Interstate 5, also known as I5, is the main highway along the west coast that runs from Mexico to Canada, crossing California, Oregon, and Washington on its 1381 mile journey. While most people use the route to drive as fast as possible to get to their destination, it does have a lot of fun places to stop if you have the time to get off the highway a little bit. On this list, I am covering 17 places to stop on I5 and purposely skipping Los Angeles and San Diego area stops as posts that cover those areas. Lets jump into it and let me know what I left off in the comments.

Vista Del Lago Visitor Center

As you leave the greater LA area and head towards the grapevine, a great stop is the Vista del Lago Visitors Center. This building sits above Pyramid Lake and the California Department of Water Resources runs it. It has many fun, interactive exhibits on water and the state’s connection to it. It also has a deck with beautiful views out over Pyramid Lake, making it an excellent place to get out and stretch your legs.

Fort Tejon State Historic Park

Next up, Fort Tejon State Historic Park sits right at the top of the pass before heading down into the valley. There is a small parking fee here, but the state park is fun to explore and well preserved. The park has the remains of an army outpost that was used from 1854 to 1864, and it has multiple buildings, including a barracks and a house that you can walk through. It is a beautiful and historic area that is hardly ever busy, so it is a fun stop on the drive. 

Tejon Ranch

It is hard to beat Tejon Ranch if you are looking for lunch. Located about 10 minutes from the last stop, it has dozens of places to eat and an outlet mall that you can shop at. I am partial to Chipotle or In-N-Out, my go-to stops here. Be warned; this is one of the busiest areas on holiday weekends.

Tule Elk State Natural Reserve

The Tule Elk State Natural Reserve is located about 5 minutes off the highway. This park has dedicated land that protects a herd of tule elk. These elk used to be prevalent in the area but were hunted almost to extinction. Through the work done here to preserve them and relocate them, the elk are now thriving around California. Note that I have been here many times and never seen anything, but on the last trip, I got to see the elk close up and it is was well worth the stop. 

Bravo Farms

Like Tejon Ranch, Bravo Farms is another go-to stop on the long drive from Los Angeles to Sacramento. Bravo Farms is pretty amazing for every member of the family. There are antiques to see, lots of souvenirs to shop, a restaurant, an ice cream parlor, and a great children’s play area. There is an In-N-Out off the same exit as well. I never pass bravo farms when I am on a road trip, even if it is just for a restroom break; the place is just fun to see. 

Harris Ranch

Harris Ranch is the largest beef producer in the state of California, and you will no doubt see the cows as you drive through the area. The ranch property expanded to a hotel and restaurant in the 1980s, and it has become one of the most popular spots for an overnight stay on the drive. The restaurant features fantastic steaks and is often in the top 100 busiest restaurants in the United States. My dad and I ate at the restaurant and stayed on the property, and it was a great meal and a nice place to stay with a massive pool right in the middle of the property.

Old Sacramento

As you enter Sacramento, here are two fun road trip stops. You can see 14 more in the video linked in the description. First, head to Old Sacramento. Old Sacramento is a major tourist attraction in the city, with some of the restored buildings dating back to the 1800s. The area has shops, restaurants, museums, and the beautiful Sacramento Tower Bridge. Plan to spend a little time here just walking along the water and exploring the historic district.

California State Capitol

If you are traveling on a weekday between 8 and 5, you should also stop to see the state capital, which is only 5 minutes drive from Old Sacramento. The capitol grounds are beautiful and have plants from all over California on display. You can also go into the capitol and see the gorgeous rotunda and walk the halls to see all of the different California counties on display. It is a stunning building, and it is a fun weekday road trip stop. 

The Olive Pit

After leaving Sacramento, I tend not to stop again until I get to Corning. The Corning Olive Pit is one of my go-to road trip stops that I have been doing for years. The Olive Pit has hundreds of different kinds of green olives with all sorts of fillings, but the highlight for me is the raspberry almonds. I never leave without grabbing a bag. There are lots of other snacks here for your road trip, so it is worth a stop to grab something.

