Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada is the official largest alpine lake on the continent.  Straddling the border between the US states of California and Nevada, it is nestled between snow-dusted mountains and surrounded by verdant pine forests, it’s a very popular place to visit. This can make it difficult to decide what to do there. In an effort to assist you in organizing your itinerary, here are the 10 best things to do in Lake Tahoe. 

The 10 Best Things To Do In Lake Tahoe

1. Emerald Bay State Park

There are a number of different hiking trails that will take you to the underwater state park and official national natural landmark known as Emerald Bay State Park. Situated on Lake Tahoe’s west shore, this state park is a favorite for its various hiking trails and a well-known jump-off point to explore the popular Vikingsholm mansion which hosts tours in the summer. Additionally, you can go kayaking along Emerald Bay’s pristine shoreline and even head out onto the water for a memorable adventure. 

It’s such a serene place. If you enjoy epic, excellent views, check out Emerald Bay State Park Lookout. From there, you will enjoy exceptional views of lovely Lake Tahoe.  

It’s also said by some to be the perfect place to begin a hike along the shoreline as well. Enjoy live music? Be sure to visit the Tallac Historic Site located not far from the park.  

This group of historic estates is favored for the numerous festivals it hosts. For example, there’s the famous two-day Gatsby Festival, celebrated in August. It comes complete with several other themed events, jazz concerts, and related “Roaring Twenties” parties.

There’s also the Valhalla Estate where the locals hold the Valhalla Art, Music, and Theatre Festival. It is highlighted by cultural events, performances, and shows. If you’re into camping, break camp at the Eagle Point Campground. Just remember to take precautions as black bears “camp” there too!

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Kings Beach

Kings Beach is nestled on Lake Tahoe’s northern shore. Some travelers include a visit to this beach as a mandatory stop on a bigger road trip between Nevada and California. Anchor yourself here for a few days and explore the assorted eateries and indie boutiques.

Have a picnic or two at any one of the different picnic spots at the Kings Beach State Recreation Area. Up for some watersports? Rent a kayak or paddleboard and hit the lake.  

If you need more sun and sand, visit the nigh-iconic Speedboat Beach. Feeling athletic? Take a healthy hike to the popular Historic Stateline Fire Lookout and enjoy the views. The trail is steep in some places but is relatively short and otherwise easy to do.

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Echo Lake

Less than 25 minutes from Lake Tahoe, you will discover Echo Lake. This popular summer spot is also worth a couple of hours of attention. In addition to the water, there are some noteworthy hiking trails here as well.

Indeed, seasoned hikers say that the Lake Aloha Trail is especially beautiful. Enjoy a bite to eat at the Lower Echo picnic site. It is generally quiet and free of crowds of tourists to boot.

If you’re more of a snow bunny, visit this spot at the same time you book a ski trip to the popular Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort less than five miles away. Don’t forget to get your lift pass ASAP, and if need be, you can rent skis too. It is also good to know that the assorted eateries atop the mountain can be a bit pricey.

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D.L. Bliss State Park

Not far from Emerald Bay, visiting distinctive D.L. Bliss State Park is reportedly the best place to be if you simply want some peace and quiet. As this goes to press, the area is not well publicized or that built up and veteran visitors say it will make you feel as if you are “a million miles away” from the hubbub of civilization. Do you enjoy camping?

This is a comparatively small campground available with crude firepits and a small shower area as well. If you enjoy water sports consider kayaking on little Lester Beach. You can also hike on the Rubicon Trail and check out the historic Rubicon Point Light. The views are well worth it. Don’t forget to visit cozy Calawee Cove Beach either.

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The Tahoe Rim Trail

If you’re the athletic type who is always in search of a challenge, then try hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail. This trail is all about exercise, excitement, and sore calves if you’re not in shape! It is a loop trail that is 165 miles long and circles Lake Tahoe.

No worries though as you can always complete the trail in sections if need be. Some travelers just hike the portions they prefer. You can do a group of small day hikes as there are a number of different trailheads available.

If you enjoy stunning panoramic views of majestic mountain tops, serene meadows, and calm lakes, consider hiking through distinctive Desolation Valley and the popular Carson Range. Check the condition of your hiking boots and stock up on sunscreen and all the essentials. Perhaps more importantly, don’t forget about the bears who live here in Lake Tahoe either. 

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The Mt. Tallac Hike

Mighty Mount Tallac is 9,735 feet high. That makes it one of the tallest mountains in the area. This can be a challenging trek for an average hiker due to the elevation and terrain of crushed granite and loose rocks. Still, those in the know say the view from the top makes it all worth it.

Enjoy the views of Cathedral Lake, Fallen Leaf Lake, and Gilmore Lake. From atop the mountain, you will get an epic view of Lake Tahoe too. The views of Granite Lake and Desolation Wilderness are also breathtaking. This hike is not for beginners, so put some miles on your boot soles prior to tackling it.

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Sand Harbor State Park

Explore 50+ acred Sand Harbor State on Lake Tahoe’s Nevada side. When in Nevada, this is one of the best places to visit in Lake Tahoe. Here you will find fragrant pine forests, hidden coves, and beautiful beaches.  

Your visit can be a relaxing day of sightseeing or a fun-filled day of water sports. Go for a dip or rent a kayak. If you like hiking, both the Sand Point Nature Trail and the popular Memorial Point Trail offer adventurers striking views of beaches and coves.  

Feeling like a culture vulture? Great! Reserve your tickets for the popular Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. You can enjoy some awesome outdoor performances right there in the park.

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The Eagle Rock Hiking Trail

Eagle Rock is a well-known volcanic outcrop located a few hundred feet above the heart of Lake Tahoe. It affords travelers terrific views. The Eagle Rock Hiking Trail can be joined on Lake Tahoe’s western shore and is only four miles out of the city.

It is very popular and easily accessible. In less than half an hour you can complete the hike and experience the sweeping views of the lake and surrounding area as well. You should know that the trail can get a bit busy at times. If you wish to avoid too many other hikers, avoid weekends and head out early in the morning.  

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Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

Whether you are more interested in an outdoor adventure or an indoor tour, you will find it here at the popular but sometimes overlooked Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. If you’re taking a road trip from busy Tahoe City to the southern shoreline, this is an especially great place to stop. One memorable attraction here is the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion.

This manse was once the haughty home of the affluent family of famous financier Isaias W. Hellman. Tour and explore the interior of the mansion. Notice the dining room’s rich redwood paneling and the genuine Navajo rugs as well.

If you’re a hiker, you may want to visit in the summer. Just remember to start each hike early no matter which of the trails you choose. If you prefer the cooler months, winter is a good time to visit nearby Homewood Mountain Resort. It features some of the Lake Tahoe area’s best ski slopes regardless of your skill level and the views are said to be phenomenal. 

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Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park 

You will find this fun-filled adventure park in Tahoe City behind the well-known Granlibakken Resort. The exciting Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park offers visitors quite a different kind of outdoor activity. This is yet another must-see place and yet another way to get some exercise and stretch your legs.  

Some of the major highlights here include exciting zip lines, terrific tree-top platforms, and bridges as high as 50 feet. While this is a fun hot spot, veteran visitors can confirm that guests of the park often work out muscle groups that they forgot they had.  Get in shape now!  

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If you’re planning a trip to California and enjoy what lurks between the dark and the light, then wander no farther. Be it creepy, shadowed figures watching you from the cliffs or a floating ghost ship hotel, there is much to see (or run from!) in the “Golden State.” Here are 20 of the creepiest places in California!

20 Of The Creepiest Places In California

1.  The Dark Watchers, Big Sur

The Santa Maria Times reported that strange stories about the “mysterious figures” keeping watch on the allegedly inaccessible bluffs and peaks of the Santa Lucia Mountains harken back hundreds of years.

They were first officially documented by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo back in 1542 when he was sailing past the range. The Spanish settlers there called them “Los Vigilantes Oscuros”. Writer John Steinback claimed to have seen them and even referenced them in a short story titled “Flight”. These shadowy figures are generally seen at sundown, watching and waiting, and are almost 10 feet tall.

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The Preston Castle, Ione

The 230-acre, self-sufficient property Preston Castle was intended to be an alternative to a juvenile detention center. Offenders would be sent here to learn a trade instead of being imprisoned. It opened its gates in June of 1894.  

It soon gained a reputation as a place where both the staff and residents committed violent acts. No less than 16 young men died here. As a result of a brutal attack, housekeeper Anna Corbin also died here. In 1960 it was closed. Veteran visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices, doors slamming, and even “ghostly assaults.”

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The Cecil Hotel, Los Angeles

After the body of missing student, Elisa Lam was found in a closed water tank on the Cecil Hotel’s roof, the place became notorious. The mystery in which her death is enshrouded was made infamous when security footage of the co-ed behaving oddly in the hotel elevators went viral. Prior to this though, the Cecil had already garnered a bad reputation. Since its opening in 1942, several violent deaths have occurred there and two serial killers have been documented in the hotel logs. It’s reportedly one of the city’s most haunted hotels.

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The Brookdale Lodge, Santa Cruz

Built in 1890, The Brookdale Lodge has had numerous celebrity guests, including Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and President Hoover. A destructive fire and the death of a guest led to its closure in 2011. Prior to its six-year abandonment, several guests and employees claimed to have seen a little girl in a dated white dress running around here. She’s believed to be Sarah Logan, a girl who drowned in the creek there in 1892. Frequent sightings led to the designation of a specific area where people left books and toys that were often later discovered to have been moved.

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The Ghost Town of Cerro Gordo 

Cerro Gordo is a former mining town located in the Inyo Mountains. Founded in 1867, it once included brothels, hotels, and saloons. In the late 1870s, however, the price of silver dropped and it was abandoned. No less than 30 men died in the Cerro Gordo mines. Currently, the resident owner, Brent Underwood, has reported such unsettling events as books falling from shelves by themselves and lights coming on in abandoned buildings. Visitors to the town’s American Hotel reported spectral energies and strange sightings until it mysteriously burned down in June of 2020.

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The Point Sur Lighthouse, Monterey County 

One of the state’s most isolated and oldest lighthouses. It was erected in 1889. Regardless of its bright beacon, the coast surrounding the Point Sur lighthouse claimed multiple lives between multiple shipwrecks and the infamous 1935 crash of the USS Macon.  

Locals say it is now haunted by those who tragically died. Numerous people have reported seeing the specters of past lighthouse keepers too, including a tall male dressed in blue, walking the property. Paranormal investigators recorded a strange voice whispering: “Now she wants you to go home.”

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The Padre Hotel, Bakersfield

This luxury hotel, which opened in 1928, has a history of multiple tragedies. A fire caused several deaths in the 1950s. Next, there was an earthquake that killed children.  

Other people, tangled in torrid love triangles, committed suicide here by jumping off the roof. During renovations in 2010, both guests and staff noted a child’s handprint that couldn’t be cleaned or painted over. There were reported instances of poltergeist activity, and the appearance of ghostly apparitions as well.

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La Purisima, Lompoc

Founded in 1787, this Franciscan Mission was originally part of an early colonization movement that endangered the local Chumash Indians. The Spanish missionaries inadvertently introduced more than one deadly disease to the area that impacted on the Chumash people because they had no immunity. Thousands died in a relatively short time. La Purisima was abandoned sometime in the 1840s, but visitors still report having heard eerie whispers and shapes on the property of the present-day museum.

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The Evergreen Cemetery, Santa Cruz County 

This is one of the county’s oldest protestant cemeteries and one of the most active. Established in 1858, a diverse group of individuals rests here: artists, Chinese immigrants, gold prospectors, and travelers. Encounters with a number of different spirits have been documented as early as 1902. Whether it be an old lady tending to her vanishing cabin or distinctly disembodied childish laughter, this area is seemingly haunted.

