Join me on a hike up to the summit of Fresno Dome in Sierra National Forest. Just south of Yosemite National Park along the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway, this easy to moderate hike provides panoramic views with no crowds near Oakhurst, Bass Lake & Fish Camp in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. It's the perfect easy alternative to Yosemite's Half Dome hike...no permits or reservations needed!
Read MoreExplore Roaring River Falls in Kings Canyon National Park, an easy yet breathtaking hike to a thundering waterfall. Walk the short paved trail for close-up views or venture onto a hidden dirt path for a unique elevated perspective. Perfect for families, photographers, and travelers on the Majestic Mountain Loop, this Cedar Grove gem is a must-see stop on your next Sequoia & Kings Canyon trip.
Read MoreDiscover California's Majestic Mountain Loop, a 3-park epic road trip through Sequoia, Kings Canyon & Yosemite National Parks. Explore giant sequoia trees, thundering waterfalls, scenic drives, iconic viewpoints & top hotels. Base yourself in Visalia & Oakhurst for easy access to these Sierra Nevada Mountain wonders. This is the perfect travel guide for first-time visitors & national park lovers.
Read MoreDiscover the rich history and stunning wildlife of Piedras Blancas Light Station in San Simeon, CA just north of Hearst Castle. From elephant seals and whale sightings to coastal views and a storied lighthouse dating back to 1875, this scenic stop along Highway 1 is a must-visit. Learn what to see, when to go, and how to make the most of your visit to this historic California coast gem.
Read MoreLooking for the best hiking near Fresno, CA? Hike to Stevenson Creek Falls in Sierra National Forest—an epic 7-mile trail featuring waterfalls, tunnels and rich hydroelectric history. Best in spring for roaring falls, this hidden gem near Shaver Lake offers scenic views of the San Joaquin River Gorge, massive granite peaks, spring wildflowers, and a moderate challenge for hikers & nature lovers.
Read MorePlanning a Yosemite adventure? Discover the top 10 reasons to stay in Oakhurst, CA on your next Yosemite road trip. Just minutes from Yosemite’s South Entrance, explore family-friendly attractions, outdoor activities, scenic hikes, art galleries, local history, unique shopping & delicious dining. Find more inspiration at YosemiteThisYear.com and the 41 Things To Do Around Highway 41 travel guide.
Read MoreWhen is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park? This seasonal travel guide breaks down spring, summer, fall & winter in Yosemite—what the park looks like, pros & cons of each season, top places to visit, and expert tips to help you plan the perfect road trip. Find out the best time to see raging waterfalls, fall colors, spring wildflowers, abundant wildlife, or snow-capped granite peaks.
Read MoreDiscover the best of Moonstone Beach in Cambria, CA, from stunning oceanfront views along its boardwalk & top restaurants on Moonstone Drive to charming hotels near the beach. Explore coastal gems like Fiscalini Ranch Preserve & Shamel Community Park, plus find the perfect place to stay, dine, and relax along California’s Central Coast. Plan your Cambria getaway with this ultimate travel guide!
Read MoreEmbark on a California desert road trip to explore otherworldly landscapes, unique rock formations, and stunning desert scenery. Visit Red Rock Canyon, Trona Pinnacles, Death Valley National Park, Alabama Hills & Fossil Falls. Discover epic stargazing, hidden hikes, scenic drives, and surreal photo spots on this unforgettable desert adventure with this complete travel guide & itinerary.
Read MoreExplore Fiscalini Ranch Preserve in Cambria, CA—a scenic coastal gem along Highway 1. Discover over 8 miles of hiking trails with ocean views, Monterey pine forests & abundant wildlife. Enjoy ADA-accessible Bluff Trail, unique benches & year-round free access. Perfect for hiking, birdwatching & photography. Don’t miss my 2-3 Day Central Coast Itinerary & Travel Guide for more adventures nearby!
Read MorePlan the perfect day trip to Death Valley National Park! Check out this 1 day itinerary, which includes top spots to visit in Death Valley, including hiking details and viewpoints of Death Valley's iconic landmarks, including Badwater Basin and Zabriskie Point. If you're planning a multi-day road trip, download my complete 2-3 Day Itinerary & Travel Guide, which includes hotel & dining info.
Read MorePlan the perfect day trip to Saguaro National Park! Check out this 1 day itinerary, which includes 10 top spots to visit in Saguaro West & East, including hiking details and viewpoints of Saguaro's best areas, Bajada Loop Drive, Cactus Forest Drive, and Signal Hill. If you're planning a multi-day road trip, download my complete 2 Day Itinerary & Travel Guide, which includes hotel & dining info.
Read MoreDiscover everything you need to know for your visit to Morro Bay State Park! This guide covers top activities like kayaking, hiking & wildlife watching, plus tips on camping, visiting the Natural History Museum & exploring the Morro Estuary. Looking for scenic trails, birdwatching spots, or stunning views of Morro Rock along the California Central Coast – this travel guide has you covered.
Read MorePlan the perfect day trip to Joshua Tree National Park! Check out this 1 day itinerary, which includes 6 top spots to visit in Joshua Tree, including hiking details and viewpoints of Joshua Tree's iconic landmarks, including Arch Rock, Heart Rock & Skull Rock. If you're planning a multi-day road trip, download my complete 2-3 Day Itinerary & Travel Guide, which includes hotel & dining info.
Read MoreExplore the beauty of Mica View Trail in Saguaro National Park East! Discover accessible hiking in the Cactus Forest, stunning views of Mica Mountain, unique cacti like saguaros and chollas, and abundant desert wildlife. Learn about the area's rich history, including Indigenous heritage and conservation efforts. Perfect for nature lovers seeking an easy hike in Tucson's Rincon Mountains!
Read MoreWhat is Zzyzx Road? If you've ever taken a road trip from LA to Vegas along I-15, you've probably seen this strange Zzyzx road sign near Baker, CA. Located in Mojave National Preserve, this roadside stop was once a "health resort" in the mid 1900s, and now the abandoned structures are home the Desert Studies Center. Visitors are welcome to explore parts of the grounds, so let's take a look!
Read MoreToday I'm sharing my favorite camping gear and adventure travel essentials from this year. Looking for a great gift for your spouse or camping buddy? Check out my full product reviews of inflatable kayaks, pop-up tents, sleeping bags, hiking poles, portable power stations, folding chairs, head lamps, and more...all perfect for the upcoming holidays and for your next camping & outdoor adventure.
Read MoreLooking for the best spot to camp & kayak in the Eastern SIerra Nevada Mountains? Join me today as I share my complete travel guide to a camping & kayaking adventure at Convict Lake in the Inyo National Forest. Located in between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop along HIghway 395, this alpine lake is perfect for photography, fishing, boating, and camping, especially during autumn with the fall colors.
Read MoreSeeing the Fall colors at North Lake is bucket list experience. This week we're camping at the North Lake Campground in the High Sierra, with quick & easy access to several hiking trails as well as capturing epic & iconic photography of North Lake during peak Fall season. This is my top spot to camp in the Eastern Sierra near Bishop, CA, surrounded by quaking aspen trees & the autumn foliage.
Read MoreWondering where to see giant trees in California? One of the best spots to hike among some of the largest, oldest & tallest trees in the world is at the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park near Wawona & Oakhurst. Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to learn about the rich history, top hiking trails, and info to plan your next Yosemite adventure vacation & road trip.
Read More
