Tag Archives: local

DanaMite

DanaMite founder of Total Escape

Internet Pioneer

totalescape.com  – online since 1996

(before the dot com crash, before digital cameras, before GPS, before social media & way ahead of smartphones)

Sole creative force of Total Escape, Dana Williams left her 3D animation career to start living and working her dream job, online and off. Utilizing artistic talents, computer skills, a vast knowledge of the California landscape and a simple love of nature, to make it all come together for a killer web site called Total Escape.

27 years online means fresh content & updates every month; reworking web code every few years to keep up with various browsers, apps, maps, and wildfires.

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“travel agent to the back woods”

greenhouseLiving close to the earth with organic gardening and rural living, DanaMite strives to offer California residents, new-comers and visitors unique, local destinations, concentrating on the outdoors – well away from overcrowded, busy, urban cities and tourist traps. Total Escape can show you how to discover the secret, hidden spots on your public lands that the gov web sites will not even dare to mention.

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the independent source for California travel

NO CORPORATE sponsorshipCalifornia Camping Photos
No venture capital
No government subsidies
No annoying pop-up ads
No scripts chugging bandwidth

No membership needed

 

Decades without a television set lends plenty of time for studying terrain, topographic maps, GPS coordinates and thousands of photographs to compile more than 8000 pages on just California travel. Far from the daily grind of everyday life, DanaMite continues in educating the public about local travel, camping, family farms, organic cafes, outdoor recreation, respecting the land, responsible use of our resources & how to get more enjoyment out of weekend travels.

outdoor girls

Things that started Total Escape:

 

entrepreneur

YOUR SUPPORT keeps Total Escape going:

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Expert Camping Pro California
40+ years of documenting back roads of California, plus some Baja & Utah too!
utahlover
DanaMite loves Utah, almost as much as she loves California.
tejonpass
Tejon Pass “Cristo’s Umbrellas” art installation 1991. Photo copyright – Kevin Robinson

condor costume

California Motorcycle Roads

CA motorcycle roads

These are the roads that drivers love. More room to roam, more space, more pavement, more scenery to love and less people, less drivers and less distractions. California has endless roadways that wind through every part of the entire state. If you enjoy real driving in California, you like the curvy roads & scenery. Total Escape  has dedicated numerous hours to the collection of back roads in California. Some paved, some not.

4000 RPMs or higher / Cerro Noroeste Road to Hwy 166

CALIFORNIA driving WAYS & ROADS

CALIFORNIA SCENIC HIGHWAYS & MAIN ROADS

free stickers
get your free sticker

singlelanerd

MAPS, PARKS & LINKS

see also

scenic drives
Some random road east of Trinity River

Los Angeles County Fair

The Fun Starts Here

LA County Fair

Los Angeles County Fair is held several miles from downtown LA; at the Pomona Fairgrounds (off Interstate 10). Concerts, carnival rides & games, exhibits, horse shows, home & garden shows, arts & crafts. Big event for the county of Los Angeles.

NOTE 2022:
The LA Fair has permanently moved to the month of May

Annual event; May
909-623-3111

Los Angeles CA

lacountyfair.com

Fiesta Hermosa Beach

CIMG1647

Fiesta Hermosa
Hermosa Beach Street Fair

This long running beach block party is always held on the extended Memorial Day Weekend – kicking off the summer months. 3 days of live music, art, food & fun.

Annual event; May

HERMOSA BEACH CA

fiestahermosa.net

 

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Grape Festival in Lodi

GrapeMural

Lodi Grape Festival & Harvest Fair

Located in the California Central Valley farming region in Lodi, California. Carnival games, rides, entertainment, livestock & animals, wine tasting, square dancing, arts & crafts.

Annual event; September
209-369-2771

LODI CA

grapefestival.com

 

GrainMural

2011 Lodi Grape Festival

CaseyPony2

Lobster Festival Redondo

Redondo Pier

Redondo Beach Lobster Festival

30 years running, this Redondo Beach event is a hot hit, especially for beach-goers near Los Angeles, California

3 day event held at the Seaside Lagoon next to King Harbor, just north of the Redondo Beach Pier. Live music, entertainment, lobster recipes, celebrity chefs, craft beer, kids activities and vendor booths.

