Chittor Fort often reminds us of the gallant Rajput Ranas who preferred sacrificing their life fighting with the dominant foes than surrendering in front of them. No wonder, the fort of Chittor epitomizes the essence of homage to the courage, nationalism and sacrifice demonstrated by the Sisodia rulers of Mewar particularly during the medieval times i.e. from 7th to 16th century. Built in 7th century AD by various Mauryan rulers, Chittorgarh Fort is said to have been the capital of the Sisodia and Gahlot kings who ruled Mewar between the 8th and the 16th century. The Chittor Fort was named after Chittrangad Maurya. Chittor fort was attacked thrice and each time it was safeguarded by the Rajput warriors. It was attacked for the first time in the year 1303 by Allaudin Khilji who had a desire of wanting Rani Padmini. Next, it was attacked in 1535 by Gujarat’s Sultan Bahadur Shah. The fort was attacked again for the last time – The year was 1567 when the third Mughal Emperor Akbar decided to pressurize Maharana Udai Singh by the siege of Chittorgarh. All these three attacks saw saka and jauhar committed by both the men and the women folks. They preferred death over surrender.

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The Islamic Center in Washington D.C. is celebrated for fusing together differing styles and cultural influences, particularly from Iran, Egypt, and Turkey. Completed in 1957, the Islamic Center of Washington is a mosque and Islamic cultural center in Washington D.C., located on Embassy Row near the bridge over Rock Creek. The idea for an Islamic Center was originally conceived in 1944 when the Turkish ambassador died and there was no mosque in which to hold his funeral. The Washington diplomatic community played a leading role in the effort to have a mosque constructed. Support came from the Muslim American community and most of the Islamic nations of the world, who donated money, decorations, and craftsmen to the project. The Islamic Center is controlled by a board of governors made up of various ambassadors. The site was purchased in 1946 and the corner stone was laid in 1949. The building was designed by Italian architect Mario Rossi and was dedicated on June 28, 1957 with President Eisenhower in attendance. When it opened, the Islamic Center of Washington was the largest Muslim place of worship in the Western Hemisphere. The mosque has been visited by many high profile dignitaries, including several presidents. The highest profile visit was by George W. Bush on September 17, 2001, only days after the September 11th attacks. On national television Bush quoted from the Koran and assured Americans that vast majority of Muslims are peaceful. READ MORE ->

Constructed during the early 17th century, Istanbul's most photogenic building gets its nickname from the blue tiles adorning the interior. The design of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the culmination of two centuries of both Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church developments. It incorporates some Byzantine elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period of Ottoman Empire. The architect has applied the ideas of his master Sinan, aiming for overwhelming size, majesty and splendor. The Blue Mosque (Called Sultanahmet Camii in Turkish) was built by Sedefkar Mehmet Aga in the sultan 1. Ahmet’s time between (1609-1616) years. It is located on the site of the Great Palace of Byzantium, on the southeastern side of the Hippodrome. It is called by Europeans as Blue because of its interior blue tiles which was used more than 20.000 pieces. The mosque is also popularly known as a fascinating structure its six minarets because it is only six minarets mosque in Turkey. There are many legends about this mosque; one of them is about minarets. Sultan ordered minarets to be made from the gold to create a different style but there was no money enough. Instead of this Sedefkar Mehmet Aga decided to build six minarets to see its uniqueness. The mosque is lightened by 260 windows. It’s part of the worship sizes 64x72 meters and its diameter is 23,5. There is a heavy gateway made from iron in the entrance of the west yard. The shape of this gateway shows the importance of the mosque because at the time even sultan had to be careful when he came in this gateway. The mosque has a rectangular shape.Also there is a central dome supported by 4 half-dome ,4 different ways. READ MORE ->

The Suleiman Mosque (Turkish: Süleymaniye Camii) is a grand 16th-century mosque in Istanbul built by Suleiman the Magnificent.The Suleiman Mosque was built on the order of sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and constructed by the great Ottoman architect Sinan. The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1557. The mosque is modeled in part on the style of a Byzantine basilica, particularly the Hagia Sophia, which was perhaps a conscious move on the part of the sultan to create a continuity and a symbolic connection with the city's past. The Suleiman Mosque was ravaged by a fire in 1660 and was restored on the command of sultan Mehmed IV by architect Fossatı. The restoration, however, changed the mosque into a more baroque style, damaging the great work severely. The mosque was restored to its original glory during the 19th century but during World War I the courtyard was used as a weapons depot and when some of the ammunition ignited, the mosque suffered another fire. Not until 1956 was it restored again. Today, the Suleiman Mosque is one of the most popular sights in Istanbul. READ MORE ->

