Southern California is a nice place to live and has some of the best weather in the country. With the temperatures changing only a few degrees throughout the year, it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between the seasons. For native Californians this isn’t anything strange and they are used to it, but for people who relocated from other parts of the country where they have more noticeable seasonal changes it’s something quite different to get used to. Now that it’s autumn, some people look for places to see the autumn colors as the plants start to change for fall.
There are a few places in southern California where one can go to enjoy the beauty of nature and its colors.
At the Whittier Narrows Recreational Facility in South El Monte you can get a feel for nearly every ecosystem. From swamps, to forests, to desert, they are all represented here, where the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo Rivers diverge. Stop by the ranger station any day from sunrise to sunset for information on the plant and animal life that inhabit this nature reserve.
Near Mt. Baldy there Stoddard Peak. This is the place for fall colors and nice views in southern California. Stoddard Peak located right below Mount Baldy. The hike itself is just over 6 miles and just under 1,000 feet in elevation. A National Forest Adventure pass is required to park.
Big Bear Lake is only a short drive from Los Angeles and in the fall, offers views of the changing colors that contrast against the evergreens. There are family friendly trails in the area that offer the best views of the fall foliage and the lake below.
Grass Valley Lake, Lake Arrowhead is a reservoir near Lake Arrowhead where there is beautiful scenery, especially in the fall.
Although seasonal changes aren’t as pronounced in southern California as they are in other parts of the country, there are still plenty of places to see the natural colors of the season.