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The Winchester Mystery House, San Jose 

Heiress Sarah Winchester lost her husband, her mother, and her father-in-law to tuberculosis within a single year. After their passing, she bought and started to renovate a little two-story house in San Jose that would go on to become the famous Winchester Mystery House. She spent 38 years adding strange architectural elements, resulting in a huge mansion that includes 47 stairways, 47 stairways, 161 rooms, and 10,000 windows.  

This was all done, allegedly, to confuse the ghosts of all those killed with Winchester rifles. Since her passing in 1922, many visitors have told of a plethora of paranormal encounters in the house, from feeling icy chills to the odd appearance of an unknown groundskeeper. Several paranormal experts have toured the property.

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The Queen Mary, Long Beach

Built during the 1930s, this famous luxury liner has a long and troubled past. The RMS Queen Mary once hosted the likes of such famous passengers as Clark Gable and Winston Winston Churchill. With the arrival of World War II, the vessel was rechristened the “Grey Ghost” and quickly converted to a mode of military transport.

While active, 49 deaths occurred aboard her. Today this retired ocean liner is a unique hotel. Both guests and staff have told tales of seeing spectral former passengers wandering the corridors, disembodied sounds, significant changes in temperature, and even “the echoing cries” of several small children.

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The Chilnualna Falls Trail, Yosemite National Park

This is a well-known 8.4-mile loop haunted hiking trail that leads past a trio of beautiful waterfalls and a peaceful lake. Ah, but placid Lake is perhaps deceptive. Ahwahneechee legend has it that a young boy once drowned in this very lake.

Veteran visitors report hearing the spirit of the boy calling for help. Best stay away though, local folklore also notes that anyone who goes into the lake to try to offer aid is also mysteriously drowned in its dark depths.

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“The Court of Mysteries”, Santa Cruz

You will find the enigmatic strange structure known locally as “The Court of Mysteries” at 519 Fair Avenue. The building was built by bricklayer Kenneth Kitchen in the 1930s. Its design was obviously inspired by Hindi temples and includes astrological motifs and arcane patterns.

Kitchen only worked at night in an attempt to maintain secrecy. He added multiple radio towers and even an “anti-submarine device” there, which worked well enough to cause the U.S. Navy to intervene. In 1953, he abandoned the place, with no explanation. To date, neighbors still report seeing apparitions wandering the property.

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The Hotel del Coronado, San Diego

Regular readers might recognize this “star” of television and film, but the terrifying truth is this hotel, open since 1888, is also home to the city’s most famous ghosts. American Kate Morgan checked in here in 1892, waiting for her husband to join her. She was discovered dead at the foot of an outdoor staircase four days later.

Today guests and work staff come across blinking, flickering lights, unexplainable drops in temperature, oddly behaving televisions, and even phantasmal scents in the third-floor room Morgan once occupied. Paranormal investigators have also noted odd activities in the hotel’s gift shop, where merchandise has been observed throwing itself off the store shelves. Similar strange occurrences have also been reported in Room 3519, where the body of the original owner’s mistress was allegedly found.

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Alcatraz Island, San Francisco

Once a military prison, Alcatraz is infamous for its formidable fortress walls and such notorious inmates as “Machine Gun” Kelly and Al Capone. Not one prisoner ever escaped from this miserable maximum-security prison situated on a rugged spur of rock one mile off the San Francisco coast. The prison had a reputation for harsh living conditions and extreme punishments. Rumor has it that the souls of former inmates haunt this famous facility.

People have reported inexplicable noises and voices coming from the utility corridor, and banjo music from the shower room.

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Los Coches, Soledad

Los Coches is a famous former stagecoach stop. It is believed to be a place where the past and the present meet. Numerous visitors claim to have experienced “a time shift” simply standing here. Local rumor has it that the owner of the stop murdered miners who were still there when it closed and threw their bodies down an abandoned mine shaft. Neighbors claim they have seen an anonymous figure dressed in black walking around the place at night.  

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The Moaning Caverns, Vallecito

Discovered by miners in 1851, this cave is named after the moans that emanate from its entrance when the wind passes through it. This also makes the list of creepiest places because 12,000-year-old bones were more recently uncovered in its shafts. Scientists suggest that the wails from this cavern actually lured almost 100 prehistoric residents to their deaths while attempting to investigate the specific source of the moans.

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Bodie State Historic Park, Mono County

Bodie is the state’s most well-known ghost town. It began as a mining outpost back in 1859. Regular readers may recall it’s one of the country’s largest unreconstructed ghost towns and includes 200 original structures. Ah, but legend has it that Bodie is also cursed.

Local lore has it that any individual who takes anything from this place will somehow be punished. Indeed, the Bodie State Historic Park Rangers confirm that almost every week they receive letters of apology from tourists who took home souvenirs. The reported misfortunes include a variety of punishments from sudden health issues to mysterious accidents occurring after the unwitting visitor returned home.

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El Adobe de Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano

Once frequented by President Richard Nixon, this historical restaurant, built-in 1812, has garnered a reputation for not only delicious food but ghostly residents as well. The structure was once the town’s jailhouse and court. It’s now haunted not only by one of its former inmates but also by the ghosts of those who died during the earthquake that devastated the adjoining San Juan Capistrano mission that same year. Various visitors have reported seeing a decapitated friar at the front door, feeling touches from ghostly hands, and feeling as if they were being watched.

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The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Los Angeles

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is the longest operating hotel in the state. It has hosted many celebs including the actress Marilyn Monroe. Indeed, she lived here for two years while concreting her career. Today she is one of several spirits that haunts the halls of this Hollywood hotel. Guests recall receiving mysterious phone calls, feeling unexplained cold spots, and seeing unusual orbs in their photos.

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Are you looking to explore California but want to avoid going too touristy? If you’d prefer strolling through places that are a bit bohemian then look no further. Here are 12 charming seaside villages to explore in California.

Seaside Villages

1.  Fort Bragg

Start your day here in this remote NorCal destination with coffee from Headlands Coffee House and something sweet from the Mendocino Chocolate Company. You can then take a sea cave tour, hit the famous skunk trail, and go horseback riding on the popular Fort Bragg Coastal Trail.

Spend the night at the noteworthy Inn at Newport Ranch. It’s a private 2,100-acre timber preserve, a working cattle ranch, and a luxurious inn along the coastline too.

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The Mendocino Village

This rugged seaside Northern Californian Village is perfect for outdoorsy people. Take in the views at Russian Gulch and hike the Mendocino Headlands trail. Not into hiking?

Check out the art galleries and boutique shops for souvenirs. Have a snack at famous Frankie’s Ice Cream. Check out Pacific Star Winery which is right on the water. Dine at cozy Trillium Cafe in their garden. Spend the night at popular JD House. It’s said to be “the epitome of cozy seaside charm.”   

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Bodega Bay

Sign up with the local business Wine Country Trekking if you’re feeling adventurous. Stroll along the nine-mile coastal Kortum Trail. If you feel less athletic, explore the downtown area.  

Check out the shops and sample a Dungeness crab sandwich and some chowder at the popular Spud Point Crab Company and don’t forget the Tabasco and oyster crackers. Check out Doran Beach. Watch the sunset at Bodega Head then dine at Terrapin Creek before retiring at the Bodega Bay Inn.

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Sausalito

Sausalito is located north of San Francisco. Athletic types can go biking, hiking, biking, kayaking, sailing, and stand-up paddleboarding. You can also check out the art galleries, and browse shops selling ceramics, and handmade jewelry.

Enjoy a spa treatment at Casa Madrona’s spa. When you’re hungry, there are over 50 different delicious dining destinations. Have a cocktail at The Spinnaker and take in the view of the San Francisco skyline across the bay. Stay at the popular Inn Above Tide.

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Capitola

Cozy Capitola is not only historic but it’s also one of the oldest vacation spots on the coast. Have some breakfast pastry at Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria, head for the beach for some world-class surfing, or simply take in the picturesque Capitola Venetian Hotel houses.

Visit Venetian Court (recently added to the official National Register of Historic Places). Ride the cable car to historic Shadowbrook Restaurant and have a romantic dinner for two. Spend the night at the 10-room Capitola Hotel.

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Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is situated on the Central Coast. It has a European style to it and covers one square mile. Here you can walk along the cobblestone streets and browse over 100 art galleries, boutiques, courtyards, gardens, and wine-tasting rooms.  

Don’t forget Carmel Beach either. Carmel includes over 50 assorted eateries–more culinary options per capita than any other place in the country. Stay at any one of 42 different inns. Veteran visitors suggest you check in at the lovely La Playa Carmel. 

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Cambria

In Cambria, adventurous folks can take a ride through the forest on a Clydesdale horse, or go hiking at the neighboring Fiscalini Preserve. Stroll along the Moonstone Beach boardwalk then hunt for genuine moonstones on the beach. Sample some wine amidst the vines at Stolo Vineyard. Enjoy dinner at Robin’s, which specializes in “comfort cuisine” made with local ingredients then pop over to Linn’s and have olallieberry pie for dessert. The trendiest place to stay is the bohemian-like inn White Water.  

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Carpinteria

Some call this place the “classic Californian surfer city” that takes one back to another time. Stroll along Carpinteria State Beach or relax and catch some rays. Then go shopping at the boutiques on Linden Avenue. Get a bite at the family-friendly popular Padaro Beach Grill. They offer burgers and other California beach favorites. Then spend the evening at the well-known Carpinteria Beach Cottages which can be found only four blacks from the beautiful beach.

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Laguna Beach

Start your day with breakfast at La Sirena Grill on Mermaid Street. Go for a relaxing stroll along scenic Treasure Island Beach then check out the many murals along the little streets of this village. If you prefer massive mountains, there are assorted hiking and biking trails too.

Take in the sunset from the popular Top of the World then dine at The Deck on Laguna. Stay at the reportedly “luxurious but bohemian Hotel Joaquin,” 

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San Clemente

Your day begins with coffee at Bear Roast Coffee. Next, take a walk on the San Clemente Pier. It’s a great place to go surfing or simply to see the sunset. 

Shopaholics should hit the boutique shops on Avenida Del Mar. Hungry? Stop at popular Cafe Calypso.

It’s nestled in a Spanish-style courtyard. They serve light, healthy California fare. Finally, book a room at the memorable Casa Tropicana Boutique Beachfront Hotel.

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La Jolla

Just north of San Diego, you will find La Jolla or “the jewel” of California. Here you can hit the beach, go biking, visit the sea lions seaside, go kayaking in the sea caves, and explore Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Have brunch or cocktails at the outdoorsy George’s at the Cove. When you’re ready to rest then have a nice night at the Balinese-inspired resort known as the Pantai Inn.  

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Coronado Island

Coronado Island is right off the coast of San Diego. Shop ‘til you drop on Orange Avenue. On a budget? You can still people-watch. Explore the canals of Coronado on a private and romantic gondola ride via The Gondola Company.

Book a personal “gourmet beach bonfire” with the family-friendly, gourmet experience known as ROAST. It takes place at the iconic Hotel del Coronado and comes complete with s’mores! Book accommodations at the luxurious Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa. It’s famous for its residential, live, bright pink flamingos.

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If you’re in the L.A. area and feeling the need to get outside and get some exercise, we understand.  According to Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, even during a pandemic, hiking is a great way to get exercise. 

With that thought in mind, here are nine spectacular hikes you can take in Los Angeles.

1. Parker Mesa and Los Liones Trail

Beach hikes are a favorite with some hikers.  This specific hike begins in popular Pacific Palisades and finishes in Topanga State Park.  Along the way, you’ll be cutting through verdant hillsides and take in wonderful views of the California coastline.

This hike is more than 7 miles long.  It intercepts the local Los Liones Trail and heads towards the Parker Mesa overlook.  Much of the trail is exposed, so it’s great for a sunny day in February and a little more uncomfortable in the summer months.