Sundial Bridge

Leaving Corning, it is about an hour to Redding, an excellent place to spend the night, and that has all of the restaurants you would expect in a city of this size. For me, the Sundial Bridge is the best road trip stop in Redding. This bridge was built in 2004, and it crosses the river without touching it and has a full sundial on one side. The bridge is fun to see both at day and at night when it is lit up. Next to the bridge is a great museum if you are traveling with kids which can easily pass a few hours. 

Shasta Dam

As you leave Redding, the Shasta Dam is an interesting place to stop if you want to go a little off the highway. A scenic drive takes you through the hills and gives you some great views of the dam and the lake behind it. As you get closer to the dam, you can stop at the visitors center to learn more about it as well. It is the eighth tallest dam in the USA, and it was built in 1945, so it is an engineering feat that is well worth seeing.

Shasta Caverns

As you head north on I5, keep your eyes peeled for Shasta Caverns. If you have the time, this is a fantastic place to visit. The caverns are located on the other side of the lake, so you have to take a boat over to other side, then a bus up to the cave where you can take a tour. It is more of a half day adventure, but it is a unique thing to do in California. 

Yaks on the 5

As you make it to the town of Dunsmuir, Yaks on the 5 is a great place to stop for a meal. Don’t expect it to be healthy but do expect it to be tasty. The burgers here come with everything from piles of cilantro to garlic and you can get their famous lavender ketchup on the side to go with. The sticky buns are also excellent here, and it has been voted one of the best restaurants in the USA by Yelp a few years in a row. Let me know what you think in the comments if you go. 

Hedge Creek Falls

Hedge Creek Falls is located only 5 minutes up the road from Yaks, and it is a fantastic waterfall hike for the whole family. The hike is short as it heads down to the impressive waterfall. When you get there, you can walk behind it, which is unique, and there are many opportunities for great photos here. Note that it is downhill the whole way there, so it is uphill on switchbacks to get back out. 

Mt Shasta

As you leave Dunsmuir, you will make it to the town of Mt Shasta, which has the famous volcano with the same name. If it is clear, you can see it peeking out from the highway as you drive, and there is a signed overlook where you can get a good view. If it is clear, I would recommend getting off in the city to grab some coffee or something to eat and soak in the views of this 14,000 foot peak. If you want to know what it is like to climb it, you can see that in another video I made when Amie and I climbed it. 

Sacramento Headwaters

While in the town of Mt Shasta, head over to the headwaters of the Sacramento River. The headwaters are located in a small park at the edge of town and are signed, so it is easy to find them. It is impressive to see the small beginnings of this massive waterway that carves through most of the northern part of the state. It is a quick stop, but it helps to put it into perspective. 

Yreka Dragon

The Yreka Dragon is the last California stop on this list. The statue sits on the east side of the freeway as you leave the town of Yreka. Keep your eyes peeled for it and pull entirely off the road if you want to see it. It is a fun piece of public art, and it is beautifully situated with the stunning landscape that is all around it. 

All that is left in California is the Welcome to Oregon Sign. I always stop for a photo with these signs when on a road trip. Let me know what you think of these stops in the comments!

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The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is one of the city’s best museums. It spotlights the area’s vast culture and history through exhibits on everything from the Chumash Native Americans and ecology of Santa Barbara to insects and dinosaurs. It is an excellent spot for the whole family and has some of the best diorama-type displays I have seen. Plus, when you pull up in the parking lot, you will see a complete blue whale skeleton as well, which is pretty hard to beat. Here is all the information if you want to check it out.

Details

• Cost: $17 for adults, $11 for kids (as of 2022)
• Hours: Everyday 10 AM – 5 PM,  Closed Tuesdays (as of 2022)
• Location: 2559 Puesta Del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Getting There

The museum is located close to the Santa Barbara Mission. If you go past the mission, you will see signs directing you to the museum entrance. There is a large parking area here that you can use for your museum visit. 

Santa Barbra Museum of Natural History

After paying your fee to enter the museum, you can browse the six different exhibit halls, each with its own focus. Here is a little about each.

