Category Archives: Sightseeing

Picnic Areas, Sightseeing

San Diego Picnic

Picnics San Diego – Picnic Area San Diego

IBbeach

 

picnics

CITY & BAYS & BEACHES:

  • Balboa Park, San Diego – 5 square miles of beautiful city park with lots of gardens
  • Bayview Park, Coronado Island – Small city neighborhood park with great view of downtown skyline
  • Silver Strand State Beach near IB or Imperial Beach, S of Coronado
  • Harbor Island Park, near San Diego airport – facing SD Bay with views of downtown skyline
  • Shelter Island, near San Diego airport – facing SD Bay with views of downtown skyline
  • Mission Bay Park, San Diego, CA – maze of bay front parks & trails; picnic areas, bonfire pits, bike trails & playgrounds
  • Soledad Park, La Jolla, CA – small neighborhood park atop a Mount Soledad, great views of county & ocean
  • Presidio Park, San Diego Mission – park like setting surrounding mission w/ gardens & trees
  • Tidelands Park, Coronado Island – large park with great view of bay, bridge & downtown skyline
  • Mission Trails Park – Mission Gorge – SD river & historic dam, hiking, biking trails
  • Sunset Cliffs, Point Loma – sit on cliff edge or take stairway to beach
  • Torrey Pines Cliffs, Del Mar, CA

San Diego picnic parks

laguna mountains
View east from Laguna Mountain PIcnicgrounds

BACK COUNTRY MOUNTAINS & DESERTS:

vcampoutpinyonwsh

Maps Mountains / San Diego Maps

Sightseeing

Shopping Villages in California

Gold Country Village

Shopping Towns and Downtown Villages

Men bored shoppingListed on this page are California cities and towns that are well known for their shopping – downtown villages, boutiques, art galleries, gift shops, antique stores, shopping plazas, factory outlets, malls and restaurants.

Road trip weekends, all local – for super unique Christmas presents or romantic Valentine’s gifts.

Viewpoints

California College Towns

Uni in Cali

San Diego Skies & Bay

came to California for college and never left
Some folks would argue that education through life experiences can be just as rewarding as following the traditional path of private schools or state education. The internet is fast replacing the need for formal education, as many entrepreneurs never graduate from college and still go on to become huge successes.

Going to university or college in California is a common path for many students, which is why there are mostly transplants living on the west coast. Many start at community colleges and transfer to a 4 year college.

California is the largest state in the union, as well as the most prosperous. California has the one of the largest economy in the world!

Below is a list of California cities and towns with a big student population. Some of these places have more than one college or university in town. IN and around town you will find abundant apartment living, cafes, coffee shops, mexican food, laundromats, bike paths, parks and public bus service.

Chico Bench Art

The New York Fed’s second quarter numbers are out for 2016 and it doesn’t paint a pretty picture for student loan debt. Officially, the nation owes $1.26 trillion in student loan debt. Realistically, we are probably over the $1.3 trillion mark when taking into account the fact that the Fall semester has just started…

Deep Springs CollegeBishop, CA

Heartwood InstituteGarberville, CA

University of Earth
Quincy, CA

4x4 Camps OHV, 4x4 Routes, Back Roads, Backpacking, California Coast, Camping, Campsites, Off Road, Off-Road Trail, Picnic Areas, Sightseeing, Trailheads, Viewpoints, Wilderness

23S01 – Los Padres NF

Big Sur Dirt Roads

Los Padres National Forest Road #23S01

Willow Creek Road
Los Burros Road

South Big Sur Coast Dirt Roads & super scenic US HWY 1 – North of San Simeon and Hearst Castle, north of Ragged Point and just past Gorda, CA a dirt shoulder, widens, a break in the bushes on the right side of the highway, a small wooden sign for the Yurt Resort called Treebones and the turn off to the back-country of Los Padres National Forest Road #23S01

Willow Creek is a steep coastal canyon w/ Willow Creek Trail #5E08 in the creek below and the dirt road 1000′ above. Willow Creek Day Use Area, the Willow Creek bridge and Willow Creek beach w/ restrooms, picnic tables, and paved parking lot near the highway.

