Jaunted - Tag: Outdoor Travel

Julian: Rare Fall Foliage Alert: Southern California Sees Some Color In Julian

Jennifer Kester — 2009-09-25T08:40:43-05:00

See? Fall colors do exist in SoCal.

You'd be hard-pressed to find golds and reds in the palm trees during the fall in Southern California, but head one hour northeast of San Diego and you'll see plenty of leaves turning in Julian, a small old mining town.

Julian sits among the Laguna Mountains—at an elevation of 4,200 feet—making it a picturesque place to check out the foliage. It's among the few places in San Diego County that has a winter, spring, summer and fall. But Southern Californians are starved to see something other than greenery and to get some cool air, so they tend to pack the town this time of the year, which can make it seem less rustic and more touristy. You'll avoid crowds if you go during the week.

Vilnius: Fall Foliage Travel: 4x4 Through A Lithuanian Forest

JetSetCD — 2009-09-23T16:33:47-05:00

Typically when you think of quaint villages and local charm surrounded by autumn colors, your mind fixates on the East Coast. But banish the thought, since Lithuania totally kicks butt in all of those departments.

The capital Vilnius has an old town city centre that is also a UNESCO heritage site, and from here you can grab excursions to the south of the country and its forests full of fresh air, like Dzukija National park or Grutas Park, the latter of which is peppered with statues of Soviet political figures—bring your fancy camera for these. But our highest recommendation goes to 4x4 off-roading through the forests.

MI: Michigan Budget Cuts May Cut Out Fall Foliage Hotlines

kjb — 2009-09-23T10:28:47-05:00

Remember when Michigan was spending all that money on their new travel campaign? Well, they may have spent too much on it, because money is starting to run out for other stuff. First, AAA Michigan had to shut down their annual fall color hotline due to budget cuts. Thankfully, Travel Michigan has picked up the slack, but they are facing their own budget deficit come October 1, so they might have to shut down their foliage hotline as well.

People may just be forced to drive around aimlessly and do their own research to find the best spots. However, the spokeswoman for the state’s tourism group thinks that Travel Michigan will be able to keep the hotline running. Unless there’s a total state shutdown, she thinks things will be safe from the axe.

Jaunted's Five Favorite Canadian Hot Spots For Fall Foliage

JetSetCD — 2009-09-22T16:03:46-05:00

Now that we're a mere week away from the start of October, it's time to head out on leaf-peeping vacations and weekend trips to take advantage of the fiery colors which erupt in forests around the continent.

We've already given you a pretty good idea of some United States and overseas options with our Fall Foliage series, but there's just as much—if not more—color above the border. Just remember to bring your passport along, as we countdown our Five Favorite Canadian Hot Spots For Fall Foliage:

London: Fall Foliage Travel: Skip Central Park For London's Hampstead Heath

JetSetCD — 2009-09-18T12:20:42-05:00

Reap the benefits of the slow airline of fall by hopping a cheaper ticket across the pond to London. We're not kidding; a friend just booked a weekend trip to London on Virgin Atlantic after seeing that it was just as expensive as some flights between Chicago and NYC.

If you are similarly spontaneous, or just thirsty for a good pub with some fall foliage outside, we recommend heading to London's Hampstead Heath area, like their version of NYC's Central Park. Here, you'll not only get a view of trees turning during the fall colors peak of late October through early November, but also—atop London's highest point, Parliament Hill—you'll have a view over the whole city.

Big Sur: There's Fall Foliage To Be Found On The West Coast Too

JetSetCD — 2009-09-17T17:03:54-05:00

Think that all the east coasters and Parisiennes get to have all the leaf-peeping fun? Think again, because even the leaves in California have to change, and there's no better excuse for a daytrip than catching the color along the dramatic Big Sur Highway, also known as Highway 1.

As California's answer to Italy's Amalfi Coast, Big Sur is like a true scenic road trip, complete with steep rocky cliffs, impressive span bridges, blue water, and lots of greenery. Drives like this warrant the extra daily amount you'd spend on renting a convertible versus another Ford Focus.

Quebec: Take A Ski Lift To Leaf-Peeping Just Over The Border In Canada

JetSetCD — 2009-09-16T14:53:54-05:00

This is for those of you north of the border, or who just can't swing heading to Paris for a little falling leaf action: go instead to Quebec. More specifically, grab a Greyhound bus from Montreal to the little, but heavily-touristed, ski village of Mont-Tremblant.

Peak fall colors season is in early to mid-October, so you'll be well enough ahead of the snowfalls to enjoy riding the ski lifts up and over the foliage sans snowboard and ski suit.