The Piedras Blancas Rookery along the Big Sur, PCH Highway 1 is one of the best places in North America to see elephant seals, and their population can swell to around 17,000.Read More
The Barker Dam Trail is an easy, family-friendly hike leading to a peaceful desert oasis. Built by cattle ranchers, it offers visitors a blend of natural beauty, wildlife, and rich history.Read More
The Split Rock Trail is a 2.5-mile loop through stunning desert landscapes, featuring iconic boulders, wide-open vistas, and the famous Split Rock.Read More
The Cholla Cactus Garden offers a surreal desert experience, with dense fields of spiny "teddy bear" cacti. Its unique beauty makes it an unforgettable highlight of any desert adventure.Read More
The Cholla Cactus Garden offers a surreal desert experience, with dense fields of spiny "teddy bear" cacti. Its unique beauty makes it an unforgettable highlight of any desert adventure.Read More
The Hidden Valley Nature Trail is a scenic, family-friendly hike nestled among dramatic rock formations, and a must-see highlight of Joshua Tree National Park.Read More
Famous for its purple sand with tiny flecks of garnet tinting the sand purple, Pfeiffer Beach along the Big Sur coast is a photographer's paradise.Read More
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is an exceptionally beautiful California state park, and popular for those that love nature walks and wildlife.Read More
Donner Pass blends rugged beauty with powerful history. Learn the story of the Donner Party and take in sweeping views from the summit’s historic bridge and trails.Read More
Ride the Heavenly Gondola high above Lake Tahoe for jaw-dropping views of the lake and Carson Valley. At the top? Trails, dining, and wide-open mountain air.Read More
The Mt. Rose Scenic Byway winds through alpine forests to epic views of Lake Tahoe. Wildflowers in summer, snow in winter, this is one of the Sierra’s most stunning drives.Read More
Step into Tahoe’s Gilded Age at the Tallac Historic Site. Tour opulent lakeside estates, stroll manicured grounds, and imagine summer life among San Francisco’s elite.Read More
The Rubicon Trail hugs Tahoe’s rugged west shore, offering hikers big lake views, hidden coves, and granite cliffs. It's raw, remote, and a true adventure.Read More
At the Gatekeeper’s Museum, Tahoe’s past comes alive. Tour the Watson Cabin, learn local history, and enjoy the peaceful setting at the Truckee River’s edge.Read More
The East Shore Trail offers one of Tahoe’s best views on two feet or two wheels. Hug the shoreline, stop at hidden beaches, and soak in the crystal-clear lake scenery.Read More
Chimney Beach is a hidden cove with turquoise water, smooth sand, and a lone stone chimney marking Tahoe’s quieter side. It’s perfect for a peaceful swim or photo stop.Read More
Perhaps the most famous photo spot along the Big Sur coastline, Bixby Bridge is one of the tallest single-span bridges in the world, rising to a height of 280 feet above the canyon floor.Read More
Perhaps the most famous photo spot along the Big Sur coastline, Bixby Bridge is one of the tallest single-span bridges in the world, rising to a height of 280 feet above the canyon floor.Read More
Perhaps the most famous photo spot along the Big Sur coastline, Bixby Bridge is one of the tallest single-span bridges in the world, rising to a height of 280 feet above the canyon floor.Read More
Step into the cool shadows of the Chasm of Doom, where towering rock walls rise on either side and silence wraps around you like a cloak. This dramatic split in the valley reveals layers of geologic history and creates a unique pocket of life, with plants and animals finding refuge in its narrow depths. It’s...Read More
As the trail climbs from the chasm, look for Nolinas- hardy, grasslike plants with tall, spiky stalks that shimmer in the sunlight. These desert survivors are a striking part of the Hidden Valley’s ecosystem. Their sculptural beauty and seasonal blooms bring a softer, more delicate contrast to the rugged rocks all around.Read More
Perhaps the most famous photo spot along the Big Sur coastline, Bixby Bridge is one of the tallest single-span bridges in the world, rising to a height of 280 feet above the canyon floor.Read More
Hike to Bumpass Hell for a front-row seat to boiling springs, roaring fumaroles, and rainbow-colored pools. This is Lassen’s wild side– raw, loud, and full of geothermal drama.Read More
Kings Creek Falls crashes 40 feet over lava rock into a misty canyon. Hike through meadows and forest to reach this thundering cascade, one of Lassen’s most rewarding walks.Read More