DIRT ROAD, high clearance is recommended, but not required. 4×4 may be needed in wet weather. Motorhomes, trucks w/ trailers and RV campers are not gonna like this rugged, narrow, steep, dirt road and are advised to stick to the pavement. Camper vans and SUVs are be better suited for this terrain.

  • Both Thomas Bros. Maps & Benchmark Map’s California Atlas has this route listed as Los Burros Road
  • Google Maps has this route named Will Creek Road
  • Yahoo Maps has this route as Willow Creek – Los Burros Road
  • Mapquest has this one listed as Los Burros Rd – Fort Hunter Liggett (which is a military base,  on the opposite side of the mountain range near US Hwy 101)


View Larger Map

 

Free Camping in Big Sur

Willow Creek Rd

Several primitive camp sites can be found along this rugged dirt road, which climbs steeply and switchbacks thru redwoods, madrones, cedars, grass lands and oak hills. Sites within the first 3 miles  of this road offer the serene sounds of the ocean – waves, seals, sea lions as well as traffic on the busy highway. There are a few private properties back here in the boonies too, so read signs and don’t go exploring this region in the dark.

About 8 miles back on Willow Creek Rd is Alder Creek Campground – a small developed camp w/ only 2 camp sites and no piped water and no fees.

Prewitt Ridge  also has numerous ideal top-of-the-world, free camp sites, which do require a lot more dirt road driving and a very good backcountry map.

  • Sycamore Flat Road intersects @ 3 miles up
  • Alder Peak Camp is San Martin Top @ 12 miles up
  • South Coast Ridge Road is at the very top @ 14 miles
  • Lions Den Camp is 19 miles of dirt road driving
  • Three Peaks Camp is 21 miles way back there
Los Padres Monterey District Big Sur Map NatGeo
California Deserts, Campgrounds, Mines, Off Road, Trailheads, Viewpoints

Mahogany Flat Campground

Mahogany Flat – Death Valley National Park

mahgsign

If you want trees in your Death Valley visit, than this is it. Mahogany Flats Campground is located in a juniper forest on a ridge line of the Panamint Mountains. Often windy camp sites with the highest elevation campground in the area. If you seek to get away from the desert heat, this may be the best option. Spectacular views to the east, over the Death Valley basin. Access to hiking, backpacking, off roading, mountaineering opportunities. A great place to escape summer heat, but be warned of thunderstorms. Picnic table, fire ring, pit toilets – maintained with NPS.

  • Elevation: 8,133′
  • Number of Sites: 10
  • Vehicle Accessibility: High Clearance, recommended. No RVs or trailers. 4×4 needed in heavy rain or snow.
  • Campsites Reservation: No
  • Length of Stay: 30 Days
  • Season: March – November
  • Trailheads: Telescope Peak & Tuber Canyon

greatspot_iDirections:

From Stovepipe Wells, follow Highway 190 W to Emigrant Canyon. Turn left on Wildrose Road and follow it thru the tight rocky canyon, climbing in elevation the whole way.

Passing Wildrose Campground where the pavement ends, past charcoal kilns, climbing in elevation past the pinyon pines at Thorndike Campground, up, up, way up Mahogany Flat Road.

From Panamint Valley, take Wildrose Road up. Turn right to Mahogany Flat Rd and proceed on the dirt road to the top.

View Larger Map

The Telescope Peak mountain range is the only place in the lower 48, where you can see both the tallest peak (Mt Whitney) and the lowest point (Badwater Death Valley).

Death Valley MAPS –

Death Valley Park – NatGeo
Death Valley Topo Map – Tom Harrison

Nearby attractions:

Death Valley National Park
Panamint Valley
Ballarat Ghost Town
Skidoo Town Site
Charcoal Kilns
Telescope Peak
Tuber Canyon
Tucki Mine

DSCN0053

telescopehike

Backpacking, Campgrounds, Hiking, Historic Site, Lakes & Reservoirs, Native American, Picnic Areas, Rock Climbing, Sightseeing, Snow, Trailheads, Viewpoints, Wilderness, Wildflowers

Castle Crags Wilderness

NorCal Hiking
Castle Crags State Park
CastleCrags Wilderness

12,232 acres
Northern California Mountains
South of Dunsmuir, CA
Interstate 5
exit #724 – Castella

backpacking, camping, creek fishing, hiking, mountaineering, lakes, rock climbing, snowshoeing, swimming, waterfalls