Ornate 16th-century mosque with gardens, a restaurant & a terrace with views over the Golden Horn. -Google. Suleymaniye mosque, or better known as the mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, was built in the 16th century by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, also known as the Legislator. It stands on a hilltop (3rd hill) dominating the Golden Horn and contributing to the skyline of Istanbul. The mosque is the largest mosque in Istanbul. READ MORE -> An architectural masterpiece, which is considered the most harmonious, marvelous, and famous mosque in Istanbul. Mosque was built during the heyday of the power of the Ottoman Empire. This creation of the great Sinan is worthy of Suleiman the Magnificent. On the territory of the complex are the mausoleums of the Sultan and his wife Roksolana. A huge mosque of dark gray stone was built for seven years, completed in 1557. The Sultan's Mausoleum is the largest built by Sinan. The mausoleum of the master himself is in a secluded corner behind the caravanserai.

Golden Gate is a unique fortification architecture monument that survived until nowadays. It was constructed in 1017-1024 and served as a main gala entrance to Kiev. The great tower with Annunciation Church delighted contemporaries and terrified enemies, die to its inaccessibility. The name of the Gate in Kiev reminds of famous entrance to Constantinople: Kiev prince Yaroslav Mudry wanted to underline that his country was as powerful as Byzantine Empire. Yaroslav Mudry paid much attention to Kiev enlargement, consolidation and fortification. During the time of his rule the territory of the city became 10 times larger than it had used to be. Yaroslav was the one who destroyed hordes of nomads Pechenegs who regularly attacked Kiev. On the site where Yaroslav's troops won the final victory over the nomads the prince ordered to found the fortification tower that was named Golden Gate. The legend says that before the final battle with powerful Pechenegs Yaroslav Mudry prayed and begged the Virgin to help him to defeat the enemy. He promised to build the church dedicated to the Mother of God in case of success. He did not forget his promise and ordered to top Golden Gate with gilded-domed Annunciation Church. Until 1699 Golden Gate was decorated with the image of Our Lady of Kazan. Kievers called Golden Gate 'the sky gate', as every morning the sun passed through it, rose and entered 'the vault of heaven'. It was a splendid view, and the citizens of Kiev believed that sun and Golden Gate saved the city from darkness and death. The fortification construction of Golden Gate was totally inaccessible: nomadic tribes could never take it by assault, and even Baty-khan didn't manage to enter the city through the Gate. He stormed a less fortified city entrance and destroyed Golden Gate from inside. In the 16th-17th centuries Golden Gate was in poor condition, but it was still used as a gala entrance to Kiev until the middle of the 18th century. Golden Gate witnessed many important historical events. In 1648 Kievers greeted the hero of the Ukrainian national liberation struggle Bogdan Khmelnitsky after his victory on Yellow Waters. In 1654, the year of reunion of Russia and Ukraine, Russian ambassadors solemnly passed through Golden Gate. In the middle of the 18th century the ruins of Golden Gate were covered up with earth. The second birth of Golden Gate occurred in 1832, when archeologists discovered the ruins of old fortification construction. They were restored and fenced with metal iron. Kievers and guests of the city could admire the symbol of Russia's power. In 1970 it was decided to construct a pavilion that would protect the ruins and recreate the original look of Golden Gate. The museum exposition presents items related to the history of old Kiev, including weapons, everyday life objects and other exhibits that were found in the course of archeological excavations in the area of Golden Gate. It was discovered that the floor and the walls of old Annunciation church were covered with frescos and mosaics. It was the very church that was put up in honor of the Virgin as the gratitude for the victory over the Pechenegs, so the little pieces of smalt and plaster that were found are especially precious. The restored church was also decorated with mosaics and frescos. The reconstructed pavilion of Golden Gate was opened in May 1982, when the country celebrated the 1,500th anniversary of Kiev. READ MORE ->

