Explore the top family-friendly spots in Joshua Tree National Park with this guide to easy hikes & scenic trails. Discover kid-friendly adventures at Discovery Trail, Skull Rock, Cap Rock, Barker Dam, Hidden Valley, and Jumbo Rocks. Perfect for families, beginners & anyone seeking short hikes, fun rock formations, Joshua trees, desert views & unforgettable Joshua Tree photography locations.
Read MorePlanning a trip to Yosemite, Sequoia, or Kings Canyon in 2026? This guide breaks down how the new National Park entrance fees and nonresident surcharges impact your visit, plus what U.S. travelers need to know about annual passes, digital passes, fee-free days, and park access. Learn how these updates affect gateway communities like Oakhurst and Visalia and how to support them during your trip.
Read MoreGet a clear breakdown of the new 2026 U.S. National Park fees for residents and nonresidents, including updated entrance costs, annual pass changes, and what to expect at the gates. This guide covers Yosemite, Sequoia, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and other top parks, plus essential Flying Dawn Marie recommendations to help international travelers plan their national park trip with confidence.
Read MorePlan the perfect family-friendly 1-day winter itinerary in Yosemite Valley with sunrise views, easy hikes, and sunset stops. This travel guide includes up-to-date current conditions for early winter, plus top stops like Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Cook’s Meadow, and Yosemite Falls—everything you need for a safe, scenic, unforgettable Yosemite winter visit with weather tips and photo spots.
Read MoreSequoia National Park Fall Color Report 2025! Let's help you plan your upcoming Sequoia fall road trip with this detailed Fall color report and current conditions update. Discover where to see the best foliage, with dogwoods at Tunnel Log, maples along the Kaweah River & willows near General Sherman. See what to expect during the ongoing government shutdown, including park crowds & entrance fees.
Read MoreDiscover the best astrophotography locations in California and learn how to capture stunning night sky photos. From Yosemite to Death Valley and Joshua Tree to Sequoia National Park, this beginner’s guide covers top gear, camera settings, top dark sky spots, and tips for photographing the Milky Way, stars, and constellations. Experience the awe of God’s masterpiece under the stars with me!
Read MoreYosemite National Park Fall Color Report 2025! Let's help you plan your upcoming Yosemite fall road trip with this detailed Fall color report and current conditions update. Discover where to see the best Yosemite Valley foliage, from dogwoods and maples to the iconic Cook’s Meadow Elm, plus waterfall flow, early snow on Tioga Pass, and what to expect during the ongoing government shutdown.
Read MorePlanning a road trip to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks? Located near Roads End and Roaring River Falls, Zumwalt Meadow is one of the best hikes along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. It's a top spot to enjoy nature and look for wildlife, such as black bears, deer, and birds. Cross a suspension bridge over the Kings River and explore under the granite cliffs of Kings Canyon National Park.
Read MoreEmbark on the ultimate California road trip from Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park to Morro Rock in Morro Bay. This 3-day itinerary includes sunrise hikes among giant sequoias, exploring the General Sherman Tree, kayaking on Lake Kaweah, shopping & dining in Visalia & the Embarcadero, scenic drives across the Central Valley, coastal adventures, and wildlife viewing of sea otters, seals & birds.
Read MoreExplore Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park on a guided tour along the Majestic Mountain Loop. A short drive from Visalia, this reopened marble cave features stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and stunning rooms like Marble Hall and the Dome Room. Learn how to get there, hike the trail, reserve tickets, and plan your visit to this unique underground adventure in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Read MoreExplore the ultimate Hwy 41 hotel guide for Yosemite National Park’s southern gateway, featuring luxury retreats, historic inns, lakeside resorts, family-friendly stays, boutique hotels, and unique vacation rentals & airbnbs. Discover top lodging in Oakhurst, Bass Lake, and beyond, plus amenities, dining, and tips for your perfect Yosemite getaway. Featuring Chateau du Sureau, The Inelle & more!
Read MoreExperience Yosemite National Park like never before with an unforgettable aerial tour from Mariposa, CA. Fly with Airborrn Aviation & Yosemite Airways over Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Mariposa Grove, Merced River Gorge, and more. Learn what to expect, how to book your flight, and why this scenic Yosemite plane tour is a must-do on your Sierra Nevada Mountain road trip itinerary.
Read MoreSaddle up for an unforgettable horseback riding experience near Yosemite National Park with Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures. This family-owned ranch in Fish Camp, CA offers guided trail rides on gentle quarter horses through scenic Sierra National Forest terrain. This top rated activity near Oakhurst & Bass lake is perfect for beginners, families, and outdoor lovers visiting Yosemite.
Read MoreExplore Roaring River Falls in Kings Canyon National Park, an easy yet breathtaking hike to a thundering waterfall. Walk the short paved trail for close-up views or venture onto a hidden dirt path for a unique elevated perspective. Perfect for families, photographers, and travelers on the Majestic Mountain Loop, this Cedar Grove gem is a must-see stop on your next Sequoia & Kings Canyon trip.
Read MoreDiscover California's Majestic Mountain Loop, a 3-park epic road trip through Sequoia, Kings Canyon & Yosemite National Parks. Explore giant sequoia trees, thundering waterfalls, scenic drives, iconic viewpoints & top hotels. Base yourself in Visalia & Oakhurst for easy access to these Sierra Nevada Mountain wonders. This is the perfect travel guide for first-time visitors & national park lovers.
Read MorePlanning a trip to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks? Discover why Visalia, California is the perfect home base with this first-timer’s guide. Find the best hotels in Visalia (like The Darling), top things to do downtown, where to eat, shop, and explore nearby. Learn about Sequoia highlights like the General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock, Crystal Cave & more—all just a short drive from Visalia, CA.
Read MorePlanning a trip to Yosemite National Park this summer? Get insider tips from longtime park Ranger Scott Gediman on navigating Yosemite’s 2025 reservation system, avoiding crowds, popular hiking trails, staying safe around wildlife (like black bear), and being a responsible visitor. Learn what to expect in summer conditions and how to make the most of your Yosemite Valley road trip adventure.
Read MoreExplore Boyden Cavern in Kings Canyon, a stunning marble cave in Sequoia National Forest. Learn about cave tours, unique geology, CCC history and how it compares to Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park. A top spot on the Majestic Mountain Loop road trip and a must-see family-friendly adventure along Highway 180, perfect for travelers seeking hidden gems in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Read MoreThe Tioga Pass Entrance is open for the 2025 Summer season in Yosemite National Park. Connecting Mono Lake, Lee Vining, and US-395 with Big Oak Flat Road, Tioga Road features some of the best views and things to do in and around Yosemite, and is a great way avoid the busy Yosemite Valley crowds. Join me for a live update of what the waterfalls, meadows, lakes & wildlife is currently looking like.
Read MoreGlacier Point Road is open for the 2025 season in Yosemite National Park! See what it looked like on opening day (May 10). Get the full report on road conditions, crowd levels, weather, waterfalls, parking, and tips for visiting early in the season. Includes updates from Glacier Point, Washburn Point, Taft Point trailhead, Summit Meadow, and more—perfect for planning your spring trip to Yosemite.
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