#226 Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier
Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier is a sleepy fishing pier once located near the famous Pike Amusement Park in Long Beach which featured a roller coaster, bath house, arcades and entertainment. Echoes of the historic past can be remembered while strolling along the beach and bluff park trail. Look for the Lone Sailor Memorial Statue which looks out to sea in contemplation.
#225 Sandstone Peak
At 3,111 feet, Sandstone Peak is the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. A moderate-strenuous 3 mile round trip hike takes you to one of the best vistas in Southern California. Malibu, the Channel Islands, Ventura and Santa Barbara can all be seen on a clear day. Once at the top, do not forget to sign and enjoy the log.
#224 Wild Horse Canyon Road
Wild Horse Canyon Road is a scenic drive through the Mojave National Preserve. This dirt drive is a true experience of solitude as is winds along the secluded canyon. Beautiful mountains full of desert cacti reveal vista points of genuine Mojave desert terrain. *Watch for free roam cattle and 4 wheel drive strongly recommended
#223 Glacier Point
Glacier Point is probably the most beautiful spot in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at 7,214 feet. Located more than 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley, the vista provides jaw dropping views of the iconic sites including Yosemite, Vernal and Nevada Falls and the prominent Half Dome. Glacier Point Road takes you to the overlook and is a beautiful drive.
#222 Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve
Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve contains a beautiful series of trails along the central coast. Wildflowers bloom in the spring alongside dramatic sea cliffs with a protected seal rookery. Carpinteria or 'carpenter shop' in Spanish is named for the Chumash Native Americans who built wooden canoes here and used the naturally occurring tar for waterproofing.
#221 San Diego Botanic Garden
The San Diego Botanic Garden showcases beautifully landscaped gardens and trails by the sea. California natives, desert gardens, lush tropical rainforests and the largest bamboo collection in the country are among the 3,000 varieties from Africa and South America to Asia and beyond. Stop and smell the flowers along four miles of trails.
#220 Paramount Ranch
Paramount Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has been a Hollywood Movie Ranch since 1927. Paramount Studios purchased this 2,700 acre lot to recreate the old west as well as many foreign countries. Gary Cooper, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Marlene Dietrich are just a few of the Golden Age elite who have filmed here. Wander and listen to the echoes of the past at this living historical site.
#219 USS Iowa
USS Iowa is a museum at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro which opened on the 4th of July 2012. It preserves U.S. Navy Battleship BB-61 which served during World War II, Korean War and Cold War. Three presidents have been hosted aboard and President Roosevelt's Cabin exhibit is a highlight. The tour also includes several rooms, berths, bridges, decks and has wonderful volunteers revealing its history.
#218 Embarcadero
Morro Bay's Embarcadero takes you back to a simpler time along the Central Coast. Galleries, inns, shops and restaurants line the streets with iconic Morro Rock in the background while seals swim along the boats of the harbor. This charming and friendly village will invite you to stay for a day or a lifetime.
#217 Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve is a park in Riverside County on the edge of the Santa Ana Mountains. The plateau preserves native plants, vernal pools, Engelmann oaks and the historic Moreno and Machado Adobes built in 1846. In the springtime, wildflowers surround the winding trails whose hills turn brilliant shades of green. The geology of the plateau contains rich volcanic history which created a landscape that has looked the same for millions of years.