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Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park

Nobody Hikes in LA recommends a five-mile hike through this historic park. The park property includes a route once used by the Chumash and Tongva natives to travel between the Simi and San Fernando Valleys.  It was also later used by both the Spanish and old stagecoaches to travel between L.A. and points north.

The park still holds traces of the Chumash’s grinding basins and even stagecoach wheel ruts visible in the sandstone here.  Other interesting natural features include the rugged cliffs, the rock formations, and a seasonal waterfall.

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The Bridge to Nowhere

This is a 10-mile hike to the famous Bridge to Nowhere found in the massive San Gabriel Mountains.  The trail is generally unshaded, so it’s best to start early and to go when it’s not too hot.  This trail is named after a lone span of bridge at the trail’s end.  

The bridge, erected in 1936, was meant to connect the area to a local highway.  Unfortunately, the highway was washed away by a flood in 1938.  Today the bridge remains standing alone.  Unlike some other hikes, this hike involves water crossings.  Stop at the San Gabriel Canyon Gateway Center for permits, maps, and information on water levels, and trail conditions.

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Wildwood Canyon, Burbank

Burbank’s Wildwood Canyon offers visitors a 2-mile loop hike that is rated as “easy-to-moderate.”  Here hikers will find a peak perfect for taking in incredible views of L.A.  There’s also a permanent memorial reclining chair where you can catch your breath.  After the hike, you can stop off Wildwood Canyon Road and take advantage of the restrooms, drinking water, and picnic grounds there.  Arrive early though as the park shuts down at sundown.

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Amir’s Garden, Griffith Park

If you would rather take a shorter trail, Hikespeak reports helpful directions for a route that’s short but steep and ends in Amir’s Garden.  Amir’s Garden was created after a huge fire in Griffith Park in 1971.  Griffith Park is definitely a huge draw, nevertheless, this trail is often sparsely traveled and thus social distancing should not be an issue, even in the actual garden.  It’s a peaceful place and the view can be surprisingly expansive.

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Altadena’s Echo Mountain

Hike the five-mile round-trip trail to Echo Mountain in Altadena and picnic amidst the picturesque ruins.  You’ll start at Lake Avenue, through a large, beautiful gate, and along well-maintained yet steep switchbacks with little shade.  At the top, you’ll find a shaded picnic area and a history exhibit.  

The ruins are what’s left of a resort that once stood here.  You will also see huge pieces of the now dismantled old Mount Lowe Railroad that once transported travelers to this former vacation spot.  Hollar into the old metal echo phone here too.  You’ll hear your voice bounce off the local mountains and right back to you. 

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Paradise Falls in Wildwood Park

Everyone loves a waterfall.  (We write about them a lot!)  Here in Thousand Oaks’ Wildwood Park, you will find the famous photogenic feature named Paradise Falls.  

It’s only a two-mile hike to the attractive 40-foot-tall falls, but if you’re feeling athletic, you can extend your hike into a 4.5-mile hike by adding a visit to Lizard Rock.  The hike is rated a “moderate” one and features great views of the Stagecoach Bluff area and the neighboring valley. 

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Murphy Ranch, Malibu

The Murphy Ranch is a former compound built in Rustic Canyon by 930s Nazi sympathizers.  It was meant to be a self-contained community for enough people to fill a small town.  Hike this trail and you can see it for yourself.

It’s a flat hike for the most part and is under four miles.  The trail begins just a few miles off the 405.  While there’s a lot of graffiti, the buildings remain generally intact and there are gates and staircases still standing as well.  Plans to demolish the buildings back in 2016 were apparently shelved.  What remains is still surprisingly well-preserved.

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Malibu Creek State Park

If you’d like to hike somewhere with some Hollywood history, head for popular Malibu Creek State Park.  Within this park, you will find former shooting locations for both the classic motion picture South Pacific and the hit 1980s TV show “M*A*S*H.”  While the relatively recent Woolsey fire did a lot of damage to the area, veteran visitors confirm that as this goes to press, you will still see the scorched remains of rusted, old Army Jeeps and a few other signs of filming that once occurred here.  The authorities do request that you not stray from the existing trails on your hikes though because the area is still recovering from the devastation wrought by the wildfire.  

This hike is less than five miles in total and there’s less than a 200-foot increase in elevation.  Keep in mind if you plan on starting your hike at Crags Road it will cost you $12.00 to enter and park there in the lot.  You can park for free close to the trailheads for the Cistern and South Grassland Trails.

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Are you planning on sticking close to home on your next vacation?  If you’re suffering from cabin fever but don’t want to renew your passport, consider spending time in the great outdoors of America.  If you’re up for some exercise and getting close to nature, we’ve got just the ticket!  Try one of these 13 awesome hiking trails in California:

The Best Hikes In Northern California

1.   Lands End, San Francisco

You’ll discover one of California’s most well-known hikes in San Francisco.  You’ll even get Instagramable views of the famous Golden Gate Bridge–assuming the fog has not yet rolled in, of course.  The roughly three-and-a-half-mile loop will take you along the local clifftops, under shady cypress trees, and even through grasslands. 

Stop to visit the historic Sutro Bath ruins.  Learn a little about the local plants and wildlife at the friendly Lands End Lookout Visitor Center too. There are 80,000 acres to explore. 

2.  Cataract Falls Trail, Mount Tamalpais State Park

A mere hour’s drive from the city of San Francisco, in the wilds of unassuming Marin County, is the Cataract Falls trailhead located in Mount Tamalpais State Park.  You’ll find it on Bolinas-Fairfax Road after you pass attractive Alpine Lake.  Here you’ll hike by Cataract Creek’s rushing waters into an impressive primordial forest of California redwoods,  Douglas firs, and sturdy oaks.  You’ll also spot several small waterfalls on this short but steep out-and-back trail.  Spring and summer are good times to be here. 

3.  Rubicon Trail, Lake Tahoe

You’ll discover the best of Lake Tahoe’s scenic views on this particular 13-mile hike.  It runs along the southwest shore from the impressive Emerald Bay to beautiful D.L. Bliss State Park.  Inhale the scents of the cedar, fir, ponderosa pine, and Sierra juniper, trees as you skirt the wildflower-dotted cliffs and coves, and even cool down at the local waterfalls.  Be sure not to miss the 1920s Scandinavian-style summer home known as Vikingsholm either.  It was designed by the  Swedish architect Lennart Palme.

4.  The Pomo Canyon Trail, Sonoma

Pomo Canyon is flanked by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Russian River on the other.  It stretches from Shell Beach to the center of the Sonoma Coast State Park.  The Pomo Canyon Trail is a fairly strenuous six-and-a-half- mile trail that’s surprisingly popular.  The trail offers a nice take on the little town of Jenner.  One particular stretch of the trail along Willow Creek has a real NorCal feel to it thanks to the towering redwoods and giant ferns there.

5.  The Yosemite Falls Trail, Yosemite National Park

In the summer, city folk flock to Yosemite National Park to see the world-famous Yosemite Falls in California.  At a height of 2,425 feet, it’s the tallest waterfall on the continent.  

Hiking on this trail, one of the park’s oldest, might help you avoid some tourists.  Take the two-mile hike to Columbia Rock which gives you a great view of both the falls and Half Dome.  If you’re up for exercise, do the 7.2-mile round-trip hike to the top of the falls.  

6.  The Boy Scout Tree Trail, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

This hiking trail is thus named because a boy scout troop leader is credited with discovering a 2,000-year-old redwood here back in the 1930s.  It is located in the impressive Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park near the border of Oregon and along the coast.  The trail is an in-and-out trail and is five miles long.  It features groves of ancient redwoods, verdant rainforest terrain complete with ferns, and lichens and a small, but pretty, waterfall.

7.  The Gray Butte Trail, Mount Shasta

This is a three-and-a-half-mile trail hike.  It’s a bit challenging and has a high point of 8,100 feet.  If you start out from the popular Panther Meadows Campground, however, the ascent will only be a total of 750 feet.  If you take this hike in the spring or summer you will see alpine meadows sprinkled with wildflowers, red firs, and hemlocks.  Once you reach Gray Butte, you’ll have a great view of both the Cascades and all of Mount Shasta too.   

The Best Hikes in Southern California

8.  The Overlook Trail to McWay Falls, Big Sur

Set up camp in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.  Half the half-mile trail to a lovely lookout point where you’ll see the 80-foot McWay Waterfall.  Here the water cascades down from a rugged granite cliff down into a sheltered cove.  Hikers are advised not to attempt hiking down to the beach as it’s reported to be dangerous.  As this goes to press, this trail is still closed due to damage from a storm last year. 

9.  The Lost Palms Oasis Trail, Joshua Tree National Park

This hiking trail is 7.2 miles round-trip.  It has an elevation gain of 1,000 feet.  Still, with the obvious exception of a few massive boulders, the terrain here is said to be “gentle” and thus it’s not that difficult to hike through the cacti, fan palms, and pool-spotted canyons here.  On a good day, you might spot a few bighorn sheep and see the Salton Sea far below you.  Start early and avoid some of the heat.  

10.  The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

If you’d like to see the saffron-tinted poppy blossoms (and the other wildflowers) here then you had best take this hike in the spring.  If you’d like to spot mountain lions or coyotes then hit the trail sometime between February 14th and June 1st.  You have your choice of eight miles of trails.  Most travelers favor the three-mile-long hike which has a 230-foot gain in elevation and takes roughly 90 minutes.  

11.  Mount Baldy, San Gabriel Mountains

This is a challenging, Los Angeles day hike. It’s rated as difficult and includes an ascent of almost 4,000 feet (taking you up to an elevation of 10,064 feet).  Allow yourself a good eight hours to complete this 11-mile hike.

It’s dog-friendly and no fees or permits involved.  The altitude and effort might make some hikers huff and puff a little.  But the view spanning from the Pacific Ocean to the Mojave Desert will definitely leave you breathless.

12.  The Murray Canyon Trail, Palm Springs

This trail is perfect for travelers visiting Palm Springs but hoping to escape the high temperatures of the famous Coachella Valley.  The trail is located in the local  Agua Caliente Indian Reservation.  It’s an out-and-back trail and you can even go horseback riding here.

Either way, it’s a surprisingly easy 4.7-mile trek through cactus thickets, palm clusters, and rocky scrubland.  You’ll hike over calm creeks to a clear pond.  The water here is from the well-known Seven Sisters Waterfall.

13.  The Mount Woodson Trail, San Diego

Only half an hour north of bustling downtown San Diego is  Potato Chip Rock.  One of Southern California’s most photographed natural formations, it’s a seven-foot-tall, slim stone cantilever that juts out of a huge boulder close to Mount Woodson’s summit.  Hiking from the Lake Poway trailhead is almost eight miles.  You’ll climb up an elevation of 2,000 feet for approximately four hours.  If you’d like, take the shorter route, via the steeper, paved Mount Woodson Road.

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While naysayers are concerned about the future of travel, Americans are once more thinking about vacations. As the summer rapidly approaches, states begin to reopen economies, national parks are increasing public access, many travel lovers are looking into domestic flights. According to Expedia, eight of the top 10 flight destination searches for the months of July through December were in the USA.

Sources at Expedia report that as the stay-at-home mandates are eased and people begin to feel comfortable with traveling again, Americans are probably going to explore their own nation first. Without further adieu, here are the top 10 most searched for flight destinations:

1. Orlando

The city of Orlando is located in Central Florida. It’s said by some to be one of the most family-friendly destinations in the world. Obvious highlights include The Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando.

But you should also be sure to take in the view from the Wheel at ICON Park Orlando. Learn about our oceans’ inhabitants at Sea Life. Try climbing the rock wall at the Oviedo Recreation Gym or go ziplining over the alligators at Gatorland. Finally, have dinner at the Bull & Bear Steakhouse.

