san joaquin valley — Blog — Flying Dawn Marie | Travel blog, guides & itineraries for adventurous travellers

Fossils to Falls Road Trip & Contest - WIN a Yosemite Adventure Vacation!

Looking 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!

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Spring Wildflowers at Wind Wolves Preserve

There are some great places to see wildflowers in California right now. Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel blog about hiking the Wildflower Loop Trail at WInd Wolves Preserve, located just north of Los Angeles near the Grapevine in Bakersfield, CA. The abundant rains have created lush fields at this Central Valley park, making it one of the top spots to see Spring wildflowers this year.

Snowy Scenes at Wind Wolves Preserve

Snow has fallen in Los Angeles and across Southern California with recent storms, so today we're exploring the winter scenes at Wind Wolves Preserve just north of LA near the i5 Grapevine. Visiting this park is one of the top things to do in Bakersfield, CA with the rolling hills, abundant wildlife, and miles of hiking trails. Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for all the details.

Remembering at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park in the Central Valley of California. Situated a few hours away from San Francisco and Los Angeles, this small CA State Park is one of the top things to do in Bakersfield. Learn about the African American pioneers that founded this town, and explore the old structures as we celebrate Black History Month.

Visiting Fort Tejon State Historic Park North of Los Angeles

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to visiting Fort Tejon State Historic Park along the Grapevine north of Los Angeles. If you're looking for things to do in Bakersfield, this California State Park offers an opportunity to see what life was like on this military fort two centuries ago. Here you'll find reconstructed buildings, original structures, history about the area, and wildlife.

Tule Elk State Natural Reserve Visitors Guide

Reach this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the Tule Elk State Natural Reserve. This California State Park is home to the once nearly extinct tule elk, and has been responsible for the repopulation of these elk that once thrived in the Central Valley and throughout the state. Today we'll take a guided auto tour and get up close views of elk and other wildlife on this nature preserve.

Discovering Wind Wolves Preserve in the Central Valley

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to Wind Wolves Preserve near Bakersfield in the Central Valley. Located near the I-5 at the Grapevine, this preserve offers great hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and educational resources for adults & kids about the nature here and the Chumash Native Americans that once lived here. You might even see elk, rattlesnakes, black bear, and mountain lions.