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9 unusual things to do in Southern California

Maria Angelova — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 06:47:05 +0000

When you think of Southern California, there are plenty of classic activities involving fun-in-the-sun, Hollywood glamour, and theme park thrills, but there are also many off-the-beaten path places you have to check out when you visit. Everywhere I go I try to find adventures in places that most people wouldn’t think of. Don’t get me wrong, I love going to the usual attractions as well, but sometimes you can really open up your trip to amazing possibilities when you travel to the unknown. My husband and I were born and raised in Southern California, so we definitely have had some unique adventures here. Here is a list of 9 things to do that you may have never thought of when visiting sunny Southern California.

#1 Take a ski lift to the top of Mount Baldy in the summer

You may think you can’t hit the slopes in the area if you come during the warmer summer months, but Mount Baldy offers trips to their summit by way of ski lift at that time too. We took a lovely hike at the top and ate lunch (which was included in the ticket at the time). They even have a disc golf course, so bring those discs with you to the top.

#2 Try this muddy adventure playground

I am a family travel blogger, so I had to include something totally unique to do with the kiddos when you visit. For a small admission of $3 per child (adults are free) you can bring your kiddos to what is essentially a mud city. They have rafts to play on in their mud lake, a rope bridge to climb across, and a mud waterslide! It’s a child’s paradise for fun and adventure. They even let children 5 and older use hammers and nails to build structures on their kid construction site.

#3 Hike Yucaipa

I have hiked a lot of places around California, but if you hike in the city of Yucaipa in the spring you will see rolling green hills and the most beautiful shades of flowers. I recommend hiking the trails by the foothills. I haven’t been to Ireland yet (it’s definitely on my list), but Yucaipa in the spring reminds me of the pictures I’ve seen of the Emerald Isle.

#4 Stand on the Center of the World

Yes, for a small fee you can stand on the center of the world. They give you a certificate and everything. To think it is right here in California! The French government has recognized it as the official spot and even more recently the Imperial County has legally recognized it as well. It’s only $3 for a tour and only $2 more for the certificate that you stood there. The spot is in a pyramid in the middle of the Sonoran desert, so pretty cool in my opinion. If you like quirky roadside attractions, this is the place for you.

#5 Visit the ghost Bombay Beach

Once a place of luxury and lakeside retreat, this former resort area by the Salton Sea has now turned into a ghost town. You can see the remnants of old resorts and restaurants of the past. The Salton Sea is a terminal lake, which means water runs in from rain and rivers, but it has no way to flow out. There is a small community of people who still live around Bombay Beach, but the unique landforms and abandoned structures make it feel like a place on another planet!

#6 See Salvation Mountain

Close by the Salton Sea lays a fantastic example of folk art. Late artist, Lenoard Knight created a masterpiece of epic proportions; a psychedelic art installation that covers an entire hillside with bright colors, Bible verses, and inspirational sayings, all created by one man with a singular vision. Even though he recently passed away, his legacy lives on and continues to spread his message of God’s love and perseverance. You can’t help but get wrapped up in the beauty of this intricate masterpiece. We met Leonard back in 2007 when we visited and he was truly the kindest human. He told us how he came to live there and how he created his work of art. Truly fascinating.

#7 Stay in a castle cottage

It’s a pretty popular concept to rent a cabin in the mountains of Big Bear, but a lesser known option is the themed cabin options at Castlewood Resort. We rented the Castle Cabin and it was equipped with a dungeon dining room, indoor forest Jacuzzi, upper level royal suite, and a moat with a drawbridge! They have other themed cabins as well, but if you go, you might as well go big and stay in a castle!

#8 Visit the free Cabrillo Beach Museum

There are many aquariums to visit around Southern California, but a lesser known one that is actually free is located in the little seaside community of San Pedro. They have great exhibits, a touch tank, and it’s located right across from a great beach with some great tide pools. It is really easy to get to if you are visiting Los Angeles. Just head straight down the 110 freeway.

#9 Go snorkeling off Catalina Island

I know snorkeling is usually saved for those warmer tropical locations, but you would be missing out if you didn’t take an hour boat trip across to Catalina Island and snorkel off the back of the casino. The kelp forests are mesmerizing and you will see your fair share of our state fish, the brightly colored Garibaldi. We even snorkeled in December; cold, but worth the experience. Oh, and night snorkeling here is awesome too. Bring along an underwater flashlight and be prepared to see lobsters, seals, and maybe a small shark or two. Not to mention Catalina’s little town of Avalon will give you a taste of heaven. It reminded me of visiting the Isle of Capri off the coast of Italy.

Well there you have it, Janelle Vecchio’s top 9 unusual places to visit in Southern California. Check out her blog My Vacation Pants for other traveling tips.

Photos: My Vacation Pants. Featured photo: Kevin Dooley/Flickr

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Drive along the most scenic winding roads in the world

Maria Angelova — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 04:22:40 +0000

The challenge: Head on a road trip that will blow your mind along some of the most scenic winding roads in the world.