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2. Honolulu

Honolulu is the famous capital of the state of Hawaii. This is the largest city in the state and it has a cool, cosmopolitan vibe and numerous white sand beaches flanked by beautiful parks and hiking trails. Waikiki is the most happening spot in the city, with a number of swanky resorts. Here you’ll find such historical attractions as the Iolani Palace and the memorable USS Arizona Memorial. See Diamond Head, the Honolulu Zoo, and the International Market Place too. Then dine on Poke from Paina Café.

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3. Las Vegas

The city of Las Vegas, in the state of Nevada, is nicknamed “Sin City” for a reason. It’s truly a big playground for adults. Here you’ll discover an exciting atmosphere and endless sunshine without having to go anywhere near a beach.

If the casinos on Fremont Street don’t interest you, no worries. You can visit M&M World, the Pinball Hall Of Fame, the Shark Reef in Mandalay Bay, and then eat at Dick’s Last Resort. Don’t forget to take pictures at the iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign.

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4. Miami

The beach city of Miami in the state of Florida hosted over 8 million tourists in 2018. The nation’s seventh-largest metropolis, it’s the true cultural center of South Florida. Must-see attractions include Coral Castle, the Venetian Pool, Jungle Island, and the Perez Art Museum. Miami is not all that cheap though so purchase a Go Miami Card. It’ll save you some money on tours and museums. Don’t forget the vintage stores either as they make Miami one of the country’s top ten hipster cities.

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5. Cancun

Cancun is a popular city in Mexico. It’s located on the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Quintana Roo on the Caribbean Sea. It’s traditionally a popular tourist destination for basking in the warm winter sun.

Multiple travel options and numerous resorts help keep prices pretty competitive. If you tire of the tourist spots, take a trip to Cancun Underwater Museum, or go to Dolphin Beach or pretty Playa Defines to see the stunning vistas of the sea. The all-inclusive vacation packages at the resorts are generally good bargains.

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6. Maui

The island of Maui in the state of Hawaii is generally thought to be one of the planet’s most romantic places. It is quite famous for its beautiful beaches and stunning sunrises and sunsets. Veteran visitors suggest signing on for a dinner cruise and praise the wonderful evening views. If you like swimming and impressive tropical fish then head to the Turtle Arches reef for a memorable snorkeling trip. Check out the islands from the sky and take a helicopter tour of Maui and Molokai too.

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7. London

This city in England isn’t a state or even a US territory but for many Americans it is historically-speaking the source of their “roots.” London is large on attractions, culture, food, and shopping. It has its own elegant yet funky charm.

See the original Madame Tussauds, the Tate Modern, and the famous Tower of London. Despite the obviousness, you really should see famous Buckingham Palace too. Music lovers should hit a club or two as well. Then dine at one or two of the avant-garde eateries there.

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8. Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a major metropolis in California. It is the second most populous city in the US. At least 7,250,000 tourists visited “the City of Angels” last year.

The city is well-known for its marvelous Mediterranean climate and the surviving entertainment industry. A list of “must-see” attractions would include Disneyland, the iconic Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Paramount Pictures, Das Bunker, and Olvera Street. Foodies should dine at Casa de Campo, Mercados, and Raffaello Ristorante.

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9. Denver

The city of Denver is the capital of the state of Colorado. One thing you simply must do at least once is take your picture with the famous Blue Bear. Shopaholics will want to put on comfy shoes and search for souvenirs along the mile-long pedestrian mall, the 16th Street Mall.

Learn about the production of money at the Denver Mint. Be a culture vulture and take in the international art collections at the Denver Art Museum. Later, dine at Roxy on Broadway and the Maine Shack.

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10. San Juan

The city of San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico. While Puerto Rico isn’t a state it is an unincorporated territory of the USA. It’s also Puerto Rico’s most important seaport and tourism center.

It is traditionally popular with Americans who want an island feel but don’t want to stray too far from home. History buffs will love Fort San Felipe del Morro and La Fortaleza. Other well-known tourist attractions include Condado, Isla Verde, Ocean Park, Old San Juan, the Book Museum, and the popular Bacardi Distillery.

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Online sources report that last year over 327 million travelers visited America’s national parks and historic sites. The majority of the crowds were found in Zion, Yellowstone, and the Great Smoky Mountains. If you want to avoid these crowds, here are 10 alternatives to America’s most visited national parks.

1. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Instead of Zion National Park

Zion National Park is almost a rite of passage for 4.5 million backpackers and hikers. The struggle against trashed and congested trails, especially in The popular Narrows, is never-ending. Less than 50 miles east of Zion is a striking desert landscape of gravity-defying rock formations and fiery sandstones. It’s the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and is found on the border of Arizona and Utah. This place attracts under 25 percent of the travelers Zion draws and includes an area nearly seven times the size.

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Lassen Volcanic National Park Instead of Yosemite National Park

Both of these parks are close to California’s popular San Francisco Bay Area. Both feature meadowlands, lakes. and granite mountains formed by lava. Luckily for those who dislike crowds, not even most Californians can locate Lassen Volcanic National Park.
While Yosemite draws in almost 4.5 million people yearly, Lassen levels off at less than 517,000 visitors annually. Here you can see Lassen Peak, the world’s largest plug dome volcano. You’ll meet fewer folks as you hike the popular three-mile round-trip Bumpass Hell hike too.

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Wind River Mountain Range Instead of Yellowstone National Park

If you want to avoid the traffic and wildlife jams, dipstick tourists taunting the 2,000-pound bison and trespassing on Old Faithful, visit the Wind River Mountain Range. Yellowstone is a bucket-lister, but if you want to ditch the 4 million-plus visitors, Wind River Mountain Range is Wyoming’s official largest mountain range, featuring 40 named peaks, seven glaciers, 2,300 lakes and the rushing headwaters of the Green River. Additionally, it encompasses two national forests and parts of the Wind River Indian Reservation too.

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Kootenay National Park Instead of Rocky Mountain National Park

Stunning Rocky Mountain National Park hosts almost 4.7 million visitors annually. This 415-square-mile park is beautiful. Some say, however, that overcrowded, busy campgrounds and packed trails are too noisy for a true wilderness experience.
Ah, but right across the border between Idaho and British Columbia is a less-traveled version of the Rockies at Kootenay National Park. The landscape and resident wildlife are much like that of Rocky Mountain. The difference is that Kootenay draws less than 515,000 visitors annually and it is serene and peaceful.

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Grand Canyon West or Parashant National Monument Instead of Grand Canyon National Park

In 2018 the Grand Canyon National Park racked up nearly 5.9 million visitors. If you’d like to avoid the crowds but still see this natural wonder in Arizona, you do have options. There’s the Hualapai tribe opened Grand Canyon West, complete with a 4,000-foot-high glass skywalk, a zipline, boat tours and river rafting along the Colorado River. There’s also the more secluded Parashant National Monument. Although it’s perched on the canyon’s edge it hosts less than 18,000 visitors yearly.

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The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Instead of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park hosted 12.5 travelers last year. That’s as many visitors as Glacier, Zion, and Rock Mountain National Parks combined. The park is beautiful but if you are seeking solitude and serenity you might want to look elsewhere.
Try the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Like the Great Smoky Mountains, it has rushing waterfalls, old forests, and incredible views. The “Porkies” get only 2.5 percent of the total visiting the Smokies.

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North Cascades National Park Instead of Glacier National Park

Some travel writers claim Glacier National Park’s future could be impacted by “the climate crisis.” There’s also some concern that the 3 million annual glacier-hunting visitors might also be affecting the place’s “ecological stability.”
Fret not. This park isn’t the only place on the continent you can find frozen tundra. Witness Washington’s North Cascades National Park. Here west along the rugged U.S.-Canadian border, you’ll find glaciers, peaks, and turquoise lakes. If you’re able, hike the hardy 7.5-mile round-trip Cascade Pass Trail too.

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Mojave National Preserve Instead of Joshua Tree National Park

Those in the know claim that ever since Joshua Tree was deemed “the hip desert hangout” for defecting Los Angelinos, almost 3 million people visit this Joshua tree-filled park. The damage done there in 2018 alone might take over two centuries to heal.
Choosing to visit the Mojave National Preserve instead is now considered to be a genuine act of benevolence. This 1.6 million-acre park is just down the road. It not only includes the largest Joshua tree forest in the world but offers more solitude as is visited by less than 840,000 travelers annually.

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Voyageurs National Park Instead of Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park had so much gridlock a couple of years ago the only road to one of its most reportedly popular peaks was closed no less than 49 times due to safety concerns. Additionally, bloggers add that parking there in the summer has now become “its own special kind of hell.”

If you’d rather not compete with the nearly 3.4 million visitors there, see the comparative coastal beauty of Voyageurs National Park. It features rugged lakeshores, wildlife and is perfect for canoeing and kayaking.

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Lake Clark National Park Instead of the Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park hosted nearly 3.4 million tourists last year. While it’s one of the most iconic landscapes in the US, experts say it deserves a break from “the destructive love” of its visitors. Luckily, when it comes to national parks, Lake Clark National Park is said to be “Grand Teton on steroids.” Ensconced in southern Alaska, it is both remote and awe-inspiring. Indeed, it’s accessible only by plane or boat and features Crayola-colored lakes, pristine ocean shores, and craggy peaks.

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A lakeside view can truly be special. The crisp air, the relaxing vibes and the simplistic beauty of nature can be incredible. To illustrate the point, here are the most beautiful, prettiest lakes in the USA.

1. The Lakes in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is located in Montana on the border between the US and Canada. Here you’ll find several worthy lakes including the largest, McDonald Lake, Grinnell Lake, Saint Mary Lake, and Swiftcurrent Lake. This is also reputed to be one of the best spots in the country for backpacking and backcountry hiking. The park’s stunning wilderness also includes cozy lodges, glacier peaks, and verdant valleys. Stop in at the nearby resort town of Whitefish, too.

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The Lakes in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is one of the nation’s best wilderness reserves. Some say it’s due in part to the beautiful lakes there. The prettiest one is perhaps Delta Lake which has its own unique opaque turquoise hue. The color is the result of a specific rock flour that is a product of the Teton Glacier. You should visit the northern area too which is perhaps best known for the luxurious mountain resort town named Jackson Hole.

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Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is located on the state line between California and Nevada. Visit whenever you wish as this crystal-clear lake and neighboring mountains are beautiful at any time. If you’re into skiing then visit in the winter. If you’re a fan of water sports then summer is best.

You can go rock-climbing and hiking here too. Finally, once you’ve worn yourself out, you can relax in one of the four main towns around this lake. They are Incline Village, Stateline, South Lake Tahoe, and Tahoe City.

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The Lakes in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park in California has many lakes, reservoirs, and even rivers. This is the place to unplug as they say. Camp and hike near the lovely lakes and waterfalls.

The most accessible of these lakes is Tenaya Lake. Here you can go canoeing, swimming, have a picnic or simply hang out. Mirror Lake is said to be one of the park’s most beautiful lakes due in part to the way it so clearly reflects Mount Watkins and Half Dome. Don’t forget to see Half Dome and Glacier Point either.

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The Bonneville Salt Flats

Salt flats (a.k.a. salt pans) aren’t meant for swimming but are worth a visit nonetheless. The Bonneville Salt Flats are the largest ones you can find west of the famous Great Salt Lake. In prehistoric times, this was a big lake.

If you visit in the winter, the pan actually contains almost one inch of water. It gives it a glassy, ethereal look. Scenes from many motion pictures are shot here specifically because of its intense, otherworldly sheen.

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The Lakes in Vail

Vail, Colorado is a quaint mountain town with a European feel. Built to resemble a European mountain resort, it is said by some travel bloggers to look like a pedestrian-friendly village square complete with restaurants and boutiques. Visit in the summer and you can go canoeing in the numerous surrounding lakes such as Booth, Gore or Piney Lake. You can go hiking and ride the gondolas and take in the mountain views and in the winter ski the back bowls.

