California Through My Lens

3DAR Trick Art Museum in Santa Monica

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 20:19:34 GMT

Disclosure: Tickets were provided for me, all opinions are my own.

3DAR Trick Art Museum in Santa Monica is an awesome blend of art, social media, and technology. The museum is a collection of 43 different paintings that look like optical illusions to the naked eye and that come alive when you point your phone and special app at them. A visit to the museum allows you to interact with and explore these digital art pieces, and it was a total blast for my family and me. If you are in the Santa Monica area, check it out and let me know what you think in the comments.

Details

Pricing information here
Location: 1254 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Getting There

The museum is a part of the Third St Promenade in Santa Monica. This is a collection of shops and restaurants that you can walk along. There are many parking structures all around the area where you can park and walk to the museum.

The Museum

Upon entering, you will be shown a QR code that allows you to download the museum app. From there, you can explore the different art pieces and “wake the paint.”

The way the museum operates is changing because of the pandemic, so I am not sure how the lines and such will work when they open to the public, but I imagine there will be lines for some of the most popular pieces.

I can honestly say that we spent time with every piece in the museum. It is so fun to just take out your phone and see how the app interacts with the art and then insert yourself into it.

Some of my favorite ones were the dragon, the tree climb, and the King Kong painting.

There is also an area with Halloween pieces which was a fun addition since it was October when we went. I went with my newborn twins and with my parents and all ages had fun (twins mostly slept though haha).

We spent about an hour and a half here just trying all the different art pieces and exploring. If you are looking for a fun family adventure or even a unique date night, this is a great spot to visit in Santa Monica. Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments.

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Boyden Cavern in Kings Canyon National Park

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 19:24:22 GMT

Boyden Cavern is one of two publicly accessible caves in Kings Canyon / Sequoia National Park. It was closed for many years, which stopped me from visiting, but it finally opened again in 2019, and I got to experience it in 2020. I can easily say it was worth the wait and the drive, and one of the most fun caves I have been to in California. Here is all the information if you want to check it out.

Details

Book tickets here
Usually open May – October
Read about all my favorite Kings Canyon spots here

Getting There

Boyden Cavern is located down at the bottom of Kings Canyon, and it is a good drive to get all the way to the cave itself. I would recommend adding a few other things to your trip, like a visit to Grizzly Falls and Roaring River Falls since the drive down is a long one. That being said, it is one of my favorite drives in California, and it is beautiful. Once you get down into the canyon, you will see signs for Boyden Cavern almost immediately. There is a good size parking lot near where you check in.

The Tour

We arrived 15 minutes before our tour and checked in at the small store.

From there, we started the steep walk up 125 feet to where the cave entrance is.

This walk is beautiful as it rises above the Kings River and gives you some great views.

Eventually, you will reach the cave entrance and meet your guide. We went in 2020, and they were observing pandemic rules, so the cave tour was private with just your own family. This was pretty amazing, as it was just my mom and me with the guide. The tours are normally 20-30 people, but you can book private tours during normal years as well.

The tour began with a short history of the cavern as we headed inside.

We took our time walking through all the different rooms and learned a lot from our guide, Jeff. Here are some of the highlights.

The upside down city

The wedding cake

The flowstone

The Christmas tree

The cave here is actually pretty adventurous, and there are lots of areas where you will really need to bend over not to hit your head.

The tour takes you back 750 feet into the cave, and it is an out and back and not a loop.

It’s an awe-inspiring cave with lots of fun formations and an overall adventurous feel to the tour instead of just the normal cave experience.

The best part, though, is the way you exit the cave. If you want, you can take the “wild exit,” which allows you to walk along the creek that is running through the cave and move around different formations as you make your way out.

This was such a cool experience and something I will never forget. The water was at least a foot deep in some sections (we brought Crocs just for this part of the tour).

This would be fun on its own, but there are some tight spots you have to maneuver as well, which makes it a total blast.

Both my mom and I loved this part of the tour, and you got to go at your own pace.

Eventually, the exit comes into view, and you will have to leave the cave back to the real world. I think we were spoiled with the private tour, but it was an incredible experience that both my mom and I have been talking about for weeks.

I love exploring caves, and I loved my time at Boyden Cavern. Check it out if you get the chance, and let me know what you think in the comments.

