California Archives - Monterey Bay Parent

About this time last year, I was a newly minted resident of California. Although I’d spent a fair amount of time in the Golden State in the past, I’d never lived here, and to say I was excited to explore my new home would be an understatement for the ages. For the past year, my family and I have spent as much time as possible tooling up and down the land, checking what the state has to offer. With gasoline prices creeping ever upward, most families are looking to get the most bang for their buck when it comes to summer travel.

While many stones are left unturned, here are some of the best places I’ve visited over the past year.

1. ANAHEIM

Home to Disneyland, Anaheim should be on any family’s list. Beyond rollercoasters and cotton candy, the city offers plenty of other entertainment. Yorba Regional Park is great for a picnic; check out a game at Angel Stadium Anaheim or bounce to your heart’s content at the Sky Zone Trampoline Park. Hollywood and Catalina Island are just a stone’s throw away. While you could spend an entire week at the latter amusement park, the nearby Knott’s Berry Farm is no slouch.

2. LAKE TAHOE

Most people don’t necessarily associate California with snow, but there is fun to be found in west coast powder. Northstar Ski Resort, in particular, offers 3,000 skiable acres and a variety of activities for all ages, from snow tubing to skating and fat biking. Lake Tahoe is also a world-class mountain biking destination. During the summer months, the lake itself offers plenty of opportunities for water-based recreation, including jet skiing, paddle boarding, and fishing.

3. THE LOST COAST

Nestled in the wilds of Humboldt and Mendocino counties, Shelter Cove is the termination point for the popular Lost Coast Trail, a popular 25-mile ramble from Mattole down the rugged coast to the unique Black Sands Beach. Hiking the entire length of the trail requires arranging a drop-off at Mattole to the north with one of several shuttle services in the area. Due to tidal action, most people spend a leisurely 3-4 days making their way south back to Shelter Cove, stopping at any number of the perfect campsites spread out along the way.

A backcountry camping permit is required; visit recreation.gov for more information.

Is a full-on backpacking adventure a little beyond your paygrade? The surrounding area is ideal for hiking, kayaking, and enjoying the day. The area is also perfect for families looking for a quiet destination with a decidedly earthy vibe.

4. SACRAMENTO

Known for its history, the state capital offers numerous activities to entertain and engage local visitors. Pan for gold while learning about the infamous Gold Rush of 1848 at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Get a sense of the pioneer spirit at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, which has undergone painstaking restoration over the years (the Donner Party stayed here not long after their rescue in 1847). The state capital museum is also open to the public, with an extensive collection of artifacts.

5. SAN DIEGO

World famous and for a good reason, the San Diego Zoo is a genuine wonderland. Over 12,000 animals of 650 different species are on display. Between expert talks, guided and self-guided tours, and interactive wildlife presentations, there is enough to keep a family busy for a week, never mind the traditional day-at-the-zoo most of us are used to. In addition to the full zoo, the Safari Park also offers close encounters with cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes. Unique experience packages and themed activities are also available. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Download the San Diego Zoo app for a GPS-enabled map and inside information on dining, activities, special programming, and more.

A “don’t miss” in the San Diego area is USS Midway Museum. For lovers of modern aviation history, this one is hard to top. Over 30 fully restored jet and propeller aircraft reside on this museum aircraft carrier. Commissioned just eight days after the end of World War II, the Midway served for nearly fifty years before being decommissioned in 1992. The ship features an array of top-notch exhibits above and below deck, including guided tours and flight simulators. Open Monday-Sunday from 10a.m.–4p.m. For tickets and more information, visit midway.gov.

6. SAN FRANCISCO

One of the most eclectic cities in the country lies just two hours north of us in the Bay Area. Families with kids of any age will find various options at their fingertips. Check out the Exploratorium in the Embarcadero waterfront or catch a Giants game at Oracle Park. This is a perfect city for families with older kids to explore on foot; wind your way up the Embarcadero to Crissy Field and a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Fans of animation will love the Walt Disney Family Museum, and you can plot your escape from the historic Alcatraz Island.

7. SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK

This is right up there with Yosemite in terms of the wow factor. Created in 1890 to protect its venerable giant trees, Sequoia National Park is also home to Mount Whitney, the tallest point in the lower 48 states. At over 400,000 acres, the largest tree in the world, General Sherman, can be found in the aptly named Giant Forest, home to five of the ten largest trees in the world. Perfect for day hikes and extended trips, visit recreqtion.gov for more information.

8. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

One of our nation’s crown jewels, Yosemite, is the definition of impressive. If you can only visit one outdoor destination during your time in California, this is it. Yosemite is split into two main regions: the Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. The Valley is known for its sweeping, glacier-sculpted walls and picturesque waterfalls. Spend an afternoon floating the Merced River, watch climbers on the 3,000-foot El Capitan, or hike to the top of Yosemite Falls and take a one-of-a-kind view of the splendor. The high country of Tuolumne features a playground of rounded granite domes, wildflowers, and cooler temperatures during the hot summer months. There are also several redwood groves within the park boundary and just a short walk from the road. A range of accommodations is available in the Valley, from simple camping to the luxurious Ahwahnee Hotel. To manage traffic, reservations are required to drive into the park from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. until September 30. Please visit recreation.gov for more information.

Originally from New England, Matt Desenberg is a writer living in Monterey.

As an avid motorcyclist and RVer, I have traveled through the majority of states in the U.S., some of them quite extensively. Believe me when I say California is probably the most geologically-diverse state in our country.

