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10 Best Hotels In Santa Barbara For A Perfect Seaside Escape
Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara features long stretches of sandy beach, endless sunny days, and swaying palms. It attracts visitors from far and wide, itching to learn how to surf or seek R&R in one of SoCal’s most popular coastal destinations. When you’re not off soaking up the sunshine or hitting the waves, the city is home to many unique cultural attractions such as Stearns Wharf and the historic Old Mission. This part of California is also world-renowned for spectacular vineyards, with more than 200 to choose from in and around the city. That makes wine tasting along the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail one of the best…
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8 Incredible Day Hikes In Sequoia National Forest
Sequoia National Forest is one of the best and easiest-to-access outdoor areas in Central California. Filled with dramatic mountains, lush trees, hidden hot springs, and roaring rivers, Sequoia National Forest is a true California gem for those who love the outdoors. Not to be confused with Sequoia National Park, Sequoia National Forest is free to visit and offers many incredible hiking and camping options. This National Forest is a great weekend alternative if you want to experience seeing granite tower peaks and giant Sequoia trees without waiting in long lines or paying big entrance fees. As Central California locals we’ve made frequent trips over the years to Sequoia National Forest…
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10 Best Hotels In Morro Bay For A Scenic Getaway To The Coast
Morro Bay is a lovely little town along California’s Central Coast. It’s best known for its idyllic natural landscapes, fresh seafood, and sandy shores. And while there’s no denying that the beaches are one of the biggest draws, that’s not all there is to enjoy in Morro Bay. Be sure to make time to see the iconic Morro Rock, a towering landmark formed by a volcano millions of years ago. The town’s waterfront strip dubbed the Embarcadero is also a must and is lined with gourmet restaurants, shops, and museums. Other unique experiences to be had include whale and otter watching, hiking Black Hill Trail In Morro Bay, and visiting…
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12 Fun Things To Do Around Bakersfield Like A Local
In recent years Bakersfield has become one of the fastest-growing cities in California. When I moved to Bakersfield a couple of years ago truthfully I didn’t know much about it (except that it’s really, really hot in the summer). But like with any new place, it might take a little while, but eventually, you’ll find all the best things to do in the area like your favorite Sunday brunch spot in town, hiking trails to take your dog on, and other fun things to do on the weekends. In recent years Bakersfield has also stepped up its food scene with many new hip restaurants, places to grab craft cocktails, multiple…
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Ventura River Preserve Trail In Ojai
Ventura River Preserve is an outdoor space near Ventura that covers over 1600 acres of untouched landscape. Located on the outskirts of the small town of Ojai, this preserve offers multiple secluded wilderness trails that are rarely crowded. After moving to Central California Coast, I’ve been searching for easily accessible trails to do in the area. The Ventura River Preserve offers a wonderful place to escape into nature and go for serene wilderness hikes. In this guide, I cover details for hiking the 3-mile-long Ventura River Preserve Trail and what you should know before you head out there! About Ventura River Preserve Ventura River Preserve is located in Ojai,…
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7 Incredible Day Hikes In Mammoth Lakes
Filled with stunning alpine lakes, dramatic mountains, lush forests, and incredible hiking trails, Mammoth is a true California treasure. Mammoth has over 100 lakes from which many are easily accessible through short day hikes. Mammoth Lakes is one of the best places in California to explore the Sierra Nevada mountains and enjoy outdoor recreation activities like hiking, camping, fishing, and swimming. If you’re planning a trip to Mammoth and are looking for easy hikes to do in the area, this post has you covered! We share 7 of our favorite Mammoth day hikes plus other great hiking tips to make the best of your trip. Psst! Before you embark on…
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10 Best VRBOs In Morro Bay For a Cozy Trip To California’s Coast
Right off of California’s famous Highway One is Morro Bay, a charming little beach town on the state’s central coast. It’s known for its mild Mediterranean climate that makes it a lovely place to visit any time of year, and its close location to other beloved coastal towns like San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach. Some of the best things to do in Morro Bay include strolling the Embarcadero harbor front, exploring Morro Bay State Park, and of course, soaking up some sunshine at the local beaches. Snapping a photo of the bay’s iconic Morro Rock is also a must, a towering volcanic plug that reaches over 500 feet tall…
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Hiking Heart Lake Trail In Mammoth
Mammoth Lakes is known for having some of the best hiking trails in California. There are endless day hikes to explore and adventures to be had in Mammoth! The Heart Lake Trail is a secluded wilderness trail in Mammoth that is short in the distance and rarely crowded. This hike leads to an alpine lake that’s shaped like a heart with an option to go on a quick detour to a historic mining settlement in the forest. In this post, we share where the Heart Lake Trail starts, what to expect, and other helpful hiking tips. Psst! Before you embark on your upcoming adventure, these 10 best hotels in Mammoth Lakes will ensure…
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Sherwin Lakes Trail In Mammoth Lakes
Sherwin Lakes Trail is a stunning mountain hike in Inyo National Forest that leads to an alpine lake. Located on the outskirts of Mammoth Lakes, this is a secluded wilderness trail that doesn’t get as busy as some of the other day hikes in Mammoth. If you’re planning a trip to Mammoth, we cover where the Sherwin Lakes Trail is located, hike difficulty, and other tips to know before you head out there! Looking for a place to stay in Mammoth on your trip? Check out this guide that covers 10 of the best hotels in Mammoth Lakes! Quick Trail Highlights Here are a few quick trail highlights before we…
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Horseshoe Lake Trail In Mammoth Lakes
Horseshoe Lake Trail is a beautiful alpine hike in Mammoth Lakes, California. This lake is located within Inyo National Forest and is part of the Mammoth Lakes Basin. Horseshoe Lake Trail is an easy loop that is popular for hiking and mountain biking. The one factor that sets Horseshoe Lake apart from other Mammoth Lakes is the strange landscape that consists of many fallen, dead trees as the result of earthquakes and high amounts of carbon dioxide gases that can be found in the ground. In this post, we cover details for where to park, trail difficulty, and what you should know before you head out to Horseshoe Lake! Horseshoe…
