The secret to vising California in the autumn - will you "fall" in love with the golden state?

A guide to seeing the best of California the autumn

Autumn is the best time for sunsets in California

Since 2017, California wildfires become news worldwide each autumn. Drawn by the destruction, evacuations, blame, and politics, millions follow the seemingly endless news of the fires.

A wedding during the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County, California Photocredit: KMR Photography

After all, who can ignore the photos of a happy couple donning smoke masks in their wedding day photos in wine country?

And, with the seeming inevitability of fires in the autumn, why should any traveler risk planning a visit to California?

Simply put, California is at its best in the autumn.

In autumn, weather is ideal throughout the state. Parts of California, including its best tourist destinations, can be unbearably hot in the summer with temperatures up to 105F/42C, leaving tourists more accustomed to cooler temperatures unable to enjoy their trips. In autumn, the combination of plentiful daylight but more temperate days maximizes time for visiting the state.

Crowds disappear in the autumn. Yosemite and all national parks see smaller crowds during this time, making it the perfect time to see the national park. Enjoy a moment to yourself by the shores of the Cathedral Lakes. Take the opportunity to get a permit to go up Half Dome and appreciate the changing colors of the park.

On a budget? finding an AirBnB or modest hotel room will be no problem with less competition and demand in the area.

In early autumn, the days will often be warm enough to enjoy a dip in a swimming hole - find the local favourites in small towns like Groveland just outside the national park to enjoy a quiet swim in the Rainbow Pools. Reward yourself with an authentic western bar at the Iron Door before heading to the next leg of your journey.

In California, wine country isn't just Napa Valley - beautiful wineries can be found throughout the state. If the worst were to happen and fires threaten one area, it’s easy to reroute to another equally amazing venue. Central California’s Paso Robles can be overlooked by tourists but is well-known to locals. Napa may be the go-to destination, but adjacent Sonoma and Lodi are its equal in beauty and quality.

Head north for a lake retreat and enjoy the many wineries of Placerville or the Russian River in a quaint setting that combines good food, wine, and scenery. These locations alone would require more than 750 miles of driving, so rest assured there is always more wine to discover.

For a visit to southern California, take advantage of the shorter lines by park-hopping, if Disneyland, Universal Studios, Magic Mountain, or Knott’s Berry Farm are on your must-see list. Queues drastically shorten during this 'off-season' - and with new Disneyland ticket pricing adjusting according to demand, you should find prices more reasonable in the autumn for a family trip.

San Francisco is dreary in the summer. Mark Twain once said, "The coldest winter I ever experienced was summer in San Francisco." Wait until September and October for skies to clear, temperatures to rise, and festivals to begin.

This is the perfect time for a visit to experience Fleet Week, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, China Town's Autumn Moon Festival, the Day of the Dead, the Treasure Island Music Festival, Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival and many Oktoberfests in the city and around the bay area. Some of these are located in the must-visit Golden Gate Park.

Even if there's not a festival to your liking, it's worth a visit to walk through the expansive park to take in everything from the Dutch windmill to the Japanese tea gardens.

Two mini goldendoodle siblings "romp" in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. Photocredit: Aaron Olson

One great way to prepare for your trip to the bay area is to follow some hashtags on Instagram and accounts that provide local tips on what to see. Did you know there are dog meetups at Crissy Field? You would if you followed #sfgoldendoodles. Coordinate your timing to play with some of the cutest pups around while taking in the sights of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Have you ever been to a pumpkin patch this intense?

California embraces the festivities of Halloween for nearly all of October, with beer-fests, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and fairs occurring throughout the state. From family-friendly tractor rides and pumpkin carving to adult-only Halloween nights at Six Flags Theme Park, any visitor will find an event worth attending.

So, pack your bags and be sure to include everything from your warm jumper to sun cream to experience all that California has to offer in the autumn.

Don't let your dreams go up in smoke - defy the hype and plan your trip to see just how gold the "Golden State" can be this autumn.