The Bay Area doesn't get New England-style foliage, but it does get color. The latest reports from CaliforniaFallColor.com rate two local spots as "Just Starting (0-10%)."
The latest reports
- Filoli, Woodside: A color spotter who visited on Oct. 19 found "not much color yet except for a few touches here and there." The site says to put it on your watch list.
- Livermore vineyards: Yellow foliage was showing among the vineyards near Arroyo Road on Oct. 16, as colors were just getting started.
Where to watch
Bay Area Parent's fall color guide points to these spots:
- Sycamore Grove Park, Livermore: The big sycamore leaves change color in fall. The 847-acre park has hiking and biking trails. The main entrance is at 1051 Wetmore Road, and the park district also lists entrances on Arroyo Road.
- Rancho San Antonio, Cupertino: Maples, oaks and flowering persimmons. Midpen says the preserve and adjoining county park have more than 25 miles of trails and are open from a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. Deer Hollow Farm is along the way.
- Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley: Head to the botanic garden for cottonwoods and dogwoods.
- San Francisco Botanical Garden and Japanese Tea Garden: Ginkgos turning gold, dogwoods going purple-red and Japanese maples in Golden Gate Park.
- Henry W. Coe State Park, Morgan Hill: Bay Area Parent says maples turn yellow and black oaks show some red.
- Napa and Sonoma: Vineyard leaves turn as the season goes on.
Tips
With local color only just beginning, it's worth waiting a week or two and checking again. CaliforniaFallColor.com posts new reports through the season, so check its latest before you drive. Hours at gardens and parks shift with the seasons, so confirm them on the official sites too.