Annual event; October
310-376-6911

REDONDO BEACH California

redondolobsterfestival.com

 

Cracking lobster

Mammoth Lakes Film Festival

Mammoth

MLFF: Mammoth Lakes Film Festival
#mlfilmfest

A multi-day festival that screens independent features and shorts in the spectacular setting of Mammoth Lakes and the ruggedly beautiful Eastern Sierra. Traditionally held on Memorial Day weekend. There used to be a “Mammoth Mountain Film Festival”, but I guess this event replaces it.

Annual event: May
on Memorial Day weekend

Mammoth Lakes, CA

mammothlakesfilmfestival.com

Pacific Coast Fog Fest

Pacifica Fog Fest

Pacifica Fog Festival
Pacific Coast Fog Fest

Held along Palmetto Avenue in Pacifica, is a weekend arts and crafts fair with over 190 arts and craft booths, live entertainment, plenty of tasty food and drink to please any appetite. Since 1986!

Annual event; September
650-355-4122

Pacifica, CA

pacificcoastfogfest.com

 

Pacifica Fog Fest 2011

Pacifica Fog Fest 9-2009

Pacifica Fog Fest

Oroville Salmon Festival

Lake Oroville

Lake Oroville Salmon Festival
Salmon Fest in O’ville

Feather River Fish Hatchery, Feather River Nature Center and Riverbend Park

On the Feather River between Historic Downtown Oroville and the Fish Hatchery, the town bursts with fish-flavored activities during the annual Salmon Festival. Friday night starts @ Feather River Nature Center for dinner & dance. Saturday brings on the fun, food, music and vendors on Main Street. Lots of great local info – salmon recipes, water/drought, fishing and environmental issues.  Big pancake breakfast, a farmer’s market, live music, a craft fair, clowns, rides for the kids. Hatchery tours. The Bounty of Butte County will be located atop Myers Street, next to the Municipal Auditorium leading into Salmon Court. FREE to attend and tastes sold as desired. There will be food demonstrations, local food vendors, restaurant tastings and so much more.

Annual event; September
530-538-2542

Oroville, CA

salmonfestoroville.org

Oro Hatch

Oro Hatch - 14

Historic Downtown Oroville

Farm-to-Fork Festival

Farm_to_Fork_Bridge_Dinner_20170913_0234

Farm to Fork Festival

Designed to demonstrate where our food and drinks come from, the Farm-to-Fork Festival has proven to be one of the Sacramento region’s most popular events. The free event, hosted on the city’s iconic Capitol Mall boasts an exciting selection of farm-to-fork offerings that are produced and available in the Sacramento region. Attendees will find food, wine and beer from regional eateries and purveyors, as well as farmers markets, live music, cooking demonstrations, local grocers, farms and ranches, vendor booths and much more.

Annual event: September
916-808-7777

Sacramento, CA

farmtofork.com

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Pandemic

califrepublic


and all hell is breaking loose

 

Pandemic+Lockdown+Unemployed = Protest&Riots

The past weekend makes the Occupy Wall Street protest look like a walk in the park w/ a picnic.

slomarch

Only 8 and a half years ago (2011) – Americans were in the streets marching in mass. After 15 million people lost their home to foreclosure, 9 million lost their jobs and the banking system was teetering on the edge of financial collapse (2008), people woke up, joined together to demand a better system.

Banks got bailed out, We got sold out.

tentsatcourthouse

Mass Protest: Did things get better for everyone since then?
Ask around

protesters

are you ready to leave your comfort zone?

(manual labor may be involved)

desert_road

a vast resource for rural California

58 counties
58 Counties in Calif

plenty of space for everyone
grow food, save seeds

butterfly

Summer in the City = Uncertain

They want you – for your own safety – indoors, online, controlled and monitored. Wait, what?  Do we really need to stay inside 24/7 – stir crazy, checking news and social media hourly.

