Northern Goldfields Glimmering
Esplanade Blvd, Chico (11/8/14) John Poimiroo
We drove north in search of fall color on Saturday, traveling from Auburn to Lincoln, then north to Yuba City and on to Chico and Vina. This route skirts the northern goldfields of the northern Sierra foothills, passing through trim and tiny farming communities known for their walnuts, prunes, olives, almonds, rice, kiwifruit and grapes.
Fall color is best seen in the walnut orchards, streams and towns the along the route. The walnut groves are mostly patchy, though close to being near peak. Riparian cottonwood are at peak or past peak, while the tall shade trees planted in the towns are peaking.
The brightest fall color to be seen along the route is in residential areas of Auburn and Chico.
Auburn (Peak – 75-100%) – Beautiful fall color is seen throughout Auburn’s neighborhoods, as exotic trees are at full peak. GO NOW!
Abbey of New Clairvaux, Vina (11/8/14) John Poimiroo
Highways 65, 70 and 99 North (Near Peak – 50-75%) – Towering shade trees on the highways leading to and within the farm communities of Wheatland, Olivehurst, Live Oak, Gridley and Vina are near peak. Walnut orchards along the highway are patchy. Riparian cottonwood have peaked or are past peak. GO NOW!
Chico (Peak – 75-100%) – Downtown Chico and Bidwell park are at full peak with towering shade trees full of yellow, gold, red, auburn and orange color. Esplanade north of CSU Chico has a beautiful canopy of color. GO NOW!
[weatherlayer country=”United States” city=”Chico”]