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Painted Cave: One of the Largest Sea Caves in the World

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 23:19:27 GMT

Painted Cave is a sea cave on Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park. This sea cave is gigantic, making it the twelfth largest sea cave in the world and the second-largest in the USA. It is 1227 feet in length and has an entrance over 130 feet high. While it is not easy to visit, most trips with Island Packers to Santa Rosa Island stop on the way back for you to see it (assuming the weather cooperates). Here is all the information.

Details

No place to land, only accessible via the water
Here is a map of the cave profile

Getting There

The only way to get to the cave is via boat. There are boat trips from Island Packers that just go to Painted Cave and Santa Cruz Island that you can book, or you can book a trip to Santa Rosa Island, and they often try to stop by on the way back to the harbor if they can. I was able to go on the way back to the harbor.

The Cave

We were in a pretty large boat, but the cave entrance is so wide that the boat could easily go in about 75 feet or so.

It was pretty crazy to see the opening of the cave and then make our way inside it.

The cave is covered in many different colors all over the cave walls, and during the rainy season, I was told there is a waterfall that falls over the mouth of the cave. We went as far back as we could and then got to sit and just soak it all in for about 5 minutes.

From here, you would need a smaller boat or kayak to get back further into the cave. I hope to return and kayak into it one day, but that is an adventure for another day.

I wanted to write this to share the amazing natural wonder that is the Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island. Being able to see one of the largest sea caves in the world is pretty hard to beat. Check it out if you get the chance, and let me know what you think in the comments.

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Cherry Canyon to the Coastal Trail Hike on Santa Rosa Island

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 15:57:41 GMT

The Cherry Canyon Trail is one of the easiest trails to access on the island of Santa Rosa in Channel Islands National Park. This 3.5 mile round trip trail takes you through a small canyon with lots of unique plants and up to a vista point that gives you fantastic views of the Santa Cruz Island in the distance and the Santa Rosa Island shoreline. On the way back you can combine it with the Coastal Trail and loop back to the pier. Here is all the information on this trail, and you can read about my entire trip to the island here.

Details

3.5 miles round trip
100 feet of elevation
3 hour boat ride each way to the island
I hiked this in October 2020

Getting There

To get to Santa Rosa Island, you must book a boat trip with Island Packers that leaves from the Ventura Harbor. From there, it is a 3 hour ride over to the island of Santa Rosa, where the trail begins.

The Trail

The trail leaves from the pier where the boat docks, and it heads along the ruins of the old ranch fencing.

After a tenth of a mile, you will make it to some more ranch buildings and the bathrooms before taking a right to continue along the road towards the canyon.

After passing a small bridge, keep your eyes peeled for the spur trail that leaves the main road and heads into Cherry Canyon.

From here, you will be walking through the canyon and passing many of the island’s unique plants.

The trail followed a dry seasonal stream when I went as it bends up and down a few small hills.

Eventually, the trail begins to head up as the canyon widens out.

This part of the trail is not too steep, but there is no shade, and it can be hot.

As the trail continues up, it will reach a series of switchbacks that bring you the rest of the way out of the canyon.

When you crest the small hill, you will be greeted by two picnic benches and amazing views out towards Santa Cruz Island.

This is a great place to relax before heading on.

The trail from here goes along the ridgeline, keeping with the amazing views as you head up a little more.

It then breaks with the trail to Black Mountain, a high point on the island, before beginning the descent down to the campground.

This part of the trail was my favorite, as the views were incredible along the Santa Rosa Island shoreline.

The descent is a little steep here but watch your footing, and you will be good.

When you reach the bottom, you can head right to go to the campground or left across the airstrip to go to the beach.

I recommend going to the beach if you have the time, but once you are done with that, you will follow the road next to the airstrip as you make your way back towards the pier.

Be sure to watch for a sign that says coastal trail off to the right. This is where you will cross the runway and start the coastal trail back to the pier.

This trail is easily my favorite on the island as it walks along the cliffs with stunning views of the beach and off towards Santa Cruz Island.

There are many amazing views here, and you will want to take your time.

It is interesting to see the ranch history in play here as well, with old fence and equipment strewn around the island.

Eventually, at the 3.5 mile mark, you will make it back to the pier.

There are great views of the pier here before you head down, and I recommend soaking it all in.

I hope you enjoyed this fun island hike, and let me know what you think in the comments. You can read about the other Channel Islands here.

