SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- As fall approaches, even though we live in San Diego we can still see the colors change with a trip to the nearby mountains.
San Diego has relatively moderate temperatures and sunshine pretty much year-round, but the higher elevations can bring some changing seasons and with it comes fall colors.
While the northern United States will begin to see some color change in September that peaks in October, the south will see the peak color change of the season a little later.
San Diego County mountains will start to see some color change in early October, but the peak of the bright colors won't happen until late November, early December, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac 2025 Fall Foliage Color Map of the U.S.
The first day of fall this year falls on Monday, Sept. 22, which is also known as the autumnal equinox. The meteorological start of fall is on Monday, Sept. 1.
In San Diego County, you can find fall colors at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Palomar Mountain State Park, Laguna Mountain Recreation Area, and in the Cleveland National Forest.
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
California State Parks says you can find golden yellow leaves in a forest of mainly California black oaks at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, located northeast of San Diego off Highway 79 in Julian.
Palomar Mountain State Park
California State Parks says bracken fern in the meadows turns golden brown against the dark green of adjacent forest at Palomar Mountain State Park. The park is located off Highway 76, up Highway S6, left on Highway S7, at the junction near the peak.
Laguna Mountain Recreation Area
Sandiego.org lists Laguna Mountain Recreation Area off Sunrise Hwy in Descanso as another area to see fall foliage from the oak trees.
Cleveland National Forest
Sandiego.org also lists the Observatory Trail in the Cleveland National Forest in Warner Springs as a trail that connects to Palomar Observatory and a campground where you can see oak trees turn orange along the slopes.
Across California, the black oaks are commonly scattered with conifers like white fir, Jeffrey pine, and incense cedar so the golds and oranges make a bright contrast, and California State Parks says Poison oak also changes color as the vine changes from green to red leaves and can look beautiful climbing up a tree trunk.
Higher elevations typically peak first, ahead of oaks in lower elevations.
Elsewhere in Southern California, you can find fall foliage at Mount San Jacinto State Park in Idyllwild in Riverside County and at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area in San Bernardino County.
Find a full list of where to view fall colors in Northern California and Southern California at parks.ca.gov.