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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.

In search of wildflowers in Joshua Tree National Park, California

Posted onMarch 27, 2011April 24, 2021Leave a comment

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 …

CategoriesCalifornia, USATagsUS National Parks

link to post Hiking Hidden Valley Joshua Tree National Park

Discovering Hidden Valley in Joshua Tree National Park, California

Posted onMarch 27, 2011April 22, 2021Leave a comment

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 …

CategoriesCalifornia, USATagsdesert southwest, US National Parks

Joshua tree with rocks

Into the Mojave Desert in California

Posted onMarch 27, 2011November 9, 2020Leave a comment

We immediately head out of Vegas, quickly finding ourselves in the desert. I’m so happy to be on the road here. I love the big, stark landscapes of the west. Finally we turn of the Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, Nevada, USATagsdesert southwest, US National Parks

Del Mar house

A Long Weekend in and around San Diego – Index to Posts

Posted onFebruary 10, 2011March 23, 2024Leave a comment

Friends invited us out for a long weekend with them in Del Mar, California. The house is located in a leafy green neighborhood with views of the mountains on one side and the ocean on Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, Southern California, USATagsitinerary

A Botanical Fantasy Land in San Diego

Posted onFebruary 8, 2011December 21, 2024Leave a comment

The San Diego (formerly Quail) Botanical Garden is north of San Diego proper in the town of Encinitas, California. I don’t think it is actually very big, but it has a large variety of plants Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, Southern California, USATagsgardens

At the beach in Del Mar, California

Posted onFebruary 7, 2011March 23, 2024Leave a comment

At first glance, the entire Pacific Coast below Del Mar, California, seems to be a broad beach. In one direction it is a flat expanse of sand lined with expensive homes. Turning the other direction Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, Southern California, USA

Wandering in Balboa Park, San Diego

Posted onFebruary 7, 2011January 24, 2022Leave a comment

Where better to spend a beautiful warm winter day than San Diego’s Balboa Park with its mix of architecture, gardens, culture, commerce, and kitsch? The Spanish Village Arts Center is all but deserted when we Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, Southern California, USATagsmuseums, National Register of Historic Places

palm trees and rock

The trek to Palm Canyon, Anaz Borrego, California

Posted onFebruary 6, 2011March 23, 2024Leave a comment

It’s a lovely sunny day, but not a hot day. We need some real warmth, so we climb into the car and head inland search of hot desert air.Along the way we come across a Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, USATagsdesert southwest

church tower

Old Town San Diego, California

Posted onFebruary 4, 2011March 23, 2024Leave a comment

It is a lovely sunny day when we arrive in San Diego, so after a quick lunch (with margaritas) we wander around San Diego’s Old Town area for a bit.The area is a weird mix Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, Southern California, USATagsNational Register of Historic Places

vineyards

Winding through wine country in California

Posted onApril 13, 2009December 16, 20202 Comments

It is a gorgeous day in Sonoma County’s wine country so we head up and out through Forestville and across the Russian River on the rustic Wohler Bridge. The scenery is lovely as we work Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, USA

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Use Rakuten for travel (and get cash back)

Use Rakuten for travel (and get cash back)

Are you familiar with Rakuten, the online shopping app that gives you cash back when you make a purchase? Did you know you can use Rakuten to book travel? Well, you can! Read More ...

Minnesota State Park Overview and Travel Guide

Minnesota State Park Overview and Travel Guide

Minnesota has more than 70 state parks and recreation areas, Read More ...

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