This post is sponsored by adidas.
There’s something magical in the Bay Area when fall arrives: morning mist, golden light, leaves just beginning their quiet change of colors. While I love spring, fall brings cooler air, soft color, and long walks while looking for that perfect shaped leaf.
Today I’ve partnered with adidas to share some of my favorite hikes around the Bay Area in the fall. These are places I find myself gravitating toward, especially as leaves shift, creeks run soft, and the air feels crisp. Each one offers something different, whether sweeping views, forest interiors, or glimpses of fall color.
Fall Hikes in the Bay Area:
- Marin Headlands & the GGNRA trails
Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin Headlands feel especially magical in fall. Golden meadows, eucalyptus groves, and views of fog rolling in the bay make this region a favorite.
The Cataract Trail is a fall-forward option. It runs near riparian zones where big leaf maples and creek dogwoods glow in autumn.
Tip: Go earlier in the day before fog descends over the hills. - Castle Rock State Park In the Santa Cruz Mountains
Castle Rock delivers a beautiful mix of redwoods, oaks, and maples. As the season shifts, its ridge trails are alive with warm tones of amber and russet. Start from Saratoga Gap or Skyline Ridge and explore loops that meander through forested valleys.
Tip: Castle rock has a hard rule of hiking during daylight hours. We may have learned the hard way years ago. Oops. - Tilden Regional Park & Wildcat Canyon
Across the Bay in Oakland / Berkeley, Tilden has that quiet, familiar quality I love. The sections around Wildcat Gorge, Lake Anza, and the ridges provide a gentle, luminous hike in fall.
Tip: If you have time, check out the nearby Tilden Regional Park Botanical Garden to see a giant grove of Sequoias. - Russian Ridge & Skyline Ridge Preserve
On the Peninsula, this hike rewards you with sweeping vistas and soft color gradients in the hills. A 4-mile out-and-back or loop along the Bay Area Ridge Trail gives you front-row views over rolling hills and late-season foliage.
Tip: Around sunset the golden-hour light slants just so, turning the grass golden. - Big Basin & Berry Creek Falls
If you’re up for a fuller-day hike, Big Basin offers a forest experience more immersive than most. The Berry Creek Falls Loop takes you through redwood groves, across streams, and up to cascading waterfalls.
Tip: Some sections can be damp or mossy in fall. Choose footwear with solid traction (and bring trekking poles if you like). - Henry Cowell State Park: River Trail & Eagle Creek
Farther south, the River Trail and Eagle Creek path combine forest, river, and changing leaves in a peaceful walk. Consider going during mid to late fall, when the deciduous trees along the creek edge are at their peak.
Tip: Watch for newts and banana slugs, as they too enjoy the cooler weather during fall. - Sycamore Grove & Henry W. Coe State Park
In the East Bay / South Bay, these bring a different perspective of fall color. Sycamore Grove Park (Livermore) offers pockets of vibrant canopy change. Henry W. Coe, in the hills, also shows a range of oak and maple color in October.
Tip: These are less crowded, especially toward dusk or early morning—perfect for reflective moments.
Tips for Fall Hiking:
- Footwear & gear: A pair of neutral, reliable hiking boots is a fall essential. Look for something waterproof but breathable, with a good tread (I lean toward adidas Terrex styles).
- Layered clothing: Morning chill gives way to warm afternoon. Pack a light fleece, windbreaker, and gloves you can stash.
- Backpack essentials: Water (at least 1 L), snack, map or phone, first aid, extra socks. Use a minimal backpack so you don’t overpack.
- Timing is everything: Aim for mid-October through November for peak color in most Bay Area trails. Arrive just after dawn or later in the day to avoid crowds (and catch better light).
- Leave no trace: Fallen leaves are part of the magic. Keep to trails, carry out trash, and tread softly.
In a place like the Bay Area, fall isn’t dramatic in the way the East Coast is but it’s subtle and layered. If I were to pick one walk to press pause on, it might be Tilden on a soft morning, or Russian Ridge at sunset. All of these hikes make me feel closer to the land, and that’s what really counts.
This post is sponsored by adidas, all images and opinions are my own. Thank you so much for helping to support the sponsors that make life here at Hej Doll a little easier.
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