Kyle Hanson 9/21/15 Kyle Hanson 9/21/15

#13 Santa Barbara Orchid Estate

Orchids Orchids Orchids. The Santa Barbara Orchid Estate has been one of the world's foremost growers and collections for more than five decades. Being right near the ocean has proved to be the perfect environment for growing orchids. Whether you are an expert or admirer, the estate has something to delight everyone.

Kyle Hanson 9/20/15 Kyle Hanson 9/20/15

#12 Santa Catalina Island

Santa Catalina Island is a magnificent island off the coast of California. Part of the Channel Islands, it was first inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years. The island has had many lives from hunting, smuggling & movies but was turned into a thriving tourist destination in the 20's by William Wrigley, Jr.

Catalina's main city Avalon is most definitely enchanted and photogenic. It is a city reminiscent of the Mediterranean and has a population of about 3,700. 88% of the island is now protected by the Catalina Island Conservancy. Whether you visit for the day or a week, Catalina Island is the place to relax and enjoy the sun.

Kyle Hanson 9/19/15 Kyle Hanson 9/19/15

#11 La Piedra State Beach

La Piedra State Beach is a beautiful secret beach in Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It is overshadowed by the popular El Matador State beach next door. La Piedra in Spanish means rock, a fitting name for this rocky shore. It is one of my favorite beaches ever because of its solitude as well as it was the first beach I explored when moving to California.

Kyle Hanson 9/18/15 Kyle Hanson 9/18/15

#10 Mosaic Canyon

Mosaic Canyon is a beautiful geologic wonderland in Death Valley National Park. Limestone rocks known as Noonday Dolomite were formed here 750 to 900 millions years ago. Over time, faults and running water sculpted the canyon into beautiful marble walls. This slot canyon is a joy to explore and is the perfect example of an outdoor museum. Mosaic Canyon is very steep and rugged and Death Valley is the hottest place on Earth. Please explore with extreme caution. *4 wheel drive is recommended to reach the trailhead.

Kyle Hanson 9/17/15 Kyle Hanson 9/17/15

#9 Victoria Beach

Victoria Beach is a hidden cove in Laguna Beach of Orange County. The Iconic Victorian Lighthouse Tower is the famous landmark. It was built in 1926 by state senator William Brown so his family could reach the beach from their bluff-top home. This beach features a sandy stretch as well as crashing waves against the rocks which makes it a photographers dream.

Kyle Hanson 9/16/15 Kyle Hanson 9/16/15

#8 San Diego Natural History Museum

The San Diego Natural History Museum (theNAT) is one of Balboa Park's great treasures. Founded in 1874, it is one of the oldest scientific institutions in the west and the oldest in Southern California. TheNAT has a great selection of exhibits including dinosaurs, fossils and skulls but the new Coast to Cactus exhibit is a reason to visit in itself.

Coast to Cactus showcases the astonishing diversity of Southern California from its beaches, canyons, mountains and deserts. This variety of terrain is known as a biodiversity hotspot because of its high concentration of species. It is one of only 35 in the world. This interactive exhibit reveals the great beauty of what makes SoCal so special!

Kyle Hanson 9/15/15 Kyle Hanson 9/15/15

#7 Mount Wilson

Mount Wilson is a grand peak in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument & Angeles National Forest. The summit is just over a mile high at 5,710 feet. From the Angeles Crest Highway, Mount Wilson Red Box Road beautifully winds up the range. Visit on a rainy day and soar above the bursting clouds. Snow is even common in the winter. This wonderland is unbelievably right above Los Angeles yet you will feel you've entered another land.

Kyle Hanson 9/14/15 Kyle Hanson 9/14/15

#6 Dinosaur Caves Park

Dinosaur Caves Park is a bluff-top park in Pismo Beach. Along Highway One on California's Central Coast, this charming park offers stunning Ocean Vistas as well as a dinosaur themed playground. The rocky cliffs are a joy to the eye as the waves splash against the coast.

Kyle Hanson 9/13/15 Kyle Hanson 9/13/15

#5 General Sherman Tree - The World's Largest Tree

The General Sherman Tree, inside of the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park, is the World's Largest Tree. Estimated to be an age of 2,300-2,700 years old, it is also one of the longest lived trees on Earth. This Gigantic Sequoia Tree is 274.9 feet tall with a ground circumference of 102.6 feet. The diameter of its largest branch measures 6.8 feet. It is certainly one of the great wonders of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

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Kyle Hanson 9/12/15 Kyle Hanson 9/12/15

#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!