Chumash Life

The first exhibit I went to was on Chumash life & culture. It had an extensive collection of Chumash artifacts. It was well done and was a great introduction to the people group that I have heard so much about when in this area of California. 

Earth and Marine Sciences

Behind this exhibit, you can see one of the museum’s most popular artifacts, the skeleton of a pygmy mammoth. 

What’s crazy about this skeleton is that it was dug up on one of the Channel Islands. It’s wild to think about these creatures on the island. 

There was also a lot of information on ocean life here as well. The exhibits were unique in that most museums have actual water tanks and live fish, but this museum had elaborate dioramas of kelp forests and intertidal areas with sea life displayed in them.

It felt much older but was cool to see and one of the museum’s highlights for me (there are many of these dioramas in the mammals and bird halls). 

Santa Barbara Gallery

This gallery has lots of information on the Santa Barbara area and its geology and animal life. 

There is a bug section in the back with a hundred or so bugs displayed in a large exhibit, ranging from butterflies to beetles. 

Mammal Hall

Moving on, the mammal hall is one medium-sized room with ten or so displays of taxidermied mammals on display in the dioramas mentioned above.

They have everything from bears to deer in here. It is a well done and interesting way to display the animals. It doesn’t compare to the number of birds they have in the next area through.

Bird Hall

I was blown away when I entered this exhibit, as it had probably over a hundred taxidermied birds on display in the many glass exhibits. 

It was crazy to see how many birds they had here, and it was a great way to learn about them.

There was even a section with just different bird eggs and a bunch more dioramas with varying birds in them.

The many kids I saw in this section were overwhelmed with what to look at, and I can see why, there was just so much to see. It was really cool though.

Dinosaur Area

The last area I visited at the museum was the back garden which had some dinosaurs situated in the shade of the trees.

These dinosaurs were animatronic, and both moved and growled. It was easily one of the most popular areas of the museum, and it was a lot of fun.

The back garden is beautiful with a small creek that runs through it and lots of big trees. I imagine it would be a great area to have a cup of coffee and relax while exploring the museum.

I have visited many museums in Santa Barbara, and this is easily one of the best. It has many unique exhibits and is fun for children and adults. Check it out, and let me know what you think in the comments. 

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Santa Barbara is a beautiful California coastal town situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains on Pacific Coast Highway. The city is full of fun places to explore, ranging from historic landmarks and museums to beaches and hiking trails. Santa Barbara is a loved destination for a relaxing weekend and draws visitors from around the United States and abroad. I have spent a lot of time in Santa Barbara over the years, and here are my favorite places to explore in the city. Let me know what I left off in the comments. 

Video

Here is a video of the recommendations, or read on for all the information.

Sterns Wharf

Sterns Wharf is the large pier that juts out of the Santa Barbara coastline. The pier was built in 1878, but it has suffered lots of damage from storms, earthquakes, and fires since then. The pier is one of the few drivable piers in California, and it has lots of parking, so you can grab a spot and explore the historic wooden structure. It houses multiple restaurants, with my favorite being the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company. It is also home to the Sea Center, which is a great spot to learn about the ocean life in the area. Overall, the wharf is just a historic part of California that is a blast to explore in Santa Barbara. 

Lil Toot

While at the wharf, consider taking a ride on Lil’ Toot if it’s running when you are there (usually the weekends). This small ship is a local favorite and great for young children. The boat is painted yellow, has a smiley face, and has a fun whistle. It is just a glorified water taxi, but it is a blast, and sometimes it goes out to see seals on its way over to the harbor. It is just fun to be out on the water, and it will give you some great views of the pier as well. Do note that you can only buy a one-way ticket, and based on the line, you might have to wait for a few rounds if you want to ride it back. When it drops off at the harbor, it is right at our next recommendation, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

While this museum is not very big, I love it, and as it has a lot of fun exhibits. The museum has a Fresnel Lighthouse Lens initially used in the Point Conception Lighthouse that is prominently displayed and worth the visit just to see. Surrounding the lens, there are exhibits on surfing history, the Chumash Native Americans, commercial diving, and the oil rigs that dot the landscape. When I last went, they even had scavenger hunts for small children to do while exploring the museum, which is a fun idea. Don’t forget to go to the 4th floor when you are there for a great view over the Harbor.

