#316 Figueroa Mountain Recreation Area
Figueroa Mountain is a Recreation Area north of Santa Barbara in Los Padres National Forest. Spring is the best time to visit when the hills and mountains put on the most stunning wildflower displays in California. Grass Mountain can become completely covered in poppies it looks orange from miles away and views from the top stretch across the Santa Ynez Valley all the way to the ocean. Whether hiking the many trails or enjoying a scenic drive, Figueroa Mountain will be an unforgettable experience.
#315 Angels Flight
Angels Flight is an historic funicular railway in Downtown Los Angeles which has served the city since 1901. It is known as one of the shortest railroads in the world and was originally used to carry businessmen up Bunker Hill. Operating until 1969, it was then stored for 27 years until reopening in 1996 as a tourist landmark. Unfortunately, several accidents have caused the railway to close and a reopening is unknown at this point. The railway is still displayed Downtown.
#314 Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
Bottle Tree Ranch is a famous stop along California's Route 66. These stunning bottle trees were constructed by Elmer Long using found objects collected with his Dad over the years. Upon arranging bottles onto poles, Elmer noticed the mirage of colors projected by the sun shining through so created 200 more. Visit at sunset when the colors and shadows are their most vibrant.
#313 Disneyland
Disneyland opened its doors on July 17, 1955 under the vision of Walt Disney. He dedicated the park with these famous words:
To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.
— Walter E. Disney
It has been the most popular theme park in history with more than 650 million visitors since opening. Eight enchanted lands, Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, New Orleands Square, Critter Country and Mickey's Toontown, each convey a universe to celebrate the human spirit.
With more than 50 rides, attractions and exhibitions, there is always something exiting to see and do. Disneyland has earned the nickname, 'The Happiest Place on Earth' and most would agree. Here's to another 61 years.
#312 Stonewall Peak
Stonewall Peak in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is one of the highest peaks in San Diego at 5,730 feet. A four mile out and back trail takes you to the summit and provides sweeping 360 degree views of the Laguna Mountains, Palomar Mountain, San Jacinto Peak, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the Salton Sea. This moderate trail climbs 1,000 feet and begins at Paso Picacho. The final ascent includes a mild sense of acrophobia with hand rails which adds to the adventure.
#311 Moonstone Beach
Moonstone Beach is a stunning beach in Cambria. A boardwalk meanders on the bluffs while a walk along the beach takes you through tiny stones that glisten like moonstones. This uncrowded beach is the perfect retreat on the Central Coast.
#310 Borrego Springs
Borrego Springs is a beautiful desert community surrounded by Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Named after the town's most famous residents, Borrego means 'bighorn sheep' in Spanish. The town is an International Dark Sky Community, one of only a few in the country, making it the perfect place to watch the stars and a meteor shower. If winter rains allow, springtime brings the most stunning desert bloom on the continent with miles of explosive bloom.
#309 Knapp's Castle
Knapp's Castle is an abandoned mansion in the Santa Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara. A trail just under one mile out and back takes you to the ruins and a stunning vista point overlooking Los Padres National Forest and the Santa Ynez Valley. George Owen Knapp, founded of Union Carbide, created the mansion for his residence in 1916. Famous Opera Singer Lotte Lehmann moved here in 1940, but the castle was destroyed by fire only 5 weeks later.
#308 Carrizo Plain National Monument
Carrizo Plain National Monument is a true wilderness experience in California's Great Central Valley. More than 200,000 acres of untouched beauty reveal what the entire valley looked like long before development. Beautiful grassland plains hug rolling hills blanketed by a rainbow of wildflowers in the Spring. The San Andreas Fault cuts right through the plain giving it a rich geological history. Native Chumash considered the plain sacred and inhabited the area for at least 4,000 years.
Today, this is the only original California grassland strand remaining. The highest concentration of endangered species in the state reside here including the tule elk, pronghorn, San Joaquin kit fox & antelope squirrel, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, giant kangaroo rat as well as the California condor. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management as opposed to the National Park Service, the plain is continuously in a controversial debate over grazing, solar power and oil drilling rights. One visit will have you one the side for preservation.
*Access is dirt road only, 4 wheel drive strongly recommended
#307 Queen Anne Cottage
The Queen Anne Cottage is the crown jewel of the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. The Cottage was built in 1885 using the Queen Anne Victorian Architectural Style by Elias Jackson 'Lucky' Baldwin. Lucky was a very fortunate California pioneer, investor and real estate tycoon. He moved to San Francisco in 1853 during the Gold Rush and decided the real money was not in gold itself but in food, supplies and lodging for gold diggers.
Lucky used his fortune to purchase a tract of land outside of Los Angeles he divided into lots in the 1880's for the towns of Arcadia and Monrovia. He was considered one of the first equal employers hiring African-American, Native American, Mexican and Chinese workers when most were jobless: though, he paid them considerably less. Lucky built this cottage for entertaining purposes only and can be enjoyed today with a visit to the Arboretum.
