Follow the falling leaves for colorful show

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It's officially autumn, with all the attendant rush to make the most of those fast-fading daylight hours. Nothing lifts the spirits at this time of year like a leisurely drive in the countryside, preferably along a route laden with trees dressed in their fall-color finery.

High in the Sierra, the aspens already have done their thing and are dropping their golden leaves, but at lower elevations, the show continues for another few weeks.

Within easy striking distance of Sacramento are several fall- foliage destinations that won't disappoint. A roundup of our favorites:

• Plumas County has turned fall foliage into a marketing bonanza with a Web site, www.plumascounty.org, that works hard to lure visitors by providing blog-style "Leaf Peeper Reports," updated daily, along with suggested itineraries for scenic drives and hikes. You'll find listings for small-town events and places to stay, too. Color in Plumas County usually peaks between now and Oct. 30, so go soon.

• The Nevada City-Grass Valley area is another nucleus for fall-color enthusiasts. More than 100 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places make a fine backdrop for the hundreds of maples and other hardwood trees introduced more than a century ago when the Gold Rush community was settled by families of the 49ers. Empire Mine State Park, just outside Grass Valley, is an ideal place to picnic and hike on a crisp fall day. Mid-October to mid-November is the best time to catch the color show.

For a brochure highlighting regional color spots, call (530) 265-2692. Lodging information is available on the Chamber of Commerce Web site, www.nevadacitychamber.com.

• At the higher elevations of the eastern Sierra, most of the color already has come and gone. You can enjoy it vicariously through the photographs of Dave Henry, The Bee's special services photographer. Go to www.sacbee.com/travel and click the link.

Other leaf-peeping activities:

• Take a drive along aspen-loaded Highways 88 and 89 south of Lake Tahoe, or choose one of California's six designated national scenic byways to explore (www.byways.org). Call the Hope Valley Outdoor Center, (530) 694-2266, for firsthand foliage reports, bike rentals and recreation suggestions. • Northern California state parks with reliably brilliant fall color include Empire Mine, Grover Hot Springs, Bothe-Napa, Marshall Gold Discovery and Calaveras Big Trees. For visitor information: www.parks.ca.gov.

• Take advantage of the fall lull to visit Yosemite National Park, which offers a variety of off-season lodging deals: www.nps.gov.

• Drive up to the Apple Hill region of El Dorado County, off Highway 50, to visit pumpkin patches, ogle the fall colors and feast on apple pie and other seasonal specialties. Information: www.applehill.com.

• For leaf-peeping tips statewide, go to the California Tourism Web site, www.visitcalifornia.com, and click the link.

Pamper yourself

In today's scary, war-torn world, fantasy travel can be an escape in itself.

Let's imagine, for example, that you're a woman, you just won the lottery and you want to do something really nice for yourself and three of your best gal pals.

Get thee to Calistoga. The "Babes in the Woods" package at Calistoga Ranch, a 157-acre Auberge property with 46 beautifully appointed guest cottages, can be yours for just $7,000-plus.

Now, now, honey, get those eyebrows down. We know you're a generous soul, so read on.

What you get for your seven G's is a two-night stay in a private, 3,000-square-foot Estate Lodge tricked out with indoor-outdoor fireplaces, a Jacuzzi and other luxury amenities. The monogrammed robes with leather-bound journals in the pockets are yours to keep. To give you something to write about, you'll have reserved chaises at the pool with a dedicated "pool boy" to spray you with Evian or otherwise attend to your whims. You'll get private tastings and tours at two local wineries -- and someone to drive you there, to boot.

Dinner at the Lakehouse Restaurant is sure to be memorable, but the pièce de résistance is an afternoon spa experience highlighted by a treatment called the Ultimate Chocolate Indulgence. It starts with a chocolate espresso rub followed by a chocolate-milk bath followed by a full-body massage using chocolate lotion. After that comes a soak in a (blissfully chocolate-free) spring-fed pool with a tray of artisan cheeses and local wine on the side.

If that's not enough to make you forget the woes of the world, you need an attitude adjustment. Just wish we could win the lottery ourselves. ...

For more information: (707) 254-2800 or www.calistogaranch.com.

Here 'n' there

• If you've ever longed to join the throngs of young people working winters at Tahoe-area ski resorts, your best shot at landing a job is through the North Tahoe Chamber of Commerce Winter Job Fair, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 28 at Sierra Mountain Middle School, 11603 Donner Pass Road in Truckee. The fair is a gathering of major snow-season employers in the area. Representatives from housing and transportation services also will be on hand; (530) 581-8734.

• A new e-mail newsletter, Weekend Sherpa, is a weekly guide to three great things to do in Northern California on the coming weekend. To subscribe (it's free), go to www.weekendsherpa.com.

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