california state park — Blog — Flying Dawn Marie | Travel blog, guides & itineraries for adventurous travellers

Spring Wildflowers at Red Rock Canyon State Park

Looking for the top places to see Spring wildflowers in California? Check out this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to see current conditions of Red Rock Canyon State Park along Highway 14 north of Mojave. This desert superbloom makes a great SoCal road trip from Los Angeles. This underrated park also provides camping at the Ricardo Campground, which is perfect for stargazing & astrophophotography.

Nature Trail & River Path Loop - Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide about hiking the Nature Trail & River Path Loop in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. The trailhead is right next to Big Sur Lodge off of Highway 1, and this easy family friendly hike takes you along the Big Sur River, through an old growth grove of coastal redwood trees, and by old structures & cabins build by the CCC. This is an easy trail with great views.

Big Sur, California, Forest, Hiking, State ParksDawn MarieJanuary 22, 2024big sur, big sur lodge, pfeiffer big sur state park, state park, pfeiffer, pfeiffer beach, pfeiffer big sur, big sur state park, california, california state park, state parks, redwood, redwoods, redwood trees, coastal redwoods, big sur redwoods, big sur hotels, easy hike, easy trail, big sur easy trails, big sur easy hikes, what to do in big sur, where to go in big sur, places to go in big sur, things to do in big sur, what to do, places to go, big sur trails, big sur hiking, big sur hikes, best hikes in big sur, top hikes in big sur, top trails in big sur, best trails in big sur, highway 1, big sur hotel, best hotels in big sur, redwood hikes, redwood hiking, road trip, ca road trip, central california, central coast, nature trail, river path, redwood deck, homestead, homestead restaurant, ccc, civilian conservation corps, cabin, big sur cabin, tall trees, giant trees, old treesComment

Monarch Butterfly Grove - Thousands of Butterflies in Pismo Beach, CA

Currently there are 16,000 western monarch butterflies at the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove along CA Highway 1. If you're wondering where to see monarchs in California, this butterfly colony is one of the largest in the state and can be enjoyed every November thru February during the monarch winter migration. This is one of my top things to do in Pismo Beach & along the central coast.

Beach, California, State ParksDawn MarieDecember 11, 2023monarch butterfly, monarch butterflies, butterflies, butterfly grove, monarch grove, monarch butterfly grove, pismo beach, pismo state beach, state park, ca state park, state parks, california, california state park, pismo, shell beach, highway 1, us 101, pacific ocean, pismo state beach monarch butterfly grove, butterfly migration, monarch migration, where to see butterflies, where to see monarchs, what to do in pismo beach, things to do in pismo beach, central california, central coast, california coast, road trip, ca road trip, day trip, los angeles day trip, weekend road trip, road trip ideas, school trip, school trip ideas, field trip, field trip ideas, san luis obispo, what to do in san luis obispo, winter in pismo, what to do in winter, travel guide, travel blog, visitor guide, visitors guideComment

Remembering at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park in the Central Valley of California. Situated a few hours away from San Francisco and Los Angeles, this small CA State Park is one of the top things to do in Bakersfield. Learn about the African American pioneers that founded this town, and explore the old structures as we celebrate Black History Month.

Tule Elk State Natural Reserve Visitors Guide

Reach this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the Tule Elk State Natural Reserve. This California State Park is home to the once nearly extinct tule elk, and has been responsible for the repopulation of these elk that once thrived in the Central Valley and throughout the state. Today we'll take a guided auto tour and get up close views of elk and other wildlife on this nature preserve.

Best California Trips for 2023 Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the best trips in California to take in 2023. Listed out in this article are 6 top road trips to take during each season, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. We'll explore mountain adventures in Yosemite and Lassen Volcanic National Park, as well as beach destinations in Big Sur. We'll head to the desert to discover unique landscapes in Death Valley.

Beach, Big Sur, California, Death Valley, Desert, Eastern Sierra, Forest, Hiking, Lassen, Mountains, National Parks, YosemiteDawn MarieJanuary 2, 2023road trip, california road trip, california things to do, california places, california, northern california, southern california, central california, desert, mountains, death valley, yosemite, yosemite valley, yosemite valley hotel, ahwahnee, ahwahnee hotel, death valley national park, national park, national park service, national parks, california national parks, state park, ca state park, california state park, big sur, garrapata, garrapata state park, limekiln, limekiln state park, treebones, mcway falls, waterfall, waterfalls, yosemite falls, vernal fall, nevada fall, mist trail, mirror lake, lassen, lassen peak, lassen national park, lassen volcanic national park, volcano, voclanic, lake helen, bumpass hell, sulphur works, things to do, places to go, death valley places to go, death valley things to do, seasons, fall, winter, summer, spring, autumn, yosemite in spring, yosemite in winter, death valley in winter, lassen in summer, eastern sierra, eastern sierras, fall colors, fall foliage, eastern sierra in fall, big sur in summer, california coast, central coast, sierra nevadas, north lake, aspendell, lake, lakes, bishop, highway 395, highway 1Comment

Ghost Town Adventure at Bodie State Historic Park

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the California ghost town of Bodie State Historic Park along Highway 395. Located a half hour north of Lee Vining and the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite National Park, this Gold Rush boomtown has been preserved in a state of arrested decay by the CA State Park Service and showcases 200 old structures, including a jail, schoolhouse, church, and bank.

Balancing Rock Nature Trail - DL Bliss State Park

Today we're in D.L. Bliss State Park in the South Lake Tahoe area enjoying a gentle hike along the Balancing Rock Nature Trail. This large precarious granite boulder has been fascinating visitors for centuries.

California, Hiking, Lake Tahoe, Northern California, State ParksDawn MarieJune 27, 2022lake tahoe, south lake tahoe, dl bliss, state park, california, california state park, balancing rock, hiking, trails, tahoeComment

Big Tree Wayside - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Today we're exploring the Big Tree Wayside in Redwood National and State Parks. This giant redwood tree is found in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and is an easy family friendly hike.

McWay Falls - Big Sur, CA

McWay Falls along Highway 1 is one of the most magical waterfalls in all of Big Sur, California. Located 35 miles south of Carmel inside of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park along the central coast, this 80 foot waterfall is actually a tide fall during high tide (meaning it pours directly into the Pacific Ocean).

Garrapata Sate Park - Big Sur, CA

Today we're exploring Garrapata State Park along Cabrillo Highway in Big Sur, California. This central coast Highway 1 destination is filled with picturesque rocky shorelines, hiking trails, wildlife, and redwood trees.