#106 Will Rogers State Historic Park
Will Rogers State Historic Park is a beautiful ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains. Once the estate of Will Rogers, the highest paid actor in the 1930's, this ranch was his place of relaxation. With almost 200 acres overlooking the ocean, the ranch contains more than 30 rooms, 7 fireplaces, horse stables, a polo field and hiking trails. in 1944, Will's wife Betty donated the property to California State Parks. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the park is a great place to celebrate the life of Will Rogers as a philosopher and star.
#105 Sunnylands
Sunnylands is the Annenberg Estate historical property outside of Palm Springs in Rancho Mirage. Famous since 1966, the home and gardens have hosted the most famous entertainers and political figures. Presidents stay here while in Palm Springs. The adjacent visitor center and gardens are open to the public and are beautifully landscaped to resemble the Annenbergs' impressionist painting collection.
#104 Mission San Gabriel Arcángel
Mission San Gabriel Arcángel is the 4th of the California Missions and was founded in 1771. It is one of the most affluent, best preserved missions and became the spiritual center of the San Gabriel Valley. The mission was created by the Spanish to teach Native Americans farming and industry and convert them to Christianity. The mission museum and grounds are the perfect way to experience what life would have been like.
#103 Santa Barbara Harbor
Santa Barbara Harbor on the waterfront has been the perfect afternoon stroll for more than a century. Row after row of beautiful boats frame the rolling Santa Ynez Mountains in the background making this the perfect land-meets-ocean coastline.
#102 Los Rios Historic District
The Los Rios Historic District in Orange County is the oldest neighborhood in California dating back to the late 1700's. Located across the railroad tracks of Mission San Juan Capistrano, several of the structures provided homes for the residents of the mission. The 31 structures that make up this district are located on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, a walk along the streets provide a glimpse of Southern California at the turn of the twentieth century.
#101 Malibu Pier
Malibu Pier on the stunning coast of Malibu is a wonderful classic wooden pier. Originally built in 1905 for the local ranches, the pier is now owned by California State Parks and has been a public pier since 1934. Enjoy the stunning coastal views while on a beautiful sunset stroll.
#100 Balboa Park
Celebrating 100 Years, Balboa Park in San Diego is the greatest city park in the west. The park contains 1200 acres in the center of the city with 17 world class museums, 16 landscaped gardens, the house of pacific relations international cottages, old globe theatre, spreckels organ pavilion and of course the San Diego Zoo. Balboa Park has been home to two World Fair's, one in 1915-16 and again in 1935-6. Kate Sessions, 'Mother of Balboa Park', designed the natural landscape of the park. After 100 years, the park is still going strong and has a fitting motto: A Landscape of Art & Culture. Here's to 100 more years!
#99 San Mateo Canyon Wilderness
With 38,000 acres of beautiful unprotected land, San Mateo Canyon Wilderness is the perfect escape for solitude. Part of Cleveland National Forest in the Santa Ana Mountains, chaparral, coastal sage and oak woodlands are the main vegetation of this Coastal Range. For those seeking a scenic drive, follow tenaja road through the south main divide road which winds through the mountainous canyon and offers magnificent panoramic views. Please use caution as most of the drive is a single lane road.
#98 Calico Ghost Town
Founded in 1881 as silver mining town, Calico Ghost Town is now an attraction in the Mojave Desert. In the 1890's when the silver boom declined and borax was discovered, the population soared to 3,500 and became a thriving desert community. This would end by the turn of the century and by 1907 became a true ghost town. Walter Knott, Knott's Berry Farm Mogul, purchased Calico in the 1950's and restored the town into an attraction with authentic and faux restorations.
#97 Olmsted Point
Olmsted Point in Yosemite National Park is an essential beautiful vista point high in the Sierra Nevada. At more than 8,000 feet high, the point offers a unique view of Yosemite and its iconic Half Dome and can be accessed by the scenic Tioga Road. It was named after Frederick Law Olmsted, the Father of American Landscape Architecture and Conservationist.
