Falling for autumn — From the West Coast to the East Coast: a sampling of scenic drives

NEW YORK — Fall is the nicest season for rolling down the car windows, taking a drive and enjoying the scenery. Stop along the way to pick pumpkins, visit a winery or stroll a woodsy trail sparkling with reds and golds. Watch the cranberry harvest in Massachusetts, take a moose tour in Maine or an elk tour in Colorado, or drive the 2,000-mile Great River Road along the Mississippi River.

Here are a few routes around the country to consider as you plan your autumn outings.

CALIFORNIA

Fall color in Southern California? You bet, but it's a little bit later in the season than what you'll find in the North and East. The first week of November is the best time to see the cottonwoods and oaks northeast of San Diego, in Cuyamaca State Park, on Highway 79. Or try the 23-mile drive along Highway 78 from the town of Ramona to Julian, where apple harvest season runs mid-September to mid-November (www.julianca.com). For more on fall foliage in California, including mountains and forests in the northern part of the state, visit www.parks.ca.gov.

COLORADO

Here, fall means yellow cottonwood trees and red and gold aspens. Fall is also mating season for elks, which put on a show by making loud distinctive calls known as bugling. They can be seen and heard through the end of October and into early November in Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Mueller Park and many other places around the state.

One hourlong drive runs along Highway 141 from Grand Junction to Gateway, about 50 miles, with elevations from 4,500 to 7,000 feet. The best time to go is early September through mid-October.

In Gateway, Gateway Canyons Resort — www.gatewaycanyons.com — is offering a "Canyon Colors" package that includes a photography excursion with an elk guide, foliage tours on horseback and by all-terrain vehicle, a massage, trout fishing and more, starting at $950 for two nights.

GREAT RIVER ROAD

This route runs along the Mississippi in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri and Wisconsin. In addition to fall colors and river views, you'll find rustic red barns, antiques stores and historic sites like Mark Twain's hometown of Hannibal, Mo., and the Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa. Details at www.byways.org/explore/byways/2279/.

MISSOURI

Summertime crowds are gone in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks, but the weather is good and so is the fishing. Oak, ash, maple, redbud, dogwood, hickory, persimmon and sassafras trees usually put on their colorful shows early to mid-October.