9 California Scenic Drives That Locals Say Are Best In September
California’s winding roads become pure magic during September’s golden hours, when sunlight softens into a warm glow and the landscapes seem to shimmer with new life. As summer crowds fade and the intense heat gives way to gentle breezes, the state reveals its quieter, more breathtaking side.
Early hints of fall color brighten the hills, while crystal-clear skies stretch endlessly overhead, making every curve in the road feel cinematic.
Over the years, I’ve explored these hidden route with my trusty convertible and a thermos of hot chocolate, and locals agree—September is the perfect time for these nine unforgettable drives.
1. Pacific Coast Highway’s Big Sur Stretch
Misty mornings give way to brilliant sunshine along this iconic coastal route in September. I once pulled over near Bixby Bridge just as a pod of dolphins leaped through the waves below – a moment that still gives me goosebumps.
The famous summer fog retreats during this magical month, revealing dramatic cliffs that plunge into sapphire waters. Locals whisper that weekday drives mean having certain turnouts completely to yourself.
Pack a picnic for Pfeiffer Beach where purple sand sparkles beneath your feet, and don’t rush – the 90-mile stretch deserves a full day of unhurried exploration.
2. Tioga Pass Through Yosemite
“You’ve never seen stars like September stars at Olmsted Point,” my mountain-guide friend Mark always says. He’s right – this high-altitude passage through Yosemite’s alpine wilderness becomes extraordinarily peaceful after Labor Day crowds disappear.
Winding past Tenaya Lake’s crystal waters, the road climbs to nearly 10,000 feet where thin air carries the first hints of autumn. Yellow-bellied marmots scamper across sun-warmed rocks while early-turning aspens create golden pockets among the pines.
The real magic happens at sunset when alpenglow paints distant peaks in impossible shades of pink and purple.
3. Avenue of the Giants’ Cathedral-Like Corridor
Driving beneath these ancient redwoods feels like entering a living cathedral. September’s slanted sunlight creates the most extraordinary effect – golden beams pierce through the canopy and illuminate the misty forest floor in ways photographers dream about.
My car thermometer always drops ten degrees upon entering this 31-mile stretch. The crisp air carries that distinctive redwood scent – a mix of earth, vanilla, and something primeval that no perfumer could ever capture.
Pull over at Founders Grove where fallen giants reveal their massive root systems. Walking among trees older than Roman civilization provides perspective you simply can’t find elsewhere.
4. Rock Creek Road’s Alpine Splendor
Stumbling upon this Sierra Nevada treasure changed my definition of autumn beauty forever. Unlike the crowded eastern fall foliage routes, this 10-mile mountain road offers solitude among groves of aspens that shimmer like gold coins in September breezes.
The journey begins in sagebrush desert before climbing into a wonderland of alpine lakes and jagged peaks. Little Rock Creek babbles alongside, creating nature’s perfect soundtrack.
Fishermen know this secret – September brings brown trout to the surface of emerald pools. Even if you don’t fish, pack binoculars for spotting golden eagles soaring on thermal currents above this high-country paradise.
5. June Lake Loop’s Mirror-Like Waters
Grandma called it “California’s hidden Switzerland,” and driving this 16-mile alpine loop always brings her words back to me. Four glacier-carved lakes reflect September’s impossibly blue skies and the jagged Sierra peaks that rise dramatically from their shores.
Local photographers gather at Oh Ridge at sunrise when mist hovers just above the water’s surface. The early autumn light here has a quality I’ve never seen elsewhere – soft yet vibrant, making every color more intense.
Stop at Silver Lake where rustic cabins dot the shoreline and ospreys dive for breakfast. The loop’s western stretch offers the first glimpse of aspens turning gold – a preview of October’s full display.
6. Mendocino’s Route 128 Wine Country Passage
Sunlight filters through towering redwoods as Route 128 begins its journey from the Anderson Valley floor. September marks harvest season – vineyards buzz with activity while the air carries hints of fermenting grapes and sun-warmed earth.
This drive changed my relationship with time. Each bend reveals another postcard-worthy scene: weathered barns framed by golden hills, roadside stands selling just-picked apples, and family wineries where pourers know every customer by name.
The road’s final stretch emerges from forest to reveal the Pacific coastline. That transition from warm valley to cool maritime air creates a microclimate where fog and sunshine dance in perfect September harmony.
7. Russian Gulch’s Coastal Forest Retreat
“You’ll feel like you’ve discovered the edge of the world,” promised my botanist friend before introducing me to this lesser-known coastal drive. She wasn’t exaggerating – Russian Gulch’s narrow road weaves through wind-sculpted cypress groves before revealing secluded coves where harbor seals bask on sun-warmed rocks.
September brings remarkable clarity to this misty coastline. Massive bull kelp forests sway visibly beneath cerulean waters while migrating whales sometimes spout offshore.
The Devil’s Punchbowl – a collapsed sea cave creating a roaring sinkhole – puts nature’s raw power on full display. Locals know to visit during afternoon low tides when tidepools reveal their technicolor inhabitants.
8. 17-Mile Drive’s Cypress-Lined Elegance
Morning fog still clings to the iconic Lone Cypress when I arrive at dawn on this legendary coastal loop. September transforms this sometimes tourist-clogged route into a peaceful journey through what feels like a living painting.
Ghost trees – bleached cypress skeletons – stand sentinel against sapphire waters at Pescadero Point. The contrast between manicured golf courses and wild coastline creates a fascinating juxtaposition that feels quintessentially Californian.
Bird Rock teems with barking sea lions and harbor seals in September as they prepare for winter. Spanish Bay’s boardwalk offers the perfect sunset stroll after completing the drive, with bagpipers sometimes playing farewell to the day.
9. Lost Coast’s Mattole Road Adventure
Calling this remote route a “road” feels generous – parts are barely two lanes wide as it hugs impossibly steep coastal mountains. September brings stable weather to this notoriously wild stretch where King Range mountains plunge directly into the Pacific.
I’ve spotted Roosevelt elk grazing in misty meadows and black bears foraging along creek beds during fall berry season. The landscape transitions dramatically from ancient redwood groves to windswept coastal prairie within miles.
Cell service disappears completely – a blessing that forces complete presence. Pack extra water and patience; frequent stops at jaw-dropping vistas mean this 75-mile adventure takes a full day. The reward? California’s last truly wild coastline all to yourself.