#365 Hotel Del Coronado
The Hotel Del Coronado has been the place to be and be seen since opening in 1888. It was the first beach resort on the west coast and was the largest hotel in the world at the time. This National Register of Historic Places property preserves stunning Victorian & Queen Anne architecture and is the second largest wooden structure in the United States.
Hollywood royalty have used this as their playground since the 1920's including Charlie Chaplin, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz and Rudolph Valentino. The Del became even more famous from the 1959 film 'Some Like It Hot' starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. Enjoy exploring this stunning landmark with some of the finest sand on Earth.
#359 Mount Rubidoux
Located on the edge of the city, Mount Rubidoux (1,331 feet) is one of Riverside's iconic landmarks. The oldest outdoor non-denominational Easter Sunrise service in the United States started here in 1909 and would draw 30,000 people at its peak in the 20's. The mountain features a famous cross dedicated to Mission founder Father Junípero Serra as well as a World Peace Bridge. It is now a city park with more than 3 miles of hiking trails providing stunning views of Riverside and the Inland Empire.
#355 Huntington Beach Pier
Huntington Beach Pier has been a California Icon since 1904 and is one of the largest along the West Coast at 1,850 feet. Huntington Beach or 'Surf City USA' has a consistent year-round surf. Hawaii's George Freeth surfed here in 1914 to help promote the sport along with Legendary Hawaiian Olympic gold medalist Duke Kahanamoku in the 1920's. Many famous surf shops followed in the 1950's to solidify the role of HB as the 'Surf Capital of the World' during the first United States surfing championship in 1959. Enjoy a sunset stroll along this historic pier and beautiful beach.
#340 Pelican Cove
Pelican Cove Park is a stunning secluded cove part of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. A steep walk down will allow you to forget life's problems and enjoy the crashing waves against rocky enclaves. Go in the evening for dramatic sunset photography.
#333 Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is one of San Diego's hidden gems with 1.5 miles of sculpted sandstone cliffs & arches, hidden coves and endless ocean vistas. Sixty-eight acres preserve 100 bird, 20 mammal, 10 reptile and 80 native plant species. The land began forming 75 million years ago during the Cretaceous Era and preserved many fossil species now housed in the San Diego Natural History Museum. An afternoon or sunset stroll is an iconic San Diego experience.
#327 Park Boulevard
A drive along Park Boulevard in Joshua Tree National Park takes you up close and personal through one of the most famous 'Yucca brevifolia' strands in the World. Traveling Mormons in the 19th century named the trees after Joshua in the bible because they seemed to raise their hands in prayer and guide. This legendary name stuck and has been an iconic desert symbol ever since.
#318 Willis Palm Oasis
Willis Palm Oasis, located in the Coachella Valley Preserve, is a great place for solitude. A half-mile hike takes you to the base of the oasis which can be explored by hiking the cliffs and springs. Climbing to the top provides sweeping views of Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley and the San Jacinto Mountains making it the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
#314 Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
Bottle Tree Ranch is a famous stop along California's Route 66. These stunning bottle trees were constructed by Elmer Long using found objects collected with his Dad over the years. Upon arranging bottles onto poles, Elmer noticed the mirage of colors projected by the sun shining through so created 200 more. Visit at sunset when the colors and shadows are their most vibrant.
#300 Coronado
Coronado, 'Crowned One' in Spanish, is a resort destination across the bay in San Diego. Usually referred to as an island, it is actually connected to the mainland by the isthmus, Silver Strand. The town built the iconic Hotel Del Coronado in 1888 and has been the place to be and be seen ever since.
Traveling the San Diego-Coronado Bridge is the perfect way to make a grand entrance with its sweeping views of Downtown and the bay. Beautiful Main Street is lined with galleries, shops and restaurants while the beach offers the finest in sand in California often making the top list for best beaches in the USA.
#299 Jacinto Reyes National Scenic Byway
Jacinto Reyes is a 36 mile National Scenic Byway in Ventura County. The scenic route, also known as Highway 33, winds through beautiful mountain canyons of Los Padres National Forest and offers stunning vista points along the way. Four National Wilderness areas can be accessed here for those seeking solitude. Come for the day and stay for the sunsets.
