspberries.
• Riley’s Farm, 12261 S. Oak Glen Rd. 909-797-7534; www.rileysfarm.com
This living history farm offers U-pick apples, U-press cider, tomahawk throwing and archery. Reservations required to participate in the living history adventure tours.
• Riley’s at Los Rios Rancho, 39611 S. Oak Glen Rd. 909-797-1005; www.losriosrancho.com
Follow your nose to this restaurant and ranch, which serves up homemade pies, deli-style meals, and pit-fired BBQ (October thru Thanksgiving). Come for U-pick apples, the Apple Butter Festival over Thanksgiving weekend and Currier and Ives Christmas dinner shows during December weekends.
• Oak Tree Village, 38480 Oak Glen Road. 909-797-4020.
Discover food and fun in this 14-acre shopping area. Kids will love train and pony rides, panning for gold, and the Animal Park and reptile cave. Visit the Village Candy Kitchen with its shelves, barrels and trays brimming with good old-fashioned candy.
Where to Stay: Less than 10 miles from Oak Glen, you can find a variety of economical motel accommodations in the towns of Beaumont, Banning and Redlands.
Fall is Ronni Rowland’s favorite season and she always looks forward to simmering apples, cinnamon and vanilla on the stovetop each year.
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