Discover the Ventura Botanical Gardens in Ventura, CA, a lush hillside oasis with diverse ecosystems, flowers & plants from Mediterranean, Chile & South Africa. Nestled behind Ventura City Hall, the gardens offer stunning coastal views, abundant wildlife & a floral superbloom. Visit the Welcome Center and explore nearby Grant Park and the historic Serra Cross for a complete nature experience.
Read MoreToday we're exploring the Cap Rock Nature Trail in Joshua Tree National Park. This is the perfect family friendly spot to take an easy hike and enjoy a bbq lunch at the picnic area amidst towering rock formations, cactus & endless Joshua trees. Read this travel guide to discover one of the top things to do and places to go in Joshua Tree on your next SoCal weekend road trip from Los Angeles.
Read MoreLooking for the top places to see Spring wildflowers in California? Check out this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to see current conditions of Red Rock Canyon State Park along Highway 14 north of Mojave. This desert superbloom makes a great SoCal road trip from Los Angeles. This underrated park also provides camping at the Ricardo Campground, which is perfect for stargazing & astrophophotography.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking the Discovery Trail, THE most family friendly trail in Joshua Tree National Park. Located across the road from Skull Rock, one of the top things to do in Joshua Tree, this easy hike takes visitors through slot canyons and towering rock formations, with opportunities to learn and see all kinds of wildlife and plants, including cholla cactus.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to exploring the Hall of Horrors slot canyons in Joshua Tree National Park. This is a Joshua Tree top spot along your Southern California road trip through this desert park. Hiking this trail takes you around large rock formations, through a Joshua tree forest, and scrambling into narrow slot canyons, making for a perfect vacation adventure.
Read MoreThere 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.
Read MoreSnow 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.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the best trips in California to take in 2023. Listed out in this article are 6 top road trips to take during each season, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. We'll explore mountain adventures in Yosemite and Lassen Volcanic National Park, as well as beach destinations in Big Sur. We'll head to the desert to discover unique landscapes in Death Valley.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the top 12 easy hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. There are many things to do in Southern California during Winter, and this itinerary makes for a great weekend road trip. All of these Joshua Tree trails are family friendly and easily accessed without 4 wheel drive. Highlights are Skull Rock, Arch Rock, Hidden Valley, and Cholla Cactus Garden.
Read MoreToday we're stepping back in time as we explore an old film location just north of Los Angeles in Simi Valley. Corriganville Park was home to sound stages, a man-made lake, and entire western town that were backdrops for 3,000 movies, TV shows, and commercials.
Read MoreThis week we're exploring some of the most incredible rock formations in Joshua Tree National park. Join me as we head out on over half a dozen epic Joshua Tree hikes to discover some otherworldly formations.
Read MoreToday we're driving up to one of the few overlooks in Joshua Tree National Park. Keys View has beautiful panoramic views of Palm Springs, the San Andreas Fault, the Salton Sea, and the Coachella Valley.
Read MoreToday we're enjoying Southern California Fall colors in Joshua Tree National Park as we take the short hike to Cottonwood Spring Oasis. We'll be enjoying ancient palm trees and huge cottonwood trees as we hike up to Mastodon Peak.
Read MoreToday we're exploring the grounds of the Adamson House in sunny Malibu, CA. A part of the California State Park System, this historic structure and museum are a beautiful spot to learn about Los Angeles and Malibu history and enjoy some local art and architecture. Here we'll enjoy some great views of the Malibu Pier and Lagoon, as surfers that frequent this popular beach.
Read MoreWe're spending the weekend in the Premium Private Cottage at Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club in Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains. Unlike any other Los Angeles hotel in Southern California, this resort is tucked away in Malibu Hills wine country, and is a perfect wedding venue, corporate retreat location, or staycation getaway. It boasts several restaurants, including the Malibu Cafe.
Read MoreToday we're hiking along the trail to the historic Wall Street Stamp Mill in Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. Bill Keys processed ore on this site after there was a second gold rush in the 1930s, and many of the old structures are still intact. We'll explore rusted out cars, an old wind mill, the gold stamp mill, and the ruins of the Wonderland Ranch.
Read MoreArch Rock and Heart Rock are two instagrammable rock formations you won't want to miss on your next trip Joshua Tree National Park near Palm Springs in Southern California. Located just behind the popular White Tank Campground, you can hike to these boulders in under two miles round trip. This is a great spot for astro photography as well as enjoying a sunrise.
Read MoreToday we're taking the 1/4 mile trail through the Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree National Park near Palm Springs, California. We'll be getting there before dawn to enjoy the sunrise, which makes these cacti glow as they're backlit by the low sun.
Read MoreHidden Valley Nature Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. This one mile loop is a great introduction to hiking in Joshua Tree. It's easy enough for families with small children to enjoy, yet the massive rock formations just off the trail will keep even the most avid hikers enthused.
Read MoreLocated just north of Los Angeles in Moorpark, California, Grimes Canyon overlook is a perfect place to capture long exposure photography. The horseshoe bend in the highway during rush hour traffic provides beautiful light trails from the busy road. Join me in discovering all you need to know before visiting this Instagrammable spot.
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