Every October, someone tells me Redding doesn’t really get a fall. I get why people say it. We can still hit the 80s in the middle of the month, and the oaks on the hillsides don’t exactly put on a New England show.
But anybody who has lived here a while knows the secret: real autumn color is usually less than an hour or two away, and a lot of it is right in town if you know where to look. As a third-generation Shasta County local, these are the drives and walks my family keeps coming back to this time of year.
Whether you’ve lived here your whole life, just moved to town, or you’re thinking about relocating and want to know what fall actually looks like here, this is my short list for 2026.
When Fall Colors Peak Around Redding
Timing is everything. Color shows up first at higher elevations and works its way down toward the valley.
As a general rule, color starts showing in late September up high and peaks in October in the mountains, while trees on the valley floor (around Redding, Anderson, and Chico) often hold their best color from mid-October into mid-November. Every year is a little different depending on the first cold nights and how much rain we get.
My advice: go up the hill first in October, then enjoy the color in town as it arrives in late October and November.
Six Places to See Fall Colors Near Redding
Here are my go-to spots, roughly in order of how early the color shows up.
1. Lassen Volcanic National Park
If you only make one fall drive, make it this one. The main park highway runs about 30 miles through the park, past Manzanita Lake, Sulphur Works, and Lake Helen, with Lassen Peak and Chaos Crags in view most of the way.
In fall, the meadows go gold and the aspens and willows turn yellow and orange against the dark volcanic rock. Manzanita Lake on a still morning, with Lassen Peak reflected in it, is one of my favorite sights in Northern California. It’s an easy, mostly flat walk of under two miles around the lake too, so it works for kids and grandparents.
One important note: the park highway usually closes for the season sometime in mid-to-late November, but snow can close it much earlier. According to the Park Service, it has closed as early as October 18 in past years. Tahoe just got its first snow this week, so check the National Park Service alerts page before you head out.
2. Whiskeytown and Highway 299 West to Weaverville
This is the drive I recommend to people who want color without a big time commitment. Head west on Highway 299, and within about 20 minutes you’re at Whiskeytown Lake, where the bigleaf maples and dogwoods along the creeks start turning.
Keep going over Buckhorn Summit and down along the Trinity River, where the color along the water can be stunning. End in historic Weaverville for lunch and a walk past the Gold Rush–era buildings and the Joss House State Historic Park, the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California.
It’s a relaxed half-day trip, and you’ll be home before dark.
3. Hat Creek and Burney Falls
Head northeast on Highway 299 and you’ll reach McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, about an hour from Redding. The 129-foot falls are impressive any time of year, but for a short window each fall, the trees around the basin turn orange and gold and the whole scene feels like a postcard.
If you want to make a loop of it, drive the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway (Highway 89) through the Hat Creek area, where the creek, cabins, and forest roads catch some great fall light.
Before you go, check the California State Parks website for trail and parking conditions, since access around the falls has changed over the years.
4. North on I-5 to Dunsmuir and Mount Shasta
The drive north on I-5 is one of the prettiest stretches of interstate in California, and in fall it gets even better. You’ll cross Shasta Lake, wind along the Upper Sacramento River canyon, and pass Castle Crags before reaching Dunsmuir and the town of Mount Shasta.
A few easy stops for color:
- Hedge Creek Falls in Dunsmuir, a short walk to a waterfall you can stand behind
- Lake Siskiyou, with the mountain in the background
- Sisson Meadow in downtown Mount Shasta for an easy stroll
Bring a jacket. It’s noticeably colder up there than in Redding, and that’s exactly why the color comes earlier.
5. Right Here in Redding: The River and Our Neighborhoods
You don’t have to leave town. Once the valley cools off in late October, the cottonwoods and willows along the Sacramento River start turning yellow, and an early-morning walk or bike ride along the river is hard to beat.
Redding’s neighborhoods also have more fall color than people expect. Drive through some of the older, tree-lined parts of town in early November and you’ll see Chinese pistache trees glowing red and orange, and ginkgos turning bright yellow. Some of our established neighborhoods are honestly at their prettiest this time of year.
6. A Day Trip South to Chico
If you want a full day out, head south through Red Bluff and take Highway 99 through the orchards of Tehama County into Chico. The city’s tree-lined Esplanade and downtown are known for their fall color, usually best in late October and November. Grab lunch downtown and take the scenic route home.
Bringing Fall Color Home: Trees That Do Well in Redding
Here’s where my real estate side comes in. A yard with good fall color makes a home feel warm and established, and it’s one of those small things buyers notice when they pull up to the curb.
According to the UC Master Gardeners of Shasta County, a few trees do especially well here:
- Chinese pistache, a Redding favorite, gives a strong show of red, orange, and pink leaves and handles our summer heat
- Ginkgo turns a brilliant, even yellow
- Japanese maples can be beautiful, but they need protection from our afternoon sun to look their best, so plant them on the east side of the house or under taller trees
Fall is actually a good time to plant in Redding, since cooler weather and winter rain give roots time to settle in before next summer’s heat. If you’re thinking about selling next spring or summer, planting now can give your yard a head start. Just keep defensible space and spacing from the house in mind.
Simple Tips for a Good Fall Color Day
- Go early. Morning light is softer, and popular spots are quieter.
- Check road conditions. Mountain weather changes fast this time of year, especially at Lassen.
- Layer up. It can be 75 in Redding and 45 at Manzanita Lake on the same day.
- Pack a lunch. Services in the park and smaller towns can be limited after the summer season.
Fall is one of the best reasons I know to live in Shasta County. We get mild weather in town, real mountain color close by, and a lot fewer crowds than the big-name destinations. If you’re new here, or thinking about making the move, I hope you get out and enjoy it this year.
Thinking about buying, selling, or relocating to Redding? Whether you want to find a neighborhood with big trees and character or get your home ready for a spring sale, I’m happy to help with honest, local advice and no pressure.
530-953-1100 · jcreteam.com/contact · [email protected]
About Justin Cartwright — Justin Cartwright is a third-generation Shasta County resident and licensed REALTOR® with Waterman Real Estate in Redding, CA. He and the JCRE Team specialize in helping buyers and sellers navigate the Redding and greater Shasta County market with honest guidance and genuine care. DRE License #02093872 · Waterman Real Estate, 1760 Churn Creek Rd, Redding, CA 96002 · 530-953-1100.
Sources: National Park Service (Lassen Volcanic National Park road and visitor information), California State Parks, UC Master Gardeners of Shasta County, Active NorCal / Visit Redding fall color guides. Road conditions and foliage timing change year to year; check current conditions before you go.
