Did they mention a terrible smell of the Bradford Pear? Saw that on one website. What about Japanese Maple? Do they grow in your area?

This is the thirdtime I'v tried to type an answer. As much as I hate Disqus, this site is worse!

We had a Bradford pear in San Diego. It did not color in the fall. Japanese maples also do not color reliably in the fall in mild winter areas although they can have very colorful spring foliage. I have a shin deshojo with neon orange-pink new growth. Ginkos, pistache, and Liquidamber rotundifolia will color. California grape and a few shrubs exhibit year round or seasonal color too. In my area there are a lot of wild Toyons which carry heavy loads of bright red berries. Most nurseries will be happy to order trees, shrubs, and perennials for you in whatever size you want/can afford.

Sometimes, rather than trying to copy the rhythm of the east coast's seasonal cycle, it makes more sense to think about California's own natural seasonal changes -- green in the winter, gold in the summer and fall. To me it's just as beautiful as the east coast, just a little more subtle.

Flowering pear trees (maybe Bradford) are used as street trees in parts of my neighborhood, and although pretty in the spring, the flowers do smell funny. I live about 8 miles inland and crepe myrtle does fine here. It blooms profusely in the summer. There are varieties that are more mildew resistant. I also have a Caesalpinia Mexicana that does well here - about a half mile north of South Coast Plaza., but it is green year-round.

Liquid amber has beautiful fall color, but I had mine removed when it started to lift the sidewalk. It is also a host for the polyphagous shot hole borer.

If you're looking for fall color specifically and you don't mind fruit, you might consider persimmon trees. Their fall color is quite nice and they grow pretty quickly. If you're just looking for a great specimen tree, I agree with kentc about considering the Tabebuia. Another option would be an African Tulip tree, since they bloom in the fall.

I would grow a regular pear tree growing on its own roots. At least that way you will have some fruit (although it will not be for a long time because non-grafted pear trees can take 8-12 years before they begin producing). You would need to choose a low-chill variety, and putting a temporary shade tarp over it from late December to January would also help, at least for the first 3 or 4 years.

A pear tree growing on its own roots does not grow like a pear tree you see in an orchard, they grow like real trees.

Another beautiful flowering tree you might consider (although I do not know where you could get it from) is the Yellow Cotton tree. This species was originally native to the dry tropical savannah region in Brazil.

Autumn color choices can be limited in Southern CA. I agree, the Bradford pears don't seem to suffer the degree of damage here. Nor do they spread in the way they do in wetter climates. Cultivar matters a lot with the Lagerstroemia; mildew resistance and autumn color has a wide range. INFO In south OC/Aliso Viejo, white-flowering Natchez puts on a nice red-orange autumn color.

Excellent fall color from Ginko. They do get large eventually. Have not seen any impressive fall color on the several Bradford pears in the neighborhood. Fabulous spring flower display from Pink Tabebuia in Tustin:

Some of us actually grow the trees we tout. ;-) Disneyland's Main Street central has some nice ones, too.

Bradford pears are prone to crowded vertical branching patterns and tend to break out.

Fruiting pears don't do well at all in SoCal.

You should be able to obtain good suggestions locally, perhaps from your water department. And you can also refer to lists in the Sunset Garden Book for zone 24.

Any local colleges nearby? Call their Horticulture Departments, too.

Jean, who gardened in Long Beach, CA, for 30-some years.

Bro, if the bradford pear sucks, why cant you get the cleveland pear?

its much better