California

Tunnel log is a massive fallen sequoia across the middle of the road, which is a great photo opportunity for visitors of the national park. The mammoth tree fell over in 1937, but a year later, a car tunnel was carved in the middle of its trunk so vehicles could still pass through. Although the...

It's a short walk down to the beach and there is a nice trail that follows along the creek. Be sure to check the forecast when heading out to Stillwater Cove. If it's sunny a few miles inland, fog may still be on the coast, making it quite a bit cooler. Make sure you pack extra layers just in cas...

From the moment you turn into the parking lot, you know Marina State Beach is special. Grab a parking spot in the large lot and then run down the dunes and onto the shoreline! The beach feels spacious on this section of the shore and gives plenty of room to run around or to put down a blanket to ...

Located near the Angeles National Forest, it's a short hike, approx. 0.75 miles roundtrip and just about anybody can go. To get there, input the intersection of Mt. Baldy Rd. and Barrett Stoddard Truck Trail into your GPS. This will bring you to a small dirt parking lot. The trailhead starts a...

Four Mile Trail is steep, but hikers efforts are more than rewarded. Union Point sits above Yosemite Valley at 6,332 feet - offering sweeping views of El Capitan and the valley entrance to the left, and North Dome / Half Dome & Clouds Rest to the right. You can also see Yosemite Falls straigh...

The Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area is just outside of downtown LA, a perfect location for hiking, trail running, and biking. The trail loops up to the top of a hill, where hikers get sweeping views of LA. Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on leash.  This is also a great location for trail running...

Stinson beach is a popular destination for Bay Area residents and tourists alike.  Located just 20 miles north of San Francisco, it is a 30-40 min drive away from the Golden Gate Bridge (it's a one-lane windy road once you're on HWY 1).  It is also a popular stop when hiking the nearby Mount Tama...

Ocean views the whole time, plenty of wildlife and different species of native plants make this short hike beautiful. With the hike being short enough to complete in the afternoon after a day at the beach you can see a beautiful view of the coastline north and south. There is plenty of parking in...

The Ventura River and Ojai Valley Trail, effectively the same trail, is a gorgeous 32 mile trail that runs from Seaside Park in Ventura to downtown Ojai. It runs along and across the Ventura River and through the Ventura Canyon, with views up and down numerous side canyons and ravines. The trail ...

...As many of us enjoy a good hot spring to relax in, I think most will agree that it’s even better when it’s free and out in nature. If you decide to have a little bit more of a luxurious hot spring experience, you can continue to take that road about another mile to the Keough Hot Springs campi...

A day at the Silver Strand State Beach is a must, playing in the surf and searching for seashells. Parking can be challenging, as all beaches on Coronado Island are very busy.  I recommend coming early in the morning and planning to stay all day.  Lots of food options are close to every be...

This area is spectacular - the views of the cliffs, the channels of water entering the caves, and the marine life (sea lions, whales, dolphins, sea urchin and sea anemone) are huge draws. Bring anyone here that has a sense of adventure and be ready to get wet. Only attempt swimming across the cha...

The vast diversity of terrain of Santa Rosa Island in the Channel Islands National Park is matched in uniqueness only by its own flora and fauna, in particular the endangered and endemic Torrey Pine. The best way to view and experience these strange, broad trees is via the Torrey Pines Trail, whi...

Manzanita Lake campground is located about 1/2 mile past the Northwest entrance of Lassen Volcanic National Park.  The trailhead is located just before the campground sites about 0.1 mile off of the main road and marked with a sign (including a  map) and a few parking spaces.   The trail starts o...

Spend a few nights under the stars in a unique piece of outdoor history. The Oak Flat Lookout, constructed in 1934, was once staffed by rangers providing critical wild life management services on watch for wildfires in the surrounding Sequoia National Forest through the 1980s. The Oak Flat lookou...

Signs at the trail head for the Taber Trail state it is 1.1 miles long. That is much shorter than the actual 1.8 miles my GPS put it at. The trail sign also claims it is wheelchair accessible. I can see that for a little ways but as the trail begins to climb, I think this would be a tough go.  Th...