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Lake Powell

Lake Powell straddles the border of Arizona and Utah. It’s a reservoir on the mighty Colorado River. Veteran visitors say you simply must visit it at least once in your lifetime.

It is pristine and truly looks as if it is untouched. Be sure to take some time to see the Rainbow Bridge, too. It is one of the world’s largest naturally occurring bridges. And you can swim in it, which is hard to believe since it looks so pristine and untouched.

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Lake Superior

Lake Superior in Michigan is best visited during the fall. For it is then that the nearby foliage is a virtual rainbow of warm colors. Lake Superior is famous for being the largest of all the Great Lakes. In the southeast area of the lake, you will discover popular Spray Falls. Specifically, it is situated in the little town of Munising. The crystal-clear blues and turquoise water looks as if it came from the Caribbean.

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The Telluride Lakes

Breathtaking Telluride is ensconced within the stunning San Juan Mountains in Colorado, is about as and exciting as it gets. Visit the many mountain springs. Be sure to see the Blue Lakes, Hope Lake, Island Lake, Navajo Lake, and Silver Lake. After seeing all the pretty green and blue lakes, be sure to stop in at the charming town center. Stop in the chophouses, the gourmet eateries, and the saloons too.

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Redfish Lake

Redfish Lake is located near Stanley, Idaho. More specifically, this alpine lake is situated at the very base of the Sawtooth Mountains found in Custer County, a bit south of Stanley. The lake was originally named after the sockeye salmon that used to return from the Pacific Ocean in such great numbers that during spawning season the water itself appeared to turn scarlet. Today only a small number of the salmon manage to navigate through the hydroelectric dams along the route back to spawn there.

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The Alpine Lakes

The Alpine Lakes in the Pacific Northwest is part of a large wilderness area found in the well-known North Cascades mountain range, in the northern section of Washington state. Those who have been, report there are a number of notable lakes there in the wilderness. They are Snoqualmie Lake, the Enchantment Lakes, Melakwa Lake, and Mason Lake. Online sources confirm that the entire Alpine Lakes Wilderness is managed by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in the east and the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in the west.

Owens Lake

You’ll find Owens Lake in the Owens Valley. It’s on the eastern side of the famous Sierra Nevada almost five miles south of Lone Pine in California. Owens Lake is a mostly dry one.

Owens contained a significant amount of water until some time in 1913. It was then that the majority of the Owens River was intentionally diverted into the Los Angeles Aqueduct. This caused the lake to desiccate by 1926. At press time, some of the river’s flow has been restored so the lake has a little water.

Great Salt Lake

The famous Great Salt Lake is situated in the northern portion of Utah. It’s the Western Hemisphere’s largest saltwater lake. It’s also the world’s eighth-largest terminal lake.
On average, this lake spans an area of roughly 1,700 square miles. The lake fluctuates in size due to its significant shallowness. Its recorded size has fluctuated from 950 square miles in 1963 through 3,300 square miles in 1988.

Mono Lake

You will find Mono Lake in Mono County, California. It is a saline soda lake. Researchers say this desert lake was formed more than 760,000 years ago as “a terminal lake in an endorheic basin.”

It has no outlet so this causes a lot of salt to accumulate there. The salt also makes the water there alkaline. The ecosystem here is surprisingly productive. The lake provides a habitat for 2 million migratory birds every year that eat the alkali flies and shrimp living there.

Trillium Lake

Trillium Lake is located 7.5 miles away from Mount Hood in Oregon. The lake was formed by a dam erected at the headwaters of the Salmon River, Mud Creek. The dam was built in 1960 by Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The area was originally a portion of the old Barlow Road which was once part of the famous Oregon Trail. It was here that immigrants once used a log road across marshes in order to reach Summit Meadow, a toll station back in the late 1800s.

Lake Diablo

Diablo Lake is ensconced in the North Cascade mountains in the northern part of Washington state. Specifically, it can be found on the Skagit River between Gorge Lake and Ross Lake. This reservoir was created by the Diablo Dam project.

It has an elevation of 1,201 feet above sea level. The lake is actually part of the official Skagit River Hydroelectric Project. If you’re feeling athletic, hike the Diablo Lake Trail, which runs for almost four miles along the northern shore of the lake.

Lake George

Finally, Lake George, a.k.a. The Queen of American Lakes is nestled in at the base of the well-known Adirondack Mountains in the northeastern section of New York state. It’s a narrow, long, oligotrophic lake. It drains into the St. Lawrence River drainage basin and Lake Champlain.

The number of people who live there all year is relatively small. The number of residents in the summer, however, is over 50,000. So if you want to avoid crowds the best time to visit is not summer!

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Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park are home to both true natural giants and some of the United States’ most beautiful scenery. These parks are connected and can both be visited in one trip. Here are 15 great things you can do at these parks.

1. Visit General Sherman and the Giant Forest

General Sherman is a famous giant sequoia tree found in the Sequoia National Park in California. General Sherman is the largest tree on the planet, measured by volume. It is 275 feet tall, and at the base has a diameter of more than 36 feet. Mind you, Sequoia tree trunks are still wide higher up.

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Climb Moro Rock

Moro Rock is a famous dome-shaped granite rock formation in Sequoia National Park. It is ensconced in the heart of the park. Specifically, you’ll find it at the very head of (big surprise) Moro Creek between Crescent Meadow and Giant Forest. A special stairway that was cut into and poured on to the rock itself. It was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

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See Mineral King

Once mainly inhabited by the Yokut tribe, Mineral King is situated in the southern portion of Sequoia National Park. It is a subalpine glacial valley at the East Fork of the Kaweah River which flows northwest. This valley is reported to be popular with hikers and backpackers. It can be accessed via a narrow,long and winding road.

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Walk or Drive Through Famous Tunnel Log

Tunnel Log is another popular attraction in Sequoia National Park. It was once a tree until it fell across Crescent Meadow Road in 1937. It was 21 feet in diameter at its base and 275 feet high prior to its collapse. The big tunnel was cut through it back in the summer of 1938.

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Visit Mount Whitney

Mount Whitney’s west slope is situated in Sequoia National Park. (The mountain’s summit is actually in the southern terminus of the popular John Muir Trail.) It’s the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. The mountain is 14,505 feet high. You can reach it by the Whitney Portal Trailhead which is 13 miles east of the little town of Lone Pine.

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Explore Crystal Cave

Not to be confused with the Crystal Cave near Kutztown, Pennsylvania, this Crystal Cave can be found close to the previously-mentioned Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park. It is said by some sources to be “an excellent example of a marble cavern.” Due to the fragility of the formations found there, it is presently only accessible via a guided tour.

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Go To Buck Rock Lookout

Buck Rock Lookout looks out over both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Found in the land of the giant sequoias, it is perched on a large granite dome. It reaches a height of 8,502 feet. Here you can visit one of the last Fire Lookout Towers in which a friendly, helpful park ranger actually lives.

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See Hume Lake

Next is the reservoir known as Hume Lake which can be found in the famous Sierra Nevada ensconced within the Sequoia National Forest. Specifically, it is located on Tenmile Creek, adjacent to the little community of Hume. The lake’s surface elevation is 5,200 feet. You can reach it from California Route 180. It’s approximately 50 miles from Kings Canyon National Park’s west entrance.

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Hike Crescent Meadow Loop

The popular Crescent Meadow Loop Trail is situated between Moro Rock and the beautiful, crescent-shaped Crescent Meadows in Sequoia National Park. The hiking trail is also near Three Rivers. The moderately trafficked trail is 1.8 miles long and is great for birding, walking and nature trips too. The best time to visit is from April to October.

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Hit The High Sierra Trail

The well-known High Sierra trail is a challenging hiking trail found in Sequoia National Park. It stretches across the famous Sierra Nevada from west to east. Your journey begins at the trailhead in the park’s Crescent Meadows. Should you make it to the end, you will find yourself more than 72 miles away at Whitney Portal.

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Cruise Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

You begin in the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills not far from Dunlap. The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is a 50-mile route along Highway 180. It takes you through the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park and concludes at Roads End. While the distance is comparatively short, you’ll take your time and stop along the way.

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Marvel At The General Grant Tree

You’ll find the giant General Grant Tree within Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park. It’s the biggest giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) in the entire grove. You can walk the one-third-mile paved loop trail to see the tree. You can also see other impressive features such as the Centennial Stump, the Fallen Monarch, and the Gamlin Cabin.

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Experience Boyden Cavern

The less-explored Boyden Cavern is ensconced in Kings Canyon at the well-known Sequoia National Monument. It’s bordered by popular Kings Canyon National Park. This solutional cave of Mesozoic marble is a great show cave that includes numerous types of natural speleothems, such as some rare “shield” formations. Veteran visitors say it’s a convenient stop for a one-hour tour.

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“Fall” For Grizzly Falls

Not to be confused with the 1999 movie of the same name, this Grizzly Falls is situated in Sequoia National Park. You can reach the base of this 80-foot fall by an easy, short one-tenth mile round trip walk from the pleasant Grizzly Falls Picnic Area. If you have pets, dogs are welcome here too.

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Stop At Road’s End

Finally, we aptly end this article with Road’s End. Road’s End can be found in Kings Canyon National Park. It’s the official starting point of the 41-mile Rae Lakes Loop hike. The best time to explore this area is in the summer and fall. Be sure to visit the popular cliff-jumping and swimming spot at Muir Rock and the beach upriver too.

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Yosemite National Park

Located in Central California, Yosemite National Park is reported to be one of the official top 10 “most-visited” United States national parks. This park is visited by over 4 million visitors every year. Many of the people who travel here consider this place to be one of their must-see bucket list destinations.

Yosemite stretches across 1,100+ square miles. If you are a nature enthusiast or into hiking then this place is especially for you. For those who like an adventure in the great outdoors, the park is perfect for a long weekend getaway or even a longer vacation.

Horsetail Fall

Some of the park’s most-visited tourist attractions include Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Mariposa and the impressive, towering sequoia trees of Mariposa Grove. There is also the popular El Capitan, an impressive rock formation that draws numerous rock climbers from across the globe who hope to conquer its stunningly sheer drop. Don’t forget Horsetail Fall which flows powerfully over El Capitan’s eastern edge.

Indeed, this popular sight is 1,000 feet high. The best time to visit is during the winter months when it is actually flowing. Mind you, when compared to some of the park’s more incredible waterfalls, it is perhaps almost inconspicuous.

Well, OK, most of the time it’s comparatively inconspicuous. However, in the last two weeks of February Horsetail Fall goes from inconspicuous to incredible. For it is then that those in the know descend on the fall in droves to bear witness to a remarkable phenomenon.

It is then and only then that you will bear witness to the fall catching fire at sunset. Some travel experts consider it to be perhaps one of the strangest natural wonders in the world. This only happens at one time of the year when the specific angle of the setting sun lights up the water from behind thereby creating a stunning firefall effect.

The water appears to cascade down thunderously like a lava flow. The fall takes on a fiery orange, red, and yellow glow. Veteran visitors describe it as “nothing short of breathtaking.”

The experience is something akin to actually seeing the northern lights. All the conditions have to be “just right” in order to actually see this natural phenomenon. It only occurs on a clear evening.

According to the official National Park Service website: “Even some haze or minor cloudiness can greatly diminish or eliminate the effect.” The crowds of people who gather at the famous El Capitan to see this stunning firefall are so large that the National Park Service has established specific daily restrictions on seeing Horsetail Fall. These restrictions include limits on pedestrian traffic and lane closures. Don’t forget your camera!

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People who love to travel don’t lose the desire once they hit 50. Many older people even travel solo. With those thoughts in mind, here are 15 unforgettable trips for people over 50.

1. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe, the oldest state capital in the USA, is a hit with people over 50. Whether it’s the dry, warm climate, history, arts, and cultural scene or outdoor adventures, is unclear. History buffs will love the historic plaza (which harkens back to the 1600s), the well-known San Miguel Mission, and Native American museums. There are also various art galleries, various concerts, the neighboring Puye Cliff Dwellings, and the popular Spanish Colonial adobe city in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and special live events.

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Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is said to be the best city in the region. It’s famous for its hospitality and US history. Stroll the charming walkways, see the charming buildings and meet the friendly locals. Take one of the group tours.

They offer food tours, graveyard walks or a history tour via boat, bus, or even horse-drawn carriage. This city has close connections to both the famous American Revolution and the Civil War. Ah , but its boutique hotel and restaurants are contemporary. There are several cheap and free activities available too.

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The US Capital

Washington, D.C. offers numerous architectural, cultural and historical landmarks for you to see. Admission to several worthwhile museums such as the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of Natural History is free. There are other free activities offered too such as visiting all the iconic memorials around the National Mall.

Take a hop on and off sightseeing tour. The tours offer flexibility and are inexpensive too. Go at night and see the memorials and monuments when they are lit.

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An Alaskan Cruise

Cruise through America’s 50th state and see the rugged, beautiful wilderness. A cruise can be as active or relaxing as you wish. Veteran visitors suggest a mid-size cruise through the state’s Inside Passage.

(Larger tour vessels cannot access the ports here.) The IP is a popular coastal waterway of fjords and verdant scenery teeming with wildlife. Visit the great Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and see the glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife. You can ride a train or helicopter, go ice-fishing, mountain biking, and white water rafting too.

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California’s Pacific Coast Highway

Cruise from the city of San Francisco to sunny San Diego. It’s a budget-friendly, scenic road trip and you will see things you’ve never seen. See the great Golden Gate Bridge then head south through the surf towns. Dine on fresh seafood, see the state parks, the cliffs, and coastal mountains. Stop in Big Sur either ensconced between famous San Simeon and Carmel. Don’t miss the various vineyards, and the kitschy, cool roadside attractions either.

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The Famous Florida Keys

If you prefer a slower-paced “vaca”, Key West is for you. It’s famous for having a laid-back attitude. This place is the nation’s little “slice of the Caribbean.” It’s famous for coral reefs and pastel-colored homes.

Its proximity to Havana also means you can sample some Cuban-inspired cuisine too. So stop in at a few of the isle’s eateries. Take a day trip to popular Dry Tortugas National Park too.

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U.S. National Parks

Take a scenic drive through the Great Smoky Mountains. Enjoy a ranger-led nature walk amidst Yellowstone Park’s geysers. Go canoeing through the great Grand Canyon.

The United States national parks are perfect for people of all interests, ages, and even physical abilities. People 62 and up can purchase a yearly pass for $20.00 or a “lifetime senior pass” for $80.00. You can visit over 2,000 recreation sites, including forests, grasslands, wildlife refuges, and national parks. After seeing the nation’s national parks one surely has a new sense of admiration and respect for nature.

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Train Ride Through the Canadian Rockies

Take in the incredible Canadian Rocky Mountain landscape from Banff to Vancouver amidst the comforts of a quaint train car. Ride the rails through this snow-dusted mountain region aboard the exceptional on Rocky Mountaineer. You will partake of gourmet meals, and enjoy glass-domed observation cars and nice, plush seating.

You’ll take in unobstructed views of the glacier-fed, turquoise lakes and stunning peaks from the train’s popular open-air vestibules too. Your ticket also includes overnight hotel accommodations and meals as well. Trips can be customized and run from April through October. You can also take optional sightseeing tours as well.

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European River Cruise

These cruises provide a number of sightseeing options. You will see a new view from your window every day free of the extra time and effort required to plan a multi-country trip. You can take of these affordable river cruises along the Seine, Rhône, Rhine, and Danube.

These boats are smaller than the ocean behemoths too. They provide passengers with an on-deck atmosphere that is more easygoing. Enjoy picturesque landscapes that are a part of various shore excursions while the boat is docked in different historical cities. There you can participate in wine tastings and even ride bikes around medieval towns.

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The Northern Lights

Seeing the colorful Northern Lights, a.k.a. aurora borealis can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This oft-times elusive experience depends on factors such as weather, solar activity, and darkness. Nevertheless, there are several exciting locations for seeing this kaleidoscopic natural light show. Guided tours from Alaska to Sweden are offered to those who seek out this noteworthy natural phenomenon and other exciting outdoor activities such as soaking in hot mineral springs and hiking through the impressive Arctic wilderness.

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Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most famous cultural sites. It is also one of the official Seven Wonders of the World and a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are an adventurous traveler this simply must be somewhere on your personal bucket list.

If you sign up with a guided group you will not only have less to worry about in terms of planning but you may meet someone special as well. This ancient, awe-inspiring Incan temple and citadel is ensconced high in Peru’s famous Andes Mountains. Take a comfy train or hike there via the Inca Trail.

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South African Safari

Get a gander at the incredible wildlife of Africa on a safari adventure. See the “Big Five” up close from the safety of an all-terrain vehicle. Watch these magnificent animals freely roaming the boundless natural landscape. Sign on with a guided safari package through the well-known Kruger National Park.

It’s one of the continent’s biggest game reserves. Additionally, these low impact excursions are even reported to be budget-friendly. While you’re there take a Cape Town Safari adventure too. There are also beach getaways, vineyard tours, and even tram rides up the local Table Mountain.

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Explore Italy

There’s simply so much to do here in Italy. You can rent a quaint villa in Tuscany and live like the locals for a month. Spend some time hiking through the various ancient seaside villages of famous Cinque Terre. Explore the city of Rome and all its ancient ruins and renowned art museums and restaurants.

If you are over 50 and traveling solo you will pretty much have your personal pick of picture-perfect coastal villages, countryside towns, and Italian cities. If you don’t like doing your own thing then look into any one of the many businesses that specialize in group activities and international trips for folks over 50. Some of these companies will help you plan an Italian adventure and offer options such as room sharing and group trips free of the dreaded “single supplement fee.”

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San Antonio, Texas

If you decide to stay within the continental US, the state of Texas has a lot of very affordable places to visit. San Antonio is especially recommended by those in the know. U.S. News & World Report slotted this city in at number nine on its official “Best Affordable Destinations in the USA” chart. WalletHub also named it the most affordable “foodie city” and declared it a “must-visit” location.

But this major metropolis is more than a place with a burgeoning restaurant scene. It also includes the historic Alamo site. In fact, the five missions comprise the state’s only official UNESCO World Heritage site. Its pedestrian-friendly famous River Walk and the neighboring Natural Bridge Caverns also add to the city’s budget-friendly aspect.

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“Czech” Things Out In Prague

Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic. Visit it anytime you wish because it is always inexpensive. Uber and exceptional public transportation make getting around convenient too. Mind you, if you’re healthy this beautiful place is quite walkable.

English is spoken in most places and there are a lot of unusual hostels. Prague is also a great European choice for those travelers into art and history too. Be sure to see the famous Prague castle complex. The beer and meals are cheap and hearty here as well!

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There are many reasons people come to the USA. The US is all about diversity. From its teeming cities and world-famous national parks to its glaciers and sand dunes, there is plenty to see. Here are 60 places you won’t believe are in the US.

1. Alvord Desert, Oregon

This stunning mountain-fringed landscape reminiscent of the Atacama Desert in Chile is in the Pacific Northwest. It covers an area of five by 10 miles and includes multiple natural springs.

2. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Idaho

This lesser-known preserve is more than 1,500 years old. It is a volcanic landscape highlighted by caves, cinder cones, craters, and lava fields.

3. Supai, Arizona

This secluded village is in the Grand Canyon. The local Havasupai Tribe has resided here since approximately AD 1300. The eight-mile hike required to reach it helps keep it from becoming touristy.

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4. Helen, Georgia

Helen is situated in the famous Blue Ridge Mountains. It features little shops and half-timbered buildings. Be sure to visit during their annual Oktoberfest especially if you enjoy beer.

5. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

This paradise might not have palm trees but it includes soft sand dunes, sandy bluffs, shaded wooded areas, and smaller lakes. Tour the historic lighthouse too!

6. Rawah Wilderness, Colorado

Rawah Wilderness has an Alpine look. This 78,000-acre area stretches from northern Colorado to the Wyoming state border. It features 78 miles of hiking trails and 26 lakes.

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7. Horsetail Fall, California

Horsetail Fall is in Yosemite National Park. Every February when the sun sets this waterfall takes on an incredible burning orange aura and looks like flowing lava.

8. Jungle Gardens, Avery Island, Louisiana

This semi-tropical preserve spans across 170 acres of Avery Island. It’s home to birds and alligators but also includes bamboo forests, hot pink camellias, and interesting Japanese-style architecture.

9. Cliff Palace, Colorado

Cliff Palace in ensconced in the cliffs in the popular Mesa Verde National Park. It’s the largest cliff dwelling on the continent. It was built between roughly AD 1190 and 1260.

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10. Fall Creek Falls, Tennessee

Situated in the Fall Creek Falls State Park, this waterfall resembles New Zealand’s Humboldt Falls. The water thunders over the rocks to crash 256 feet into a lovely lake.

11. Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii

Visit the remote Summit District of this park to see its namesake shield volcano amidst striking Mars-like landscapes. The volcano itself is 10,023 feet high.

12. Sequim-Dungeness Valley, Washington

The Sequim-Dungeness Valley is found north of Olympic National Park. The city of Sequim is the official Lavender Capital of North America. Visit in July for the yearly Sequim Lavender Weekend.

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13. The Palouse, Idaho/Washington

The Palouse features color-soaked meadows, golden wheat fields, rolling hills and epic sunsets reminiscent of Tuscany, Italy. Cruise the Palouse Scenic Byway to see the Washington section too.

14. Bonsai Rock, Nevada

Bonsai Rock is an Instagramable crag on the Nevada section of Lake Tahoe. You can visit this hulking boulder and quartet of trees by taking a brief albeit steep hike.

15. Badlands National Park, South Dakota

The odd rock-scapes here amidst the 244,000+ acres are positively other-worldly. It’s also a place of prairie and peaks where bison and bighorn sheep freely roam.

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16. Cà d’Zan, Florida

Cà d’Zan was built during the famous Roaring Twenties. Located in Sarasota, this impressive home includes Venetian-Gothic architecture. It was once the residence of circus master John Ringling.

17. Pfeiffer Beach, California

This remote beach in Big Sur includes eye-catching offshore rock formations and superb sunsets too. What’s especially unique here are the sections of purple sand due to the garnet there.

18. White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

This strange, unique 275-square-mile desert is situated in Tularosa Basin. These distinct dunes are composed of rare gypsum sand. Enjoy a ranger-led tour here.

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19. Mendenhall Ice Caves, Alaska

There’s a cool blue glow to these odd, ethereal ice caves. They are literally carved into the massive 12-mile glacier and located roughly 12 miles from Juneau.

20. Multnomah Falls, Oregon

This mighty waterfall is found 30 minutes out of Portland.  This two-tiered waterfall crashes over 600+ feet of bluffs. For the best view see it from Benson Bridge.

21. Holland, Michigan

This town was settled by Dutch immigrants in the 1800s. It features Dutch architecture, a clog factory, tulip fields, and windmills. Visit in the spring for the Tulip Time Festival.

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22. Papakōlea Green Sand Beach, Hawaii

This Big Island beach is the only place in the country with green sand. It’s one of four on Earth. The color is due to the mineral olivine.

23. Luray Caverns, Virginia

The otherworld-like Luray Caverns are found in the famous Blue Ridge Mountains. The ancient stalactites and stalagmites are sand-colored. Be sure to see glittering Dream Lake too.

24. Hoh Rainforest, Washington

This lush rainforest is located in Olympic National Park. The verdant Sitka spruces are home to pacific tree frogs and Roosevelt elks. Visit in the summer when it’s dryer.

