By Eva Redding
Have you been missing the autumn foliage? If so, now is the perfect time to visit Palomar Mountain. The route alongside Highway 76 will first take you through the heart of Pala Reservation and Pauma Valley. Here, you will encounter beautiful meadows, fields of agriculture, and countless citrus groves. If you enjoy farm fresh produce, the abundance of harvest can be found at the many fruit stands on this route offering anything from oranges and raw honey to persimmons and pomegranates during the autumn season.
As you drive higher in elevation on the scenic but winding County Road S6, you cannot overlook the spectacular views. On a clear day, you will be able to see a glow from the Pacific Ocean afar that will suddenly feel much closer. If you travel during late autumn, the turning colors of trees dominate the forests. Shimmering against the royal blue skies, the oak trees proudly display their gold leaves. What a treat to witness so many of these beauties peppered throughout the mountains. The abundance of colorful foliage on trees as well as on the ground is everywhere this time of year. Besides freshly fallen leaves, the forest floor is also covered with large acorns just awaiting to be harvested by animals and birds as a winter source of food. The crispness of the clean mountain air is invigorating, just begging you to get out and explore on foot. Through the stillness of the woods, you can hear an occasional woodpecker pecking away on his favorite tree or a call from the Steller’s jay. Keep your eyes open for wild turkeys. We encountered two of these magnificent birds just during our short visit to the park.
If you plan on parking and hiking in the Palomar Mountain State Park, don’t forget to stop at the park ranger station at the entrance to the park and pick up a parking pass ($10.00 per day). Also, be sure to pick up a map so that you don’t miss any points of interest, historic sites, or hiking trails. If you are just driving through the area, you will not need a pass.
I highly recommend visiting the historic Boucher Fire Tower located on the scenic loop of Highway S7/ State Park Road. While you can hike to it, there are a few parking spots available at the top for those who choose to drive. Once there, you will be rewarded by spectacular views of the entire San Diego County and well beyond. And when the lookout tower is open, you can gain an extra 30 feet and be awed by a panoramic view from even higher above.
Another worthwhile stop in the State Park is Doane Pond area. This hidden gem is not to be missed. The small pond is surrounded by tall grasses and reeds, and it is stocked with fish. Besides fishing, this spot offers easy walking opportunities through the sun-drenched meadows as well as shady paths through the woods. From here you can embark on hiking the many well-marked trails or just relax and enjoy lunch at one of the picnic areas. If a day trip is not enough, the nearby Doane Valley Campground (starting at $30.00 per night, check for closure dates) offers private camp sites nestled in the woods and can be enjoyed in a tent as well as an RV. This area is also home to some historic sites such as Scott’s Cabin and the Weir historic site.
We felt truly revived by the endless, unexpected beauty that this state park has to offer. With an easy drive from anywhere in North San Diego County, we will be sure to come back to further explore this charming local destination.
