Today we're hiking to a less visited waterfall in Yosemite National Park in the small town of Foresta, California. The trail to Foresta Falls takes you down the old Foresta dirt Road along Crane Creek through a pine forest that has been badly burned from recent wildfires.
Read MoreToday we're exploring Big Stump Trail, the remnants of giant sequoia trees in Kings Canyon National Park in California near General Grant Grove. These massive tree trunks, like the Mark Twain Tree stump, were sadly cut down over a century ago by loggers and to prove to the rest of the world that these massive sequoia trees existed.
Read MoreMcWay 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).
Read MoreToday we're in Yosemite National Park hiking up the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls. This is a popular and classic Yosemite waterfall hike along the Merced River. We'll also enjoy views of Yosemite Falls, Illilouette Falls, Emerald Pool, Half Dome, Liberty Cap, and the Silver Apron as we hike up the Mist Trail and back down the John Muir Trail.
Read MoreToday we’re heading into Big Sur in the Los Padres National Forest to the Pacific Valley Bluff Trail just 16 miles north of Ragged Point. Just north of Treebones Resort, Sand Dollar Beach, & Jade Cove, this easy hike provides fields of wildflowers and California poppies, as well as views of sea stacks and the rugged central coastline.
Read MoreWelcome to the pristine waters of North Lake Tahoe at Sand Harbor Nevada State Park. The turquoise waters of this top Tahoe attraction is a popular Instagram spot and destination for photographers. Take a swim in the clear blue water, capture pictures, and rock hop from boulder to boulder.
Read MoreToday we're hiking the steep trail down to Young Creek Beach to view Black Swift Falls near Ragged Point Inn and Resort. This short but strenuous hike offers magnificent views of the waterfall and California's Big Sur coastline.
Read MoreToday we're hiking to Eagle Lake and Eagle Falls in the South Tahoe area. This trail offers beautiful views of Emerald Bay State Park from the Desolation Wilderness, and leads you to a bridge that stretches over the easily accessible Upper Eagle Falls.
Read MoreToday we're hiking along the trail to the historic Wall Street Stamp Mill in Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. Bill Keys processed ore on this site after there was a second gold rush in the 1930s, and many of the old structures are still intact. We'll explore rusted out cars, an old wind mill, the gold stamp mill, and the ruins of the Wonderland Ranch.
Read MoreSequoia National Park is our country's second oldest National Park, established in 1890. Today we’re hiking to Moro Rock and Hanging Rock along Crescent Meadow Road, two trails that lead to spectacular views of San Joaquin Valley, Generals Highway, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We'll also hike to the nearby Roosevelt Tree, named after Theodore Roosevelt.
Read MoreToday we're taking the easy hike along the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail in the Yosemite Valley during the Winter season. This Yosemite National Park highlight is a must see, and easy to access year round. Not only will we see a rainbow at the base of the falls, but we'll go to the spot where John Muir built a sugar pine cabin.
Read MoreToday we're exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California. This underrated National Park has so much to offer, including ancient and dormant volcanoes, hydrothermal activity, prestine lakes, and abundant wildlife. Sign up for a FREE Travel Guide for a perfect weekend adventure.
Read MoreToday we're exploring D L Bliss State Park on the California side of Lake Tahoe. This park boasts beautiful views of the lake from Calawee Cove, Lester Beach, and Rubicon Trail. We'll also discover Balancing Rock Nature Trail and the historic Rubicon Point Lighthouse.
Read MoreToday 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.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the 2025 Firefall in Yosemite National Park. This natural phenomenon occurs every February when light from the setting sun hits Horsetail Fall just right, giving the illusion that the waterfall is flowing with flames on the side of El Capitan. This visitor guide covers park reservations, parking information, and restrictions for the 2025 season.
Read MoreWhat are the best views in Yosemite? Taft Point is one of the best places to visit in Yosemite National Park, and it provides the best clifftop overlooks in the park with panoramic views of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Cathedral Rocks & the Merced River meandering through the Yosemite Valley below. Accessed from Glacier Point Road, Taft Point is also a top spot for sunset and wildlife viewing.
Read MoreArch Rock and Heart Rock are two instagrammable rock formations you won't want to miss on your next trip Joshua Tree National Park near Palm Springs in Southern California. Located just behind the popular White Tank Campground, you can hike to these boulders in under two miles round trip. This is a great spot for astro photography as well as enjoying a sunrise.
Read MoreToday we're heading out along the central coast to one of the largest state parks in California, Montana de Oro State Park. Located just 6 miles southwest of Morro Bay near San Luis Obispo, CA, this park boasts a unique habitat that covers over 8,000 acres, including 7 miles of rich shoreline with 3 unique beaches and vibrant tide pools.
Read MoreToday we're taking the 1/4 mile trail through the Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree National Park near Palm Springs, California. We'll be getting there before dawn to enjoy the sunrise, which makes these cacti glow as they're backlit by the low sun.
Read MoreJade Cove is an amazing hidden gem located at the southern end of Big Sur along the California Highway 1 coastline. North of San Simeon and south of Carmel, this secluded beach is a perfect spot to avoid the crowds.
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