About an hour north of Redding, you can see those impressive peaks off to the left above the lush forest. Way up off the west side of I-5, lies a hiking paradise of scenic lakes, waterfalls and wildflowers. Opposite the freeway from Mount Shasta; Just south of Lake Siskiyou.castle crags

Castle Crags Wilderness neighbors the Castle Crags State Park, which is surrounded by Shasta-Trinity National Forest. This area is named for 6,000′ tall glacier-polished peaks and pointed crags. Due to their relatively low elevation, year-round recreation, hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing are popular spring through fall. Snowshoeing near Castle Lake is excellent.

Castle Crags State Park
530-235-2684

Castle Crags State Park Campground
76 developed campsites
6 environmental campsites

Max Camper Length: 27′
Max Trailer Length: 21′

28 miles of hiking trails (2.7 mi access trail to Castle Crags Wilderness)
The Pacific Crest Trail also passes through the park.
Dogs not allowed on park trails.

Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Mount Shasta Ranger District
204 West Alma
Mt. Shasta, CA 96067
530-926-4511

Climbing at the Crags:
the Cosmic Wall & beyond

regional history: The northwest area contains the largest glacial cirque, Castle Lake, which is near where the Modoc War’s 1855 Battle of Castle Crags took place. Now a historical landmark, the battle was fought on a ridge saddle between the lake and what is known as Battle Rock. The Wintu tribe inhabited the area, they called the crags the Abode of the Devil and the Spanish explorers called it Castle del Diablo (Castle of the Devil.) read more on wiki

nearby towns –

 


View Larger Map

4x4 Camps OHV, 4x4 Routes, Back Roads, Backpacking, California Motorcycle, Equestrian, Fishing, Golf Courses, Hiking, Indian Site, Mountain Biking, Native American, Off Road, Off-Road Trail, OHV Parks & SVRA, Petroglyphs, Picnic Areas, Sightseeing, Ski XC, Trailheads, Viewpoints, Washes, Wilderness, Wildflowers, Wildlife Refuge, XC Ski Areas

West Kern

festivals kern

CA Kern / western Kern county

Kern County is known for its oil, its agriculture, and outdoor recreation. The Kern River is the highlight of the region with lush, green and grey granite canyons, a big reservoir & the Sequoia trees just up the road. On the western side of Kern County are small towns like Frazier Park, the golfing cabin community of Pine Mountain Club, plus the oil meccas of Maricopa and Taft. Expansive Lockwood Valley enters into Ventura County. Cuyama River borders Santa Barbara & SLO counties.

Much of the western Kern area is rural ranch land, desert or forest. Los Padres National Forest, Chumash Wilderness, Bittercreek Wildlife Refuge, Wind Wolves Preserve, Buena Vista Reservoir, Ballinger Canyon, Hungry Valley and Fort Tejon State Park all call this region home, right on the mighty tangent of the San Andreas fault line. The San Emigdio range and the surrounding mountains of Mt Pinos and Mount Able design a perpendicular range to the Central Cali coastline, connecting the huge Mojave desert to the ocean. Cerro Noroeste is a very scenic drive.

The 17 mile long Quatal Canyon, where the indian camp of Mahu Tasen hosts a Bear Dance every summer is also a wild place of bird watching, camping and hunting. The indian word for Mount Pinos is “Iwihinmu” – a sacred spot for Chumash Indians, as well as others; Chumash call it the ‘center of the world’. Locals respond regularly with music, hikes, star gazing, drum circles (seasonally) and local festivals (annually) .

PHOTOS: Los Padres Photos | Miller Jeep Trail Off Roading Photos

Drum Camp Pinos | Drumming Cerro Noroeste

Tecuya Ridge

Tecuya Ridge, Cuddy Valley 4×4 trails can keep you busy for a whole weekend of back road exploring.

boating, camping, dirt biking, fishing, hiking, horseback, hunting, mountain biking, off roading, skydiving, xc skiing