Lavish 18th-century baroque church sitting on a hill overlooking one of Kiev's oldest neighborhoods. hey said Kyiv was founded three times. According to the ancient chronicles, once upon a time there were three brothers named Kyi, Shchek and Khoriv who founded the city on the hills above the Dnipro River. It was a legendary foundation (recent archaeological excavations have revealed evidence that suggests that there might be a grain of truth in this legend). The other legend says that one of the Apostles, St. Andrew, St. Peter's brother, arrived at the place where Kyiv was to spring several centuries later, erected a cross on the top of a hill and announced in advance that a mighty city would sprawl over several hills and dales along the river boasting many beautiful churches. Historians doubt whether St.Andrew really did travel from the far away Palestine to the hilly banks of the Dnipro. The foundation of the city took place sometime in the 5th century AD. The ancient chronicles say that the cross erected by St. Andrew was preserved and was seen as late as 13th century when a wooden church was built on the hill where this cross had once stood. The church was called Vozdvizhenska (the Church of the Erection of the Cross). The place was - and is - indeed marvelous. The top of Starokyivska hill with some clinking springs. The Dnipro river is in the bottom, as well as Podol. In the centuries that followed, full of wars and fires, the Vozdvizhenska Church perished. In 1744 the Empress of the Russian Empire (of which Kyiv was a part then) visited the ancient city. Kyiv needed a new church - for Her Majesty. The plan of the church was made by the genius architect of the 18th c. - the Italian master Bartolomeo Rastrelli which is famous by his palaces in St.Peterburg and its suburbs. The construction took place in 1747-1753 under the direction of Moscow architect I.F.Michurin. READ MORE ->

Landmannalaugar ('The people's pools') is a vast area of stunning and unique beauty, the true heart of Iceland's southern Highlands. The area marks the northern end of the Laugavegur, one of Iceland's most popular hiking trails. It is also home to many other notable trails, however, including the path onto the mighty Mt. Brennisteinsalda ('Sulphur Wave'). Visitors can also traverse the trail up the Bláhnjúkur ('Blue Peak') volcano, whose summit allows for a sweeping view of up to five glaciers on clear days. READ MORE ->

A vast area of volcanoes & lakes in the Andean highlands, with rare cacti, llamas & alpacas. -Google. Located in the middle of the Highlands, the Volcán Isluga National Park is characterized by being surrounded by volcanoes, lakes, and sacred mounts of the Aymara people. It is one of the areas with the greatest biodiversity of the Andean altiplano. READ MORE ->

Hiking, forest, and lake. Park is in mountainous region of Bjelasica that is located in central part of Montenegro between Rivers Tara and Lim and is surrounded with three municipalities: Kolasin, Berane and Mojkovac. Park is 5400 acres large and surrounded with mountains whose tops are over 2000 meters high and with nine glacier and one low land lakes, Lake Biograd. Seat of the Park is in Kolasin. READ MORE ->

Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv is an outstanding architectural monument of Kievan Rus'. ... In Ukrainian, the cathedral is known as Sobor Sviatoyi Sofiyi (Собор Святої Софії) or Sofiyskyi sobor (Софійський собор). HISTORICAL INFORMATION of St. Sophia Cathedral The St. Sophia Cathedral Museum is a state-preserved architectural and historical monument located in the centre of Kiev. This remarkably beautiful complex, representing 11th to 18th-century architecture, occupies five hectares (12 1/3 acres) of spacious grounds. Sofia Cathedral focus point is the grandly famed relic of 11th-century architecture and monumental art. The Sophia Cathedral belongs to the most prosperous period of Kievan Rus, the mighty Eastern-Slavic state which was the cradle for three peoples - the Ukrainians, Russians, and Byelorussians. Kievan Rus reached the acme in its economic and cultural development during the reign of Grand Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich (978-1015) and his son, Prince Yaroslav the Wise (1019-1054). In 988 A. D. Grand Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich introduced Christianity into Rus, and this was of great import to the future development of feudal relationships, to the consolidation of a united Rus, to the promotion of a cultural upsurge, and to the widening of political and cultural ties with Byzantium and other European states. When Old Rus adopted Christianity, the building of brick churches began. The best builders and artists of the time were called upon to take part, and these made use of the highest art and technical achievements of the epoch. The murals and stone carvings that ornamented the churches turned the latter into unique works of art. The major task of town construction was solved simultaneously with the building of brick churches. When the first brick church went up in the center of Kyiv - the Church of the Tithes (989-996 A.D.) - Grand Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich made considerable extensions and fortifications to the town proper. His son, Prince Yaroslav the Wise, continued his father's traditions: the territory of the Kremlin, or the main fortification, was increased eight-fold and surrounded by new defence ramparts. It was at this time that the metropolitan church was built - St. Sophia Cathedral, the principal monumental structure of the city READ MORE ->

