A sea of auburn, gold and orange blurs by on a winding, scenic drive in the San Bernardino Mountains , looking like something out of a travel brochure for fall on the East Coast.

Now is the perfect time for a leaf-peeping road trip in the crisp, pine-scented air settling over the mountain communities. Stop along the way to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner as you take in the autumnal show of color from Lake Arrowhead to Big Bear Lake .

Autumn leaves in shades of orange and yellow surround Lake Arrowhead creating a scenic view on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)

The Apples Normandy Belgian Waffle, topped with warm sliced apples, raisins, walnuts, cinnamon spice and whipped cream, is one of the signature dishes at Belgian Waffle Works in Lake Arrow

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