Walk to Point Castillo

While you are at the harbor, consider walking to Point Castillo. This is an excellent activity for the whole family as it is paved and flat. The walk takes you along all the restaurants and shops along the harbor and out towards the jetty. During high tide, you may even see the water crash up against the wall here, but most of the time, the walk is peaceful and beautiful with the sand on one side and boats on the other. When you get to the end, you can sit on the whale-shaped benches and soak in the views of Sterns Wharf right in front of you. If you don’t want to hike, this is a great and active option in the city.

El Presidio de Santa Barbara

Next up, the Presidio is a state historic park that showcases the last Spanish fort, built in 1782. The site preserves two of the original adobe structures and has restored two others. You can see the padres quarters, the chapel, kitchen, and other buildings in the fort. It’s a great area to visit to learn more about the Spanish influence on the area, and it is pretty crazy to see this historic structure right in downtown Santa Barbara.

Mission Santa Barbara

Mission Santa Barbara is probably the most popular tourist attraction in the city. It is one of the 21 Spanish California Missions, and is one of the most beautiful to see. The mission was founded in 1786 and was the 10th mission created. Today you can tour the mission and the grounds, with some of the popular spots to see being the fountain, the cross outside, and the chapel inside. The chapel still holds services and is closed when a service is happening. In the back, there is a cemetery with one of the largest fig trees I have ever seen as well. I have been many times but always enjoy going back and walking the grounds.

Morton Bay Fig

Speaking of fig trees, the next recommendation is to visit Santa Barbara’s Moreton Bay Fig Tree near the railroad depot. This fig tree is truly massive and is said to be the largest fig tree in the United States. The tree has been designated a historic landmark, and it really must be seen to be believed. According to the most recent measurement, the base of the tree is around 41 feet in circumference, and I wouldn’t doubt the claim after walking around it. It is an easy, quick spot to stop in the city.

Moxi

While at the Moreton Bay Fig, and if you are traveling with younger kids, consider heading over to the Moxi, known as The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation. This spot is fun for kids of all ages but especially fun for those a little older. The museum is full of fun exhibits like a massive Lite Brite, giant guitar, and all sorts of interactive innovations. Also, the rooftop is an awesome spot for views out over downtown Santa Barbara. My kids loved running around and seeing the exhibits but were a bit young to appreciate it fully. I can’t wait to spend a half-day here when they are a little older though.

Court Lookout

While in downtown Santa Barbara, walk up State Street and visit the Santa Barbara Courthouse. The grounds of this historic structure are stunning, and I have seen multiple weddings here when I have visited. I recommend grabbing some coffee at Handlebar and just walking around and soaking it all in. The courthouse also has an overlook in the clock tower that you can go up to if it is open. It hasn’t been open with the pandemic though, so I am not sure when it will open again.

Funk Zone

Santa Barbaras Funk Zone is a trendy area right off the main downtown drag. The district is home to coffee shops, art galleries, restaurants, and wine tasting. It is fun to walk around and see the “slow down for the funk” signs along the street and the beautiful murals on many of the buildings. They have fun events here like holiday pop-up bars and live music during different times of the year. I especially love Dart Coffee, which has a fantastic outdoor seating area right in the middle of the Funk Zone. The area is constantly changing, and it is always worth going back to see what is new. 

Shoreline Park

Shoreline Park sits along the coast and is a long skinny park with almost a mile of coastal views. The park features walking paths, a children’s play area and many benches. It is a great spot for a morning stroll and has some truly stunning views of the Channel Islands on a clear day. If you want to visit the beach, you can find Leadbetter Beach on one side and 1000 Steps Beach hidden on the other side. Research how to get there if you want to go, and don’t go when the tide is high as the beach is pretty much gone. Shoreline Park is an excellent spot for a leisurely morning in Santa Barbara. 