It is called Blue Lake, or Rotomairewhenua. It is the clearest lake you will ever see. That is no exaggeration. It is currently the world record holder for the clearest freshwater lake in the world. Located in beautiful Nelson Lakes National Park in New Zealand, Blue Lake has a recorded visibility of up to 80 meters, which is more than 260 feet. That makes it as clear as distilled water. As you look at the pictures you will want to travel to its location and take a swim in its pristine waters, but you can’t. READ MORE ->

D’Arenberg winery is a family-owned winery producing internationally renowned red wines in McLaren Vale, a favourite South Australian wine region. Inspired by the complexities and puzzles of winemaking, Chester created the idea of a cube-shaped building. Each of the five levels have been carefully designed to entice and excite the senses, including features such as a wine sensory room, a virtual fermenter, a 360degree video room, and many other tactile experiences. READ MORE ->

Tablas Creek in Central California features an organic estate vineyard and is the product of two families going into the wine business. The winery specializes in Rhone style wines and offers a selection of outdoor and indoor tables for daily tastings. You can also opt to a reserve a seat at a table or enjoy a tour of the facility. Read more: https://bestthingsca.com/wineries-vineyards/

Beringer is over 140 years and still one of the most important wineries in Napa Valley. The original family is still very much a part of the winemaking process and the property is open for tastings, tours, special events and general explorations of the gardens, historic tunnels and beautiful architecture surrounded by grapes grown with sustainable practices. Read more: https://bestthingsca.com/place/beringer-vineyards-saint-helena-ca.html

CADE is a relative newcomer to the Napa Valley, founded in 2005. As an innovator in winemaking, CADE has a LEED-certified tasting room construction and buildings and uses modern winemaking practices that are moving toward organic farming. As CADE continues to develop, it is a great way to see winemaking moving into the modern world, surrounded by the deep history of California’s older winemakers. Read more: https://bestthingsca.com/place/cade-winery-angwin-ca.html

Ledson Winery is known around the world for its “castle,” making it one of the most recognizable wineries in California and a standout in Sonoma. After all, castles aren’t something that you see very often, especially so far from Europe. Ledson offers a full wine tasting experience with limited bottles, numerous tasting bars, picnic areas and more. Read more: https://bestthingsca.com/place/ledson-winery-and-vineyards-kenwood-ca.html

Alpha Omega pays tribute to the rich farmland of the Napa Valley, blending old world traditions with modern tastes. In keeping with their emphasis on hospitality, the vineyard offers an array of tasting options at varying price points so that every wine lover can have an experience that fits their own personal tasting style. Read more: https://bestthingsca.com/place/alpha-omega-saint-helena-ca.html

Tasting Room and Organic Garden Lounge steps away from the Russian River. Sip from our current releases, stroll through our organic garden and join in a game on the bocce court. Dog friendly Read more: https://www.sonomacounty.com/culinary/davis-family-winery

With Sonoma-heritage style that meets comfortably modern decor, the tasting room allows guests to enjoy Banshee wines in a casual setting that bucks the traditional tasting bar with a warm backdrop of reclaimed wood floors and walls, distressed leather furniture, spinning vinyl, and a vintage communal table. READ MORE ->

The origin story that Alan Baker tells about his fledgling wine brand goes like this: He was drifting in a canoe on a North Woods lake, perhaps reflecting on his career as a sound engineer for Minnesota Public Radio and what the future held, when he popped the cork on a bottle of Alsace Riesling that he happened to have brought along. The haunting aromas, the austere flavors mingled with his imagination, and he had an “aha moment” that lead him to Sonoma County. Here’s the aha moment I get out of this: Holy cow, you can start a winery on a public radio budget? Miracles happen, folks. Pop that cork. Read more: https://www.sonomacounty.com/blog/cartograph-wines-healdsburg

'According to ancient Indian Legend, the good spirit 'Yuquiyu' ( or 'Yokahu' ) reigned on his mighty mountain-top throne, protecting Puerto Rico and its people.' 'This tropical 'Rain forest' occupies very little area in Puerto Rico, only a single, crescent shaped, band on the windward side of the El Yunque mountains. It lies wholly within the El Yunque National Forest Reserve. The actual rainforest is at the top, you must drive to the top of the road and hike up to see the cloud or dwarf forest. READ MORE ->