DSCN0029

Quatal Canyon

Backpacking, California Waterfalls, Hiking, Sightseeing, Trailheads

Sturtevant Falls

Santa Anita Canyon, Sturtevant Falls

a day hike in the San Gabriel Mountains

Day hikes near Los Angeles, CA

Santa Anita Canyon, Angeles National Forest
From the 210 freeway, in San Gabriel Valley. East of Pasadena, exit Santa Anita Ave.
Head North/East, through neighborhood, where road becomes Chantry Flats Rd (aka, Forest Road #2N40)
proceed up the mountain to paved parking lot @ Chantry Flat. Falls Trailhead #11W14

  • 5 miles RT hike
  • 4600′ elevation
  • steep canyon w/ creek crossings
  • falls and creek subject to seasonal dry up; water flow varies
  • backpack camping only, no developed campground


more photos on trailhead


View Larger Map

California Coast, California Lodge, Coastal Cliffs, Sightseeing

California Lighthouses

California Lighthouse Vacations

Historic lighthouses below are vacation destinations that offer overnight stays at the lighthouse, or lodging close by.

 

CENTRAL COAST CALIFORNIA

 

Avila Beach, CA

 

SAN FRANCISCO AREA

 

Montara, CA

 

Pescadero CA

 

Point Reyes, CA

 

MENDOCINO COAST

 

Mendocino, CA

 

Point Arena, CA

 

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

 

Trinidad CA

Campgrounds, Historic Site, Indian Site, Picnic Areas, Sightseeing, Wildflowers

Tejon California

Tejon Pass / The Grapevine / Tejon Ranch

tejon poppies

Interstate 5 California (Kern & LA County)

Tejon is the largest and oldest privately owned ranch land in California. It spans from the northern slopes of the great central valley to the tops of the oak sided mountains. The Tejon Pass 4144′ elevation, is Interstate 5. The golden state freeway zooms by connecting north Los Angeles to the Central Valley…. at 80mph. Watch for CHP near here. It’s easy to go down hill at 90 and not even realize it.

The old portion of this mountain pass is known as the Historic Ridge Route, and many overgrown miles can still be traveled on the back road. Off road and motorbike trails join up with old sections of crumbling highway between Lake Castiac and Pyramid.  The artist Christo erected 1760 yellow umbrellas along these hillsides between Gorman and Tejon, back in 1991. Awesome wildflowers bloom throughout Tejon, Lebec to Gorman each spring from late March thru May.

Angeles National Forest is on the east side of the freeway w/ Castiac Lake and Los PadresNational Forest is on the west side, with Pyramid Lake. Back roads camping and total seclusion is prime pickins in this region, if you have a decent map and are willing to drive a little

Family campgrounds, RV astronomy sites, 4×4 camps on dirt roads, off road parks, walk in campground to alpine meadows, ridge line forest camps, backpacking, horsepacking, mountain biking, hiking. Numerous campgrounds can easily be found by driving 30 minutes from the “Frazier Park Mountain Road” exit off the freeway. Most folks aim for Mount Pinos, but the whole Los Padres forest is devine.

The fort location was established by the U.S. Army in 1854 and was designed to protect Native Americans. Restored adobes and museum feature exhibits on military life and local history. They also hold living history events performed by volunteers in costume. The park has a number of 400 year-old valley oak trees. Mister Peter Lebeck was killed by a grizzly here and there is even a tree to prove it.

Tejon photos

Fort Tejon Uniforms
Originally uploaded by danamight

Tejon Industrial Complex: This is the first large scale development in a master planned laid out by the privately owned Tejon Ranch Corporation. Another trucker stop on the opposite side of the freeway is already underway. In-N-Out Burger, Starbucks, McDonalds, IKEA distribution center, gasoline @ the bottom of the Grapevine. 30 miles south of Bakersfield & just down the hill from Lebec.

towns nearby –


Angeles National Forest Map
Angeles Forest Map 		Los Padres National Forest Map: South
Los Padres Forest Map: South

Gorman Gold

Headed to Kern River ?

KERN COUNTY RD 184 = LAVAL ROAD: Wheeler Ridge. This is your freeway exit northbound if you wanna bypass Bako city traffic, on the way to Lake Isabella & Kernville.

Gas up in Lamont, it’s cheaper on the north end of town. Great little taco shops abound. Best bypass thru the farm belt to the Sierra Nevada.