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25. Starved Rock State Park, Illinois

The striking rock formations are the highlight of this park. It also includes wildflower meadows, 18 canyons, 13 miles of hiking trails and waterfalls in the springtime.

26. Glass Beach, California

This beach in MacKerricher State Park, three miles north of the famous Fort Bragg. It’s a strand of dumped glass that was smoothed, polished and washed ashore by the waves.

27. Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah

The Bonneville Salt Flats resemble Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni. They span 30,000+ acres. Once ancient Lake Bonneville dried up, these salt flats were all that remained.

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28. White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, Alaska

This railroad route begins at Skagway and heads to Canada. Perhaps the most scenic on the planet, it includes snow-capped mountains and yellow and pink wildflowers.

29. Haiku Stairs, Hawaii

This closed, vertigo-inducing staircase lining Oahu’s Ko’olau mountains is also known as the Stairway to Heaven. The nearly-4,000 step staircase was built by the US Navy in 1942.

30. Castello di Amorosa, California

This castle in Napa Valley was influenced by the famous medieval fortresses of Tuscany, Italy. Castello di Amorosa even makes award-winning Italian-style wine. Take the guided tour.

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31. Ice Caves, Wisconsin

These caves are found at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The caves here form every winter. You reach them via a trail that starts at the Meyers Beach parking lot.

32. Painted Hills, Oregon

These colorful hills are similar to China’s Rainbow Mountains. They can be found in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The colors are the result of volcanic activity.

33. Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth is a German-style village ensconced it the base of the hike worthy Cascades Mountains. Visit the unusual Nutcracker Museum. See Bavarian-style architecture. Visit in October for their Oktoberfest.

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34. Bowling Ball Beach, California

This beach is in Schooner Gulch State Beach. Decades of concretion and erosion have made it look like bowling balls have been rolled into the sea and trapped in the sand.

35. Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

This place is reminiscent of some spots in Southeast Asia. The sea stacks here were created by erosion. The best way to see them is via kayak.

36. Watkins Glen State Park, New York

This gorgeous gorge a stream, waterfalls, and a moss-covered glen. Hike the 2.5-mile loop called the Gorge Trail. See the 50-foot Cavern Cascade too.

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37. Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness, New Mexico

The fossil-filled Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is highlighted by mushrooming, teetering rock towers and other strange hoodoos. It’s the result of wind and water erosion over thousands of years.

38. Midway Ice Castles, Utah

These undulating, odd ice terraces are actually man-made. They are the work of architect Brent Christensen. They weigh approximately 25,000,000 and he makes them every winter.

39. Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park, Hawaii

Nāpali in English is “high cliffs.” The highest mountains here are 4,000 feet high. See these peaks and Mars-like red rocks from the Kalalau Trail.

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40. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

This is one of Minnesota’s most underrated parks. This is a great place from which to see the Northern Lights. You can go hiking there too.

41. Palouse Falls State Park, Washington

Palouse Falls is the best part of this state park. It drops for almost 200 feet into the Palouse River. It’s the result of Ice Age floods.

42. Cumberland Island, Georgia

The largest of the state’s barrier islands, here you’ll see wild horses roaming this 18-mile long isle. It comes complete with petrified trees, and unspoiled coast and windswept dunes.

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43. Thor’s Well, Oregon

This spectacle off the state’s coast is a bubbling sinkhole in the well-known Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. It has a depth of about 20 feet and is very dangerous.

44. Caddo Lake, Texas

The fairytale-like Caddo Lake spans almost 27,000 acres. It includes cypress trees reflected in the ripple-free lake, historic cabins and Spanish moss that make this spot ethereal.

45. Red Sand Beach, Hawaii

This ruddy strand on Maui is also called Kaihalulu Beach. It is comparatively secluded and the rust-toned sand, a result of volcanic erosion, strikingly contrasts the blue water.

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46. Solvang, California

This city is known for its Danish-style architecture and a large windmill. The best time to visit “Little Denmark” is during Danish Days when they celebrate their heritage and founders.

47. Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

This is the state’s most impressive glacier. It’s located off the coast of Yakutat. The blue-hued glacier is 400 feet high and over six miles wide.

48. Eternal Flame Falls, New York

The Eternal Flame Falls are found in the Chestnut Ridge Park. Here you will witness a mysterious “eternal flame” flickering under the rushing water.

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49. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

This well-known attraction is said to be one of the most beautiful places in the Midwest. It features colorful “Pictured Rocks” towering up to 200 feet high.

50. Mono Lake, California

This large saltwater lake is found in the Eastern Sierra. It spans roughly 70 square miles. It’s characterized by the rising limestone stacks known as tufta towers.

51. Misty Fiords National Monument, Alaska

This vast wilderness is in the Tongass National Forest. It is the country’s largest area of federal forestland. It covers an area of 500 miles.

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52. Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

This unusual national park is perhaps most known for its intricate rock formations and petrified trees. See the rainbow cores of the fossilized fallen trees.

53. Punalu’u Beach, Hawaii

This stunning black sand beach can be found on the Big Island. This basalt sand is the result of volcanic activity. See the sea turtles sunbathe there.

54. Tulip Fields, Washington

The tulips in Skagit Valley mirror those in the Netherlands. The best time to visit is in April during the yearly flower festival. Activities include barbecues, tours, and contests.

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55. Boldt Castle, New York

This castle in Alexandria Bay is European-inspired. Millionaire George C. Boldt began construction in the 1900s. It includes turrets, Italian-like gardens is open summer through fall.

56. Bombay Beach, California

Bombay Beach is a ghost beach. It was once a lively French Riviera-lake resort. The rising salt level of the water discouraged the tourists and killed off the marine life.

57. Turnip Rock, Michigan

This strange rock formation is in Port Austin. It was formed by the force of the crashing waves. The greenery on top makes it resemble a turnip.

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58. Fly Geyser, Nevada

Ensconced in the Black Rock Desert, this colorful geyser was a mistake. A geothermal company hit it while drilling. They failed to seal it correctly and Fly Geyser was born.

59. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado

Here you’ll find the loftiest sand dunes on the continent. You’ll also find snow-capped mountains and blue skies to boot. Pack your sandboard!

60. Hamilton Pool Preserve, Texas

You’ll discover this natural “swimmin’ hole” a good 20 miles west of the city of Austin. This popular green pool is fed by a beauteous 50-foot waterfall.

The post You Won’t Believe These Places are in the US appeared first on Add to Bucketlist , Vacation Deals.

Most islands are safe as a vacation destination or even a home. However, there are some islands that are not even safe to even go near whether it be because of the residents or a natural occurrence. To help you steer clear of danger, here are the top 10 most dangerous islands on the planet.

1. North Sentinel Island, Andaman Islands

North Sentinel Island is the home of the Sentinelese tribe. This tribe’s only weapons are spears and bows and arrows. The government of India, which controls the island, has deemed them the fiercest group of people on the planet.

Sea travel within five nautical miles is prohibited. The Indian government has also banned anyone from ever going within 3 miles (4.83 kilometers) of its shores. Following a 2000 tsunami, the authorities attempted an emergency food drop, but the mission was aborted after the helicopter was attacked.

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2. Ilha de Queimada Grande Island, Brazil

Indiana Jones would not like this place. The island of Ilha de Queimada Grande is also known as Snake Island for a reason. Located off the coast of Brazil, this small isle is only 43 hectares (106+ acres).

Experts estimate that there are approximately five golden lancehead viper snakes per square foot of the island. Lancehead snakes are reported to be responsible for more deaths than any other snake in both North and South America. To date, there’s no known antivenom so avoiding this place is a good idea.

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3.Papua, New Guinea

New Guinea is really a nice place to visit, but you sure wouldn’t want to be in Papua. Until 1974 the natives didn’t even know that people from other places weren’t members of rival tribes. These people live their lives in treehouses constructed roughly 140 feet high to avoid being attacked. Those who stumble into their territory are generally met with a rather long barbed arrow pointed at them until they turn themselves around and walk in the other direction. This tribe has a history of cannibalism and may still eat invaders.

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4. Gruinard Island, United Kingdom

People are no longer banned from Gruinard Island, but they still stay away from the place. Brit scientists were researching anthrax there in 1942. In the process, they transported 50 sheep to this remote isle off the Scottish mainland.

The sheep were bombed with anthrax. They all died within two weeks. It was not until afterwards that the scientists soon realized they could not remove the anthrax from the soil there. Thus, they put a 50-year ban on the isle. Three Russian aristocrats recently expressed an interest in purchasing it.

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5. Saba Island, Netherlands

Saba Island is situated only 20 miles away from St. Martin. Despite that proximity, Saba Island has been trashed by more storms in the past 150 years than any other location on the planet. The statisticians confirm that this place has been hit by no less than seven category five hurricanes and an additional 10 category three hurricanes.

Despite that, the residents of Saba Island continue to welcome travelers to their island. Just be sure to avoid visiting during hurricane season. (Oh! Did we mention place also has one of the world’s most dangerous airports?)

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6. Izu Islands, Japan

On the Izu Islands, the ever-present poisonous gases in the air are so strong that residents must carry gas masks with them. The moment the deadly gases rise to a dangerous level a special siren sounds to let everyone know they must immediately put on their gas masks. Scientists are not 100 percent certain but they believe these poisonous gases seep up through the earth and originate from a volcano beneath the island. The residents were evacuated in 2000 and all flights to this destination were canceled for over eight years.

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7. Bjornoya, Svalbard, Norway

This would be a hard place to grow enough food to sustain oneself because the land is too rocky. This is a difficult place to even moor a boat due to all the huge cliffs along the coastline. But what makes it dangerous is that a Soviet nuclear submarine sank roughly 100 nautical miles southwest of this spot in 1989 and leaked radioactive material into the water. This may have damaged the island’s soil too. Additionally, experts think that the development of the Snøhvit gas field has also forever altered the climate.

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8. Farallon Islands, USA

Some sources claim the USA buried approximately 47,500 55-gallon drums full of nuclear waste on the Farallon Islands not far from San Francisco , California. Government sources state the specific location of all the barrels is unknown but reports that a number of them were buried underwater around the islands. Scientists believe that finding and removing all of these barrels would actually do more damage than leaving them in the ground. What’s worse is that a US Naval ship that could have been radioactive was also buried close to these islands.

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9. Bouvet Island, Norway

Bouvet Island is located 1,1000 miles north of Antarctica. It’s the world’s most remote island. More than 93 percent of this 119-square-mile isle is always covered by a glacier.

Only six people live here and they work for the Norwegian Weather Service. They work there for two to four months at a time. In an emergency, help would be slow in arriving as there’s only one reliable place to moor a boat.

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10. Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar

The Mergui Archipelago is made up of 800 small islands.
It’s situated between Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. The islands are largely uninhabited.

The native Moken Tribe survives solely by fishing. They actually live on large wooden boats they consider their homes. Strangers who approach them will be greeted with a hail of fire arrows. Thus, the nearby governments recommend that tourists avoid the area. Sadly, the tribe is now struggling to survive but neither of the local governments is willing to aid them in acclimatizing to our modern society.

So beware! Not all natives are friendly. Not all islands are a paradise.

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There are a lot of great places to visit in the USA so deciding on where to go isn’t an easy task. There are charming small towns, exciting cities, numerous festivals in 50 states and more than 400 national parks. To help you with your itinerary for next year, we’ve put together a list of destinations that you simply don’t want to miss.

1. Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth presently offers visitors a little taste of Bavaria. So put on your optional lederhosen and enjoy beer, bratwurst, and pretzels. It’s reportedly one of the state’s most popular tourist stops. Here you will discover Bavarian-style architecture, bars, breweries, cideries, and local shops. It’s also a great place for outdoor activities too.

