Sierras
Guide To Visiting Yosemite National Park In Fall (2023)
Planning to visit Yosemite National Park in the fall and not sure when to go? As a California local, I’ve been to Yosemite National Park in fall many times! Predicting when exactly the autumn leaves will change in the mountains can be a bit tricky. BUT, if you time your trip right, you can visit Yosemite at the peak of fall colors – a memorable California bucket list experience of a lifetime! In this guide, I share insider tips on how to time your Yosemite fall trip, what to do on your visit, and where to stay. I also cover all the best photography spots for capturing Yosemite fall colors.…
12 Best Places To Stay In Mammoth Lakes 2023
Mammoth Lakes is a charming town in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Mammoth is best known for its stunning landscapes, endless hiking opportunities, natural attractions, and winter sports. And while there is no denying that skiing and snowboarding are some of the biggest attractions, that is not all there is to do in Mammoth! From turquoise alpine lakes to snow-covered hot springs, geological wonders, and waterfalls, there are plenty of adventures to be found in this mountain region. Within the city limits, amazing local restaurants, shops, and craft breweries are ready to entertain the year-round visitors. The Village At Mammoth often hosts fun outdoor events that draw the entire town…
20 Best Waterfalls In Central California (By a Local)
While California is mostly known for its beaches, it is also home to over 1600 waterfalls. If you’re looking for waterfalls to see in California, don’t worry – we won’t tackle the entire list. Instead, we’ll focus on the region from Malibut to San Francisco and list out 20 of the best waterfalls in Central California. As California locals, we have personally visited these waterfalls so you’ll be getting first-hand knowledge and lots of insider tips. Each of these Central California waterfalls is unique making them worthwhile day hikes and stops on road trips. Keep on reading to discover 20 of the best waterfalls to visit in Central California! Thinking…
Hiking Johnsondale Bridge Trail In Sequoia National Forest
Johnsondale Bridge Trail (also called the River Trail) is a beautiful hike that follows along the Kern River in Sequoia National Forest. The Johnsondale Bridge River Trail is a popular spot for fly fishing and there are multiple river access points throughout the hike. Johnsondale Bridge is also the starting point for local whitewater adventures. If you plan to hike the Johnsondale Bridge River Trail, our guide covers essential tips you should know before heading out there. Let’s dive in! Quick Trail Info Before we dive into details, here is a quick overview of the Johnsondale Bridge River Trail: Trail Location & Parking The Johnsondle Bridge River Trail starts at…
Hiking Cascade Falls Trail In South Lake Tahoe
Cascade Falls Trail is one of the most popular day hikes in South Lake Tahoe that leads to an epic viewpoint of Cascade Falls and the nearby Cascade Lake. Cascade Falls trail is located near Emerald Bay State Park so many people visit Emerald Bay after completing this hike. In this post, we cover Cascade Falls Trailhead location, where to park, trail length, time, and what to expect. Let’s dive in! Cascade Falls Trail Distance Cascade Falls Trail is a 1.4-mile-long out-and-back hike. The trail is easy to navigate and goes directly to Cascade Falls and then back. Cascade Falls trail mostly travels through a forest and ends at the…
Eagle Falls & Eagle Lake Trail In Lake Tahoe
Eagle Falls & Eagle Lake Trail is an amazing wilderness hike in Lake Tahoe that offers incredible views for relatively little work. Eagle Lake trail is only 2 miles long (round trip) and features stunning panoramic views of Emerald Bay, passes Upper Eagle Falls Bridge, and ends at the beautiful Eagle Lake. In this post, we cover how to get to Eagle Falls & Eagle Lake Trailhead, trail difficulty, and other hiking tips! About Eagle Falls & Eagle Lake Trail The hike to Eagle Falls and Eagle Lake is short but it steadily climbs up and gains around 450 feet in elevation. During this hike, you’ll be walking on slippery…
16 Amazing Places To See Big Trees In California
Did you know that California is home to some of the tallest, largest, and oldest trees in the world? If you’re looking to visit big trees in California in person, you’ve come to the right spot! There are several places where you can see these majestic living organisms in their natural habitat – redwoods on the California Coast and giant sequoias in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This post covers where to see both throughout the Golden State. After reading our guide on where to visit these enormous California trees, you’ll be ready for an epic adventure! Let’s dive right in. Thinking of renting a campervan or RV to travel around…
15 Best Places For Viewing Wildlife In California
One of the best parts about California is all the wildlife encounters that you can have here. Whether it’s observing elephant seals on the coast, seeing monarch butterflies migrate in the winter, going on a whale-watching cruise, or catching sight of a bear on a backpacking trip in the mountains, there are tons of opportunities for viewing wildlife in California! Even after living in California for most of my life, there are new animal sightseeing locations that I discover every year. Thanks to conservation efforts, wildlife is again flourishing in our Golden State and there are plenty of places where you can safely observe wild animals in their natural habitat.…
Barney Lake Trail In Mammoth Lakes
Barney Lake Trail is a stunning wilderness hike in Mammoth Lakes that leads to several different alpine lakes. I’ve done this trail multiple times over the past few years and there’s always something new to discover that keeps me coming back! The ease of accessibility and the gorgeous landscape makes this route one of the most popular hiking options in Mammoth. Along the way, you’ll receive great views of Skelton Lake, Barney Lake, meandering creeks, and lots of opportunities for rest breaks and taking photos. In this post, we cover where the Barney Lake Trail is located, what you can expect if you plan to hike it, and other visitor…
Hiking TJ Lake Trail In Mammoth Lakes
For the past few summers, we have been in search of the best mountain lakes to visit in California. On our most recent trip, we hiked to TJ Lake, a stunning alpine lake nestled within the Mammoth Lakes wilderness not far from Lake George. The TJ Lake Trail via Lake George leads to multiple serene lakes with beautiful views of the surrounding mountain landscapes. This location also offers great swimming, bouldering, and fishing opportunities. In this post, we share details for hiking TJ Lake Trail including where to park, hiking tips, and what you need to know before heading out there! Quick Trail Highlights Here are a few quick trail…
