sierra nevada, national park, mountains, forest Kyle Hanson sierra nevada, national park, mountains, forest Kyle Hanson

#283 Tokopah Falls

Tokopah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Sequoia National Park at 1,200 feet. A stunning 1.7 mile trail each way follows the Kaweah River up the high country of the Sierra Nevada to the base of the falls. Crowds will fade as you surround massive granite cliffs covered in pristine forest. Go in the Spring for the most thunderous falls. 

 
Read More
ventura, mountains, foothills Kyle Hanson ventura, mountains, foothills Kyle Hanson

#281 Happy Camp Canyon Park

With 12 miles of trails and 3,000 acres of wilderness, Happy Camp Canyon Park is the perfect escape in Ventura County. Peaceful grasslands cover hills with sweeping views of the Santa Monica Mountains, Simi Valley and even the Channel Islands. Native American Chumash used to call this peaceful place home

 
Read More
desert, national park, mountains, scenic drives Kyle Hanson desert, national park, mountains, scenic drives Kyle Hanson

#280 Artist's Drive & Palette

Artist's Drive & Palette is a deep canyon in the Black Mountains of Death Valley National Park. Oxidation of metals along the canyon walls create a rainbow of colors from iron, mica and manganese exposed from volcanic activity. This one-way 9-mile drive provides stunning vistas at every turn and is best seen in the afternoon light and sunset where the colors are their most vibrant.

 
Read More
palm springs, state park, mountains, inland empire, forest, desert Kyle Hanson palm springs, state park, mountains, inland empire, forest, desert Kyle Hanson

#279 Mount San Jacinto State Park

Mount San Jacinto State Park is the crown jewel above Palm Springs. Reached by the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, this alpine park provides stunning views of forested rocky peaks that drop to the Coachella Valley below along the Desert View Trail. Mount San Jacinto soars at 10,834 feet and is the second highest peak in Southern California. With most of the park designated wilderness, modern life will fade away as you enjoy the splendor of the wild.

 
Read More
los angeles, ventura, state park, mountains, foothills Kyle Hanson los angeles, ventura, state park, mountains, foothills Kyle Hanson

#277 Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park

Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park preserves rocky canyons, Native American sites and an historic stagecoach route. Tongva, Chumash, and Tataviam Native Americans used this spot as a trading route and many remnants still remain. From 1861-76, it served as the Old Santa Susana Stage Road which connected travelers from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara & San Francisco. In the 1900's, it served as the backdrop of the old west for the adjacent RKO Studios.

 
Read More
sierra nevada, national park, mountains, forest Kyle Hanson sierra nevada, national park, mountains, forest Kyle Hanson

#273 Ahwahnee Hotel

The Ahwahnee Hotel is a National Historic Landmark in the heart of Yosemite that has been providing visitors luxury since 1927. Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed the hotel to blend in with the Sierra Nevada. The Great Lounge and Great Dining Room provide visitors with a space to relax while admiring original paintings, tapestries and rugs. Ahwahnee will take you back to a simpler time of National Park travel as you explore the surroundings where Charlie Chaplin, Lucille Ball and Judy Garland once stayed.

 
Read More
national park, mountains, ocean, state park, ventura, los angeles, foothills Kyle Hanson national park, mountains, ocean, state park, ventura, los angeles, foothills Kyle Hanson

#270 Backbone Trail

Backbone Trail is a National Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. After more than 50 years in the works, the trail is finally complete. It runs for 67 miles from Will Rogers State Park to Point Mugu State Park. From majestic ocean-view peaks, chaparral-covered hills and winding canyons, the trail will keep you going at each turn. Several access points make this trail available for all skill levels at any duration.

 
Read More
los angeles, mountains, foothills Kyle Hanson los angeles, mountains, foothills Kyle Hanson

#269 Mentryville

Mentryville Boomtown was named after Charles Alexander Mentry who drilled California's first successful oil well here in 1876. It was the world's longest continually operating well that lasted until 1990. Today, it is a park run by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy where Charles' historic home and barn still remain beneath the Santa Susana Mountains. Trails lead to historic ruins as well as canyons of chaparral and coast live oak.

 
Read More
desert, state park, san diego, mountains Kyle Hanson desert, state park, san diego, mountains Kyle Hanson

#268 Box Canyon

In present day Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Box Canyon marks what was once the only year-round route into California. The Southern Emigrant Trail became the first official road and wagon route in 1847. Pioneers had to use hand tools to carve along the canyon walls to create the trail. Today, a hike into the canyon will take you back to discover the rough terrain encountered by early settlers.

 
Read More
santa barbara, central coast, state park, ocean, mountains Kyle Hanson santa barbara, central coast, state park, ocean, mountains Kyle Hanson

#266 Gaviota State Park

Gaviota State Park or 'Seagull' in Spanish is an impressive park on the Santa Barbara Coast. Hiking trails wind through sculpted canyons of the Santa Ynez Mountains covered in Spring wildflowers. Sandy beaches lie next to sea stacks to create an unforgettable rocky coastline that drops from mountain to sea. An historic railroad trestle soars above Gaviota Creek at 811 feet. It opened in 1901 and became a regular service route between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

 
Read More