Sonoma Fall Foliage: Where to see it and how to plant your own!

Fall is one of the most picturesque seasons in Sonoma County, with vibrant hues transforming the landscape into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and yellows. Whether you’re visiting to experience the stunning fall colors or a local who wants to bring that beauty into your own home. This week is all about fall foliage!

At From the Ground Up Landscape Design, I’ve had a number of homeowners ask me to add fall interest to their gardens. For one couple it reminded them of home back on the East Coast. Another did it as a gift to her husband because she knows how much he loves the fall. I adore adding a little surprise into a design, many of the really stunning fall plants are inconspicuous the rest of the year.

So join me as we dive into a few local spots you can visit this October and November to see amazing fall views. Talk about a few of my favorite fall plants, as well as some cute fall craft projects to bring those leaves indoors.

Top 5 Places to See Amazing Fall Colors in Sonoma County

1. Bartholomew Estate Vineyards (Sonoma) – With hiking trails through vineyards and oak forests, Bartholomew Estate offers stunning views of changing leaves and grapevines in various stages of seasonal transformation​. I absolutely love this location because it’s so close to downtown Sonoma but it can be a well kept secret. There’s a park where you can bring a picnic and I love to have lunch here overlooking the vineyards and Sonoma hills.

Bartholomew Estate

2. Sonoma Valley Regional Park
This park, with its scenic views of rolling hills, vineyards, and oak trees, becomes a golden wonderland in the fall. It's a perfect spot for hiking or picnicking while enjoying the fall foliage.
Visit Sonoma Valley Regional Park

3. Benziger Family Winery

Set next to Jack London State Park, this winery is surrounded by biodynamic vineyards and lush hillside foliage, making it a fantastic spot to see fall colors​. They offer a fun estate tour, where you get to ride along and see the vineyards up close and personal. As an added benefit, stopping in for a tasting is an absolute must!

Visit Benzinger Winery

4. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Nestled in the Mayacamas Mountains, Sugarloaf Ridge offers not only sweeping views of vineyards but also a rich mix of fall colors, particularly from oak and maple trees along the trails.
Visit Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

5. Jack London State Historic Park
Known for its rich history, Jack London State Historic Park also provides stunning views of fall foliage. The park features old oak trees and vineyards that create a perfect fall color palette. The mixture of history and natural beauty makes this a must-visit in autumn.
Visit Jack London State Historic Park

Laura’s Favorite Fall Plants

Incorporating the right plants into your Sonoma landscape design ensures your garden reflects the colors of autumn for years to come. Here are some of the best fall plants to consider for landscaping in Zones 7 to 9:

• Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
  Known for its fan-shaped leaves that turn a brilliant yellow in the fall, Maidenhair Tree is a striking addition to any landscape. It’s also drought-tolerant once established.

• Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
  Famous for its vivid red fall foliage, Red Maple creates a dramatic autumnal display in any garden. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil.

• Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
  This tree puts on a spectacular show in the fall, with leaves that change from green to red, orange, and yellow. It’s also drought-tolerant, making it perfect for Sonoma landscaping.

• Smoketree (Cotinus coggygria)
  Smoketree not only provides unique blooms in the spring, but its leaves turn a mix of purple, orange, and red in the fall. It adds texture and color to gardens in Zones 7 to 9.

• White Cloud Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
  For a softer fall look, Pink Muhly Grass offers clouds of pinkish-purple flowers in the fall, making it a beautiful and low-maintenance addition to borders and beds.

Fun Fall Leaf Saving Ideas

Your fall landscaping doesn't have to end when the leaves drop. There are several ways to preserve the beauty of autumn for crafts and décor. Here are a few creative ideas for incorporating those leaves into your Sonoma landscape design:

• Pressing Leaves
  One of the simplest ways to preserve fall leaves is by pressing them. Simply place the leaves between two sheets of wax paper and press them between heavy books for a week. Check out this article on how to press leaves for crafts: How to Press Leaves

• Making a Fall Leaf Wreath
  Gather your favorite fallen leaves and craft a gorgeous wreath for your front door or as a centerpiece. Here’s a guide to making your own leaf wreath: DIY Fall Leaf Wreath

• Create Leaf Art for Wall Décor
  You can turn your favorite leaves into art by framing them. You can arrange them into patterns or let them stand out individually. Here’s an easy-to-follow guide for creating leaf art: Leaf Art Ideas

• Use Leaves for Mulch
  After collecting your fall leaves, you can also mulch them to enrich your soil for next spring. It’s an eco-friendly way to use fallen leaves. Learn more about mulching here: Mulching Leaves

Whether you’re just looking to go leaf peeping or design your own fall foliage paradise I hope this blog helped get you started. If you see any amazing spots of Fall color around Sonoma County this fall, use #SonomaFallColor and we’ll repost to our Instagram Stories. Let’s fill everyone’s feed with bright color, cozy vibes and amazing memories.

Personal Story - Mother Bassett and the Fall Foray
This time last year I was working on a fall watercolor project. I needed some colorful source material to study. So I called up my mother, Susan Bassett, to join me on the hunt for the perfect leaves. Our goal was to find a good variety of local color I could use to paint.

At first, it seemed very silly, but soon we were laughing and driving around town looking for that perfect tree. I got to see a side of my mom she rarely let out. That inner child showed itself, she hugged a tree or tried to take home a whole fallen branch from a eucalyptus tree. We used one of her baskets and brought home a pile of amazing leaves. Together we pressed them in my flower press and waited to see if they’d keep their color when they dried.

For those of you who might not know, my mother passed just a few weeks ago. I wrote the blog, A Love Letter to My Mother, during her stay in the hospital as a way of helping her mind escape the sterile bright lights and wander back out into her favorite places. As I grieve the unimaginable loss of her in my life, I’m trying to remember this little moments of joy and connection.

Thank you for letting me share my love of plants, beauty and nature with you. It means the world to me!