#123 Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Southern California. Torrey Pines, the rarest pine in America, grow along wild cliffs that drop to the ocean below. Growing only here and on Santa Rosa Island, the trees and its reserve received National Natural Landmark status in 1977. Hiking trails wind seamlessly through the landscape making it a great place for Spring wildflowers too.
#122 Boddy House
The Boddy House is a beautiful Hollywood Regency Mansion at the Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. Designed by Hollywood's James Dolena for newspaper tycoon Manchester Boddy in 1937, the 22 room mansion has stunning views of the surrounding San Gabriel Mountains. This 12,000sq. ft. house is a wonderful way to relive the glamour of Hollywood's past by a visit to the gardens.
#121 Chicago Stump
In the late 1800's, nobody in America believed that such a giant tree existed on Earth. To challenge believers, the life of the thousand year old General Noble Sequoia Tree ended. The stump then traveled by train to its new home at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. At the cost of $15,000, nearly half a million in today's dollars, this tree was cut 50 feet from the ground then hollowed into a 14 foot reassembled section at the fair.
Today in Sequoia National Forest on the border of Kings Canyon National Park lies the remaining stump. Several surrounding stumps can be explored as a reminder of the unfortunate Sequoia logging past. *4 wheel drive recommended to get to the stump
#120 Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument preserves 280,000 acres in the peninsular mountain ranges. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians own and manage a large portion of the monument of which house many sacred sites. It is a land of extremes rising from the heat of the desert floor to the snow dusted peaks 10,000 feet high.
Palms to Pines National Scenic Byway winds through the encompassing mountains and is a great driving overview of the monument. The National Landscape Conservation System maintains the monument as a 'healthy, wild and open' space. Unlike many other parks and monuments, not many mapped trails or sites exist. It is a place for deep reflection and solitude. The beauty of nature awaits!
#119 La Brea Tar Pits
The La Brea Tar Pits within Hancock Park in Los Angeles has been one of the world's foremost fossil sites. Fossils from the Pleistocene Epoch reveal the story of what once roamed Southern California from the mastodon, saber-toothed cat, camel and ground sloth. Preserved insects, plants and micro-fossils have also been discovered which have led to important scientific research. The adjacent George C. Page Museum displays the prehistoric fossils in its working museum.
#118 Chumash Painted Cave
Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park outside of Santa Barbara protects a sandstone cave adorned with Native American rock art. These Pictographs are thought to depict the universe as seen through the eyes of the Native Chumash. The Chumash lived on the Central Coast from Ventura County to San Luis Obispo County as well as the Channel Islands for thousands and thousands of years. Painted Cave provides an important glimpse into the past of Native Americans.
#117 Emma Wood State Beach
Emma Wood State Beach named after Emma Catherine Wood is a secluded beach in Ventura on the Central Coast. Sitting at the mouth of the Ventura River, the Santa Ynez Mountains beautifully frame the beach and estuary in the background. Whether coming for relaxation or a stroll, this stunning beach with views of the Channel Islands will delight.
#116 Santa Fe Depot
Santa Fe Depot in the heart of Downtown San Diego was built in 1915 by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Originally constructed to bring in visitors to the Panama-California Exposition the same year, its Mission Revival Architecture was the grandest structure the railway had ever built in the West. Its wooden ceilings were constructed from California Redwood Trees. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, Santa Fe Depot is a must see for any visit.
#115 Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley is in the heart of Joshua Tree National Park. It has beautiful Joshua Trees as well as the jumbo boulders which make the park famous. An easy 1 mile interpretive stroll takes you around the valley and makes a great first stop in the park.
#114 Reef Point
Reef Point in Crystal Cove State Park along the Orange County Coast is a great way to spend an afternoon. Beautiful bluffs drop to sandy beaches as well as rocky tidepool coves making it the perfect beach for everyone.
