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Travel guides, information, photographs, and stories about taking a vacation in California. See https://explorationvacation.net/exploring-usa/california/ to start planning your next trip.
Cactus blossoms are probably my favorite type of flowers, but they always seem rather elusive. Visiting the wonderful international cactus collection at the Moorten Botanical Garden may be cheating, but it does satisfy some of Read More …
Lane’s choice for hiking this morning is the Coachella Valley Preserve.We leave our favorite coffee shop knowing that the visitor’s center at Coachella will not be open when we arrive. (Have I mentioned that nothing Read More …
We’ve been talking about taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up San Jacinto Mountain, but I keep waffling – it will be cold up there and I came to California specifically to be warm! Still, Read More …
We’ve gotten into a lazy pattern – a morning hike and followed by an afternoon spent lazing around. Today we have decided to be more ambitious and to do two hikes. I find a list Read More …
Palm Springs is surrounded by mountains, thus there are stunning canyons all around the city. On this beautiful morning we are visiting the Tahquitz Canyon, where the two-mile trail that begins behind the visitor’s center Read More …
We intend to take the Indian Canyon Road into Palm Springs, but miss the exit so decide to just take the freeway down. Just before the interchange to take us into Palm Springs, we come Read More …
We are back in California’s Joshua Tree National Park in the morning. We should have gotten going earlier this morning, but the coffee shop in town doesn’t open until 7, so we decided that is Read More …
One good reason to forget about the wonderful campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park itself is Spin and Margie’s Desert Hide-A-Way. We have a wonderful room with a funky 50s vibe and a private patio Read More …
The whole reason we are here now is to see the desert in bloom. I’ve long been fascinated with the way the stark landscape of the desert bursts into riotous color when the conditions are Read More …
The Hidden Valley Trail showcases some of the Joshua Tree National Park’s best features, thus tends to be one of the busiest spots in the park. We have arrived relatively early, so hope to beat Read More …