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Santa Rosa Island Day Trip: Channel Island National Park

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 19:37:27 GMT

Channel Islands National Park is a series of islands off the coast of California that you can only reach via boat or plane. Santa Rosa is the third closest island to shore, and after visiting the other two close ones (Anacapa and Santa Cruz), I decided to make the trip out to Santa Rosa for the day. If you can, I would recommend a camping trip as the island is massive and you can’t see a lot in one day but if a day is all you got, here is how you can make the most of it.

Details

Must book the ticket online from Island Packers
The cost was around $85 when I went.
Takes 3 hours each way on the boat to get there.

Getting There

To get to any of the Channel Islands, you must take a private plane or book a trip with Island Packers, the official boat service to the islands. The trips leave out of Oxnard and Ventura, but for Santa Rosa, it was only Ventura. Once you get to the harbor, there is a lot of parking, and you simply need to check-in and wait for boarding instructions.

The Boat Ride

The boat ride to Santa Rosa is not for the faint of heart. It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to get over to the island, and the water can be really choppy.

View this post on Instagram

Highlights from my day trip to Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park last Monday. It was so fun to explore another island and I will have a full YouTube video soon. Have you been to Channel Islands? What’s your favorite of the islands?

A post shared by California Through My Lens (@californiathroughmylens) on Oct 14, 2020 at 5:08pm PDT

I went on a bad day, and we had 7-10 foot waves. I saw at least 6 people throw up when I was there, so bring your Dramamine if you get seasick. You can see a clip of the waves in the above Instagram video.

The boat ride is fun though, as they stop for any wildlife, and we saw dolphins and whales. They also have a galley with food and drinks that you can partake in on the journey.

After you round Santa Cruz Island, you will see Santa Rosa in front of you.

The boat takes you right up to the pier, and from there, you will climb steps off the boat to get onto the pier itself.

Santa Rosa Island

If you are taking a day trip, you probably have about 4 hours to explore the island before getting back to the boat. If you have the time to camp, that is probably better as it gives you more time on the island, but here is what I did with the time I had.

Historic Ranch Buildings

The first stop for me was to walk to the end of the pier and see the Santa Rosa Island sign.

From here, you can explore the one-room schoolhouse and ranch from when the island was used for farming.

After that, you will walk along the fence to where the bathrooms are, and that is where you can start your journey.

Here is the map of the island if you want to see what hikes are available. I headed out on the Cherry Canyon Trail though.

Cherry Canyon

Here is a small recap of the trail, and you can read my full post on this trail here.

This trail leaves from near the bathrooms and follows the NPS road till it breaks off on a small single-track trail.

The trail then goes through a canyon with many different types of plants all around you.

It then heads up till it eventually gives you a fantastic view of the shoreline and Santa Cruz Island in the distance.

This is one of the best views I have seen in Channel Islands National Park and I soaked it in.

The trail then descends past the campground towards the beach with stunning views the entire way.

It is about 1.5 miles from the trailhead to the split for the beach.

Water Canyon Beach

After finishing the Cherry Canyon Trail, I made my way down to the beach.

This was the highlight of the trip as it was a stunning beach with pristine sand and views, and there were less than ten people there with me.

I sat here for a while, ate my lunch, and put my feet in the water. I wish I would have camped so that I could spend more time at the beach.

With about an hour left before I needed to be back for the boat, I left the beach.

On the way back, I decided to take the coastal trail, which splits off the main road near the middle of the airstrip.

I highly recommend this trail as it goes along the bluffs and has amazing views every 15 feet or so. I took a lot of time soaking in all the views.

You can see some remnants of the ranching that took place on the island, like old fencing along the trail.

Eventually, the coastal trail takes you back to where the original trail connects with the pier.

If you have more time, you can go down to the beach below the pier and hang out in the water, or you can just sit at the end of the pier and wait for the boat to come in.

All in all, I loved my time on this island, and it definitely made me want to come back for more. Every time I visit the Channel Islands, I fall in love with this unique part of California. If you haven’t been, then make sure to add it to your list.

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Hiking to Tuolumne Grove in Yosemite National Park

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 21:56:14 GMT

Yosemite National Park is home to many beautiful Giant Sequoia groves throughout the park’s boundaries. The Mariposa Grove is the most well-known, with some truly impressive trees, but Tuolumne Grove is also a great spot to visit if you want to see big trees and not have all the crowds. I snowshoed to the grove a few years ago, and I finally got a chance to check out the grove during the summer in 2020. Here is all the information.

