The Twin Lakes area is a great spot to see California's Eastern Sierra Fall foliage. Comprised of two main lakes, Upper and Lower Twin Lakes, this area is often referred to as “California’s Alps” where the Sawtooth Ridge and Sierra Crest divide the Twin Lakes Basin from Yosemite National Park and the scenery is nothing short of stunning. Enjoy trout fishing, hiking and nature photography here.
Read MoreVirginia Lakes basin is a wonderful spot to enjoy California's Eastern Sierra Fall foliage. Hidden just six miles off Highway 395 near Conway Summit (in between Lee Vining and Bridgeport), Virginia Lakes consists of nearly a dozen alpine lakes located at 9,000 to over 11,000 feet high in the Sierra. For hiking, fishing and outdoor adventures in nature this is a can't miss area during autumn.
Read MoreDesert Ecology Trail is located in Arizona's Saguaro National Park at the East Rincon Mountain District. This family friendly path is only 0.3 miles & the trail is paved. Numerous interpretive panels line the trail with information on the history of this area, the wildlife found here, native plants and much more. This is a popular trail for birders and you can relax on multiple benches here.
Read MoreLocated inside Sequoia National Park directly off Generals Highway, Hazelwood Nature Loop is an easy, family friendly hike that comes in at under 1.5 miles with 50 feet in elevation change. The trail begins past a fallen sequoia tunnel log and it circles for just over half a mile with minimal elevation gain through one of the most lush yet intimate trails in the Giant Forest.
Read MoreLocated along the Tuolumne River just off Tioga Road in the heart of Yosemite National Park, the trail to Soda Springs and Parsons Memorial Lodge is a can’t miss high country hike.
The hike begins begins by crossing the famous Pacific Crest Trail briefly with wonderful views of Lembert Dome in the distance and this easy hike leads you to the natural springs and the historic landmark lodge.
Read MoreSignal Hill Petroglyphs are located on the west side of Saguaro National Park. The short hike is less that 0.25 miles and over 200 prehistoric Native American Petroglyphs are located here. The Signal Hill petroglyphs were created by the local Hoboken people and the full Signal Hill Petroglyphs site encompasses a unique rocky hill approximately 4o feet high and 200 feet in diameter at its base.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel blog before your visit to drive through Tunnel Log inside California's Sequoia National Park. Located in the Giant Forest surrounded by mature giant sequoia trees, tunnel log fell across the road nearly a century ago. National park visitors and tourists can come drive their vehicles through this fallen giant sequoia. This is a must stop spot inside the park.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie hotel review on Lucia Lodge along the Big Sur coastline. Located along Pacific Coast Highway 1, aka Cabrillo Highway, this Big Sur hotel is a great place to stay when taking a road trip along California's central coast. This week I'm reviewing the Honeymoon Cottage, Room # 10, which is one of the original cabins built 100 years ago with a panoramic ocean view.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide about the hike up Pothole Dome in Yosemite National Park. Located along Tioga Road in the Tuolumne Meadows near the Tioga Pass Entrance, this is a great family friendly hiking trail and one of my top things to do in Yosemite's high country. Atop this granite feature we'll have spectacular views of Unicorn Peak, Cockscomb Peak, and the Cathedral Range.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to exploring the top things to do along a Tioga Pass road trip, one of the most underrated sections of Yosemite National Park. When Tioga Road opens for the season, there are so many places to go, including Olmsted Point with views of Half Dome, Tenaya Lake, Lembert Dome, Tuolomne Meadow, and multiple waterfalls that flow in late Spring / early Summer.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to exploring Columns of the Giants along Sonora Pass Highway 108 in the Sierra Nevadas of CA. Hiking this family friendly trail is one of my top things to do on a road trip through Stanislaus National Forest. The short paved path takes you over the Middle Fork Stanislaus River to basalt rock formations formed by volcanic and glacial activity long ago.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking the Pohono Trail to Inspiration Point in Yosemite National Park. Inspiration Point and Artist Point are great alternatives to Tunnel View if you want to avoid crowds. This is a moderate hike and overlook spot to see El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Fall, and the Yosemite Valley. Photographers enjoy this viewpoint for sunrise and sunset.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to driving the famous 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea on the Monterey Peninsula in central California, this scenic drive one of the best things to do along the central coast. Each stop provides beautiful coastal views, such as the Spanish Bay Beach, Bird Rock, Crocker Grove, Pebble Beach Golf Links, and Lone Cypress Tree.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting each viewpoint along Desert View Drive in Grand Canyon National Park. Driving to these overlooks is one of the best family friendly things to do in Grand Canyon. Stops include Navajo Point, Desert View Watchtower, Lipan Point, Shoshone Trail, Duck on a Rock Viewpoint, Pipe Creek Vista, Moran Point, Yaki Point, and Grandview Point.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Carmel, CA. Located near Monterey and Big Sur, this California State Park contains multiple hiking trails that take you along bluff tops, turquoise waters, and abundant wildlife. Some of the top things to do is to see the Whalers Cabin, China Cove, Sea Lion Point, Bird Island, and Cypress Grove Trail.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting the Lowell Historic District in Bisbee, AZ. One of the popular things to do in Arizona is walking down Erie Street, lined with vintage cars, antique signs & old buildings. Lowell is located just south of Old Bisbee and the Copper Queen Mine near the Lavender Pit. Stop for food at the Bisbee Breakfast Club, one of best restaurants in Bisbee.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for hiking to Partington Cove along the central California coast. This short hike is one of the top things to do in Big Sur and leads to a cove with turquoise waters through coastal redwoods and an old logging tunnel. The trail runs alongside seasonal cascade waterfalls that flow into the Pacific Ocean where there is beach access at Partington Point.
Read MoreBookmark this Complete Guide to Yosemite Waterfalls for your next visit to Yosemite National Park. In this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide, you'll learn about all the major waterfalls found inside the park, along with details on hiking trails, viewpoints, and best times of year to visit. Take a virtual visit along the Mist Trail to Nevada & Vernal Falls, and to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking the trail to Wapama Falls in the Hetch Hetchy area of Yosemite National Park. Located near the town of Groveland, this waterfall hike takes you alongside the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which was formed a century ago when the Hetch Hetchy Valley was flooded by the creation of the O'Shaughnessy Dam, providing water to the city of San Francisco.
Read MoreJoin me on the Flying Dawn Marie travel blog today as we explore the current flood conditions in Yosemite National Park. The Merced River is flooding the Yosemite Valley and almost touching the Swinging Bridge and Pohono Bridge. Waterfalls, such as Bridalveil Fall, Ribbon Fall, Horsetail Fall, the Cascades, and Yosemite Falls are roaring and can be enjoyed from many popular viewpoints.
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