Day 1: Greater Los Angeles → Central Valley
This isn’t a trip that requires months of planning. Just a few hours out of LA, you’re already swapping city traffic for vineyards and orchards.
- Morning Ease: Hit the road from LA with little more than an overnight bag and a thermos of coffee. A stop at Urth Caffé in Pasadena makes the trip feel indulgent without the fuss.
- Scenic Stretch: Roll through the golden hills of Tehachapi. In fall, the air feels crisper here, and if you’re lucky, your timing might land on the Tehachapi Apple Festival—a perfect taste of small-town autumn charm.
- Lunch in Bakersfield: Pause at Wool Growers, a beloved Basque restaurant, where hearty stews and warm bread make for the ultimate fall comfort meal. Or, for something lighter, 24th Street Café dishes out cozy diner classics.
- Roadside Treats: Before getting back on the highway, swing by Murray Family Farms to pick up fresh apples or a homemade pumpkin pie—snacks made for sharing on the drive.
Day 2: Central Valley → Sierra Foothills → Tenaya
In fall, roads and trails are calmer, making the journey itself just as restorative as the destination.
- Morning Coffee in Fresno: Start the day slow with a stop at Sacred Heart Coffee. Their latte art feels like a small luxury in the middle of the road trip.
- Fruit Trail Drive: Take the scenic Fresno County Fruit Trail, where farm stands overflow with pears, apples, and pumpkins this time of year. Simonian Farms, a century-old stop full of vintage Americana, is especially fun to browse.
- Bass Lake Detour: With leaves glowing gold along the shoreline, Bass Lake feels like California’s quieter version of New England in fall. A quick walk here sets the tone for mountain calm.
- Evening Arrival at Tenaya: Settle into your Explorer Cabin (or Lodge room!). Pour a glass of wine on the deck and breathe in the crisp mountain air before dinner at newly reimagined Embers. It’s also a perfect night to unwind in the Ascent Spa steam room or sauna.
Day 3: Yosemite’s Fall Foliage Highlights
Less screen time. More scene time. With fewer crowds and all that natural beauty, your phone will stay zipped away while you explore the vibrant landscapes of Yosemite.
- Morning Awe: Enter the park through the South Entrance, just minutes from Tenaya’s front door. Start with Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, where golden dogwoods scatter fall color beneath towering giants.
- Tunnel View Magic: This iconic overlook never fails, but in fall, the valley below glows with maples and black oaks.
- Low-Effort, High-Reward Walks: Wander Cook’s Meadow Loop or Lower Yosemite Fall Trail. They’re short, scenic, and perfect for couples who want to linger instead of hustle.
- Picnic Pause: Pack lunch from Tenaya’s Parkside Deli and find a spot by the Merced River. We love the views from El Capitan or Stoneman Meadow! With fewer crowds, it feels like nature set the table just for two.
- Golden Hour Finale: End the day at Sentinel Bridge, where Half Dome reflects in the river, framed by fiery fall colors.
- Evening Return: Back at Tenaya, unwind with a cocktail by the many on-site firepits or opt for a special Stargazing program with local astronomer Andy Skinner.