Farmers Market

If you enjoy going to a farmer’s market, then the Santa Barbara one is a good recommendation for you. The company that runs the market has one six days a week all around Santa Barbara County, so there is a market for you depending on what day you are there. They have all the traditional things like fresh fruit and vegetables and even meat. My favorite vendor is the pistachio company, and it is hard for me to leave without picking up a bag. 

Santa Barbara Natural History Museum

This is the last museum on this list, but as you can see, Santa Barbara has some great museums. The Santa Barbara Natural History Museum is unique and has one of the largest collections of taxidermied birds and other animals that I have ever seen. It is fascinating to see all of the animals up close like this, and the entire museum is full of these diorama-type displays that put the animals in elaborate scenes. The underwater ones are especially intricate. The museum also has a pygmy mammoth skeleton found on one of the Channel Islands and a full dinosaur display in the back area. The dinosaurs are animatronics and will move and growl, making them fun for the kids. Lastly, the museum has one of the best exhibits on the Chumash Indians that I have seen. There are a lot of artifacts and information here on this people group that were the original inhabitants of the Santa Barbara area. 

Santa Barbara Zoo

The Santa Barbra Zoo comprises only 30 acres right along the coast, and while it is small, it is still a pretty good zoo to visit. It has been voted one of the best small zoos in the USA, and it is easy to see why. The zoo has a fantastic elevated walkway that looks down on a lake and passes alongside some large bird exhibits. The zoo also has gorillas, giraffes, and lions. All of which were very active when I was there. The zoo also has a train that you can ride that takes you around the park. It is small, but it is fun for a few hours while in Santa Barbara, especially with young kids. 

Chumash Painted Cave State Park

Chumash Painted Cave State Park is located about 20 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara in the hills above the city. The drive to the site is an adventure on its own with windy roads and what is basically a one lane road. There are great views out over the city on the way up though. When you get to Chumash Painted Cave State Park, there is room for maybe two cars there, but you can see the whole area in a few minutes, so people don’t usually stay too long. The park preserves some of the best remaining Chumash Native American Rock Art, and it is beautiful to see. Because of the iron gate that protects it, the rock art is still in immaculate shape, and the designs are colorful and big. It is estimated that the art dates back to before the 1600s, but little is known of what these design mean. It is a little difficult to visit with the drive and limited parking, but it is a beautiful and well-preserved spot in Santa Barbara. 

Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens

The Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens consist of over 75 acres and is a stunning outdoor area to explore in the city. The garden focuses on California native plants with a few distinct sections like a desert and a meadow. The property also has a walking path that takes you over the small creek and into a shaded area preserved to allow visitors to experience the area’s native look. In the back, the garden has a historic rock dam made in the early 1800s to provide water for the mission. This section also has a beautiful area of redwoods, with many benches to sit and relax in their shade. Before I visited this spot, I didn’t know what to expect, but I was blown away by how beautiful it is and highly recommend it. 

Inspiration Point

While I could make a whole post on hiking in the area (let me know if you want that), the most popular spot has got to be Inspiration Point. This hike is 3.5 miles round trip, and it takes you up to a fantastic viewpoint over the entire Santa Barbara area. On a clear day, you can see three of the Channel Islands from the vantage point as well. The hike gives you a great introduction to the Santa Ynez Mountains, and if you are feeling adventurous, you can hike to Seven Falls as well. I would not recommend you do this without a GPS track and some scrambling abilities as it can be hard to find, and the path down to it is very steep. Also, note that the parking for this trail can fill up early on the weekends as it is minimal. 

Before ending this list, here are two food recommendations. Santa Barbara is full of great food, so be sure to research more than just these two spots.

Los Agaves

First, Los Agaves is one of my favorite places in California. I have been coming here for years, and it never lets me down. The Mexican food restaurant has some of the best chicken mole enchiladas that I have ever had, and I basically never stray to order anything else. Amie usually always goes with the Agaves Enchiladas with fish and shrimp, and the salsa here is excellent as well. It’s a great spot if you love good Mexican food like we do.