There is no wilderness in America quite like the Everglades. Called the ‘River of Grass’ by its initial Native American inhabitants, this is not just a wetland, or a swamp, or a lake, or a river, or a prairie, or a grassland – it is all of the above, twisted together into a series of soft horizons, long vistas, sunsets that stretch across your entire field of vision and the creeping grin of a large population of dinosaur-era reptiles. When you watch anhinga flexing their wings before breaking into a corkscrew dive, or the slow, Jurassic flap of a great blue heron gliding over its domain, or the sun kissing miles of unbroken saw grass as it sets behind humps of skeletal cypress domes, you’ll have an idea of what we’re speaking of. In a nation where natural beauty is measured by its capacity for drama, the Everglades subtly, contentedly flows on. READ MORE ->

Torres del Paine National Park, in Chile’s Patagonia region, is known for its soaring mountains, bright blue icebergs that cleave from glaciers and golden pampas (grasslands) that shelter rare wildlife such as llama-like guanacos. Some of its most iconic sites are the 3 granite towers from which the park takes its name and the horn-shaped peaks called Cuernos del Paine.

High Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest changes a bit every day, depending on recent rains or time of year. To see this 150-ft. tall waterfall, hike or bike a 1.2-mile round-trip, easy trail from the High Falls Visitor Center parking area. The photo at the top is the view at the base of High Falls via River Bend Trail (you'll see on the left if you are hiking from Hooker Falls - between Triple and High Falls - or on the right past High Falls if hiking from the Visitor Center). When the water is not high, you can safely rock hop along the river bank to get a close-up view. READ MORE ->

Triple Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest offers a unique opportunity to stand (or even have a picnic) in the middle of a waterfall! A level rock surface allows plenty of room to safely enjoy the views and cascading water. To see this 120-ft. tall waterfall, hike one-mile round-trip from the Hooker Falls parking area or 2.2 miles round-trip from the High Falls parking area (passing High Falls along the way). Stop at the visitor center at the High Falls parking area for maps and info on more waterfalls to see during your visit. It's part of our favorite 3-mile DuPont hike to three waterfalls. READ MORE ->

DuPont State Recreational Forest is an outdoors lover's dream with many waterfalls and 86 miles of trails on protected 10,000 acres. Located between Brevard and Hendersonville, it's an easy 40-mile drive from Asheville. Most visitors flock to the three-mile roundtrip hike to three waterfalls (Hooker, Triple and High Falls). But there's so much more to explore! Take a seven-mile waterfall hike or trek to the top of Cedar Rock or Stone Mountain for mountain views. It's also one of North Carolina's best mountain biking and horseback riding areas too. For more solitude and to avoid the weekend crowds, arrive early and visit on weekdays. Take a breakfast for an early morning picnic on the rocks at Triple Falls. DuPont is open everyday 5 AM until 10 PM. Admission is free. The Visitor Center and restrooms are located at the High Falls parking area. About a mile away on the same road is Hooker Falls parking area. There are four additional access areas with parking. Find plenty of spots for picnics, but no beverages or food are available to purchase. It's pet-friendly, but keep dogs on a leash. READ MORE ->

Cliff side park offering camping, hiking/biking trails, plus overlooks & views of the Colorado River.

People come from all over the world to visit Arches National Park, and visiting Delicate Arch is on the top of many visitors' to-do lists. In a park with over 2,000 stone arches, this particular free-standing arch has become a widely recognized symbol of the state of Utah and one of the most famous geologic features in the world. The light opening beneath the arch is 64 feet high and 45 feet wide, making it the largest free-standing arch in the park. It has had more than a few names in its history, from the colorful ('Cowboy's Chaps', 'Old Maid's Bloomers') to the prosaic ('Salt Wash Arch'). The term 'Delicate' first appeared in a January 1934 article about the Arches National Monument Scientific Expedition, which described it as 'the most delicately chiseled arch in the entire area.' READ MORE ->

The Gorges du Verdon, also called the Grand Canyon du Verdon, is a spectacular canyon that forms a border between the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Var. Up to 700 m deep, the 21-km-long canyon varies in width between 6 and 100 m at the bottom and 200 to 1500 m at its rim.

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One of the most popular tourist attractions in Norway, Pulpit Rock is a steep and massive 604 metre cliff situated above the Lysefjord fjord and is considered one of the most spectacular viewing points in the world.

