California State Parks

The Olinda Oil Museum & Trail: A short family-friendly & dog-friendly hike through Orange County oil history

March 9, 2012
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Although only 1.94 miles round-trip, this short little neighborhood hike in north Orange County is packed with local history, and is both dog and kid-friendly.

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A Long Walk on the Beach — El Capitan to Refugio in Santa Barbara

January 13, 2012
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A great walk or hike along the beach and bluffs between El Capitan and Refugio State Beaches in Santa Barbara. 6 miles round-trip with stunning views.

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Exploring Mammoth: A trip back to the lawless wild west at Bodie State Historic Park

September 19, 2011
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Pictorial highlights from Bodie State Historic Park, a fascinating day trip back in time located off Highway 395.

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Hiking Mt. San Jacinto: From the Palm Springs Tram to the Summit

August 4, 2011
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A great 10 mile hike to Mount San Jacinto, the second highest peak in Southern California. It’s not easy, but achievable for anyone in decent condition.

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Exploring Mammoth: Mono Lake and tufa towers

July 19, 2011
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A kid and dog-friendly outing to Mono Lake to learn about the geological wonder known as as the Tufa Towers. A must-do short stop off Highway 395.

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Chino Hills State Park’s South Ridge-Telegraph Canyon Loop: Perfect for a beautiful summer sunset hike after work

June 5, 2011
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The 4.5 mile South Ridge-Telegraph Canyon Loop in Chino Hills State Parks provides a great trail for an after-work sunset hike in Orange County.

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California State Parks

California Politics and Park Closures–Does it really have to be this way?

May 18, 2011

70 of California’s State Parks have been threatened with closure due to the state budget crisis, but have all the alternatives really been considered?

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Pictograph Trail to Smuggler’s Canyon — a Cool and Easy Anza Borrego Hike

May 11, 2011
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The trail to Pictographs and Smuggler’s Canyon is one of the shorter hikes in Anza Borrego State Park, but if you tie it together with the Morteros and/or Yaqui Well Nature Trail, it is well worth the side trip. Interesting prehistoric Indian Pictographs and a great viewpoint over Smuggler’s Canyon and one of Anza Borrego’s scenic valleys.

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Palm Canyon Trail in Anza Borrego State Park — So Good We’ve Done it Twice!

May 2, 2011
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The lower part of Palm Canyon Trail is the most popular hike in Anza Borrego State Park, and features a path that goes from dry desert terrain to a lush, palm and fern oasis, with waterfalls and pools running right past it. Beyond the “tourist turnaround” at the 1.5 mile point, is a much more strenuous, but much more scenic and less crowded hike up the creek to more palms and falls.

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A super short scenic hike to the Morteros in Anza Borrego Desert State Park

April 30, 2011
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A super short (1/2 mile round-trip), but scenic historic hike to an old Native American site located within Anza Borrego Desert State Park.

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Yaqui Well Nature Trail in Anza Borrego Desert State Park

April 18, 2011
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A short, easy, scenic 1.6 mile loop hike through a desert nature trail to a historic watering hole in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Easily accessible from Highway 78, this is a quick little hike you can hit on your way in or out of the park.

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Camping in Anza Borrego Desert State Park

April 14, 2011
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Anza Borrego State Park is a great place for spring camping in Southern California. If you love the desert, and you plan to go before it gets too hot, Palm Canyon has nice campsites, newish flush toilets and showers, and is conveniently located next to the Visitor’s Center and the most popular hike in the park.

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Hiking Scully Ridge in Chino Hills State Park

February 13, 2011

A fairly easy hike in the southeast corner of Chino Hills State Park, that features views of Riverside County/Prado Basin, Orange County, and into the north part of the park.

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San Jacinto State Park: Excellent family camping in Idyllwild

February 11, 2011
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A scenic, clean, roomy, shady campground — with flush toilets and showers– in the Palm Springs area, situated near the adorable mountain village of Idyllwild.

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Chino Hills State Park: Hiking the South Ridge-Telegraph Canyon Loop

May 24, 2010
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A 4.5 mile hike in Chino State Park, California, that is optimal during spring when the temperatures are cooler and the wildflowers are in bloom.

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