In Fall, the Golden State Shows Off the Meaning of Its Name

California state parks offer marvelous desert trails in the winter, wildflower walks in the spring and alpine sojourns in the summer. But come fall, hikers often dismiss the Golden State in favor of New England’s color shows.

Nonsense. Many state parks here have fine displays of autumn foliage. Here are a half-dozen classics.

For more suggestions and information, call the California State Parks information line, (916) 653-6995, or visit www.parks.ca.gov.

Another good resource is the California State Parks Foundation, (800) 963-7275, www.calparks.org.

* Cuyamaca Rancho State Park: Autumn is at its colorful best in the Cuyamacas, a mountain range with 4,000- to 6,500-foot peaks. The park, northeast of San Diego, has black oaks that glow red and yellow along the Kelly Ditch Trail. This route travels 5 1/2 miles from Cuyamaca Reservoir north to William Heise County Park.

Be advised that plenty of crimson poison oak is part of the path’s palette too.

Gnarled old trees stand above a blanket of ferns and dry grasses in soft shades of yellow and brown. Through gaps in the oak canopy, you can see nearby canyons aflame with fall color and, when the light is just right, the blue Pacific.

Black oaks also will impress hikers who take the Harvey Moore Trail, a 12-mile loop. To the north, Palomar Mountain State Park features meadows full of bracken fern in rich golden brown.

12551 Highway 79 (five miles north of Interstate 8), Descanso; (760) 765-0755.

* Point Mugu State Park: All monarch butterflies this side of the Rockies head west in the fall, and one of the best places in Southern California to observe their arrival is Big Sycamore Canyon at Point Mugu State Park.

The trip along Big Sycamore Canyon Trail to Deer Camp Junction (6 1/2 miles round trip) runs through a peaceful canyon with magnificent trees and, as the season progresses, a multitude of monarchs.

In October and November, the twin delights of falling leaves and fluttering butterflies are particularly appealing. Ask park rangers where the monarchs cluster in large numbers.

9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu; (818) 880-0350.

* Annadel State Park: Black oaks and big-leaf maples along the park’s creeks are the autumnal attractions of this Sonoma County park.

A good hike is the five-mile round trip to Lake Ilsanjo. Unfortunately, in some areas of the park, the yellow of the maple leaves may be as much because of drought stress as seasonal change.

6201 Channel Drive (south of Highway 12), Santa Rosa; (707) 539-3911, (707) 938-1519.

* Bothe-Napa Valley State Park: Sure, the oaks and maples can put on a colorful show. But even if they didn’t, this park north of St. Helena is worth a stop. Walk along redwood-lined Ritchey Creek or trek up to Coyote Peak (6 1/2 miles round trip) for a panorama of the wine country. If you’re touring Napa Valley during the fall harvest, stop at this park for a picnic.

Off Highway 29/128 between St. Helena and Calistoga; (707) 942-4575, (707) 938-1519.

* Sugar Pine Point State Park: Think Tahoe, and tree lovers like me naturally think of conifers: firs, pines, incense cedar. Autumn, however, is a deciduous delight.

Some of the best colors in this area can be found along Highway 89 from South Lake Tahoe to the park, on the lake’s western shore.

The black cottonwood and quaking aspen along the General Creek Trail (a 4 1/2-mile loop) are something to behold this time of year.

Off Highway 89, nine miles south of Tahoe City; (530) 525-7982, (530) 525-7232.

* Grover Hot Springs State Park: Not far from Sugar Pine Point is Grover Hot Springs, south of Lake Tahoe and just west of Markleeville. Easy family hikes in the area include a nature trail called Transition Walk, which loops around an alpine meadow, and a walk to a waterfall (three miles round trip) on Hot Springs Creek.

The quaking aspen fringing the meadow are particularly showy in autumn, when the leaves turn orange and gold. After a hike in the brisk alpine air, soak in the 102- to 105-degree water of the park’s soothing hot springs.

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Off Hot Springs Road, four miles west of Markleeville; (530) 694-2248, (530) 525-7232.

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John McKinney is author of “Day Hiker’s Guide to California’s State Parks” (Olympus Press, 2000). His Web site is www.thetrailmaster.com.