California Desert Wildflower Tour
I love the desert in bloom and have long wanted to visit Death Valley when it was awash in blossoms. You can never predict exactly when it will be a good year or when the Read More …
Category: California
Travel guides, information, photographs, and stories about taking a vacation in California. See https://explorationvacation.net/usa/california/ to start planning your next trip.
Antelope Valley, California (sans poppies)
So our first mistake yesterday was NOT deciding to visit the mining towns instead of eating breakfast in California City. No, it was the earlier decision to go to the Desert Tortoise Reserve and Red Read More …
A cacti extravaganza in Palm Springs, California
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 …
The Natural Side of Coachella, California
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 …
Tramming in Palm Springs, California
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 …
Disappointment at Big Morongo, California
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 …
Spring in Tahquitz Canyon, California
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 …
Wind power in California
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 …
Barker Dam reflections, Joshua Tree National Park, California
We are heading to Barker Dam 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 Read More …
The good life at Spin and Margie’s, California
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 …