California Coast, Coastal Dunes, Hiking, Sand Dunes, Sightseeing, Wildlife Refuge

Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Park

Guadalupe Dunes / Rancho Guadalupe Dunes County Park

Gualupe Dunes Park

Beach sand dunes on the Central California coastline, located in between Point Sal and Pismo Beach. Three different wildlife preserves (and one oil refinery) make up this sandy beach strand W of Guadalupe, CA

From the north

  • Oceano Dunes SVRA – also known as Pismo Dunes this is where all the yahoos can get their thrills riding quads and driving on the beach dunes. One of the few spots in ca, where you can drive your vehicle on the beach, right at the tideline.
  • OSO FLACO LAKE – estuary with boardwalk on the California Central Coast, surrounded by sand dunes and farm lands. Birdwatch right from the middle of the lagoon. Bring a picnic too!
  • Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge – the refuge is situated between Oso Flaco Lake & Ranch Guadalupe Dunes. The main office is located along Highway 1, at 1045 Guadalupe Street, Guadalupe, CA
  • Rancho Guadalupe Dunes County Park – just north of Point Sal is this public access beach. Well known for miles of pristine sand dunes. This is a place to truly enjoy nature and solitude. Near to Pismo Dunes, Rancho Guadalupe is a county park in the Santa Barbara County Parks system. This protected wildlife area is north of Lompoc & south of Pismo Beach CA.  The refuge was established to protect breeding habitat for the endangered species.

All this located west of Santa Maria & Nipomo CA. The Santa Maria River meet the Pacific ocean here at this estuary and sand dune area. From Coast Hwy 101, exit Main Street in Santa Maria; follow Hwy 166 west, past the small town of Guadalupe, CA & past the farmlands – straight to the coast.

6999 W Main St
Guadalupe, CA 93434
805-343-2354


View Larger Map

Horses & dogs are not allowed in the preserve. Off-road vehicle play area is to the north of Oso Flaco Lake. The fence line is visible from the beach hike and engine noises can be heard from Oso Flaco. Enter the Ocean Dunes SVRA (State Vehicular Recreation Area), further up Hwy 1 at Oceano CA

more info
dunescenter.org
Some photos

California Maps, Mountain Biking, Sightseeing, Trailheads

OC

the OC: SoCal culture – beaches, surf, mountains

Orange County. North of San Diego & south of L.A.

surfergirl

OC hikes

A wonderful resource for Orange County outdoors is
ocparks.com

maps for local weekends, local hikes:

oretga highway 74
oretga highway 74
Sightseeing

California County

Outdoor Recreation & Small Town California

All California Counties List

California lakes

Searching for Parks & Recreation for a given California County? Total Escape features back roads destinations, all small towns & everything outdoors. From ghost towns to redwoods, hot springs to museums, recreational lakes to the best secluded beaches. We try to link to local web sites and gov agencies, when those link don’t break.

Seriously, so much time is wasted updating old links to .gov web site pages. Total Escape URLs have stayed the same since 1996. Some small towns barely have a web presence, much less a city web site. Some seasonal resort areas only have a Facebook page for online promotion. Often city web sites will change from a .us,.com to a .net

There are 58 counties inside the golden state California; more than your average state of the union, cuz the land mass is very large, and terrain diverse. City dwellers may be surprised at how many remote communities still exist. Smaller, rural towns are just aching for your tourists dollars, so go explore some place new. Modoc?

County Parks & Campgrounds. plus California Regional Parks can be found on the individual town listings for CA.


California Scenic Drives

California Lakes & Reservoirs

California Parks & Forests ca maps topo

California Small Towns

Campsites, Sightseeing, Trailheads, Wilderness

San Diego Mountains

San Diego Mountain / Hiking San Diego / SoCal Camping

hiking San Diego

San Diego forests & parks – 

Cleveland National Forest

Palomar Mountain State Park

Anza Borrego Desert State Park

San Diego maps & trails –

San Diego mountain towns nearby – Alpine, Descanso, Julian, Mount Laguna, Palomar, Ramona

mt laguna lodge

4x4 Camps OHV, 4x4 Routes, Back Roads, California Deserts, Campgrounds, Creeks, Hiking, Off Road, Off-Road Trail, Sightseeing, Slot Canyons, Trailheads, Washes, Wind Caves

Split Mountain Anza Borrego

Anza Borrego Desert State Park

Fish Creek Campground

E of Borrego Springs CA.

