museum, ocean, los angeles Kyle Hanson museum, ocean, los angeles Kyle Hanson

#178 Catalina Casino

The Catalina Casino has been one of the most iconic landmarks in Avalon on Santa Catalina Island since 1929. Casino in Italian means 'place of gathering' which can be quite confusing in English today as gambling does not exist. The Art Deco and Mediterranean Revival architecture helped to create the look of the city. It continues to serve as the island's movie theater and grand ballroom. The theater can seat 1,154 while the ballroom can accommodate up to 3,000 dancers. 

 
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orange county, ocean, state park Kyle Hanson orange county, ocean, state park Kyle Hanson

#177 San Clemente State Beach

Since 1937, San Clemente State Beach has been one of the most popular beaches in California. Located at the halfway point between Los Angeles and San Diego, this is the perfect escape from both cities. Beautiful ocean views surround eroded badlands creating a dramatic coastal landscape while soft, sandy beaches await at the water's edge.

 
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monterey, central coast, ocean, mountains Kyle Hanson monterey, central coast, ocean, mountains Kyle Hanson

#174 Bixby Creek Bridge

Bixby Creek Bridge is an iconic landmark along the famous Highway 1 Big Sur Coast. Opening in 1932, it is one of the tallest concrete bridges in the world and the most photographed on the West Coast. The bridge was named after Charles Henry Bixby, a New Yorker who harvested lumber and constructed a sawmill on the creek here in the late 1800's.

 
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#173 Stearns Wharf

Stearns Wharf is the most visited place in Santa Barbara named for local lumberman John P. Stearns. With the original pier debuting in 1872, it became a hub for passengers and freight arriving on the central coast and was the longest pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco. A restaurant was constructed in the 1940's, and the wharf transitioned from a working to pleasure pier.

 
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#169 Santa Cruz Island

Off the Central Coast lies Santa Cruz Island, the largest of the Channel Islands owned by the National Park Service and Nature Conservancy. Inhabited by Chumash Native Americans for at least 10,000 years, they called the island 'Limuw' meaning 'in the sea'. Legend has it that the Chumash found a priest's staff left behind from the Spanish Portola expedition of 1769 and returned it. The island was then named 'La Isla de Santa Cruz' or 'Island of the Sacred Cross' from this friendly gesture.

Santa Cruz Island is the largest island in California and contains 77 miles of varied coastline from sandy shores to rocky coves. More than 600 plant species dot the island while eight grow nowhere else on Earth. A highlight to the island is spotting the curious Island Fox. Hikes for every skill level can be explored in this marvelous place for solitude.

 
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#162 Fiscalini Ranch Preserve

Fiscalini Ranch Preserve protects 430 acres of the gorgeous central coast in Cambria. Chumash and Salinan Native Americans have used the land for thousands of years while the Fiscalini family opened a cattle ranch in 1850's. Local community and conservancy efforts came together to purchase the land for a preserve in 2001. Beautiful coastal bluff trails wind through overlooks, grasslands and forest while 25 rare and endangered plant and animal species reside here.

 
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los angeles, ocean, central coast, national park, state park Kyle Hanson los angeles, ocean, central coast, national park, state park Kyle Hanson

#160 Leo Carrillo State Park

Leo Carrillo State Park on the coast of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is one of the jewels of Malibu. With its secret rocky coves and white sandy beaches, the place has it all. Named after Leo Carrillo, famous actor on the State Park Board, this beach has also been featured in many movies and television shows. It is the perfect spot to catch a sunset.

 
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#159 Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel

The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel at Salt Creek Beach is a gorgeous stretch of Orange County Coastline. The rolling hills that drop to the sea as well as soft, sandy beach are perfect for everyone's visit. Landscaped gardens surround the luxury hotel and make for postcard-perfect views of the sea. Relaxation is the key to enjoying this spot.

 
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#150 Children's Pool

Children's Pool Beach in La Jolla is the place to see harbor seals basking in the sun. A barrier was constructed in 1931 to protect the beach from waves and currents so children could enjoy the ocean. The seals soon took over and were here to stay. Harbor Seals come here to rest, sunbathe and birth their young.

 
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