8 Fall Getaways From LA

September–October is the safer target. In November, don’t drive out expecting U-pick at a specific farm: Los Rios Rancho says U-pick depends on availability, so arrive early.

• Los Rios Rancho: make this the main fall stop. For fall 2026 the farm lists U-pick produce (subject to availability), tractor rides, U-press cider, a pumpkin patch and corn maze, plus its farm market. The Southside also lists nature trails, gardens, a small animal area and weekend wagon tours.
• Oak Tree Mountain: a good second stop when the kids need more than orchards. It has a free Play Tree, trike track and other free activities, plus paid options such as the mountain slide, gem mining and petting zoo.
• Snow-Line Orchard: worth a stop specifically for its well-known cider mini-donuts and cider.

My take: day trip first. Lodging is limited (Stone Oak Manor, a historic B&B, is the main family option), so for most LA families a day here and home to sleep is the better use of time and money.

Eat at the orchards: Los Rios’ Farm Kitchen for BBQ and baked goods, Apple Annie’s at Oak Tree Mountain for breakfast, lunch and pie, and Snow-Line for cider donuts.

Fall color depends on the weather; October is the stronger bet. Oktoberfest 2026 runs September 12 through November 8 (check the official calendar for dates).

For a family, pick a cabin near The Village or a walkable hotel. A cabin for separate bedrooms, a kitchen and fireplace evenings; a hotel for less work and easier walking.

• The Village: easy strolling, shops, food and fall atmosphere.
• Big Bear Alpine Zoo: a genuinely useful kid stop rather than filler; the zoo focuses on injured, orphaned and imprinted wildlife from the San Bernardino Mountains.
• Oktoberfest: family-oriented and running on selected dates through Nov. 8 in 2026. Sundays include family programming and some dates offer free child admission for ages 3–12.

Grizzly Manor Cafe is the memorable breakfast: tiny, local and known for huge portions, so better for a small family. Amangela’s in The Village is easy with kids; De La Nonna is on site at Marina Riviera.

Julian in fall doesn’t guarantee apple picking: orchards usually pick mid-August through September. In October and November the town, pie, farms and Cuyamaca still make a great trip; check each orchard.

Day 1: Julian town → pie → gold-mine/history activity or Julian Farm & Orchard if its seasonal programming is running. Day 2: Cuyamaca/Lake Cuyamaca before driving home.

• Julian town: walk Main Street and lean into the historic-town experience rather than over-scheduling.
• Gold mine experience: Julian’s official tourism site lists daily gold-mine tours and gold-panning activities — a distinctive option when the kids are old enough to enjoy it.
• Lake Cuyamaca: easy scenery and a calmer family stop.
• Cuyamaca Rancho State Park: Paso Picacho is the jumping-off point for popular hikes. Stonewall Peak is listed as a 2-mile hike, but with toddlers I would treat the park as a forest/picnic/nature stop rather than feeling obligated to summit.

Stay in or right around Julian on a first trip, so you can enjoy town without another drive. Julian Lodge is practical and accepts children; Orchard Hill Country Inn is more polished; a cabin gives more space.

Apple pie is the destination food. At Mom’s Pie House you can watch the bakers. Pick one pie stop rather than a bakery crawl.

Idyllwild Inn is my first look for families: historic cabins and rooms in the middle of town. Tahquitz Pines Retreat (22 acres, about five minutes out) has more amenities; Strawberry Creek Inn is boutique, a short creekside walk from town.

• Walk town + Idy Park: this destination does not need a packed itinerary.
• Mount San Jacinto State Park: the park headquarters is in Idyllwild and the park has more than 50 miles of trails. Choose a short forest walk appropriate to your kids rather than making the peak the goal.
• Oct. 31 only: the 2026 Great Pumpkin Carnival runs 5–7 PM after a 4:15 PM costume parade, with local-business trick-or-treating, games and costume contests.

