Best of 2003: Best Local Fall Foliage

Pine Creek Road, Pine Valley

Take the SUV, not the sedan, and drive east on I-8 to the Highway 79 exit. Go north on 79 toward Julian, then take Old Highway 80 toward Pine Valley. Just before town, take a left onto Pine Creek Road. About a mile up the road, you'll pass the "End County Maintained Road" sign. Don't be scared. Though the pavement ahead is nearly gone in spots, SUVs shouldn't have any problems. The first few miles after the sign offer some spectacular southward vistas. After that the road meanders directly through some hardwood forests. Because of the elevation changes in the road, you can see the forest at several different stages of fall coloration, from nearly all green at the lower altitudes to falling red and gold leaves up high. After 20 miles or so, you'll reach Sunrise Highway.