Details

2 miles round trip
500 feet of elevation gain
Parking can fill in the summer
Read about all my favorite Yosemite spots here

Getting There

Tuolumne Grove is located at the beginning of Tioga Road, which goes through Tioga Pass. If you are coming from Yosemite Valley and planning to drive Tioga Road, this is a great first stop about 45 minutes from the valley. You can see more of my recommendations for Tioga Road here.

Video

Here is a video I made from my trip in 2020.

The Trail

This hike is 2 miles round trip with 500 feet of elevation gain and loss. Parking is in the lot near the trailhead but it can be busy in the summer.

It is a reverse hike so save your energy for the way back up. Also, bring water as there is no water at the grove.

The trail is easy on the way down as it is paved and relatively shaded, plus there are lots of signs along the way. On the way up, though, you will feel the steeper grade that you don’t notice on the way down.

The trail is relatively straightforward and not super exciting on the way down, but the grove at the bottom makes up for it.

Eventually, at around the one mile mark, you will reach the grove and finally begin to see some of the massive trees.

The grove features over two dozen Giant Sequoias, and there is a small loop trail that takes you around to the different trees.

The most impressive tree is the one you see right at the beginning of the grove loop trail. Make sure to do the whole loop though, so you don’t miss any.

The fallen tree is another popular stop on this trail. It is a great way to see how massive these trees are as you walk alongside them.

Along the upper portion of the grove, you will reach the other famous tree, which is the dead giant.

This tree has a tunnel carved through it that is almost big enough for a car to fit through. It is a unique way to see the interior of these massive trees and is a popular photo spot on the trail.

From here, you simply have to start the one mile walk uphill back to the car to finish your hike.

One other note, this is actually a great trail for snowshoeing in the winter, if you have your own snowshoes and want to check it out.

I love this trail in Yosemite since it is family-friendly and has some great trees to see. I will say that the Mariposa Grove Trail is the most impressive if you want to see large trees though. However, if you are looking for something different to do when you are in the park, then check it out and let me know what you think in the comments.

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Urban Legends Halloween Haunt at OC Fairgrounds

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 18:03:27 GMT

This year (2020) has been one of the craziest years I have ever experienced. With the global pandemic changing the way we travel and even the way we celebrate holidays, it has been interesting to see the new businesses have popped up during that time. Urban Legends Haunt is one of those experiences, born out of social distancing, that has attempted to fill the void in a year where haunted houses and scary farms are nowhere to be found. I got a chance to check it out opening night, and while it was not the Halloween fun of the past, it at least gave us a Halloween experience on a cold October night. Here is all the information.

Details

Cost: $59 – $89 per car depending on the day of the week
Dates: Every day in October (other than Monday and Tuesday)
Location: OC Fair Grounds and Event Center

Getting There

The drive-through experience is located at the OC Fair Grounds. As you get close, you will see signs that direct you to the correct gate to begin the haunt.

The Drive Through Haunt

After driving into the event area, we were allowed to use a bathroom and pick up merch before making our way to the line that led into the drive-through haunt. If you want to be surprised, then I would stop reading here, if not then read on.

The experience is basically 4 small “show zones” where you pull up your car and park, see the show and then move on.

The whole experience is based on urban legends found in Orange County, and the introduction video talks a little about each of these urban legends.

From there, the first show is related to the miners from Black Star Canyon (I believe this is what they were, but they didn’t say anything about it, so I am not 100% sure).

The miners walked around in between the cars and acted scary.

The second show was my favorite, and this one had campers trying to survive an experience with Bigfoot, who was haunting them.

The final experience was an old abandoned carnival, and there were dancers here and some pyrotechnics that you experienced, culminating in a reveal of “Bloody Mary” at the end.

From there, you will see signs for the exit and make your way out of the event. The whole thing took about 30 minutes for us once we entered the first show zone.

For me, I have mixed feelings about the experience. For one, I was excited to have a night out doing something Halloween related during the pandemic, and my friend and I enjoyed just taking it all in. That being said, it was not really scary, and the story was pretty hard to follow after the initial video. When it ended with the dance number, we were pretty confused as to what we had experienced. Overall, it is not a bad way to spend an October night, but you will have to decide for yourself whether or not it seems worth the price for your family. Here is a video someone made on the whole experience as well. Thanks for reading this post and let me know what you think in the comments.

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Hiking to Tuolumne Grove in Yosemite National Park

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 21:56:14 GMT

Details

2 miles round trip
500 feet of elevation gain
Parking can fill in the summer
Read about all my favorite Yosemite spots here