Some of the most picturesque roads in the world are, unfortunately, some of the most unbearable for your ‘inner ear’. But, oh, they’re worth it! Just plan enough time so you don’t have to rush along the hairpins, and enjoy the views with your nose pressed against the car window.

Big Sur, USA

Big Sur or Interstate 1 is one of the best known roads in the States and you will see why, when it takes you to the breathtaking view over the Pacific Ocean. The Interstate spans 145 km (90 mi) from San Simeon to Carmel and offers wild nature and steep rocks, overlooking the waves crashing against the shore.

The Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

Across a 241-kilometer (149 mi) stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia, the Great Ocean Road offers a view of the ocean, blue skies and green landscapes.

Stelvio Pass, Italy

Perched at an impressive 2743 m (9000 ft), high in the Italian Alps, the road turns sharply 48 times across its relatively short span of 24 km (14 mi). Passing this road is something of a ritual for motorists and motorcyclists.

The Transfagarasan Road, Romania

Known as Ceausescu’s Folly, the Transfagarasan stretches across 90 km (55 mi) of turns and curves through the highest parts of the Carpathian Mountains. It connects Sibiu and Pitesti, about 270 km (167 mi) north of Bucharest; its highest point rises to a height of 2034 m (6673 ft).

Tuolumne bucket list: 12 unique and unusual things to do

Maria Angelova — Sun, 16 May 2021 04:00:22 +0000

Home to over a half of Yosemite, Tuolumne (rhymes with ‘follow me’) is a county with a huge bucket list for all types of travelers. Here are some of the most exciting activities in Tuolumne, California, from which you can pick the best for your personal bucket list.

#1 Go stargazing. With no city light bleed, this dark Northern California sky showcases millions of stars—a rarity in most cities. Outfitters provide guided stargazing hikes and tours with high-powered telescopes for planet tours.

Stargazing in Tuolumne. Photo Credit: Kyle McLaurin

#2 Walk in California’s largest underground cavern. Enjoy a 45-minute Family Walking Tour or a 3-hour Wild Cavern Adventure Trip including the historic 100′ spiral staircase.

#3 Go gold panning. Although the Fandango Halls and gun fights are but an eerie presence found in the ghost towns the miners abandoned, the boom of the 1849 Gold Rush left nuggets and frontier adventures behind. In Tuolumne County, several mines are still open that allow visitors to pan for gold, and there are several gold panning adventure companies that teach prospecting courses for adventurous miners who seek a true Gold Country experience.

#4 Travel back to the 1850’s at Columbia State Historic Park. Today the town still has the atmosphere, shops and activities of the olden times. Gold was discovered in Columbia in 1850. By 1870, the “Gem of the Southern Mines” produced more than $1 billion (in today’s figures).

Columbia State Historic Park. Photo credit: Michael Sharps

#5 Go cider tasting. Wine tasting is cool but cider tasting is even better. Indigeny Reserve is located in the hills of historic Sonora. Hard ciders and spirits produced in small batches are produced from the organic apple orchards here. Enjoy the shaded picnic areas for a lazy afternoon.

#6 Go whitewater rafting. Trips range from 1/2 to 3-day on the Merced, Tuolumne, Kings, Stanislaus and American Rivers and offer everything from float boats to Class 5 runs.

#7 Ride a steam train at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. Hundreds of movies and TV shows have been shot here. Join 45-minute a ride from the backyards of Jamestown to the rugged hillsides of California’s Mother Lode country.

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. Photo Credit: Tuolumne County, CA

#8 Discover your wild self at Stanislaus National Forest. Here you can fish in over 800 miles of rivers and streams, stay in a campground, or hike into the backcountry in search of pristine solitude. You can swim near a sandy beach or wade into cold clear streams.

#9 Make your own candy canes. Get your fingers sticky and join a candy cane making lesson at Nelson’s Candy Kitchen.

Candy cane making. Photo Credit: 2018 Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau

#10 Head on a road trip (giant sequoias included). Venture along Highway 120 for the “front door” entrance to Yosemite National Park from the San Francisco Bay Area. The Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias is one of three groves to walk among these giants that can live to more than 3000 years old! You will have to hike just about 1.5 miles to reach the Tuolumne Grove but it will be well worth the work to enjoy these massively beautiful trees with a lot less crowds than the Mariposa Grove at the south end of the park.

#11 Escape the crowds of Yosemite Valley. Far from the crowds of Yosemite Valley, you can experience the abundance of waterfalls up-close and personal in the Hetch Hetchy section of the national park, easily accessible from Rush Creek Lodge’s location on Highway 120.

Escape the crowds, Yosemite. Photo Credit: Kim Carroll

#12 Get in shape to see the iconic Half Dome in Yosemite. You can hike the 16-mile round trip to the top of the dome, but it is only recommended if you are in a shape for an extremely rigorous hike, and you need a permit. You will gain nearly 5000 feet during the climb, most hikers take 10-12 hours to complete the trip. Do you accept the challenge?