Fall Getaways in California
You will be surprised, but Northern California experiences a beautiful Fall season. The weather cools down just enough to give the awesome yellow/orange hue to the leaves. The special attraction in this region is the wine country regions - up north in Sonoma/Napa and the South in Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez Valley and Yosemite Valley to the East.
Here are my current 5 favorite places for Fall Getaways within 250 miles from San Francisco. Stay for the weekend or just a day trip!
1. Autocamp Russian River, Sonoma
Glamping in fall can be exhilarating. You can enjoy the cool temperatures, huddle around a fire pit, roast some marshmallows and in the evening retire to the warmth of a cozy bed, read a book or listen to music. The folks at Autocamp Russian River, have done just that by customizing beautiful silver Airstreams. Plush beds, spa-inspired bathrooms, a small kitchenette, firepits, and access to a beautiful clubhouse. Nearby, there is a small town with cafes and restaurants, a Russian River/beach, and wineries.
Tip: Ideal pick for single family Thanksgiving Holiday! Great outdoor spaces - ample room for social distancing! Where to Stay: Autocamp Russian River, Guerneville, CA ($$-$$$)
Where to Eat: Boon Eat + Drink (Hip Californian), Stumptown Brewery, Guerneville Bank Club (Pies + Ice cream), Gold Coast Bakery (15min drive), or Grill / Cook your own food @ Autocamp!
What to Do: Kayaking @ Johnson Beach (Russian River); Cycling (you can get free cycles from Autocamp!), Hiking (Jenner Headlands), Wine Tasting (La Crema, Korbel and Russian River Valley - have great food pairing too) - Note: You require appointments for tasting due to COVID-19 restrictions.
2. Half Moon Bay
A short 45-minute drive south of San Francisco will take you away from the city’s hustle and bustle to Half Moon Bay, a quaint coastal town located on the famous Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1). It’s popular with couples looking for a romantic getaway or with locals searching for the high surf. For kids, the pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farms have enough to keep them entertained during the fall break!
Where to Stay: The Ritz-Carlton Hotel (Golf & Spa), Half Moon Bay, CA ($$$$)
Where to Eat: Sams Chowder (Seafood) The Fishermans Taverna (Fish n Chips), Main Street in downtown has several quaint shops, cafes, and restaurants, Try Pasta Moon (Italian), Taqueria Tres Amigos (Mexican), Moonside Bakery & Cafe (coffee + pastries), Granola’s Coffee House (low key, rustic, waffles + coffee), watch the sunset from Ocean Terrace, The Ritz Carlton (beer, wine, small bites)
What to Do: Pumpkin festival (October), Surfing, Kayaking, Cycling, Coastal Hikes (starts right from Ritz Carlton), Spa @ the Ritz, play a round of golf on the famous Ocean Side course at the Half Moon Bay Golf Links (at the Ritz)
3. Napa Valley
The world-famous wine country regions of Napa and Sonoma Valley need no introduction. While great to visit any time of the year, fall is simply an amazing time to be there. Harvest season is in full swing (Sept-October), the sprawling vineyards start to turn colors to orange/red and locals emerge. While there is so much to do and see here, one can easily make a nice day trip from San Francisco or stay the night!
Where to Stay: Wydown Hotel, Downtown St Helena (Napa) - Trendy, Boutique ($$); Carneros Resort & Spa, Carneros, Napa) - Lux Private Retreat ($$$$); Andaz - downtown Napa - Modern, Trendy ($$); Cottage Grove Inn - Calistoga, Napa - simple lux cottages ($$-$$$)
Where to Eat: Gott’s Roadside (Burgers n shakes); V Sattui Winery (Wine, Cheese picnic lunch); Dean and Deluca (Cafe/Market); Culinary Institute - Greystone (Sandwiches/coffee), Acacia House (Lux lunch); Rutherford Grill (dinner); Oxbow Public Market (Coffee, Smoothies, Tacos, Wine+Cheese, Smoothies, Cold-pressed juices…)
What to Do: Wine tasting & grape stomping @ Grgich Hills Winery, Cooking class @ Culinary Institute (CIA @ Copia); Wine country cycling, Hot air ballooning, Food tasting tour by Rooted Fork
4. Santa Barbara/Lompoc
If you drive down about 200 miles south of San Francisco on US 101, you will reach the beautiful central coast wine region of Santa Ynez valley. This region and drinking pinot noir became famous with the movie “ Sideways”.
Solvang, a quaint Danish village, Lompoc and Santa Barbara (a.k.a the California Riviera) are all beautiful places to enjoy the autumn sun, wine, and food. Plan to spend at least 3 days, but spend at least a day or overnight if heading to LA.
Where to Stay: The Landsby (Solvang) - Hip, Danish-inspired ($$), Hotel Californian (Santa Barbara) - Upscale, downtown ($$$), Rosewood Miramar Beach (Santa Barbara), Posh, on the beach ($$$$)
Where to Eat: Ana’s Taco Bar (Santa Barbara), Mad & Vin (Farm to Table) @ the Landsby (Solvang), Dolce Cafe (Coffee, Smoothies), Solvang Bakery (Danish pastries)
What to Do: Wine Tasting - (Sanford Winery - Great pinots! Scenic winery), Hilliard Bruce Winery - Private wine tasting in a modern and Spanish-style tasting room (fabulous pinot’s!); Cycling; Surfing (Santa Barbara).
5. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is perhaps one of the most famous parks in America. It’s just a 3-hour drive southeast from San Francisco. During the fall season, the park is less crowded. The foliage is Instagram-worthy. Needless to say the granite cliffs of El Capitan and the Half Dome (made more famous by the movie “Solo”), Mirror Lake, and Ansel Adams black and white photo exhibits, draw all photo and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Load up bikes and hiking boots and this is a perfect outdoorsy fall family getaway.
Tip: Yosemite is now open and safe to go. However practice social distancing and park requirements during COVID-19.Where to Stay: Autocamp Yosemite (40 miles outside the park) - Lux Cabins, Tents, Airstreams ($$-$$$); Yosemite Valley Lodge - Cabins, Lodge inside the park ($-$$); Curry Village - canvas tent cabins, inside the park ($); Ahwahnee Hotel - premier national park lodge, inside the park ($$$)
Where to Eat: Cafe @ Yosemite Valley lodge (Breakfast), Grill at the campsite; Ahwahnee Hotel (cocktails, dinner)
What to Do: In Fall - Cycling, Photography, Hiking, River Rafting
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