Keep it local and casual: Idyllwild Brewpub, Red Kettle and Sunflower Bakery. Bakery in the morning, explore town, then one relaxed sit-down meal.

For a first family trip, stay in Solvang: walk to breakfast, bakeries and shops, then drive to Los Olivos and Buellton. For more space: The Landsby, Vinland Hotel & Lounge and The Hadsten Solvang; for a pool: Hotel Corque.

Arrival: walk Solvang, Danish pastry/æbleskiver, playground or trolley. Full day: OstrichLand + Los Olivos/Santa Ynez + a farm or outdoor stop. Departure morning: slow breakfast and one last Solvang walk before LA.

• OstrichLand: the official family guide highlights the 33-acre farm with more than 100 ostriches and emus.
• Sunny Fields Park: a whimsical playground that is an easy reset between adult-oriented valley stops.
• Elverhøj Museum: scavenger hunts with versions for younger non-readers and older children.
• Cachuma Lake: about 20 minutes from downtown Solvang; wildlife cruises are for ages 5+ and the recreation area also has a Nature Center, hiking and picnicking.

Eat what belongs here: æbleskiver at Solvang Restaurant or Æbleskivehuset, and a Danish bakery like Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery or Solvang Bakery. For a special meal: Michelin-recognized Peasants FEAST or Coast Range.

Color is usually best around mid-October, when more of the park is open; November depends on the weather. Yosemite Valley and Wawona are open by car all year; Tioga and Glacier Point Roads close seasonally.

Stay inside Yosemite if you can: with young kids, less driving beats a bigger room. Book early; reservations open up to 366 days ahead.

• Yosemite Valley viewpoints + meadows: the highest reward for the least logistical effort.
• Lower Yosemite Fall Trail: easy and open year-round, but NPS warns Yosemite Falls is often dry from late summer through October — go for the walk/views, not a guaranteed waterfall.
• Mariposa Grove: giant sequoias make this worth adding if road/weather conditions cooperate.

I would not plan Yosemite around restaurants: eat near where you stay and spend your time in the park.

For Giant Forest, Wuksachi Lodge is open year-round near General Sherman and Moro Rock. For Grant Grove, John Muir Lodge or the Grant Grove Cabins (seasonal). Three Rivers has more choices but more driving.

• General Sherman Tree: the classic first stop. The main trail is about 0.5 mile downhill each way; remember that means uphill on the return. An accessible 500-foot paved route is available from designated accessible parking.
• Big Trees Trail: a paved, accessible 0.75-mile loop around Round Meadow — probably my favorite easy family walk here.
• Grant Grove / General Grant Tree: worth prioritizing if you are sleeping on the Kings Canyon side.

Plan logistics over restaurants: Wuksachi has dining on site, and John Muir Lodge is near Grant Grove Restaurant. Bring kid snacks in case something is closed for the season.

Color starts high in September and moves down through October; Mammoth Lakes and June Lake often peak mid-October. On Sept. 30, 2026, the Lakes Basin was already peaking while June Lake Loop was patchy, so check the live report before you drive.

Base in Mammoth Lakes for a first family trip. It gives you far more dining, lodging and backup activities while keeping June Lake Loop and Convict Lake within easy driving distance.

Mammoth Lakes Basin → June Lake Loop → Convict Lake. The 14-mile June Lake Loop is one of the area’s best fall-color drives. With young kids, don’t try to see everything in one day.

• Short lakeside walks: let the scenery be the activity.
• Convict Lake: huge visual payoff without requiring a serious hike.
• June Lake Loop: scenic driving + stop-and-explore works well when little legs are done.
• Mammoth Lakes Basin: easy access to alpine-lake scenery close to town.

Shea Schat’s Bakery is the Mammoth institution and The Stove a long-running breakfast spot. Easy family dinners: Giovanni’s for pizza and Gomez’s in The Village, with a sandbox on the patio.