When people think of California – specifically, California road trips – they usually think about the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, the Golden Gate Bridge, or the Santa Monica Pier. To many, California means beaches, sunsets, and palm trees. And those are definitely worth seeing. Others head to California for the giant redwoods and stunning mountains at Sequoia or Yosemite National Parks.

But what if you’re in the mood for someplace off the beaten path? Someplace most people don’t think about when they are visiting our beautiful state? If you’re ready to plan a spring or summer road trip to some unusual places, I have some ideas for you!

Anza Borrego State Park

In the Southern California desert, south of Coachella and west of the Salton Sea lies Anza Borrego State Park. Spring wildflowers, canyons, washes, mountains, badlands, and stunning sunsets are there for any adventurous soul willing to look for them. The badlands area looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, while the spring wildflowers leave blankets of yellow and purple along the desert floor. If you have a four-wheel-drive, there are plenty of easy trails to follow. If you don’t, there are hundreds of hiking trails. Hotels are sparse, so I’d advise making this a day-trip from the Coachella area.

On the other side of the Salton Sea, not too far from Anza Borrego is a man-made curiosity called Salvation Mountain. The mountain was built by Leonard Knight out of junk: old tires, and items dumped in the desert. Mr. Knight covered the items over with sand and cement and painted his creation with bright colors, adding flowers and scripture along the way. For 25 years, his creation was an ongoing project until he died in 2014. In front of the sculpture is the old 1936 truck that Mr. Knight lived in for over two decades. The mountain has now become the center of several impromptu sculpture gardens created by unknown artists. Nearby is Slab City, described as an “off-the-grid squatter community.” People who live there have built walls out of bottles and sculptures out of car parts and other metal. This place is definitely worth the side trip if you’re in the area.

Glamis

Heading south from Salton Sea, then east on Highway 78, you’ll come across something you’d never expect to see in Southern California: giant sand dunes. Once you’re there, you may recognize them from numerous car commercials over the years. They were also the filming location of the dune buggy scenes in Jumanji: The Next Level and the Sarlacc Pit battle in 1983’s Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. If you don’t have an off-road vehicle, you won’t be able to get into the dunes themselves. But the view at sunset from the top of Osborne Overlook is breathtaking. The turnoff for the outlook is right off the main highway and is easy to find. It is a short driveway that crosses the “sand highway” and heads up to Osborne Overlook’s top. The view is worth the effort it takes to get there.

Death Valley National Park

Directly east of Sequoia National Park is a lesser-known park: Death Valley National Park. Death Valley is a land of extremes. At 282 feet below sea level, it is the lowest point in the United States. In the winter, snow often frosts the tops of the mountains. Yet, in the summer, it is regularly the hottest place on the continent. In the spring, colorful desert flowers brighten up the landscape. From otherworldly landscapes like the salt flats to curiosities like the Racetrack Playa, where you can see the “sliding rocks” and the trails they leave behind, there are so many things to see in what is the largest National Park in the contiguous United States. Hiking and off-road trails abound, and there are oasis areas and old borax and gold mines. There are hotels inside the park, but reservations are highly recommended.

Highway 395/The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

If you leave Death Valley by way of Highway 190 and head west to Highway 395, you are in for several treats. The drive up Highway 395 is beautiful from the Ridgecrest area to Lake Tahoe. And there is so much to see on that stretch.

Some of the greatest road trips are off the beaten path, and I encourage you to take your time. Stop to watch the horses in the meadows or get some fresh fruit from a roadside stand. In Bishop, stop at Schat’s Bakkery (yes, it’s spelled that way!) for some fresh Sheepherder Bread. It’s nothing short of amazing.

As you head up Highway 395, several side trips are worth the break. The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is a great place to learn about just how old the area is.

=Devils Postpile and Mono Lake

Further north, a trip off the highway to Devils Postpile is interesting although getting there isn’t all that easy. Where Highway 395 intersects with Lee Vining is Mono Lake. The lake was formed at least 760,000 years ago. With no natural outlet for the water, the saltwater lake continues to rise, and the water is too alkaline to swim in or drink. But the views are surreal and stunning.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

If you are willing to drive even further up Highway 395, you’ll hit the little city of Susanville. Just northwest of that is another less popular park – Lassen Volcanic National Park. Lassen is one of the few areas where all four types of volcano can be found – plug dome, shield, cinder cone, and stratovolcano. Steam vents, boiling springs, and bubbling mud pots remain active. The volcano is still active but has not erupted for over 100 years. If you are taking any budding geologists on a road trip this summer, this is a must-see park.

I have traveled the country with my family on our Harleys, and my dad instilled in us a strict policy of no interstates. (He must have been a Robert Frost fan, always taking the road “less traveled by.”) We have gone all the way to Canada from Southern California on two-lane highways. My children, who are now adults, still recall with warm memories all of the places they have been with me and their grandparents. As a parent and now as a grandparent, I keep in mind that experiences are what kids remember. New places and new experiences are what fill their minds with possibilities and dreams, and questions–so many questions! Isn’t it time for an adventure with your family? I say it’s time to hit the road less traveled with the kids!

Disclaimer: several of the recommended destinations are in the desert, which becomes quite hot after spring. Always travel with plenty of water, snacks, and a roadside emergency plan. As always, check online for road closures and park closures before heading out.

TRICIA VLASAK is a mother, grandparent, and wife. She works in law enforcement when she isn’t writing about parenting, hiking with her dogs, or going on adventures.

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