Whiskeytown is a beautiful recreation area that I was able to visit before the Carr fire. Before visiting please check the main website to see what is open/closed. When I was there, I reserved tickets for the guided ranger kayak tours.
Above the Clouds at Mt Tamalpais State Park
Mt. Tamalpais State Park has one of the best views in the bay area. Those who reach the top get a breathtaking panoramic view. I would estimate a 1 1/2 hour stay if you start at the the paid parking lot. There are two trails Verna Dunshee Trail & Plankwalk Trail.
Google Android Lawn Statues
Every time Android releases a new OS, Google has a new statue. At this location, you will see older android versions such as honeycomb, jellybean, marshmallow, and gingerbread. My favorite is the chocolate donut. While you’re there, someone may have left google bikes for a quick bike ride.
NASA Ames Visitor Center
This museum is a quick stop for those that want to see NASA space exhibits. The displays are a bit on the older side but it is free admission. There’s also a gift shop so you can buy some NASA swag. They have clothing, posters, hats, toys, and more all space/NASA related. When your legs don’t walk like they used to before, you can take a seat at the big screen and learn about how astronauts live in space.
Spud-tacular Spots: Spud Drive In Theatre and Idaho Potato Museum
Potatoes are Idaho’s official state vegetable and are the first thing to come to mind when talking about Idaho. On my way to Yellowstone National Park, I stopped at these potato attractions to get a feel of the Famous Potato State.
Sink Your Roots at Redwood Regional Park
This is a cool hiking spot especially during the hot months. The trees provide a lot of shade and its the closest redwood park in the East Bay area. If you’re sick of crowds at Muir Woods this location is a good alternative. From Canyon Meadow Staging Area, I took the Stream Trail -> Tres Canyon Trail -> French Trail -> Bellflower Trail -> Mill Trail -> back to Stream Trail.
Unique Temples in Los Angeles, California
California has a lot of culture. Visiting these temples was like stepping into a different country. In this post, we visit Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, and Wat Thai Los Angeles.
Hungry Donkeys and Live Gunfights in Oatman, AZ
Oatman is one of my favorite stops on Route 66 mainly because of the wild donkeys (also called burros) that you can pet and feed. The shops in the area sell donkey food for just a buck. Although they are wild, the donkeys are quite friendly provided you have something to give them.
Art in the Desert at Salvation Mountain
If you haven’t seen this on social media, Salvation Mountain is an out of this world visit. Leonard Knight’s famous art monument showcases one man’s dedication and faith in Christianity. There are colorful caves fastened with adobe and straw to play hide and seek and a bright path to the top of the mountain.
Red Rock Canyon State Park
I stopped at Red Rock Canyon State Park briefly during my Death Valley National Park trip. There are two trails that are easily accessible from the highway, Red Cliffs Trails and Hagen Trail with incredible cliffs and canyons views.