If you are coming from Monterey, this is the car pullout before hitting the official Garrapata State Park Beach parking area. If you are coming from San Luis Obispo, this is the pullout after the beach. To see these flowers you need to come here during the late winter to spring months.
Tag: california
Elephant Seals at Año Nuevo State Park
Elephant seals are the star attraction at Año Nuevo State Park, especially during the winter months. Compared to other seal species, elephant seals got a large, long nose almost like a elephant trunk. From Dec 15 to March 31, there are guided elephant seal walks for the price of around $11 per ticket.
Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center
Hayward Shoreline Center is located at Hayward Regional Shoreline, an east bay regional park with views of wetlands, marshes, and salt ponds. There is only one trail, SF Bay Trail, that goes on for miles. The easy flat trail is ideal for hiking and walking.
Dublin Hills Regional Park
Dublin Hills Regional Park is another East Bay Regional Park featuring more green/yellow hills depending on the season. Two trails worth pointing out are the Calaveras Ridge Regional Trail and Donlon Loop Trail. The park is right off of I-580 and has no shade.
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve
The black diamonds at this park mine are not actually jewels but a nickname for coal. Back in the late 1860s, coal was a main energy source at the time. Being a miner was hard work with long hours and dangerous conditions. After mining lost its popularity, the area became a cattle ranching community.
History & Art at the Carnegie Museum
If you’re in the downtown Livermore area, drop by the Carnegie Museum! It is a quick 15-20 minute stop. The museum documents the history of Livermore, the pioneer families who founded the town, and the remains of old Livermore businesses. You can a learn a lot more from the friendly volunteers/docents who are there to answer any question.
Danniel, The Largest Cow in California
I was planning a trip to Eureka and I came across an article about a Guiness world record bovine. Danniel, a Holstein steer, is 6 foot 4 inches high, eats around 115lb of food a day, and weighs roughly 2300 pounds. He used to belong to a zoo but became too much of a burden to feed and clean up after
Triton Museum of Art & de Saisset Museum in Santa Clara, CA
These are two free SCU museums to visit if you’re in the area. When you arrive at Santa Clara University (SCU), you will need to obtain a visitor’s permit from the SCU kiosk and park at the free 2-hr visitor parking lot. If the kiosk is not staffed like on weekends, you should be able to park without it. The de Saisset Museum is located past the water fountain and on the right. Triton Museum of Art has its own parking lot or you can park on the street.
Feng Shui at Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site
Eugene O’Neil is a famous playwriter and Nobel prize winner. He stayed at this Danville location for about 6 years where he wrote numerous award winning plays. The Tao house was designed by his stylish third wife, Agnes, who carefully used Feng shui principles to plan the house.
Sailing to Franks Tract State Recreation Area and Bethel Island
I don’t have a boat, but I have a friend that does! We took off at Rivers End Marina & RV where it was $10 to launch. We headed to Franks Tract State Recreation Area which is a nice area to do year-round tubing, fishing, swimming, camping and picnicking.