Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide about the hike up Pothole Dome in Yosemite National Park. Located along Tioga Road in the Tuolumne Meadows near the Tioga Pass Entrance, this is a great family friendly hiking trail and one of my top things to do in Yosemite's high country. Atop this granite feature we'll have spectacular views of Unicorn Peak, Cockscomb Peak, and the Cathedral Range.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to exploring the top things to do along a Tioga Pass road trip, one of the most underrated sections of Yosemite National Park. When Tioga Road opens for the season, there are so many places to go, including Olmsted Point with views of Half Dome, Tenaya Lake, Lembert Dome, Tuolomne Meadow, and multiple waterfalls that flow in late Spring / early Summer.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to exploring Columns of the Giants along Sonora Pass Highway 108 in the Sierra Nevadas of CA. Hiking this family friendly trail is one of my top things to do on a road trip through Stanislaus National Forest. The short paved path takes you over the Middle Fork Stanislaus River to basalt rock formations formed by volcanic and glacial activity long ago.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking the Pohono Trail to Inspiration Point in Yosemite National Park. Inspiration Point and Artist Point are great alternatives to Tunnel View if you want to avoid crowds. This is a moderate hike and overlook spot to see El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Fall, and the Yosemite Valley. Photographers enjoy this viewpoint for sunrise and sunset.
Read MoreBookmark this Complete Guide to Yosemite Waterfalls for your next visit to Yosemite National Park. In this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide, you'll learn about all the major waterfalls found inside the park, along with details on hiking trails, viewpoints, and best times of year to visit. Take a virtual visit along the Mist Trail to Nevada & Vernal Falls, and to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking the trail to Wapama Falls in the Hetch Hetchy area of Yosemite National Park. Located near the town of Groveland, this waterfall hike takes you alongside the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which was formed a century ago when the Hetch Hetchy Valley was flooded by the creation of the O'Shaughnessy Dam, providing water to the city of San Francisco.
Read MoreJoin me on the Flying Dawn Marie travel blog today as we explore the current flood conditions in Yosemite National Park. The Merced River is flooding the Yosemite Valley and almost touching the Swinging Bridge and Pohono Bridge. Waterfalls, such as Bridalveil Fall, Ribbon Fall, Horsetail Fall, the Cascades, and Yosemite Falls are roaring and can be enjoyed from many popular viewpoints.
Read MoreRead 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.
Read MoreRead this comprehensive Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting Bisbee, AZ. Discover what to do, where to stay, and what to eat in this charming small town in the Mule Mountains of Cochise County. If you're planning a trip to southern Arizona, this complete guide will inform you about the top restaurants, activities, shops, art, museums, tours, hotels, and Airbnbs in this historic mining town.
Read MoreThere are some great places to see wildflowers in California right now. Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel blog about hiking the Wildflower Loop Trail at WInd Wolves Preserve, located just north of Los Angeles near the Grapevine in Bakersfield, CA. The abundant rains have created lush fields at this Central Valley park, making it one of the top spots to see Spring wildflowers this year.
Read MoreThis week on the Flying Dawn Marie travel blog we're partnering with B Active Bisbee, a family owned local business providing fun adventures & rentals in Southern Arizona. We'll be taking guided hikes, renting e-bikes, and learning about the rich history and art scene in this historic mining boomtown. This shop specializes in golf cart, hiking, walking, e-bike, and wine experiences in Old Bisbee.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting Chiricahua National Monument in southern Arizona. Taking a road trip to the unique rock formations of the Chiricahua Mountains is one of my favorite things to do in Cochise County. Going to see these hoodoos is a great day trip idea from Tucson and Bisbee. Today we're hiking the Echo Canyon Grottoes Trail and to the Massai Point Overlook.
Read MoreSnow has fallen in Los Angeles and across Southern California with recent storms, so today we're exploring the winter scenes at Wind Wolves Preserve just north of LA near the i5 Grapevine. Visiting this park is one of the top things to do in Bakersfield, CA with the rolling hills, abundant wildlife, and miles of hiking trails. Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for all the details.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting Yosemite Valley during Firefall season. Learn what to do in Yosemite National Park on your visit, as well as see what parking, hiking, and setting up in the El Capitan Picnic Area looks like to witness the Horsetail Fall Firefall phenomenon. We'll also enjoy views from the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, Tunnel View, and Bridalveil Falls Trailhead.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting Dante's View in Death Valley National Park. This is one of the top things to do in Death Valley due to the amazing views of Badwater Basin, Telescope Peak, Panamint Mountains, and Mount Charleston. There are 2 hiking trails that offer more unique overlooks of this unique terrain. Dantes View is a great place for sunrise, sunset, and stargazing,
Read MoreRead this travel guide for 24 hours in Death Valley National Park. Get a behind the scenes look at how we capture content for the Flying Dawn Marie blog and YouTube channel as we take road trip to some of our top places and favorite things to do in Death Valley, such as Dantes View, Badwater Basin, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Harmony Borax Works, and Furnace Creek Campground.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting Fort Tejon State Historic Park along the Grapevine north of Los Angeles. If you're looking for things to do in Bakersfield, this California State Park offers an opportunity to see what life was like on this military fort two centuries ago. Here you'll find reconstructed buildings, original structures, history about the area, and wildlife.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide about hiking to Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park during Winter. This Yosemite Valley trail is a popular hike during snowy months. The pristine seasonal lake offers reflective views of Half Dome and many other granite formations in the Tenaya Canyon. This is an easy to moderate hike that is dog friendly and perfect for families near Curry Village.
Read MoreRead 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.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for a winter stay at the Ahwahnee Hotel Library Suite in Yosemite National Park during Christmas time. With views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Glacier Point, this historic hotel is a great place to stay in Yosemite Valley. Visit the Dining Hall, Grand Lounge and Mural Room, and book guest rooms where Queen Elizabeth, JFK, and Barak Obama stayed.
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