McConnell’s Ice Cream

Lastly, McConnell’s Ice Cream is a must visit in Santa Barbara. There are a few locations around the city, so you pretty much always have one close to you. The ice cream here is stellar, with flavors ranging from lemon and Marionberry to churros con leche. You can even split scoops if you can’t decide on just one. Let me know what your favorite flavor is in the comments. 

So there you have it, my favorite places in Santa Barbara. Let me know what I left off in the comments!

The post 19 Things to do in Santa Barbara: Hikes, Restaurants, Beaches and Museums appeared first on California Through My Lens.

The Moxi Museum in Santa Barbara is a fantastic family-friendly museum that encourages children to learn through interactive exhibits on the museum’s three floors. This museum opened in 2017 with the goal being to encourage children to learn and experience science and be creative. I took my two one and a half year olds here, and while they had fun, it would be better for kids that are a little older. That being said, I even enjoyed the museum myself, and I defiantly recommend it if you are traveling with a family in Santa Barbara, check it out and let me know what you think in the comments.

Details

• Cost: $16 for adults, $13 for kids, under 2 is free (as of 2022)
• Hours: Everyday 10 AM – 5 PM (as of 2022)
• Location: 125 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Getting There

The museum is located on State Street, the busy downtown area of Santa Barbara, near Sterns Wharf. You simply walk State Street over the tracks to the museum from the train station parking area. Parking can be a little challenging, but there is a big lot next to the train station that I was told could be used. Be sure to read signs and double-check this if you go.

Moxi Museum

The museum is three floors, with each floor having a half dozen or so interactive exhibits. Here are some of the highlights from the museum.

On the first floor, the first thing you see is the big guitar with strings that can be strummed. It is fun to try and play chords with your friends, and kids can run into the back area of the guitar.

There is also a thermal sensor area where you can make handprints, and an exhibit that measures how much sound you make when you walk. 

Outside of the first floor, there was a giant machine that reminded me of Plinko from Price is Right and a gadget that was like a giant vacuum-sealed maze that you could pom poms into. These were highlights for my young children as they had a lot going on to look at.

Heading to the second floor was where my favorite exhibits were. There was an exhibit where you could see how high you could jump, build a roller coaster, and even a giant Lite Brite that you could create art on.

The best spot here was an area where you could build your own car and then race it on a track. My children were too young, but I still made multiple cars and tried running them. I imagine this would be a huge highlight for many children.

Heading up to the third floor, you will arrive at the rooftop and get some great views of Downtown Santa Barbara and the ocean.

It was next to the train station, and we got to watch a train go by as well.

The exhibits up here had a lot to do with creating sounds, such as moving around small wind tunnels, spinning a column that sounded like rain, and a drum heartbeat machine. 

There was also a water pump area that was a highlight for the younger children and a few little telescopes for the view of the mountains.

Overall it was a pretty great museum in the city. We spent about an hour here, but I imagine that if you have older children who like any of the exhibits, you could easily spend 2-3 hours here having fun. Let me know what you think in the comments, and read more of my favorite spots in Santa Barbara at this guide. 

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The Santa Barbara Zoo is often voted as one of the nation’s best small zoos, and it certainly makes the most of its 30-acre property. The location is stunning, sitting right along the coast (you can see the ocean while looking at the giraffes), and it is a fun spot to explore, especially with young kids. Here is all the information on the Santa Barbara Zoo. 

Details

• Cost: $19.95 for adults, $14.95 for kids. Parking was also $11 (as of Jan 2022)
• Hours: Daily 9:30 AM – 5 PM (reservations may be required before coming)
• Zoo map of animals – https://www.sbzoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Zoo-map-0121.png
• Location: 500 Ninos Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Getting There

From Downtown Santa Barbara, you will take the 101 South to exit 96A towards Milpas Street. Turn left on Milpas, then left on Calle Puerto Vallarta, and this will take you right to the zoo entrance, which will be on your left. There is a large parking lot, and it was an additional fee when I went of $11. 

