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Farewell Fall?

Arboretum (12/21/23) Frank McDonough

We officially said farewell to fall this week, but no one told the foliage at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden.

As of Thursday, Frank McDonough reported that things were “still looking gorgeous,” however impeding rain in area may change the landscape quickly.

Until then, enjoy these colors along with your holiday season.

Colors were still beautiful yesterday before the rain (12/21/23) Frank McDonough
Arboretum (12/21/23) Frank McDonough
Arboretum (12/21/23) Frank McDonough
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Peakin’ at the Arboretum

Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden (12/8/23) Frank McDonough

The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden was peaking last weekend, according to color spotter and Botanical Information Consultant, Frank McDonough.

Go Now for a festive feast for the eyes!

Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden (12/8/23) Frank McDonough
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden (12/8/23) Frank McDonough
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden (12/8/23) Frank McDonough
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Malibu’s Golden Hour

Golden hour in Malibu (12/7/23) Mark Harding

Mark Harding captured some beautiful light at Malibu Creek State Park last week, as fall foliage begins to enjoy its golden hour in the area.

“The Coastal Sycamores are in various stage as we get fall pretty late down here,” he explained.

“I also included an Osprey with dinner at Malibu Lagoon. It was a pretty neat sight.”

Osprey with dinner at Malibu Lagoon (12/7/23) Mark Harding
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“It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over”

Pistache and berries (12/6/23) Philip Reedy
In the immortal words of Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over till it’s over,” commented color spotter Philip Reedy this week as he wandered his neighborhood in Davis.

That seems to apply not only to baseball but fall colors as well. 
 
“I’ve been wandering around my neighborhood the past few days with my grandson in tow, looking for last vestiges of color,” Reedy explained. “A lot of trees have lost their leaves, but the Chinese Pistache are still hanging on.  However, even after the leaves have fallen, their colors persist a while longer, providing the enterprising photographer many opportunities. On the greenbelt behind my house are Chinese Pistache, Gingko Biloba, Chinese Tallow, Bradford Pear, maples and oaks, so I don’t have to venture far.”
 
With any luck Reedy thought they may still have fall colors for Christmas, although the storm arriving yesterday may have stripped the remaining leaves from the trees.
Autumn palette (12/6/23) Philip Reedy
Oak Leaf Cluster (12/6/23) Philip Reedy
Maple and Redwood (12/6/23) Philip Reedy
Fall la la la la (12/6/23) Philip Reedy
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Radiant in Redlands

Redlands (12/5/23) Michael Ponce

A walk about in his neighborhood in Redlands had Michael Ponce giddy with color excitement.

Color remains in pockets such as these around the state. Get out and explore this weekend before Old Man Winter really takes hold!

Redlands (12/5/23) Michael Ponce
Redlands (12/5/23) Michael Ponce
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Sunnyvale Selections

Sunnyvale (12/4/23) Lucas Yan

It seems like the cooler weather has finally caused the Ginkgo, Tulip, and Chinese Pistache trees in Sunnyvale to turn color.

Lucas Yan took a stroll around his neighborhood the afternoon of Dec. 4 and found some beautiful color, including reds and greens that look like they are right on time for the holiday season.

Sunnyvale (125’) – Peaking (50-75%) Go Now

The streets are lined with color in Sunnyvale (12/4/23) Lucas Yan
Reds and greens in Sunnyvale (12/4/23) Lucas Yan
Color everywhere you turn in Sunnyvale (12/4/23) Lucas Yan
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So Cal Hot Spot

Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden (11/30/23) Frank McDonough

If you’re in Southern California this weekend, the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is the place to go for fall color, which is just beginning to take off.

According to Botanical Information Consultant, Frank McDonough, things are at about 10-20% right now.

Even though it’s December, there is still fall color to find, if you know where to look.

Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden (11/30/23) Frank McDonough
Fall in full swing (11/30/23) Frank McDonough
Fall glow (11/30/23) Frank McDonough
A So Cal fall scene (11/30/23) Frank McDonough
Fall in So Cal (11/30/23) Frank McDonough
A tasty fall treat in So Cal (11/30/23) Frank McDonough
A perfect place for a fall afternoon (11/30/23) Frank McDonough
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Mountain View Magic

Color is still plentiful in Mountain View (11/26/23) Eric Wolff

Eric Wolff found some beautiful color amidst some construction around his neighborhood in Mountain View last weekend. 

Even though December has arrived, fall still reigns for a few more weeks!

  • Mountain View (105′) – PEAK (75-10%) GO NOW!
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Eureka! We Found More Fall Color

Glowing oranges at Sequoia Park (11/24/23) Michelle Pontoni

During a recent family trip to the Sequoia Park Zoo and Redwood Sky Walk in Eureka, Michelle Pontoni found blue skies with very little wind and hundreds of visitors.  

“We parked near Sequoia Park where we found the trees behind the busy playground swing sets were glowing orange against the evergreen backdrop,” she said.

According to its website, “The Redwood Sky Walk inside the zoo is a self-guided interpretive experience designed to educate, inspire, and delight visitors. Learn about the rich hidden ecology of the world’s tallest trees from an entirely new perspective.

“100 feet above the lush and verdant forest floor, view the canopy and legendary old-growth and mature second-growth redwood trees closer than ever before. 

“As the longest sky walk in the western United States, the Redwood Sky Walk is just under 1/4 mile to the end and back.”

Learn more about the zoo at 

Redwood Sky Walk at Sequoia Park Zoo, Eureka (11/24/23) Michelle Pontoni
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Shasta is Spectacular

Lake Shasta (11/24/23) Matt Snoozle

Matt Snoozle reported this week that Shasta Lake is still going strong with fall color.

“Attached are some pictures from my recent trip to Shasta Lake,” he said. “It’s still spectacular there as of November 24. My guess is still a week left of fall leaves until the cold temps hit and snow falls.”
 
“I noticed there isn’t a locator on your map for Shasta Lake, so thought I would fill you in on this amazing spot and location.”
 
The entire drive along Gilman Road and Lake Shasta is paved and easy to complete on a day outing. Hirz Bay trailhead / picnic area is definitely worth a visit, he added.
 
Also, Whiskeytown to the west is still full of fall foliage.

Lake Shasta – 1,067′ – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!

Picnic area at Hirz Bay (11/24/23) Matt Snoozle