2. Gruene, Texas

The three-street town of Gruene was once a thriving cotton industry town, the center of town is the restored dance hall. There’ve been live music events there since 1878. Other highlights include Enchanted Rock, the Grapevine Winery, antique stores, and a general store with an honest to goodness soda and ice cream bar.

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3. Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh is found in a forest complete with lakes, parks and (naturally) trees. A burst of growth graced this place with some modern, local bars, breweries, and nationally-recognized restaurants. Hot spots include the Laotian eatery, Bida Manda, Benchwarmer Bagels, and one of the most beautiful breweries in the world, Brewery Bhavana.

4. Savannah, Georgia

Savannah features Spanish moss-draped streets and squares, craft breweries, elegant homes, a quaint cobblestoned riverfront walk, local Southern fusion cuisine, and a dark haunted history. The small city simply oozes “Southern Charm” and homespun hospitality and was deemed “the world’s friendliest city.” It’s all about local art, culture, and mystery.

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5. Boston, Massachusetts

The Boston experience is a lot different than that of L.A. or NYC. Still, it has a unique charm and significant history. Catch a Red Sox baseball game at Fenway Stadium.

Hit the popular Bleacher Bar and Little Italy too. Veteran visitors suggest the educational and humorous Boston Freedom Trail walking tour.

6. Franklin, Tennessee

Less than 30 minutes from Nashville, one highlight of Franklin is the live music nights at Puckett’s Grocery. You just never know what performer could show up for open mic night. It’s also reported to be “one of the best-preserved downtowns” on the continent. Enjoy boutique shopping on an Instagram-worthy Main street from the 1800s.

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7. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is a lively city. It has charm, culture, history, music, Mardi Gras and more. Stroll through the Garden District and French Quarter. Don’t forget to explore further out to take in the plantation homes, alligator country, and the bayous too. Foodies will love the Cajun, creole and French-influenced too.

8. Sedona, Arizona

Sedona Arizona has its own scenic identity thanks in part to the red rock formations bursting forth from the verdant valley. Climb the rock faces to take in the memorable views and visit the four main vortex sites, the spiritually-powered Sedona Vortexes. Sign on for the popular Broken Arrow Pink Jeep tour too.

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9. Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

Take an easy day trip from Las Vegas to see the popular Valley of Fire State Park. It’s a nice respite from Sin City and is small enough you can explore it all in one day. Take in the pink, red and white wavy rocks via the popular Fire Wave Trail.

10. Lake Lure, North Carolina

Located in the Hickory Nut Gorge, Lake Lure is surrounded by sheer granite cliffs and majestic mountain tops. One worthwhile stop here is Chimney Rock State Park. If you’re into the movie Dirty Dancing, you’ll want to visit during the yearly Dirty Dancing Festival. (The lake lift scene was shot here.)

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11. Redfish Lake, Idaho

Don’t be surprised if you’ve not heard of this place. It’s a hidden gem that includes impressive views of the well-known Sawtooth range that frame the five-mile-long lake. Go swimming and kayaking. Take a guided tour and learn about the local flora and fauna. DIne at the Redfish Lodge too.

12. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah

The Grand Staircase-Escalante is an official national monument. (Why it’s not a national park is another article.) Highlights include hiking trails through raw, narrow slot canyons, hidden waterfalls, waves of unique colorful rocks, and rainbow-colored valleys and scenic drives. Check out Spooky and Peek-a-Boo Canyon too.

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13. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone is not too far from Grand Teton National Park. It features canyons, geysers that go off randomly, hot mud pits, the underground supervolcano, and sulfur holes. Hike to a hidden waterfall and relax in a multi-colored hot spring. This is the place that inspired Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park.

14. Smith Rock State Park, Oregon

Smith Rock State Park is less than 30 minutes north of Bend. This destination is world-famous as a rock-climbing destination. If you climb, you’ll enjoy the view from the top. If you don’t, you’ll marvel at watching the pros scaling such locations as the scary, steep Monkey Face outcropping.

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15. Big Island of Hawaii

While the Big Island doesn’t have as many beautiful beaches as Oahu (the birthplace of yours truly), the Big Island has its own charms. It features Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, thundering waterfalls ensconced in the verdant jungle, and the opportunity to actually swim with manta rays at night.

16. Sand Hollow State Park, Utah

Sand Hollow is a relatively new state park. Veteran visitors praise the place for its “kaleidoscope colored scenery” and spirit of adventure. It’s already one of the top spots for ATV driving and quad biking across the miles of sand dunes here. The Sunset ATV adventure is good too.

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17. Channel Islands National Park, California

Situated off the coastline of Ventura, about 70 miles north of Los Angeles, this is the least touristy national park in the state. Here you can explore five different islands including Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa. See all the beaches, canyons, cliff faces, and sea lions.

The post 17 Cool Places to Visit in the US in 2020 appeared first on Add to Bucketlist , Vacation Deals.

Are you heading to California on your next vacation? Be sure to visit Yosemite National Park. While you’re there be sure to take along our list of these 15 breathtaking things to do there!

1. Take in the views at Glacier Point

Glacier Point is a well-known rustic geological formation in high above the famous Yosemite Valley on the south side of the valley in California’s Yosemite National Park. It towers 7214 feet high and is 3200 feet higher than Half Dome Village. The point is popular for the superb sunsets that can be seen from the top. It also offers exceptional views of a number of the park’s famous landmarks including Clouds Rest, Half Dome, Nevada Fall, Vernal Fall, Yosemite Falls, and the Yosemite Valley.
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2. Hike to the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point

If you can handle a bit of hike then you certainly must go hiking to Taft Point and Sentinel Dome. The hike can be done in a single loop but if you choose to do both hikes at once it’s a bit longer and more work. The two hikes can be done separately and are both reported to be roughly 2.2 miles round trip. These hikes offer the opportunity to take in not only beautiful views but also to see wildlife. The best time to go is between April and November.
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3. See Tunnel View

The scenic viewpoint known as Tunnel View is located on State Route 41 in the park. Park visitors have praised the expansive, iconic views of the valley from this popular overlook since it first opened in 1933. Mind you, the dramatic scenery of Tunnel View has been painted or photographed by both international tourists and famous artists from here and the neighboring vantage points as far back as the 1800s. Veteran visitors suggest taking in the view after going to Glacier Point because it’s interesting to see some of the same spots from another perspective.
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4. Take in the Yosemite Falls Moonbow

A moonbow is a lunar rainbow that’s created by moonlight instead of direct sunlight. The moonbows in Yosemite reportedly can be seen in three to four day stretches as often as four times each year. The best time to see them is in late spring and early summer. There are good viewing spots at both the upper and lower falls. The Yosemite Falls moonbows are the very brightest during a full moon.

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5. Visit Bridalveil Fall

Bridalveil Fall, like the other waterfalls in the valley, was the result of the numerous hanging valleys left by the glaciers that carved out the entire valley. Bridalveil Fall is 617 feet high and flows all year. Interestingly, the plunging water is blown sideways when the flow is lighter and the wind is brisk and it might not all reach the ground. That’s why the Ahwahneechee named it “Pohono”, (in English “Spirit of the Puffing Wind”).
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6. Do the Half Dome Hike

The popular rock formation known as the Half Dome is a granite dome ensconced at the eastern end of the valley. It’s named after its unusual shape, it towers 8,800 feet above sea level and almost 5,000 feet above the Yosemite Valley. Declared “perfectly inaccessible” back in 1865, today it provides a welcome challenge to many avid hikers. In 1875, George Anderson became the first person to reach the summit.
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7. Climb El Capitan

The sublime El Capitan, a.k.a. El Cap is a vertical granite rock formation found on the north side of the valley close to the western end. This monolith is almost 3,000 feet from its base to its summit when measured along its tallest face. Climbers from across the globe come here to meet the demanding challenge. The best time to visit is from June until October.
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8. Complete the Lembert Dome Hike

The hike to Lembert Dome is a short one that’s well worth the effort. It will take between an hour and a half to three hours due to a nearly mile-long steep rise. You have to hike across what some call a “sticky granite face” to reach the vista. Once you reach the top you will have a super view of the Cathedral Range and Tuolumne Meadows.
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9. See Cathedral Peak

Part of the previously-mentioned Cathedral Ridge, Cathedral Peak is an impressive mountain range found in the south-central section of the park in the eastern portion of Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties. The ridge is named after the peak which is named for its cathedral-like shape.

The shape is the result of glacial activity. The peak has an elevation of 10,916 feet. John Muir was the first person to climb it in 1869.

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10. Hike the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls

The Mist Trail is said to be “one of the most popular short hikes” in the park. The trail begins at Happy Isles and follows the nearby Merced River past both Vernal Fall and the Emerald Pool, to the Nevada Fall. It is a “must-do” trail for hikers visiting this park. It’s also quite popular since it has access to Half Dome. The best time to do this hike is in Spring or Summer.

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11. Visit Olmstead Point

Olmstead Point is a popular viewing area found just off Tioga Pass Road in the park. It provides visitors with a view of Half Dome’s northern side, a southern view into beautiful Tenaya Canyon. A view of lovely Tenaya Lake to the east and a memorable view of Clouds Rest as well.

South and southwest of the parking lot you can see the noteworthy granite slopes and several glacial erratics too.  There’s also a short 0.125-mile hiking trail that leads one south through a little grove of trees to the very top of a small granite dome. From there you can see the clearest views of Half Dome and Clouds Rest.
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12. Stand in Mariposa Grove

Mariposa Grove is one of the park’s sequoia groves. It is situated in the southernmost section. There are several hundred mature trees here as this is the park’s largest grove of the well-known giant sequoias.

A pair of the sequoias are also listed amongst the world’s 30 largest. This grove was closed to all visitors in the summer of 2015 for a special restoration project. It was not reopened until June 15, 2018. The original Mariposa Grove Trail which leads through this grove now includes some exceptional improvements.
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13. Get the Cooks Meadow Ansel Adams Shot

Online sources indicate there are several classic Ansel Adams shots any amateur shutterbug should strive to recreate. One of the favorite photography spots can be found right after entering the park along popular Southside Drive from State Highways 41, 120, or 140. It’s named Cook’s Meadow and has excellent turnout spots to your left.

It’s nice to visit in summer but expect crowds. If you can’t find a spot or miss your turnout you can turn left up ahead at the junction for the Yosemite Valley locations. There is another place to park just past the Stoneman Bridge. From there you can hike in to find excellent views of both the impressive Half Dome and the majestic Yosemite Falls from this vantage point.
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14. Go camping at Camp 4

Situated near Yosemite Falls, Camp 4 is a popular place to camp in the park. It can be found on the valley’s north side. There’s only one parking lot there and there aren’t any driveways to any of the individual sites. Campers must hike in with their gear.

It first became noteworthy following World War II when it began to draw a lot of rock climbers. Many of them would actually spend months there albeit not always legally. The boulders near there have long been used for bouldering.

Perhaps the most famous of them is the Columbia Boulder. There you can see the most famous bouldering problem. It is known as the Midnight Lightning and was first done in 1978 by Ron Kauk. You can easily spot it by the well-known painting of a white thunderbolt right next to it.
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15. Ski or go snowshoeing at Badger Pass

Finally, if you are big on winter sports or simply feeling a bit adventurous then those in the know insist that you must try snowshoeing or skiing at famous Badger Pass. This place is said to be the official home of the state’s oldest downhill skiing location. The best time to go snowboarding or downhill skiing here is between the middle of December through March.

If you’re new to winter sports or simply forgot your equipment, fret not. Veteran visitors confirm that Yosemite Hospitality not only offers lift tickets but they also rent equipment. They can provide you with snowshoes, snowboards, cross-country, and downhill skis. You can even take skiing and snowboarding lessons there. Snowshoe from the ski resort to Dewey Point and enjoy the expansive view of El Capitan and the rest of the valley too.

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