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Bridalveil and Yosemite Falls are two of the most famous Yosemite waterfalls, but there are several others you’ll want to check out when you visit Yosemite National Park. Plunging hundreds of feet into rivers and creeks below, the waterfalls at Yosemite National Park thunder past a smooth granite backdrop.
Driving in Baja Mexico became accessible to all drivers with the completion of Mexico Federal Highway 1, also called, Trans-Peninsula Highway. While the old highway was more of a dirt path with steep cliffs and boulder filled arroyos, Mexico Highway 1 is a two lane asphalt road that bounces from coast to coast and town to town. For those of us who love to explore the Baja Peninsula, driving the Trans-Peninsula Highway no longer requires nerves of steel.
Embarking on a journey to Yosemite National Park is a dream for adventure travelers seeking the ultimate hiking experience. Yosemite, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, iconic granite cliffs, and cascading waterfalls, offers an array of exhilarating day hikes that cater to every adventurer's desire. Whether you find yourself in the iconic Yosemite Valley or the serene Tuolumne Meadows, this guide is tailored for those asking, "Which hikes should I do in Yosemite?" Let's lace up our boots and explore the best hikes this national treasure has to offer.
Now that you have discover where these flat water locations are, what makes them special, and additional activities in the area, it is time for you to explore the best flat water kayaking in Northern California for yourself.
Hiking Eagle Falls in Lake Tahoe is special because the sunrise view is extraordinary when the waterfall is flowing. A golden glow, few people, the grandiose blue waters of Lake Tahoe, and the brisk air make a splendid combination for all hikers visiting Eagle Falls. Also, as you walk around Eagle Falls, you will notice a few spots that make the falls look as though the cascading water pours directly into Emerald Bay… mind blowing!
Cerritos Beach is one of the premier surf spots in Baja Mexico. Known locally as Playa Los Cerritos, this quaint and off the grid beach has boomed into a surf oasis with an ever growing population of surfers. The good news, the vibe in the line-up is retaining its friendly and welcoming demeanor. This kindness in the line-up while surfing at Cerritos Beach makes for a fun time as well as a welcoming spot to beginner surfers.
If you want to hike the entirety of Yosemite Valley, the Yosemite Valley Loop is your ideal trail. Fully paved, the Valley Loop Trail was created to allow visitors a path to explore the entire valley by foot, or bike. While on this hike, you will find hidden gems along the Merced River, wildlife, and be able to soak in the gorgeous granite views Yosemite offers.
The rock climb The Surprise (5.10a) is a stellar first Yosemite Valley 10 rock climb. Why? Well, if you are looking to break into the 5.10 climbing in Yosemite Valley as one of your “To-Do’s” while you visit, this crack climb is perfect because you get a few warm up pitches to get your head screwed on. Then, you start up the final finger crack all the way to the top.
Going to Alaska during the summer is the best time to visit because the weather is great, the wild life is active, and the days are long. One of the first things you will notice when you arrive for summer in Alaska is the length of the days, which are 20-22 hours long. These long summer days give the time needed to explore the largest state. So, what should you do during a summer trip to Alaska?
The best time of day to hike Cook’s Meadow Loop is late morning into the afternoon. During sunrise and sunset, Yosemite Falls is in the shade, so to have the best view of Yosemite Falls in full light, hike the Cook’s Meadow Loop around 9 or 10am.
Five years have passed since my last cycle tour, it was new again. Pavement moved under me as I zipped downhill. Wind froze my hands. Trees and a river whipped passed at 15 miles an hour. Freedom, smiles, energy pumping through my body I have not felt in years. I’m where I am supposed to be.
Baja California has been a surfing hub since the 1940s, where both the northern and southern tips of the 1000 mile peninsula offer incredible right-hand swells and barreling beach breaks. And the best bit? Despite worldwide recognition, lineups still remain beautifully empty. So, whether you’re new to surfing or a wave-riding veteran, here’s where you should be heading for the best surf breaks in Baja California Mexico.
California is packed with lake hikes that will blow your mind, especially in the Eastern Sierra Mountains. The best part of lake hiking in the Eastern Sierra is the access. From remote lakes tucked days away in the mountains to roadside lake hikes, any hiker can find something for themselves during a visit to the Eastern Sierra. As a kid, I grew up in the foothills of Lake Tahoe wandering around the Eastern Sierra, exploring lake hikes, and embracing the often chilly mornings while searching for gorgeous landscapes. So, what happens when you put the calm of a cold morning and an extraordinary lake hike together? Scroll down below and discover the best lakes hikes of the Eastern Sierra for yourself!
Cerritos Beach, also known as Playa Los Cerritos, is the perfect place for swimming while in Baja Sur. The water is warm in comparison to the beaches of the United States, but still chilly to the touch. This long sandy beach is family friendly and is growing in popularity as a boom in vacation rentals grows beyond Cabo San Lucas. The safety of Cerritos Beach has continued to improve with the growth of the town by adding life-guards (Juan and Carlos), an ambulance station, and safety flags.
The natural beauty of Yosemite is so incredible that it inspired an entire 19th-century conservation movement, which resulted in the valley’s protection as a national park in 1890. Naturalists led by John Muir (1838–1914) and artists like photographer Ansel Adams (1902–1984) found inspiration for their life’s work here. When planning your trip to Yosemite National Park, checking out the best views of Yosemite Valley ahead of time are critical to the Yosemite experience.
Arriving in South Lake Tahoe to begin a personal challenge of a supported bike packing adventure from South Lake Tahoe to Mount Whitney, I started the trip with hiking Freel Peak. My goal was to start at the Freel Peak trailhead and hike to the top for sunset, but that didn't happen. Getting a late start, my journey to the tallest peak in Lake Tahoe ended in the dark, but that is okay, I brought a head lamp. By the way, the sunset while on the hiking trail to the summit of Freel Peak was phenomenal!
We headed to Baja Mexico for a three months of winter to surf and camp on every beach we could. Loading up the van with surfboards, snorkel gear, and sunscreen we did our best to explore on dirt roads, get sunburnt, and surf throughout the Baja Peninsula. Our goal was to avoid the crowds, but still catch good waves. I would be remiss to mention we missed a couple of swells, got cut up by the reef, and punctured a few boards, but the trip was a success. While the trips wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, we had a splendid time in Baja chasing waves and sleeping on beaches.
With 72 hours of “free-time”, so we headed out on a kayaking adventure. Starting our kayaking outing at Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe, CA for sunrise, it ended in a breathtaking sunset over the Emerald Range. As the road trip continued, our bodies grew tired, the milky way was overhead, and we cuddled in the van.
