#206 Portuguese Bend Reserve
Portuguese Bend Reserve is a 399 acre preserve along the rolling hills of Rancho Palos Verdes. A variety of trails wind along the bluffs and provide stunning views of the ocean. With its rocky canyons and coastal sage scrub, it is the perfect example of the Mediterranean habitat of the Southern California Coast.
#205 Crescent Meadow
Crescent Meadow was named the 'Gem of the Sierra' by John Muir. Trails wind along this perfect meadow of Sequoia National Park which provides necessary habitat to keep the gentle giants alive. This pristine alpine sight will leave you breathless.
#204 Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Founded in 1772, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was the fifth of the California Missions. A successful hunting expedition of grizzly bears to feed the Spanish and Native Americans at the mission in Monterey nearby led to the founding of this mission with the nickname 'Mission in the Valley of the Bears'. Abundant food & water, a mild climate and friendly Native American Chumash allowed the mission to thrive.
#203 Aguereberry Point
At 6,433 feet, Aguereberry Point is my favorite spot in Death Valley National Park. Endless views stretch for miles including the Panamint Range, Furnace Creek, Badwater and the massive valley floor itself. The point was named after Pete Aguereberry who came to America from France in 1890. He worked the famous Eureka Mine nearby from 1905 to 1945 and led visitors to this vista he named 'The Great View'. *4 wheel drive strongly recommended on this rough dirt road
#202 Julian
Julian is an historic mining town high in the Cuyamaca Mountains of San Diego. A.E. 'Fred' Coleman was a former slave prior to the Civil War and discovered gold here while passing through in 1869. News of the discovery traveled fast and 100's of prospectors arrived creating a tent city known as the Coleman Mining District. James Madison had other plans for the area when he brought apple trees which thrived in the alpine climate. Julian famously became the apple capital of the world and a slice of Julian Apple Pie can still be enjoyed today.
#201 Desert Christ Park
Desert Christ Park features brilliant sculptures depicting the life of Jesus Christ in the Mojave Desert. They were sculpted by Antone Martin in the 1940's as a way to promote World Peace. Dedicated on Easter Sunday in 1951 and featured in LIFE Magazine that same year, the park is open to all visitors everyday from sunrise to sunset.
#200 Avila Adobe
Part of El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument, Avila Adobe was built in 1818 and is the oldest residence in Los Angeles. Francisco Avila, mayor in 1810, built the Adobe to entertain and conduct business as it was in the center of the Plaza alongside working his rancho in the countryside. He hosted family as well as travelers including famous explorer Jedediah Smith. Though falling into ruin and condemned in 1920's, Christine Sterling from San Francisco, helped gain public interest and save it from destruction. The state acquired the property as a state park in 1953.
#199 Charmlee Wilderness Park
Charmlee Wilderness Park is a beautiful coastal park in the Santa Monica Mountains. Beautiful trails wind through rolling hills with wildflower-filled meadows that offer stunning views of Malibu on sacred Chumash land. With the convergence of mountains and ocean, this is Southern California at its most iconic.
#198 Mission Rose Garden
The Mission Rose Garden is a must-see in Santa Barbara. Located directly in front of the Mission, the garden contains more than 1,500 varieties of roses and makes for a perfect stroll in this peaceful city.
#197 Teutonia Peak
Teutonia Peak is an amazing trail in the heart of the Mojave National Preserve. This 3 mile round-trip hike to the top winds through the largest and densest Joshua Tree forest on Earth. Sweeping views of Mojave Desert terrain including the symmetrical Cima Dome soar for miles as this peak tops out at 5,755 feet.