Well off Highway 78, past the busy OHV area, quads at Ocotillo Wells, past all the rural homes & the redneck bar, past the Elephant Trees hike – where the road goes from pavement to graded dirt to a wild desert wash, in a few short miles. If you don’t know where you are, then you’re almost there.

This is a large wild desert wash with huge unstable walls, several areas for wind caves and a few historic markers. Lots of 4×4 trails beyonf Split Mountain, to the south. No real water in sight, except maybe the puddle you are standing in as it starts to poor. The soft sand can give way to a few heavy rain drops. May not be a great area to be during a serious storm or flash flood possibility, unless you want to get buried alive. Check the weather forecast in advance.

A ratty, small developed campground of Fish Creek is on the left side, upon the ledge. Fish Creek Campground is picnic tables & a pit toilet – at most. Ya may as well camp out in the open, off road, like the pioneers did. You can do that out here in Anza Borrego. (Just keep it clean & carry a metal fire container.)

split mountain

Split Mountain, Anza Borrego Desert State Park

This portion of the “mountain” is less than a mile from Fish Creek Campground. Fossils can be found in these walls. Shade is good in summer months, when day temps reach 100+. The rest of the year is ideal weather. This mountain split from water, erosion, mega force. High walls, wind caves, desert washes, great primitive camping & 4×4 routes.

This desert scenic drive will require you to get that SUV dusty. 4 wheel drive not required. No RVs past the campground. All low lying passenger cars are warned, there are uneven areas, soft sand & boulders.

Duh, do not attempt this one when desert flash floods are possible.

ANZA BORREGO STATE PARK

ANZA BORREGO MAP

SAN DIEGO BACKCOUNTRY MAP

nearby towns –

  • BORREGO SPRINGS CA
  • OCOTILLO WELLS CA
  • SALTON SEA CA

    splitmountain

    Great desert back road exploring out here. A zillions washes & canyons.

    • Campsites, Lakes & Reservoirs, Sightseeing, Trailheads, Wilderness

    Eastern Sierra Mountains

    Eastern Sierra Mountains / Eastern Sierras California

    mount tom

    Wilderness seeker John Muir called the Eastern Sierra, the range of light. It’s desery & drastic. Tons of granite & wild-ness. The impressive, tallest peak in the lower 48, Mount Whitney towers at elevation 14888′ over the Owens River Valley. Death Valley meets mountains. Ancient volcanoes & fresh granite. Creeks are alive throughout summer. Alpine lake hikes & their wild flowers are incredible. Horseback trails, rentals, pack trips are very popular. Total Escape even list high country Inyo 4×4 routes, that overlook Bishop.

    Eastern Sierra forest & parks –
    Inyo National Forest
    Toiyabe National Forest – north (Carson)
    Toiyabe National Forest – south (Bridgeport)
    Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

    Ancient Bristlecones

    inyo maps

    Eastern Sierra maps & trails –

    Eastern Sierra towns –
    Aspendell, Big Pine, Bishop, Crowley Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining, Lone Pine, Mammoth, Olancha, Toms Place

    south lake bishop

    cottonwood lakes

    Back Roads, Backpacking, Campgrounds, Equestrian, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Sightseeing, Snow, Trailheads

    Mount Charleston Vegas

    Mt Charleston Las Vegas NV

    Mount Charleston Las Vegas NV

    Mount Charleston Resort
    Mount Charleston Resort

    Mt Charleston cabin rentals, vacation homes and 2 mountain lodges are located near the Spring Mountain Recreation Area, just outside of the Sin City limits. The tall alpine mountains behind RedRock SP, NW of Las Vegas, Nevada are virtually unknown by many non-locals. Great hiking, mountain biking, camping and waterfalls, plus a small seasonal ski and snowboard resort are some of the highlights. Imagine snowboarding Vegas!

    Mt Charleston Hikes
    Red Rock Canyon Map

    Las Vegas Forest Hikes

    Vegas means “the meadows”, but it sure seems more like desert these days. The forest is just up the hill, past the red rock and tract homes, well past the Joshua Trees. Conifer forests, snow and high elevation, less than an hours drive from the Vegas strip. Toiyabe – Humboldt NF is this public land managed by the US National Forest system. Toiyabe also covers Eastern Sierra slopes. Get California Toiyabe NF maps. Get the Nevada State Park map here!