Escape to the real Outdoors

Turn off the television and the computer and go outside. Plant a garden, grow some food, read a book, go for a long walk or a day hike. Find a new waterfall, dust off the old mountain bike or bring a picnic to the nearest open space.

poppy desert
California Poppy Park
desert camp
Desert Camping is best in Spring.

@ HOME, for how long?home

Choose the outdoors, over the indoors. Solo and safe. Secluded, distant, remote. Total Escape specializes in these types of locations.

Lupine on Pozo Rd

even more suggestions:

baldrockroad

Los Angeles Group Camping

Los Angeles Group Camping

Angeles Crest Campgrounds

Angeles

 

campground elev spots veg toilet water notes
Bandido Campground 5,700′ 120 pines vault piped Group Camp
Coulter Campground 5,200′ 50 pines vault piped Group Camp
Jackson Flat 3,400′ 180 pines flush piped Jackson Lake
Los Alamos Campground 2,600′ 75 sage flush piped Pyramid Lake
Meadow Group Camp 5,200′ 100 pines flush piped Lower Chilao
Lightning Point 6,200′ 200 pines vault none Group Camp
ODCmapout
Outdoor Clubs, found in L.A.

jacksonsign

nearby towns –

Pyramid Lake
Family Fun @ Pyramid Lake, along Interstate 5

Angeles Maps – hiking, OHV & mountain biking –


Shop Total Escape

support this site: 

shop online with the links below and help keep this web site alive

maps, books, gear
outdoor person gift list

outdoor person gift

Over the decades Total Escape has seen many affiliate programs dissolve, but Amazon has always held true, which is why we still link to them. Follow links to the new shop pages!

amazonbutton

Baja California Maps
totalescape.net/shop/baja-california-maps/

Big Bear Maps
totalescape.net/shop/big-bear-trail-map/

Big Sur Maps
totalescape.net/shop/big-sur-maps/

Borrego Maps
totalescape.net/shop/anza-borrego-desert-map/

California Backpacks
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/backpacks/

California Maps & Atlas
totalescape.net/shop/state-atlas-maps/

California Tackle & Fishing
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/tackle/

Camp Batteries
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/camp-battery/

Camp Chair
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/camping-chairs/

Camp Tents
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/tents/

Camp Gadgets
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/camp-tools/gadgets/

Camp Kitchen
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/camp-kitchen/

Camp Lighting
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/camp-lights/

Camp Soaps
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/camp-soap/

Camp Storage
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/camp-storage/

Camp Tools
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/camp-tools/

Camp Water
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/camp-water/

Camping w/ Bears
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/bears/

Camping Coolers
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/coolers/

Camping Stoves
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/camping-stoves/

Camping Tables
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/camp-tables/

Coleman Gear

GPS Units
totalescape.net/shop/map-gear/gps-units/

Outdoor Books for California
totalescape.net/shop/

Outdoor Radios
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/outdoor-radios/

Sleeping Bags
totalescape.net/shop/outdoor-gear/sleeping-bags/

Wilderness Maps
totalescape.net/shop/wilderness-maps/

Gear for Outdoors

Anza Borrego Wildflowers


Desert Wildflowers / Anza Borrego SP

Anza Borrego Flowers / Borrego Springs CA

Wild Flowers of Box Canyon, Mecca
East San Diego County, Borrego Springs CA

San Diego Backcountry
600,000 acres of SoCal desert

BLOOM: February thru MaySan Diego desert maps
Anza Park elevations range from low to high. Lowest near eastern border of park (next to the Salton Sea) to the upper reaches of the western slopes @ 4000′ of the Laguna mountains. Lower elevations sprout up first; Micro flowers, Easter-egg-color splendor in the dry washes. Higher elevations bloom later (along w/ areas on San Diego County Rd S-2, the Great Overland Stage Route)

Drive from Temecula to Warner Springs, and then proceed east – out to the Salton Sea via Back Road Highway #S22 (Montezuma Grade). A great route to take thru the Borrego State Park – for the full gamut in vegetation & altitude. Grapevine Canyon is an alternate off road route down a scenic canyon. Culp Valley has a small campground, plus lots of boulders and decent views to the Borrego Valley. Off the highway, on dirt, one-lane side roads lead to many primitive spots. Perfect for private picnics, stargazing or overnight camping.

