New fall foliage forecast shows when to catch peak colors in California

California is getting ready to turn over a new leaf.

The Golden State could be in for an especially eye-popping autumn this year, with forecasters predicting vibrant fall foliage across the Sierra Nevada and parts of Northern California — and revealing when curious nature junkies should hit the road.

AccuWeather’s newly released 2026 fall foliage forecast says California is among the parts of the country poised for a colorful season, thanks in part to relatively favorable weather conditions this year.

Timing is everything when chasing the fiery maples, and forecasters predict peak season to arrive at higher elevations in the Sierra during mid to late October. Lower elevations will follow closely behind, with rich amber, yellow, and scarlet hues linger through early November.

The standout forecast comes down to a precise environmental recipe: healthy tree canopies, plenty of sunshine and cool nights.

Trees that shed their leaves start their seasonal shift once daylight hours dwindle, but the intensity of the color depends mostly on the weather. Since key mountain ranges across Northern California and the Sierra Nevada avoided severe drought and major wildfires this summer, the trees are primed for a vibrant turn.

The action kicks off in the Eastern Sierra in Inyo and Mono counties, where splashes of color are already being reported, according to local tracking experts.

By October, the transformation is expected to spread across the Northern Sierra around Lake Tahoe, as well as Southern California’s higher ranges in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto mountains.

From mid-October through early November, the show expands into the Shasta Cascade, the North Coast redwood groves and the state’s wine country, where vineyards can turn shades of orange, gold, and red.

California shares the top tier on this year’s foliage leaderboard with New England and upstate New York, where late-spring rain paired autumn nights will deliver classic, fiery palettes.

Elsewhere, the outlook is mixed. The Rockies are expected to be a little less spectacular due to prolonged drought, and the lingering rain and heat in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast are expected to keep leaves green before turning brittle and dropping early.

Depending on how quickly cool evening temperatures start settling in, pockets in the Midwest and Cascades could see some solid color too.

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