Lassen Volcanic National Park is California’s own mini Yellowstone. If you want to see some hydrothermal features like boiling springs and sulphur vents or even hike around a cinder cone this is your spot.
Author: Vanda
Kerry Park Viewpoint
Kerry Park has the best view of Seattle for free. You see Space Needle, Mt Rainier, and tall buildings in one spot. I highly recommend coming here during sunset if you don’t mind sharing the view.
Portola Redwoods State Park
The drive to Portola Redwoods State Park requires a lot of patience and alert driving but is worth it if you are looking for some solitude among the trees. The road to get to this park is narrow and winding and you may experience some entertainment on the way there.
Twisted Trees at The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is a woody state park in Santa Cruz county. It is named after the matriarch of the Marks family from Salinas who donated to the land to become a state park. There are many trails to explore here but I could only choose one: the Old Growth trail to see the Advocate Tree.
Castro Adobe State Historic Park
Castro Adobe SHP in Watsonville is one of the last adobe houses left standing in California. It is gradually being brought back to life by Friends of the Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. I visited during an open house event when guided tours were happening.
Big Break Regional Shoreline
When visiting Big Break Regional Shoreline, you learn a lot about the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. They have a clean visitor center and a large map of the Bay Area at this park. You can do a lot of water activities here or you can bike/hike the 3.5-mile paved Bayview Trail.
Golden Gate Bridge View at Battery Spencer
You can get great views of the Golden Gate Bridge anywhere but this is one of the iconic spots with competitive parking to boot.
Glass Beach
The famous Fort Bragg Glass Beach is the product of a water dump site. Back in the 1940s, people threw away all their trash in this area and after years of cleanup and ocean waves all that was left behind were colored glass pieces. It takes approximately 30 years for the ocean to break down glass.
East Jesus
East Jesus is a non profit organization that makes art installations in Niland, Calfornia. If you’re headed to Salvation Mountain, this is only one mile away to see more unique art projects made from things people donate or throw away.
Seeking Serenity at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park
Stupas are Buddhist monuments used for prayer and meditation. This particular stupa has a Tibetan influence. Each part of the stupa represents an element (water, earth) and a part of Buddha’s physical body.