#266 Gaviota State Park
Gaviota State Park or 'Seagull' in Spanish is an impressive park on the Santa Barbara Coast. Hiking trails wind through sculpted canyons of the Santa Ynez Mountains covered in Spring wildflowers. Sandy beaches lie next to sea stacks to create an unforgettable rocky coastline that drops from mountain to sea. An historic railroad trestle soars above Gaviota Creek at 811 feet. It opened in 1901 and became a regular service route between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
#265 San Onofre State Beach
San Onofre State Beach is one of the most visited state parks in California. Established in 1971 by Governor Ronald Reagan, it is currently leased to the state from the United States Marine Corps. Perfect sandy beaches lie below dramatic sculpted cliffs creating a stunning landscape. The park is also home to a sacred Juaneño Native American village called 'Panhe' that is over 8,000 years old.
#264 Pismo Beach Pier
Pismo Beach Pier is an Iconic California wooden pier at 1,370 feet long. The views of the surrounding mountains provide a dramatic land-to-sea meeting place of epic proportions. Unlike most piers, it is always open making it the perfect stroll for day, night and sunset.
#263 Big Stump Trail
Big Stump Trail is an important reminder of the need to preserve landscapes through National Parks. This trail in Kings Canyon National Park contains many Giant Sequoia Stumps that were logged in the 1800's. The most famous stump, The Mark Twain Tree, was sawed by two men for 13 days in 1891 and estimated to be 1,350 years old. A ladder takes you to the top to see the rings and massive size of the sequoia. These trees would still be going strong if not selfishly destroyed.
#262 Corona del Mar
Corona del Mar State Beach is one of the hidden treasures of Orange County. Meaning 'Crown of the Sea' in Spanish, this stretch of coast certainly lives up to its name. The beach is separated by dramatic cliffs into 'Big Corona' and 'Little Corona'. Big Corona offers white sandy beach perfect for sunbathing while Little Corona offers stunning rocky coves, tidepools and arches.
#261 Ramona's Marriage Place
Built by early settles José María Estudillo and his son José Antonio Estudillo, Casa de Estudillo is an historic adobe in Old Town San Diego that was one of the finest homes of its time. In 1884, Helen Hunt Jackson wrote 'Ramona', a romanticized novel based on the discrimination of Native Americans. It was called the finest novel written by an American woman at the time. It became so popular that people began traveling to California just to see the locations depicted in the book. San Diego capitalized on this influx and renamed the adobe 'Ramona's Marriage Place'.
#260 Aquarium of the Pacific
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. With over 11,000 animals representing 500 species, the amazing array of exhibits has something for everyone. The jellyfish exhibits are some of the most comprehensive of its kind while the shark lagoon and touch tanks are an experience for the child in us all. Discover what lies beneath the Pacific Ocean in this deep sea wonderland.
#259 Mount Pinos
Mount Pinos is an 8,831 foot peak in Los Padres National Forest with much of it consisting of granite rocks. The critically endangered California Condor can be spotted flying the surrounding mountains. Native American Chumash called the mountain 'Iwihinmu' or the center of the world: a place of perfect balance. On a clear day, views stretch from the Central Valley, Sierra Nevada, Carrizo Plain and Santa Barbara. Snow falls here each winter making it a four season spot. A 3 mile round-trip hike will take you to the top from the parking area.
#258 Limestone Canyon Wilderness Area
Limestone Canyon is a nature preserve part of Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. In 2006, it was designated a National Natural Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior for its outstanding biological and geological features. Coastal sage scrub and chaparral plant communities cover colorful hills and canyons along with rare and endangered animal species. A geological feature known as 'The Sinks' is the most impressive part of the canyon. *Access is limited to programs with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy
#257 Mulholland Drive
Mulholland Drive is a famous drive in the Hollywood Hills opening in 1924. At 21 miles long, the drive provides sweeping views of Hollywood & its iconic sign, Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. With its celebrity homes and history, it is an ultimate tourist attraction but the views far outweigh the crowds.
