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The best way to visit this beach is to take a small boat or ferry that goes past the famous El Arco.  You get an up close view of the arch!   Located at the tip of Cabo San Lucas, Lover's beach is beautiful with ocean views on both sides.  One side is called Lover's Beach, while the other side is called Divorced Beach.  Divorced Beach usually has people sunbathing topless, while Lover's Beach i...

Ala Moana Beach Park is a popular spot for many locals to spend the day and relax.  There are several different reefs to surf at Ala Moana Beach Park and the paddle out is quite a distance. However, you will be rewarded with fun waves, regardless of which peak you choose.  The best time to surf is during the summer months with a south swell.

Grant Park is located on the east side of Chicago. It is a great place to spend the day and explore. From the famous "Bean", which is actually named "the cloud", to Buckingham Fountain there is plenty to see in this park. It is also a great place to see the Chicago skyline, as well as have a picnic in the many different fields!

This is a very popular spot to hike up to from Conzelman Road. You can find parking in the lot or on the street and do the quick hike up to Battery Spencer. You can get a perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge and SF from the Marin side of the Bay. This is a unique perspective as you also get the City in the background.

Creek Street is a historic boardwalk that is on the bank of Ketchikan Creek.  You can take a stroll along the boardwalk and venture over to the Salmon Ladder Vista, to see loads of salmon working hard to go upstream.  If you are luck, you might be able to see the creek swarming with salmon trying to leap vertically up a waterfall.  There are many places to taste or buy salmon in all forms here.

Shell Beach is north of downtown Pismo Beach. This is a fun wave that works best during the fall and winter months. It's a beach break with both lefts and rights. The wave is rippable and is less popular than waves at the pier or at Morro Bay. However, the wave is much less consistent than the other 2 waves.

Pompeii and its inhabitants were buried after the catastrophic volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.  It is now a vast archaeological site with excavated houses, streets, and artifacts that visitors can roam and explore. There are 2 main entrances to Pompeii:  Porta Marina (main entrance) - Guided tours and audioguides can be bought here. Piazza Anfiteatro (less trafficked) - You can g...

This is a popular trail that has beach access to Cowell Ranch Beach.  Along the trail, there is a steep staircase that goes down to the beach.  The trail also features fields, a bridge, and beautiful views of California's rugged coastline.  This trail is paved in some parts, and can also be biked or jogged.

This is a short hike on the outskirts of Corvallis.  It's a popular hiking/trail running destination. There are several vantage points that overlook the city of Corvallis and Willamette Valley.  It's a great place to visit if you want to do a short hike in the town of Corvallis.

Spend a day exploring Golden Gate Park by jogging, cycling, or leisurely strolling.  There are so many fantastic stops in the park including a variety of lakes, playgrounds, a golf course, the California Academy of Science, the Conservatory of Flowers, and much much more!  It is definitely worth spending a day here. The Conservatory of Flowers is a greenhouse and botanical garden that houses n...

Bear Valley is a family friendly destination for snowshoeing and snow play.  There are numerous trails to explore while snowshoeing.  Don't be afraid to take a break and start a snowball fight!  There are shops located near the resort to rent snowshoes and other snow play accessories. There are spacious parking lots with nearby hills for sledding.

Does this place look familiar?  That's because San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is the location where HBO's Game of Thrones filmed the fictional location of Dragonstone.  This relatively short hike is absolutely beautiful.  It is in the Basque country of Spain.  This memorable and iconic location will have you looking up to the sky wondering where the dragons are!

Marias is a popular surf spot in Rincon, Puerto Rico.  Rincon itself is a beautiful surf town on the west side of the island.  The wave is primarily a right hand reef break that works best on north swells.  It's also a great place to catch a sunset!

Starting at the Yosemite Falls Trailhead in Yosemite Valley, the trek up to the Upper Yosemite Falls overlook has a steep 3,175 ft elevation gain across switchbacks, rocks, and gravelly trails.  Hiking poles recommended, but not necessary.  The trail to Yosemite Point beyond Upper Yosemite Falls is much milder and offers a great view of Half Dome at the end. Remember to bring plenty of water a...

Lake Elizabeth is located in central Fremont.  It offers a nice break from the city streets and can be enjoyed by walkers, joggers, and bikers alike.  It is a park for all ages.   Other attractions include volleyball nets, multiple playgrounds, and aqua adventure park, geese, and peddle boats. Barbecues and picnics are also allowed.  There are occasional deer sightings, many ducks, and many g...

Ragged Point is a quick stop off Hwy1 in Big Sur. It offers amazing vistas of where the mountains meet the ocean. There are scenic spots overlooking both the North and the South. The southern vista overlooks San Carpoforo Creek. Big Sur is truly one of the most beautiful places in California, and you'll never run out of places to see!

There are a bunch of beginner to intermediate mountain biking trails at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve (click here for a trail map).  There are some beginner mountain biking classes that come here to learn. There is a Christmas tree farm that usually has small Christmas trees growing.  On a rainy day, mountain biking here is particularly fun because of the muddy downhill sections.   Ther...

This trail starts out going downhill towards the ocean for the first half, which makes for a tough end to the hike as you trek back up the ridge.  However, there are nice ocean and hilltop views that are worth the climb. On this trail, you'll pass 60+ banana slugs if conditions are right. They are spread out along the trail, so watch your step!

This quiet 10 mile hike features a winding creek and tall redwoods throughout the trail.  The parking at the Fall Creek Trailhead is limited, so it is best to get there before 10am.  There are redwoods very close to the trail and a good portion is alongside the creek.  Most of the trail is dirt, though the end becomes very sandy. Snakes have been seen many times on the trail, so proper footwea...

This is a moderately rated 4-mile loop trail that winds through the redwoods west of Saratoga.  It features a dirt trail with tall trees and a creek.  The hike is very tranquil and there is lot s of greenery.  There are big rocks in the creek that can you can sit on.  People often meditate here as it is very peaceful and relaxing with the sound of the creek and birds. It is not as crowded duri...

Just south of Ragged Point, San Carpoforo Creek is an open beach that is fun to explore. There is a quick hike from the highway to the beach.  During heavy rain years, the creek will be flowing deeper, so you might need to do some swimming. There are waves occasionally here with a couple of surfers. The conditions are fickle and it isn’t the easiest place to check so it limits the crowd.  This...