The most famous and breathtaking part of Ireland’s craggy west coastline is the Cliffs of Moher area, which feature some of the most breathtaking views on the entire island. The Cliffs stretch for almost 5 miles and rise up to 702 feet over the waters of the Atlantic ocean. The amazing view from the Cliffs includes the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, The Twelve Pins and the Maum Turk Mountains. The landscape and seascape of the Cliffs of Moher have, for centuries, welcomed a multitude of visitors; close to 1 million people per year now travel to this iconic location. But don’t get the wrong impression – just because many people flock to the site, this in no way spoils the experience of being there; it’s easy to forget your surroundings and lose yourself in nature as you stand near the edge of the majestic cliffs.

One of the finger lakes state parks Watkins Glen State Park has a lot to offer. Over a two miles section the central stream descends over 400 feet generating a series of waterfalls along the way. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls, the hike is absolutely worth it. READ MORE ->

The essence of Algonquin is in its vast interior of maple hills, rocky ridges, and thousands of lakes. The only way to explore the interior of this park is by canoe or on foot. There is also a second Algonquin - along the 56 kilometre stretch of Highway 60. Here you can enjoy camping at one of eight campgrounds, hike one of 14 trails, take part in extensive Natural Heritage Education programs, and visit Algonquin’s exceptional Visitor Centre, Logging Museum and Art Centre. For over 50 years, each Thursday in August, park staff have offered the “Public Wolf Howl”, a highly engaging program on wolf ecology that includes howling for wolves. READ MORE ->

The North Fork of the Virgin River (aka 'The Zion Narrows') is probably one of the most legendary canyons to hike in all of Zion National Park. The Zion Narrows is the section of the Virgin River just upstream from the Temple of Sinawava (the end of the road up the main canyon).

Here, the majestic walls of the main canyon close in to form a tall and narrow canyon with beautiful dark corners and the Virgin River flowing around you. With beautiful flowing water and barely any direct sunlight reaching the bottom, this is the slot canyon that all other slot canyons are compared to.

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Historic park with hiking trails & river. Great Vista Point. Park along the Tallapoosa River known for hiking, boating & Andrew Jackson's Creek War win.

The Lost Dutchman State Park is named after 'Jacob Waltz', a gold prospector who died in 1891 without telling anyone the location of his rich gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. The only gold you're likely to find here is the 'golden beauty' of these mountains that are studded with the stately Saguaro Cactus. There are many fabled stories about miners, mysterious deaths and evidence of ancient peoples that once roamed this wilderness, If the Superstitions could speak, they could no doubt mesmerize you with endless stories. Some true, some are likely fiction that are ever evolving with new twists, theories and embellishment. Park Hiking Trails The close proximity to Greater Phoenix makes it convenient to both residents and visitors. The best time to visit is in the spring when wildflowers are blooming and in the early fall months when temperatures are most pleasant. The summer heat can be uncomfortable. If you decide to hike the trails during the summer months be sure to carry an adequate amount of drinking water which is one gallon per person, per day and always wear comfortable hiking attire. READ MORE ->

Home to the giant cactus the Saguaro Cactus. Giant cactus, desert mountains, and sunsets make for some outstanding views.

Red Rock Canyon features a one-way 13-mile scenic drive, hiking and trails, plants and wildlife, geology, camping, cultural resources and much more. READ MORE ->

Beautiful area with a great dog friendly hike

The southernmost tip of Point Loma is where you'll find the Cabrillo National Monument. The statue depicts Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo who, in 1542, was the first European explorer to navigate the Californian coast. Situated about 10 miles southwest of downtown San Diego, this monument is much more than just a memorializing effigy. The main reason people make the journey to the monument is its incredible views. From the Cabrillo Monument, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific as well as the Point Loma naval base below (where Cabrillo initially docked his ships), downtown San Diego, Coronado, and on a clear day, the mountains of Tijuana, Mexico. READ MORE ->

Sequoia National Park is adjacent to Kings Canyon National Park in California's southern Sierra Nevada mountains. It's known for its huge sequoia trees, notably the General Sherman Tree dominating the Giant Forest. The underground Crystal Cave features streams and striking rock formations. Moro Rock is a granite dome offering sweeping park views. Nearby is the Tunnel Tree, a toppled tree cut to accommodate the road.

