Posts in California
Eastern Sierra Fall Colors - My Top 20 Spots

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to the top 20 spots to view the Eastern Sierra Fall colors in 2022. Plan your visit this Autumn with locations such as North Lake, Rock Creek Lake, Conway Summit, McGee Creek, South Lake, Intake 2, Bishop, Owens River, Aspendell, Cardinal Village, Lake Sabrina, and more. Download a free travel guide with map pins and driving directions.

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3 National Parks in 1 Day - Yosemite, Kings Canyon & Sequoia

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting 3 National Parks in 1 day! This one day itinerary is a great California road trip idea, taking us from Yosemite Valley to Kings Canyon, and then ending in Sequoia National Park. We'll explore spots like Lower Yosemite Falls, Big Stump Trail, Grant Grove, General Sherman, Moro Rock, Hanging Rock, Tunnel Log, and Tunnel Rock.

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Exploring Tallac Historic Site in Lake Tahoe

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the Tallac Historic Site in South Lake Tahoe on the California side. There are many things to do in Lake Tahoe, but this Northern California landmark offers a look into Lake Tahoe history. Explore old structures, including the Pope Estate and Baldwin Estate, which is now home to the Tallac Museum where you can learn about the native Washoe people.

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Hiking to Artist Point in Yosemite National Park

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking a section of the Pohono Trail and Old Wawona / Stagecoach Road to the Artist Point overlook in Yosemite National Park. Learn about trail info, such as distance / elevation gain, as well as how this viewpoint is a great alternative to Tunnel View since it is less crowded, and the hike can be combined with a similar view at Inspiration Point.

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Visit the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide about hiking to the General Sherman Tree located in Sequoia National Park in the California Sierra Nevada Mountains. Learn interesting facts about the General Sherman Tree, trail distance, and nearby trails, such as the Congress Trail, the Alta Trail, and the Circle Meadow Loop. Enjoy photography of the giant sequoia trees from overlooks and viewpoints.

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Devastated Area Interpretive Trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide about hiking the Devastated Area Interpretive Trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California. Learn about the trail distance and the interpretive panels, such as the one with Loomis and his "Hot Rock" photograph. See pictures of Lassen Peak, large volcanic rocks, and the forest that is recovering from the Lassen Peak volcano eruption.

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Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay State Park - Lake Tahoe

Today we're taking the short and steep hike down to Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay State Park on the California side of south Lake Tahoe. This historic structure was built nearly a century ago and is one of the best representations of Scandinavian architecture in the United States.

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Dog-Friendly Spots in Yosemite National Park

Today I'm in Yosemite National Park with my dog exploring all the pet friendly spots in the park. Read this full travel guide to enjoying the best dog friendly activities, hiking trails, viewpoints, and hotels. Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, Cooks & Sentinel Meadows, Half Dome views from Glacier Point, and the hike to Mirror Lake are just a few of the dog friendly locations we're exploring today.

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Subway Cave & Spattercone Trail - Lassen National Forest

We're celebrating National Forest Week by exploring two easy hikes in Lassen National Forest in Northern California. The Subway Cave Lava Tubes and Spatter Cone Nature Trail are two of the most unique and easily accessible volcanic trails in California.

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Hospital Rock - Sequoia National Park

Today we're in Sequoia National Park along Generals Highway exploring Hospital Rock, an ancient Native American site with pictographs from centuries ago. We'll also check out bedrock mortars and take the short hike down to the Kaweah River.

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Lower Chilnualna Falls - Yosemite National Park

This week we're exploring a lesser known waterfall in Yosemite National Park found near the small town of Wawona, California. Chilnualna Falls is made of five large drops over giant granite formations above the Wawona basin, and today we'll be hiking the short trail to the lower section.

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Congress Trail - Sequoia National Park

Today we're hiking up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains along the Congress Trail in Sequoia National Park to some of the world's largest trees. We'll start at the famous General Sherman Tree and then escape the crowds to see many more giant sequoias. We'll enjoy The President Tree, The House Group, The Senate Group, the Lincoln Tree, and even an old log cabin.

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Darwin Falls - Death Valley National Park

Today we're hiking the trail to a hidden waterfall oasis in Death Valley National Park. Darwin Falls is comprised of an upper and lower falls, and it's a great spot to visit when entering the park on the west side near Panamint Springs Resort.

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Top 9 Hikes in California National Parks

Today we're taking a look at 9 of my favorite hikes in each of the 9 national parks found in California. I'm also including the top 5 trails in each park to equip you as you head out on your next adventure. Join me as we head out to Yosemite, Redwood, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Lassen Volcanic, Death Valley, Channel Islands, Pinnacles, and Joshua Tree.

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Wildcat Falls & The Cascades - Yosemite National Park

Today we're exploring two lesser known waterfalls in Yosemite National Park near the El Portal Arch Rock Entrance. Wildcat Falls and Cascade Falls are a series of waterfalls that plunge into the Merced Gorge, and can be viewed with minimal hiking.

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Corriganville Park & Movie Ranch

Today we're stepping back in time as we explore an old film location just north of Los Angeles in Simi Valley. Corriganville Park was home to sound stages, a man-made lake, and entire western town that were backdrops for 3,000 movies, TV shows, and commercials.

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