What are the best hotels in Yosemite? Today I'm sharing 5 of my favorite unique hotel stays in & around Yosemite National Park, ranging from luxury resorts to airbnb villas to dog friendly stays. Check out this comprehensive travel guide to learn about lodging dining options, room & suite amenities, family friendly activities, and proximity to main entrances to plan your next Yosemite vacation.
Read MoreWondering what the Fall colors look like right now in Yosemite Valley? I spent the last week exploring my top spots in Yosemite National Park for enjoying the autumn foliage, and I'm excited to share the current conditions today for this first week of November 2024. I'm rating the park as a "Go Soon" with a mix of vibrant colors at spots like Bridalveil Fall, Cooks Meadow, and Yosemite Chapel.
Read MoreWhat are the best ghost towns in California? Bodie and Calico might be two of CA's official gold & silver mining ghost towns, but Silver City Ghost Town is one of the top historic spots to visit this year. Located in the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains near the Kern River, Lake Isabella, and Sequoia National Forest, this top day trip destination is a short drive from Bakersfield & Los Angeles.
Read MoreLooking for a great stop on your next road trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas? Calico Ghost Town is a family friendly pit stop located in the Mojave Desert near Barstow, CA along Interstate 15. Packed with history, attractions & fun activities, this old silver mining town now is one of the best roadside spots to explore a Wild West atmosphere in California. Stretch your legs and enjoy great food!
Read MoreLooking for the best spot to camp & kayak in the Eastern SIerra Nevada Mountains? Join me today as I share my complete travel guide to a camping & kayaking adventure at Convict Lake in the Inyo National Forest. Located in between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop along HIghway 395, this alpine lake is perfect for photography, fishing, boating, and camping, especially during autumn with the fall colors.
Read MoreWhat do Fall colors look like right now? GO NOW / GO SOON! Read this Eastern Sierra Fall Colors Report to find out what the current conditions look like at North Lake, Lake Sabrina, Bishop Creek, Rock Creek Lake, Convict Lake & June Lake Loop. Get my estimation on when the Fall colors will be arriving in the Bishop & Mono County regions, so you can plan out your upcoming Fall adventure road trip.
Read MoreSeeing the Fall colors at North Lake is bucket list experience. This week we're camping at the North Lake Campground in the High Sierra, with quick & easy access to several hiking trails as well as capturing epic & iconic photography of North Lake during peak Fall season. This is my top spot to camp in the Eastern Sierra near Bishop, CA, surrounded by quaking aspen trees & the autumn foliage.
Read MoreWhat do Fall colors look like right now? Read this Eastern Sierra Fall Colors Report to find out what the current conditions look like at North Lake, Lake Sabrina, Bishop Creek, Sagehen Summit, Convict Lake, Virginia Lakes & Conway Summit. Get my estimation on when the Fall colors will be arriving in the Bishop and Mono County regions, so you can plan out your upcoming Fall adventure road trip.
Read MoreWhat are the best spots in the Eastern Sierra for Fall photography? Today I'm sharing a travel guide for the top 10 photo spots in Mono County, CA to see the Fall colors. We'll be heading into multiple national forests to find perfect locations to set up the tripod, including Convict Lake, June Lake Loop, Mammoth, Conway Summit & more, along with valuable photo tips to prep you for your 395 trip.
Read MoreWhat do Fall colors look like right now? Read this Eastern Sierra Fall Colors Report to find out what the current conditions look like in Mono County, California, including hidden gems like Rock Creek Lake (PEAKING SOON), Convict Lake & June Lake Loop...and get my estimation on when the Fall colors will be arriving so you can plan out your upcoming Fall foliage adventure road trip.
Read MoreWhat are the best spots in the Eastern Sierra for Fall photography? Today I'm sharing a travel guide for the top 10 photo spots near Bishop, California to see the Fall colors. We'll be heading into Inyo National Forest to find perfect locations to set up the tripod, including North Lake, Bishop Creek, Aspendell, Lake Sabrina & more, along with valuable photo tips to prep you for your 395 trip.
Read MoreWhat do Fall colors look like right now? Read this Eastern Sierra Fall Colors Report to find out what the current conditions look like at North Lake, Aspendell, Cardinal Village, Lake Sabrina, Bishop Creek, and Intake Two...and get my estimation on when the Fall colors will be arriving in the Bishop region of Inyo National Forest, so you can plan out your upcoming Fall adventure road trip.
Read MoreWondering where to see giant trees in California? One of the best spots to hike among some of the largest, oldest & tallest trees in the world is at the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park near Wawona & Oakhurst. Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to learn about the rich history, top hiking trails, and info to plan your next Yosemite adventure vacation & road trip.
Read MoreLooking for the ultimate family fun road trip to Yosemite National Park? Play the Fossils to Falls scavenger hunt and collect all 10 trading cards, starting at the Fossil Discovery Center in California's Central Valley, taking you thru Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Bass Lake & more Madera County gems, ending in the Yosemite Valley...and then enter to win a great Yosemite Adventure Vacation Prize Package!
Read MoreThis week we're taking a day trip to Bass Lake in Madera County & the Sierra National Forest just south of Yosemite National Park. We're renting a pontoon boat from Millers Landing Resort and having a picnic on the water while looking for wildlife on the Bass Lake shores. Read this complete travel guide to learn about the best hiking trails around the lake, as well as the best places to eat.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking the easy trail to the historic McGurk Cabin & McGurk Meadow in Yosemite National Park. This hike is easily found off Glacier Point Road and it takes hikers through a pine forest to a historic structure and lush meadows with wildflowers in the Summer. Wildlife is abundant in the Yosemite Wilderness, such as deer, coyotes, and black bears.
Read MoreCan you kayak in Yosemite National Park? YES! Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide when planing your next kayaking adventure in Yosemite. Tenaya Lake and Merced River are my two best spots to kayak and raft in Yosemite, and today I'm sharing all the details for setting out on the still waters of Tenaya Lake, as well as discovering the ancient ghost trees still submerged under the surface.
Read MoreWhat are the best hotels near Yosemite? Read this full property review of Firefall Ranch, a brand new luxury hotel near Yosemite National Park. This week I'm staying in a Two Bedroom Cottage while enjoying fine dining, family friendly activities, hiking, and relaxation at this premier resort, which also provides access to the award winning spa at the nearby Rush Creek Lodge. 5 star rating!
Read MoreJoin me at Andrew Molera State Park along the Big Sur coastline for a complete visitors guide to help you plan your next Central California road trip. This comprehensive travel guide shares detailed information on hiking trails, camping, wildlife, and historic structures. Want to know where to find beach access in Big Sur? Molera beach is one of the best beaches along Highway 1 in Big Sur.
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