anza wildflowers include – Arizona Lupine, Barrel cacti, Brittlebush, California Primrose, Cheesebush, Creosote, Desert Chicory, Desert Apricot, Desert Hibiscus, Desert Lavender, Desert Pincushion, Fiesta Flower, Fishhook Cactus, Gold-Poppy, Ghost Flowers, Ground Cherry, Fagonia, Prickly Pear, Monkey Flower, Ocotillo, Rigid Fiddleneck, Rock Daisy, Sahara Mustard, Sand Verbena, Short-Wing Deerweed, Spanish Needles, Spectacle Pod, Trailing Windmills, Turpentine Broom, Whispering Bells, Wishbone Bush

Anza Borrego Camping: Palm Canyon and RV Resortscamp

 

BORREGO MAPS

Wilderness Anza Borrego Map
Wilderness Press Anza Borrego Map

 

Hot Springs of the Southwest
Hot Springs of the Southwest

Anza Borrego Flora

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Annual California Wildflower Reports

 

anza flower links:

Anza-Borrego National History Association
Anza Borrego Desert
Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Borrego Campfire Restrictions
Desert USA Reports

blurflwr

nearby towns:

Borrego Valley Flora

Cheap Trips California

CA Road Trip / Staycation California / Cheap Vacation California

point reyes

Staycation: this is the newest media catch phrase for ‘traveling close to home’. Local travel in California. We know it well, cuz Total Escape has been featuring this kinda travel for over 2 decades. Right here on this web site you can find thousands of ideas for weekend getaways, honeymoons, spring breaks & summer vacations.

Spend less money, travel local, stay longer, see more, and really relax. Drive less miles & get to know your own backyard. We have everything from independent lodges in the most remote destinations, to free primitive camping sites on Sierra creeks.

woods

No amusement parks, no casinos. All California, all outside. We feature waterfalls, local hikes, swimming holes, hot springs, fishing creeks, campgrounds, museums, lakes, rivers, wilderness & most all outdoor recreation. Deserts, mountains, country, coast. Beaches to Bristlecones, we have the state covered for local travel.

A good place to start is our extensive A-Z list of all California destinations & small towns.

California Places & Vacation Ideas

California Camping Lakes

California Road Trips

California Maps & Topos

Giant Sequoias

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.

Santa Lucia Wilderness

RanchesAG
Rancho Arroyo Grande, California

Santa Lucia Wilderness

South San Luis Obispo Hiking Trails

18, 679 acres
Central California Mountains
East of Arroyo Grande, CA
US Highway 101
exit #187A – Grand Ave

backpacking, camping, creek fishing, hiking, swimming holes, waterfalls

Santa Lucia Wilderness is the mountain range in between Santa Margarita Lake and Lake Lopez inside Los Padres National Forest, in a very remote and rugged portion of San Luis Obispo county. In the hills behind Arroyo Grande, past the Huasna turn off, above the local reservoir, beyond the big ranches – the waterfall trails of Santa Lucia can be found. Super steep canyons with only two dead end roads leading to trails. Waterfalls, swimming holes, way back there behind Piney Ridge.

tallest mountain peak elevations

  • Bald Mountain – 2834′
  • Lopez Mountain – 2868′
  • Black Butte – 2749′

Upper Lopez Canyon can be challenging drive with water in the creek, but it has 3 trailheads back in this canyon.

Pozo Road / Hi Mtn Road (#30S05 on the way to Pozo) will lead to a Santa Lucia trailhead @ Hi Mtn Campground and on to Big Falls trailhead. Locals call the whole route POZO, which leads from Lake Lopez to Pozo.

Road #15E11 Garcia Ridge OHV trail is off this same main route, Hi Mountain Road. The Rinconada trailhead can be found along the paved Pozo Road, west of the Pozo Saloon and east of the KOA Campground.

San Luis Obispo Area
HIKING MAPS

NGLPNFW

Los Padres Big Sur Map

The Plunge Pool

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