No guardrails? No problem for those who don’t mind a 3,500 foot sheer drop into sweeping vistas of Yosemite Valley and a second-to-none view of El Capitan. A short 2.2-mile hike with just 230 gained feet may not shatter your personal record book, but looking down into The Fissures from Taft Point is sure to deliver a quick shot of adrenaline to your system. The Fissures are natural vertical gashes in the granite near the cliff’s edge, dropping through the full extent of the granite mass, exposing the valley floor thousands and thousands of feet below. The exposure here is no joke—it’s highly advised to exercise extreme caution around the edges.

Carved millions of years ago by passing glaciers, this state park is a must-see for anyone looking to experience Lake Tahoe's beauty. Sheltered by towering trees, this inlet along the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe is known for its colorful granite cliffs and stunning panoramas. But staring off into the sunset isn't the only thing to do here.

Emerald Bay State Park is also home to several attractions. Budding geologists can hop a boat out to Fannette Island (the only island on Lake Tahoe) where evidence of glacial activity abounds. If you're into history, a stop at Vikingsholm is a must: Built in the 1920s, this former summer home is one of the best examples of Scandinavian architecture in the country. Plus, many of the materials used to construct Vikingsholm came from the Lake Tahoe area, making this mansion an authentic part of the landscape. You can tour the home for a small fee.

For a more adventurous outing, don some scuba gear and explore the Underwater Park. This stretch below the surface of Emerald Bay is the final resting place for boats used during the construction of Vikingsholm.

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Just north of Guadalupe, California, lies one of the most scenic natural areas all along California’s coast, Oso Flaco Lake. To get there, three miles north of Guadalupe, turn west onto Oso Flaco Lake Road, this road will dead end at the parking area for this hidden State Park. Enjoy arroyo willows and walk its 1.5-mile boardwalk trail above the tranquil lake (don't forget binoculars for bird-watching).

One of the most visited national parks, Mount Rainier is the most prominent peak in the Cascade Range. It’s also one of the oldest national parks. Mount Rainier was established in 1899. At 14,410 feet, it dominates the landscape of a large part of western Washington State. The mountain is several miles taller than the lowlands to the west and one and one-half miles higher than the adjacent mountains! An active volcano, Mount Rainier last erupted approximately 150 years ago. READ MORE ->

Beautiful park has 910 acres of forest and five miles of streamside and lake shoreline, including a portion of Lake Britton. The park's centerpiece is the 129-foot Burney Falls, which is not the highest or largest waterfall in the state, but possibly the most beautiful. President Theodore Roosevelt once called Burney Falls the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ and it’s easy to see why. Located in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park 60 miles north of Redding, California, Burney Falls is a 129-foot high fern and moss covered cascade that appears to have come out of thin air. In reality, the waters emanate from an underground spring above the falls with a near constant flow of 100 million gallons of water a day – even during dry summer months! READ MORE ->

Strenuous  Round-Trip Trail: 5 miles

Lassen Peak Trail climbs to the summit of one of the largest plug dome volcanoes in the world. Beginning at the Lassen Peak parking area, the trail climbs through twisted mountain hemlock and whitebark pine trees on sand-like cinders.

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Hike the trail to spectacular Feather Falls in Plumas National Forest.

It’s a moderate hike on a good trail with a spectacular reward: the Fall River plunging 410 feet down a sheer cliff face to then meet the Feather River and Lake Oroville.

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It is a large and spectacular park with abundant hiking trails and a fascinating history. Almaden Quicksilver occupies the site of the first mining enterprise in California (check out the historical marker across the street from the Hacienda Trailhead entrance). It became the richest mercury mine in North America, and the most productive mine in California history. Cinnabar, a mineral composed of sulfur and mercury, was used by the Ohlone Indians for painting and religious ceremonies. They introduced cinnabar to early settlers, who heated the mineral to release the mercury. You may know of mercury as the silver stuff in old thermometers, but it's also essential to the mining of gold and silver, and historically was used in the production of hats (think 'mad as a hatter'). Quicksilver is another word for mercury, referring to its liquid properties (it's the only metal that is liquid at room temperature) and shiny silver color. Mining began here in the 1840's, and the New Almaden Mines (later, after a shift in ownership the name was changed to the Quicksilver Mining Company) became a thriving area with several settlements, including Englishtown and Spanishtown, Spring greena company store, and school. By 1865 there were 700 buildings, and 1,800 people living on Mine Hill. By 1927, with the cinnabar largely depleted, large-scale mining ceased and a only few small operators continued to process mercury. READ MORE ->