Romantic Autumn Getaways in California
As sad as it is, summer is winding down. Long, late, warm nights spent dining under the stars, going for walks on the beach, and sitting out by a campfire will be just a memory once the grind of school and work comes back full-swing. But the upcoming fall seasons can be just as romantic.
With amazing colors and nature taking its awesomely-magical course toward winter hibernation, autumn is truly a brilliant season. In California, in particular, is gorgeous in the fall. With warm days and cool evenings; leaves turning from green into orange, gold; and yellow; and those leaves eventually falling to the ground to create a bath of beauty, fall is not a season to be wasted at home.
Not only is autumn a wonderful time to plan a proposal, a wedding, or a honeymoon, it’s also a fantastic season for planning a romantic getaway. Here are some ideas for a romantic fall trip in California:
Fall is a wonderful time to explore the ancient and majestic Redwood National Forest along the Northern California coast. While the tallest trees in the world have needles, and therefore don’t change color in the autumn, the smaller trees mixed in throughout the park will, offering a wonderful contrast.
Fall is the perfect time to be in California’s wine regions, like Napa Valley. Not only is the foliage breathtaking, but it’s also crush season, meaning the time when the region’s grapes are picked and pressed and begin the process of becoming wine. There are lots of events and parties during this time of year, so it’s a wonderful time to visit.
The Bohemian Highway is one of the most scenic routes in California. Just 10 miles long, this stretch of highway winds through Sonoma County (another California wine region), showcasing three quaint, often forgotten towns: Freestone, Occidental, and Monte Rio. This is a wonderful area to stay in a romantic California inn or bed and breakfast. Check out the Osmosis Spa, which specializes in Japanese treatments before taking a little walk in forest canopy near Sonoma.
Moving South, take a gorgeous drive down the Pacific Coast Highway and stop in Big Sur for an evening, where you can enjoy a spectacular sunset and a Sundowners cocktail at the Big Sur Treebones Resort. Want to be more natural? Then go to the Wild Coast Restaurant and Sushi Bar for a fresh sushi before walking along the beach.
Other sights along the Pacific Coast Highway include the Mission San Antonio de Padua, one of California’s most famous Spanish missions, found in the charming, beautiful, and isolated Valley of the Oaks area along the El Camino Real. Hearst Castle is a stunning estate that was once owned by William Randolph Hearst. Today, you can tour its enormous grounds and see the wonderful wildlife roaming around.
No matter the time of year, California is so diverse that it has something for everybody. But autumn in California is extra special.