Northern California has a reputation as one of the most beautiful places to visit in the United States, and it truly comes alive in the fall. Cooler weather, harvest time, and fall scenery in our neck of the woods is as pretty as a picture. There’s no better way to experience the best fall foliage in Northern California than a drive through the mountains, towards the border of Oregan and California and back down along cascading rivers and tree-studded national forests.

We’ve made a nine-hour road trip (!!!) that will take you along some of the most beautiful roadways in Northern California, making it easy to see the foliage and scenic views of autumn. Of course, at nine hours, we’d recommend that you break up this trip into a couple of days, instead of making it one big, long trek. It would be beautiful, but yes, sometimes even beauty is overwhelming. Take the trip that works for you, there’s no better way to see autumn in the Golden State than on this Shasta-Cascades road trip.

Click here for a customizable itinerary through the region, and get ready to indulge in a trip that shows off the best fall foliage in Northern California.

GoogleMaps
This scenic road trip takes about nine and a half hours through the natural beauty of Northern California. To make the most of the experience, give yourself a couple of days so you can explore the towns along the way. From Dunsmuir to McCloud, Dorris to Mt. Shasta, there's a whole lot to see.
Lassen Peak, California, USA
Wikimedia/ Av9
The road trip winds through the stunning and expansive Mt. Shasta and Southern Cascades region. It's an area that's highly popular amongst hikers and climbers, and it's a mountaineer's dream. The Cascades region is considered "southern" in the area around Lassen Peak, a volcano a well-known California volcano.
Shasta Lake, CA 96019, USA
Wikimedia/ Florence Low
From I-5, take in the views of Shasta Lake and the surrounding mountains as you drive. The forests around the lake explode with beautiful fall foliage in Northern California, and the lake itself is known for its incredible clarity and perfect location for summer fun.
20022 Castle Creek Rd, Castella, CA 96051, USA
Flickr/ Patrick Dirden
Castle Crags State Park is an iconic sight to see before you even leave the interstate, and it's beautiful in the fall. It's a well-known rock formation that rises to over 6,500 feet in the air, and it's located along the Sacramento River. The state park itself is well worth a visit, for both the views and the 28 miles of hiking trails. If you want to experience the fall colors in Northern California for yourself, this is where you should do it.
Dunsmuir, CA, USA
Flickr/ Patrick Dirden
As you head north on I-5, stop in the iconic train town of Dunsmuir. Dunsmuir is located on the Upper Sacramento River, snug in the Trinity Mountains. It's a tourist hub due to its location on I-5, and is known locally as the "home of the best water on earth. "It's a great place to put up your feet and enjoy the night, with all sorts of family-friendly hotels and hot spots located throughout town.

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24898 CA-89 Scenic, Burney, CA 96013, USA
Flickr/ thaths
Take a detour off I-5 to the scenic town of McCloud. No visit to this region is complete without a stop to see Burney Falls in all its glory. Located on Burney Creek, it's found within McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. The famed waterfall is only reachable by a beautiful walk through the park itself. Some of the best fall foliage in California will surround the falls come autumn!
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, 24898 CA-89, Burney, CA 96013, USA
Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management
If you time your visit right, the leaves will be shades of gold, orange, and crimson all throughout the park. It provides the perfect opportunity for folks to experience the true beauty of the park in the autumntime! Make sure to bundle up, since it can get a bit cold, and fall in love with the beauty of fall in Northern California all over again.
Mount Shasta, Mt Shasta, CA 96067, USA
Flickr/ Patrick Dirden
Make your way to the town of Mt. Shasta before heading north to Weed. Mt. Shasta is a small community that operates on a highly natural plane, and the uniquely named town of weed is a tiny town located in a beautiful area.
Dorris, CA 96023, USA
Flickr/ Patrick Dirden
Make sure to take in all of the beautiful fall foliage in Northern California as you drive! From tiny town to town, you'll travel north and then northeast on highway 97, all the way to the Oregon border. Looking for a quirky rest stop? Take a minute in Dorris and Tulelake to truly appreciate each town's unique character.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, USA
Flickr/ LassenNPS
Take your time driving south to Lassen Volcanic National Park through Adin, McArthur, and Old Station. These charming towns are great places to pull off to the side of the road and soak in the views.
Lassen National Forest, California, USA
Flickr/ LassenNPS
From Lassen, continue back to I-5 from the southwestern edge of the park to complete the loop. This breathtaking drive is the best way through these mountains, and it's the most incredible way to see the best fall foliage in California.

 

Have you ever driven the Shasta – Cascade loop in the fall? If so, what did you think of the changing colors and mountain scenery that truly shows off the best fall foliage in Northern California? For more Northern California travel ideas, check out Only in Northern California’s complete list of articles.

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More to Explore

Best Fall Foliage In Northern California

Meghan Kraft | August 24, 2019

What is the best time to see peak fall foliage in Northern California?

In Northern California, roughly at 10,000 feet, autumnal colors will tend to peak in late September. At lower elevations, the colors will stay vibrant through mid to late October.

Where are the best places in Northern California to see fall foliage?

The state is iconic for its natural beauty, but Northern California has the fall foliage aspect of the state down pat. Head to the Shasta Cascades or Plumas County, Bishop Creek Canyon or Lake County for the best views. Leaf peeping in the 16-mile June Lake Loop in Mono County offers up colorful views amongst the mountains, and the vineyards of Napa offers some gorgeous views, as well.

What are the best Northern California hikes to take in the fall?

The entire state is crisscrossed with epic hiking experiences, but the fall foliage hikes of Northern California take the cake. The Lake Lagunitas hike in Marin is fairly short, close to the Bay Area and offers stunning, waterside views. The hikes through Sunol Regional Wilderness offers incredible views, as does the hike to Burney Falls. Any state park in Northern California boasts a myriad of opportunities, so make sure to head up in late September to mid-October for the best chance to see the colors!

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