The Wawona Hotel is a Victorian Wonderland in Yosemite National Park. Built in 1876, the Hotel has been hosting guests for more than a century. It is one of the oldest mountain resorts in the Sierra Nevada. The most famous site near the hotel is the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, one of the treasures of Yosemite. President Theodore Roosevelt stayed here while touring Yosemite with John Muir which would lead to the federal protection of Yosemite.
#19 Bridalveil Fall
Bridalveil Fall is a distinct year-round waterfall in Yosemite National Park with a plunge of 620 feet. The similarity to a bridal veil is striking. The Ahwahneechee Native Americans believed that being misted could improve one's chance of marriage. In the spring as the snow melts, the mist is a beautiful feeling and cleanses the soul.
#18 Lake Arrowhead Village
Lake Arrowhead Village is a charming village high in the San Bernardino Mountains. The elevation is just under a mile high at 5,174 feet. Located in the National Forest just above the sprawling Inland Empire, you will feel worlds away. Quaint shops and restaurants fill the Swiss inspired streets. The water remains crystal clear. Abundant sunshine can be found year round while snow can be enjoyed in the wintertime.
#15 Laguna Meadow
Laguna Meadow in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area is a stunning site high in the mountains of San Diego. Part of Cleveland National Forest, this conifer forest meadow is an island in the sky. This is a must visit for every season: fall colors, winter snow, spring wildflowers and summer green. Take the Sunrise Scenic Byway which winds through mountains making it a beautiful drive. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail also passes through this gorgeous recreation area.
#4 Pictograph Trail
Pictograph Trail is located in the Little Blair Valley region of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. More than two thousand years ago, the Kumeyaay Native Americans lived in this desert. They painted these fragile Pictographs on giant boulders. Though the meaning is now lost, some believe they were created for spiritual rituals.
These Pictographs in the deserts of San Diego County (The Great Outback) are a must see. Hiking involves an easy 2 mile round trip hike if starting from the trailhead parking lot. Please note that it is an unpaved dirt road to the trailhead for a few miles and 4 wheel drive is strongly recommended. Use extreme caution when traveling in the desert. Hike this trail in the winter if possible, let people know where you are going and when you shall return. Carry plenty of water.
Pictograph/Petroglpyh Etiquette: Take many photos but DO NOT TOUCH. Oils from our hands can destroy forever. Do not alter the rock art in any way or form and please stay on the trail to protect the fragile desert ecosystem.
Unknown even to most locals of California, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a treasure trove of scenic beauty at every turn. Stay tuned for more from this beautiful State Park!
