These California mountain towns offer beautiful hikes, lake adventures, and wine tasting.

Harvest season is mid- to late August through early fall.

Alternatively, it’s possible for you to explore on land via an excursion withBig Bear Off-Road Experience.

Mount Shasta standing above beauitful Lake Siskiyou

Mount Shasta reflecting in Lake Siskiyou.Credit:ChrisBoswell/Getty Images

Take a stroll in the Ojai Meadows Preserve for a natural respite.

For peak and lake views, head toDonner Memorial State Park.

In the winter, ski or snowboard at the nearbyPalisades TahoeandNorthstar California Resort.

Winding road to Idyllwild

Highway into Idyllwild, California.MelissaMN/Adobe Stock

And yet the destination retains plenty of magic.

Oak Glen

Steve Cukrov/Adobe Stock

Another California mountain town known for apples?

As such, Bishop is often used as a recreation hub.

Julian, California is a historic gold mining town in the Cuyamuca Mountains above the Colorado Desert. .The entire township of Julian is a Designated Historical District. Tourism is Julian’s largest industry, followed by cattle raising. In October, Julian’s annual Apple Festival takes place when thousands of apple pies are baked and sold to the visitors.

Downtown Julian, California.David H. Carriere/Getty Images

Caffeinate atTheory Coffee, and considerSummit Loftsif youre staying overnight in town.

There are lots of cabin rentals available, including many right on the lake.

Architectural detail from California’s Gold Country (Murphys, California).

Architecture in Murphys, California.S. Greg Panosian/Getty Images

View of lake through pine trees

View of Big Bear Lake in California.Adrian Rudd/Travel + Leisure

A look down the main street of the California mountain town of Ojai

Main street in Ojai, California.DOUGBERRY/Getty Images

Afternoon sun shines on the historic gold rush era architecture of downtown Truckee, California, USA.

Downtown Truckee, California.MattGush/Getty Images

Sunset over mountains and lake

Sunrise over Mammoth Lakes.Eric Lo/Getty Images

: Parrish Pioneer Ranch offers Apples, Apple Butter, Apple Cider, Refreshment Counter, Gourmet Chocolates and Candy, Wine Tasting and gifts.

Apple farm in Oak Glen, California.Steve Cukrov/Adobe Stock

display of fall colors at a local park in Bishop, California on a peaceful day.

Local park in Bishop, California.Bon/Adobe Stock

Buildings in downtown Grass Valley

Buildings on Main Street in Grass Valley, California.EWY Media/Adobe Stock

Snow covered fire hydrant in a rural town of Wrightwood California after a winter storm

Snow covered homes in Wrightwood, California.2rogan/Adobe Stock

Italianate-style Courthouse

Mono County courthouse in Bridgeport, California.Natalia Bratslavsky/Adobe Stock

Lake Arrowhead with boats moored on a hot summer’s day

Boats docked in Lake Arrowhead, California.FiledIMAGE/Adobe Stock

A couple walking in the woods

Couple hiking in Redwoods Preserve in Felton, California.Jupiterimages/Getty Images