    Camping Vegas

    Due to extreme dry conditions and wildfire danger no open camp fires are allowed from mid-April to mid-November in the Mount Charleston region. Several developed campgrounds, plus a primitive (dirt road) camp area off Lee Canyon. Cabin rentals are located at the Charleston Lodge.

    • Vegas trails
    • Hiking in Vegas
    • Mount Charleston skiing
    • Mt Charleston hikes
    Equestrian, Sightseeing, Wilderness

    Mountain Horse Riding

    horse rides to camp, to fishing the lakes, to sight see alpine country

    There are so many gorgeous mountains and high deserts in California, that just choosing a perfect horseback ride destination can actually be fun. Browse this extensive list of all local providers. City folks need to consider the colder weather at the higher elevations: bring jackets, hats and warmer clothing.

    SoCal areas for horseback are Big Bear, Idyllwild, and San Diego. Horse riding Central Coast regions could consider these places Big Sur, Carmel and Paso Robles. NorCal Coast has the Sea Ranch, Mendocino; but the Sierra Nevada and Gold Country are prime destinations with wildflower creek beds and oak foothills all they way up to the high country alpine granite splendor. Horseback rides in CA

    Overnight horseback riding

    Also called pack trips, or pack trains, these are trained animals (horsea, donkeys, mules, or llamas) that carry your heavy load up the mountain, while you hike solo nearby. Or you can ride the horse, and have another horse carry the gear. Many high elevation back-country can be reached this way – in the warmer months, after the snow has melted. Sierra lake fishing trips by horseback are very popular tours. Find outfitters in Cali for horses, or check out the Llama Trips.

    see also – Horse Drawn Carriage Rental

    Here is a list of some of California’s most horse friendly towns, some of which have limited winter access:

    • BIG BEAR CITY
    • BISHOP
    • DARDANELLE
    • GOLD LAKE
    • IDYLLWILD
    • JULIAN
    • JUNE LAKE
    • KENNEDY MEADOWS
    • KERNVILLE
    • KINGS CANYON
    • LAKE TAHOE
    • PINE MOUNTAIN
    • PIONEERTOWN
    • RAMONA
    • RANDSBURG
    • SEQUOIA
    • SIERRA CITY
    • TRUCKEE
    • YOSEMITE
    Sightseeing

    California Romantic Spots

    San Diego BayCA Romance

    Almost any place can be romantic with the right person to keep your company. Okay, maybe not a storage shed or fish hatchery, but use your imagination on this one. California has so many places to take in the beauty of nature, relax outdoors at a cafe, wine tasting at a vineyard, hiking to a waterfall, or a dinner on a historic train, a bon fire on the beach, visiting an aquarium, or an old gold mine. How about kayaking on the bay, soak in a nature hot springs, picnicking on the cliffs, off-roading in search of wildflower meadows, tubing in the river, sledding in the mountains, full moon walks in the country, stargazing for meteor showers in the desert, staying overnight at a Gold Country bed & breakfast, bike rentals in Yosemite, or a crystal cave tour in Sequoia National Park. Well, you get the idea. These little list could go on & on, but we will leave the ultimate decision up to you. And your honey will be so happy you took the time to create a special weekend – just for the two of you.

    Below is a list of just a few romantic spots inside California. Please keep in mind that some of these locations are at high altitude, meaning they get plenty snow in winter months, so plan accordingly.

    Sightseeing

    California Romantic Beach

    San Diego Beaches

    Torry Pines Beach in San Diego is an excellent place to take a hike w/ your lover. Or perhaps, a picnic dinner watching the sunset, overlooking the waves, surfers, & train tracks.

    usala beach lost coastCalifornia has some amazing beaches & coastline, that’s for sure. Supposedly most of us moved out here for this glorious gold coast, yet often find ourselves held hostage in front of the televisions – instead of outside, enjoying the scenery, the sand, the moist sea breezes & fresh air.

    Favorite beaches listed from south to north along the California coast:

    point reyes

    see also California Beach Destinations & Coastal Bed & Breakfasts