This 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 Valley View Trail in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Located along the central CA coast on Highway 1, this easy to moderate hike takes you thru a redwood forest to panoramic views of Big Sur River Valley, Andrew Molera State Park and Point Sur Lighthouse. A short spur trail leads to Pfeiffer Falls, a waterfall in Los Padres National Forest.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide about hiking the Nature Trail & River Path Loop in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. The trailhead is right next to Big Sur Lodge off of Highway 1, and this easy family friendly hike takes you along the Big Sur River, through an old growth grove of coastal redwood trees, and by old structures & cabins build by the CCC. This is an easy trail with great views.
Read MoreRead this full hotel review of the Big Sur Lodge and why you should book a stay here on your next Big Sur vacation. The property is located inside Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and is a short drive from many popular Big Sur spots, such as Pfeiffer Beach, McWay Falls, Bixby Bridge, Calla Lily Valley and Nepenthe. Big Sur Lodge also features the Homestead Restaurant, a great place to eat along Hwy 1.
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 Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking the Tall Trees Grove Trail in Redwood National and State Parks. This moderate to strenuous redwoods hike requires a permit obtained in advanced by the National Park Service and Redwood Park Conservancy. Along this trail you'll see the tallest redwood tree in the park and the 3rd tallest tree in the world, and you can walk through a tunnel log.
Read MoreToday we're taking a look at 9 of my favorite hikes in each of the 9 national parks found in California. I'm also including the top 5 trails in each park to equip you as you head out on your next adventure. Join me as we head out to Yosemite, Redwood, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Lassen Volcanic, Death Valley, Channel Islands, Pinnacles, and Joshua Tree.
Read MoreToday we're exploring Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in Northern California, which is home to some of the tallest trees in the world, old growth redwood trees. We'll also be strolling through Fern Canyon, viewing Roosevelt elk, and hiking to a waterfall.
Read MoreToday we're hiking the short loop around Stout Memorial Grove in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in Northern California. This trail is filled with old growth giant redwood trees, including the tallest of the bunch, the Stout Tree.
Read MoreLocated in Northern California, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park was established to protect some of the oldest redwood trees on earth...and today we're exploring two special spots located inside the park, Elk Meadow and Trillium Falls.
Read MoreToday we're exploring the Big Tree Wayside in Redwood National and State Parks. This giant redwood tree is found in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and is an easy family friendly hike.
Read MoreThis week we're hiking among the giant redwoods of Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwood National Park in Northern California. This trail weaves through an old growth redwood forest, and is a great hike for all ages.
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