In Orange County, we don’t experience the four seasons quite like other parts of the country, thanks to our beautiful weather and mild temperatures year-round. But if you’re craving the sight of gorgeous autumn leaves while enjoying your PSL, you’re in luck! The best places in Orange County to see autumn leaves, along with a few nearby mountain areas, offer hidden gems that can make that seasonal dream come true.

1. Big Bear Lake

We have to start our list with some day trips up to the mountains. Just a short drive from Orange County, Big Bear Lake offers an impressive fall display even among its dense evergreen foliage. While you can easily enjoy the leaves in this mountain town without even leaving your car, there are several great hikes to really take it in (pick any of them real—you can’t go wrong!). The Village at Big Bear Lake is also lined with trees that change their colors to vibrant hues, so you can also bask in the views while shopping or enjoying an appetizer on the patio.

2. Lake Arrowhead

Equally close by is Lake Arrowhead, another gorgeous mountain town showcasing stunning fall foliage during the autumn months. Drive along the Rim of the World Highway (Highway 18) for breathtaking views of maples, oaks, and cottonwoods displaying vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. This scenic route includes several great overlook vistas where you can get out of your car and snap a photo. Once you’re in town, Lake Arrowhead Village offers dockside views of the fall foliage reflected on the lake, so you can grab a warm coffee from a local spot while enjoying the stunning scenery walking along the boardwalk.

3. Irvine Regional Park

If you’re wanting to keep it more local rather than making a day trip to the mountains, Irvine Regional Park in Orange is one of the best spots to enjoy a true autumn feel in Orange County. While many of the trees do stay green year round thanks to our climate (as is the case in all our local parks), you will get to witness a number of the trees in this very shaded park begin to turn yellow and orange in the later months of the year. For the best views, take the Santiago Creek Trail, which winds along the creek, offering scenic spots to view the colorful leaves. If you’re visiting in October, you can doubly embrace the fall season with a visit to their annual pumpkin patch.

4. Oak Canyon Nature Center

Oak Canyon Nature Center is an Anaheim hidden gem with 58 acres of beautiful oak woodlands. There are several great leisurely hikes you’ll encounter less than a mile long within the park, but for the best view of the trees that change with the seasons, we’d recommend the Bluebird Lane & Loop Trail, the Stream Trail or Heritage Trail. This nature center also has a year-round stream and an interpretive center, making it a great educational destination as well.

5. Fullerton Arboretum

Speaking of educational destinations, located on the Cal State Fullerton campus, the Fullerton Arboretum is a 26-acre botanical garden with a range of ecosystems. While the foliage throughout the Arbortetum is always stunning and diverse, to experience the best fall foliage, we recommend heading into the woodlands section of the gardens. The arboretum is a peaceful retreat, perfect for nature photography and a quiet afternoon in a nature-inspired setting.

6. Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

If you’re looking for a more active experience or a local opportunity to also see wildlife among the autumn leaves, take a visit to Aliso and Woods Canyons Wilderness Park. This wilderness park in Laguna Beach offers sweeping views of fall foliage among its sycamore and oak trees and is also a great hot spot to see deer and other critters. While there are several great hikes within the park, The Wood Canyon Trail is a great 6.9 mile hike that provides a scenic route through the park’s diverse landscapes with great opportunity to see some autumn leaves in the more shaded portions.

Know of any other hidden gem spots to experience the fall foliage in Orange County? Let us know about them in the comments!