First-Timer's Guide to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

This week we're taking a road trip along the California Central Coast to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, nicknamed "mini Yosemite". With its hiking trails, towering coastal redwood trees, abundant wildlife, and lodging options (including camping and Big Sur Lodge cabins), this CA state park along Highway 1 is one of the top places to go in Big Sur. Read this travel guide for all the park details.

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Ultimate Guide to CA State Parks in Big Sur

The Big Sur coast is home to several California State Parks, and they are all worthy of a stop on your next Highway 1 road trip. Check out this travel guide to explore the best hiking trails and what wildlife to see on your Big Sur adventure in each state park, including Garrapata, Point Lobos, Andrew Molera, Julia Pfeiffer Burns, Pfeiffer Big Sur, Limekiln, Point Sur, and Hearst San Simeon.

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Spring Wildflowers at Red Rock Canyon State Park

Looking for the top places to see Spring wildflowers in California? Check out this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to see current conditions of Red Rock Canyon State Park along Highway 14 north of Mojave. This desert superbloom makes a great SoCal road trip from Los Angeles. This underrated park also provides camping at the Ricardo Campground, which is perfect for stargazing & astrophophotography.

Monarch Butterfly Grove - Thousands of Butterflies in Pismo Beach, CA

Currently there are 16,000 western monarch butterflies at the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove along CA Highway 1. If you're wondering where to see monarchs in California, this butterfly colony is one of the largest in the state and can be enjoyed every November thru February during the monarch winter migration. This is one of my top things to do in Pismo Beach & along the central coast.

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First-Timer’s Guide to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Carmel, CA. Located near Monterey and Big Sur, this California State Park contains multiple hiking trails that take you along bluff tops, turquoise waters, and abundant wildlife. Some of the top things to do is to see the Whalers Cabin, China Cove, Sea Lion Point, Bird Island, and Cypress Grove Trail.

Partington Cove Trail in Big Sur, CA

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for hiking to Partington Cove along the central California coast. This short hike is one of the top things to do in Big Sur and leads to a cove with turquoise waters through coastal redwoods and an old logging tunnel. The trail runs alongside seasonal cascade waterfalls that flow into the Pacific Ocean where there is beach access at Partington Point.

Visiting the Tallest, Oldest & Largest Trees in the World

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting the tallest trees, the oldest trees, and the largest trees in the world. The giant sequoias, the coastal redwoods, and the ancient bristlecone pines are all found in California, and this week I'm sharing my favorite places to go and hiking trails to see these trees up close, most of which are in state and national parks, forests, and monuments.

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Remembering at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park in the Central Valley of California. Situated a few hours away from San Francisco and Los Angeles, this small CA State Park is one of the top things to do in Bakersfield. Learn about the African American pioneers that founded this town, and explore the old structures as we celebrate Black History Month.

Tule Elk State Natural Reserve Visitors Guide

Reach this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the Tule Elk State Natural Reserve. This California State Park is home to the once nearly extinct tule elk, and has been responsible for the repopulation of these elk that once thrived in the Central Valley and throughout the state. Today we'll take a guided auto tour and get up close views of elk and other wildlife on this nature preserve.

Best California Trips for 2023 Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the best trips in California to take in 2023. Listed out in this article are 6 top road trips to take during each season, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. We'll explore mountain adventures in Yosemite and Lassen Volcanic National Park, as well as beach destinations in Big Sur. We'll head to the desert to discover unique landscapes in Death Valley.

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Ghost Town Adventure at Bodie State Historic Park

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the California ghost town of Bodie State Historic Park along Highway 395. Located a half hour north of Lee Vining and the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite National Park, this Gold Rush boomtown has been preserved in a state of arrested decay by the CA State Park Service and showcases 200 old structures, including a jail, schoolhouse, church, and bank.