California

Calla Lily Valley & Garrapata Beach — Big Sur, CA

Calla Lily Valley & Garrapata Beach — Big Sur, CA

Time it right, and you’ll witness a valley filled with tons of white, blooming calla lilies right along the Highway 1!

Backpacking Lake Aloha to Mt. Price — Desolation Wilderness, CA

Backpacking Lake Aloha to Mt. Price — Desolation Wilderness, CA

Aloha Lake is one of the most popular backpacking trips in Desolation Wilderness, CA. During our 3 day trip, we also hiked up to the summit of Mt. Price.

Thousand Island Lake, Ediza Lake, and Iceberg Lake Loop - Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA

Thousand Island Lake, Ediza Lake, and Iceberg Lake Loop - Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA

One of the most beautiful areas I've ever hiked, I feel like I could have spent days exploring the gorgeous basin and alpine lakes below the Minarets

Rockefeller Loop - Humboldt Redwoods SP, CA

Rockefeller Loop - Humboldt Redwoods SP, CA

The Rockefeller Loop is one of the best hikes you can do in Humboldt Redwoods - it's easy, short, and gives you everything you could want in a redwood hike - tall trees, an open under story, and both a river and a creek to relax by. The 7,000 acre Rockefeller Forest is also the world's largest contiguous old growth forest of coastal redwoods.

Backpacking Matlock Lake & Kearsarge Pass — Eastern Sierra Inyo NF, CA

Backpacking Matlock Lake & Kearsarge Pass — Eastern Sierra Inyo NF, CA

With it's incredible alpine views, Kearsarge Pass gives quick access to Kings Canyon from the Eastern Sierras, making it a perfect weekend backpacking trip.

Sunset Trail & Big Laguna Trail Loop - Cleveland NF, CA

Sunset Trail & Big Laguna Trail Loop - Cleveland NF, CA

This easy, short loop is the perfect forest escape from the coastal beaches in San Diego that is also dog friendly!

Wild Willy's Hot Springs — Mammoth Lakes, CA

Wild Willy's Hot Springs — Mammoth Lakes, CA

This natural hot spring in Northern California lets you soak with expansive views of the desert and surrounding mountain range

Overlook Trail & McWay Falls - Big Sur, CA

Overlook Trail & McWay Falls - Big Sur, CA

McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is arguably the most iconic views in all of Big Sur, and the viewpoint is free and easily accessible.

North Fork Big Pine Creek (Summer) - Inyo NF, CA

North Fork Big Pine Creek (Summer) - Inyo NF, CA

One of the best backpacking trips in the Eastern Sierras, the North Fork Big Pine trail offers epic views of several turquoise alpine lakes below the Palisades

Backpacking Sabrina Lake to Hungry Packer and Moonlight Lakes — Inyo National Forest, CA

Backpacking Sabrina Lake to Hungry Packer and Moonlight Lakes — Inyo National Forest, CA

Looking for a Sierra backpacking trail to a basin full of alpine lakes? The area around Sabrina Lake offers great fishing, flower meadows, and waterfalls

Sentinel Dome - Yosemite NP, CA

Sentinel Dome - Yosemite NP, CA

The panoramic view from Sentinel Dome is one of the best in Yosemite. You'll get a bird's eye view of large rock faces and thundering waterfalls all just a short hike from Glacier Point Road. This hike is a great way to enjoy the incredible views without the crowds of Glacier Point.

North Fork Big Pine Creek (Spring) - Inyo NF, CA

North Fork Big Pine Creek (Spring) - Inyo NF, CA

For our first backpacking trip of the season, we decided on the North Fork of Big Pine Creek - a beautiful basin of glacier-fed lakes that I have been eagerly waiting to do. Once we got there, I could see why this was a popular destination - the impressive snow-capped peaks towering above all 9 beautiful lakes, great fishing, and ease of access make the North Fork the ideal Sierra hike.

General Sherman Tree & Moro Rock - Sequoia Kings Canyon, CA

General Sherman Tree & Moro Rock - Sequoia Kings Canyon, CA

If you are only spending a short amount of time in Sequoia & Kings Canyon, these two stops get you big trees and jaw-dropping views.

Mitchell Peak Day Hike — Sequoia and Kings Canyon, CA

Mitchell Peak Day Hike — Sequoia and Kings Canyon, CA

Mitchell peak has one of the best 360 degree views of the Sierras in Sequoia Kings Canyon Park, easily accessible by a short 3 mile day hike

Three Sisters Falls Hike - Cleaveland NF, CA

Three Sisters Falls Hike - Cleaveland NF, CA

Three Sisters is my favorite local hike from San Diego because the hike is challenging but rewarding with its three waterfalls and great swimming holes