Descanso Gardens, located in La Canada-Flintridge off Interstate 210, west of Pasadena, is described as "an urban retreat 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles." The gardens boast 150 acres of botanical collections, pretty walking trails, and seasonal displays.
About 130 miles from Los Angeles, California where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet, lies Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree is home to a diverse population of desert-adapted species, including the famed Joshua tree for which the park is named. This post details our spring break trip taken in April, an ideal time to visit.
There are many trails in the Angeles National Forest. Popular hikes in the Chantry Flats area take hikers to various pools and waterfalls. Bears are a common sight along the trail, so remember to be bear aware and recreate responsibly.
"It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter." - John Muir Yosemite Valley is the most visited area of the park, and for good reason. Powerful granite walls and evergreen dominate the valley landscape, with massive waterfalls cascading down imposing cliffs. Many of Yosemite's most famous landmarks are found in the Valley. Even the tunnels on Wawona Road leading in are iconic. In every direction, there is great beauty- and much exploration fun.
Less visited than the Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows is a jewel along Highway 120 on the eastern side of the park, with miles of hiking trails, domes to climb, and the pristine Tuolumne River sunning through it.
The Cranky Camper 