Best Fall Trips in California – Fall-ing In Love With Bishop

The crunching sound of leaves under your boots. The cool warmth of a low angle sun. The crisp breeze against your skin. Summer is losing its grip and winter is hinting that its coming. Change is afoot. While spring is the bursting of life, fall is like the last hurrah before a long slumber. And when it comes to fall colors, the best fall trips in California always lead to Bishop’s Big Backyard.

What Sets Bishop Apart For Fall Colors

While places like New England are known for their fall foliage, you typically only have a few weeks to enjoy it all. Bishop is in a unique situation where fall colors can last for MONTHS. How? It all comes down to the topography of the region. The Owens Valley sits at four thousand feet above sea level, and within a twenty-minute drive, you can be as high as ten thousand feet. Like a slow cascade, fall colors begin up high in mid-September and slowly trickle downward into the valley where it can last well into November. Curious how it all works? Check out local expert Gigi De Jong’s guide: Behind the Lens – A Guide to California Foliage Spotting.

Where To Start

Like anything that’s natural, it’s up to Mother Nature’s whim. It all depends on when the low temperatures drop in the high country to get the changing of the leaves started. It’s a good idea to read our fall color guide to get the scoop on when, where, and more on all things fall foliage. Once fall foliage kicks in, Bishop’s weekly fall color report is updated regularly to show you where the colors are peaking.

Not Just About The Changing Of Seasons

What makes Bishop and it’s big backyard one of best places for fall trips in California is how perfect the weather is for outdoor fun. Normally when you think of September, October, or even November, it’s all about cold rainy days. Not here around Bishop. Many have affectionally called it “sumtumn.” The summer’s triple digits are gone. The sun is still shining, and evenings are cool, but the days are still warm. It can be argued that the weather is the best season for outdoor activities. Go bouldering in the morning, head out for a bike ride over one of the passes in the afternoon, and finish it off with an al fresco dinner. A perfect place to keep your training going AND have some fun. Our big backyard isn’t just your oyster, but a big loaf of freshly baked Sheepherder’s bread.