Santa Barbra Zoo

Depending on how much you want to spend time at each exhibit, the zoo can pretty easily be seen in 1-2 hours. That being said, my family had a great time exploring as the property is beautiful, and the animals were very active. Here is some information on what we saw.

After entering, the first thing you will see are the flamingos. There were many of them, and they were pretty close to the trail, which was fun.

From there, you can head to see the snow leopard and some of the birds. The leopard was sleeping when we went by. 

The white handed gibbons were the next stop, and these monkeys were loud and active. They swung all around the trees on the small island they were living on. From there, you could go by the future home of the Australian walk-about section. There were some kangaroos here, but it was still being worked on.

Next to that, there were a few toucans and some penguins in their own respective area next to that.

Here you will move into the back part of the zoo, and there is a train that you can pay an additional fee to ride, which takes you on a circular path around the zoo. It looked fun, but we didn’t do it on this trip.

Heading towards the vultures and condors was one of my favorite sections, the Annenberg Flight Path.

This elevated walking trail took you past the large bird exhibits, allowing you even to see them in flight, and it looked out over the lake that bordered the property.

It was gorgeous, and it felt like an adventure to walk along this section.

Connecting back with the central zoo led to the three most prominent attractions: the gorillas, giraffes, and lions. Each of the three was out, eating and exploring while we were there. 

The lions were incredibly cool to see as they were sitting right next to the glass, and you could get pretty close to them.

I think they also have an extra charge to feed the giraffe, but we did not do this either. 

After spending some time with the gorillas, we headed back to the entrance, completing our time at the zoo. Overall it was a great experience for my family with lots of animals to see and an easy spot to spend a few hours while in Santa Barbara. Let me know what you think in the comments, and you can see more of my favorite Santa Barbara places here.

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The Santa Barbara Botanical Garden is one of California’s best I have visited. The main section of the garden is not large, but the simplicity is beautiful, focusing on California plants that include things like redwoods and desert plants. A stroll through the gardens is a relaxing way to spend a lovely day in Santa Barbara, and here is all the information.

Details

• Cost: $16 for adults, $8 for youth (as of Jan 2022)
• Hours: Everyday 10 AM – 5 PM
• Location: 1212 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 

Getting There

The Botanical Garden is most easily accessed from State Route 192, which travels through the northern part of Santa Barbara. From the 192, you will head north on Mission Canyon Road. It quickly splits, and you will bear right and follow signs that direct you to the garden. There is a decent-sized parking area that you can use. 

Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens

After paying your fee at the entrance, you are free to explore the property on both sides of the street, but I stayed on the main side as I was pressed for time. The other side has a viewpoint for the Channel Islands, a short trail, and a plant propagation facility.

The main section has a couple of trails that take you throughout the garden, but one area was closed when I went for some work. Even with the closed section, the garden was a highlight for me during my trip to Santa Barbara, and here were some of my favorite spots.

I headed out on the trail that went through the desert first, showcasing plants found around California’s large desert landscape.

The trail then heads into the Wooded Dell area with a fantastic bench that sits under the shaded trees.

The trail then crosses the Campbell Bridge, which goes over the creek that runs through the gardens before connecting with the Canyon Trail. 

This section is especially nice as it preserves what the area looks like naturally. It is an excellent introduction to the foliage and landscape if you are not doing any of Santa Barbara’s hiking trails. 

As you walk along the canyon trail, you will reach the historic mission dam from the early 1800s. The Chumash Indians and the padres built this dam about a half mile up the stream at the mission. 

The dam is beautiful and historic, so it was a highlight to see in the garden. Plus, we had just gotten rain, so the water was flowing pretty well. 

After crossing over the dam, you will enter the redwoods area, the most popular spot in the gardens. 

It is easy to see why, as the trail is stunning here, with massive redwoods looming over you as you walk under them. 

There are a few benches here to sit and soak in the beauty if you have the time. I plan to come back here again just to spend more time in this section. 

Completing the Woodland Trail brings you back to the meadow, a nice large open area in the middle of the gardens.

It is gorgeous when you look at it with the mountains in the background. 

Due to prior commitments, I spent about 45 minutes here, but I would have easily spent longer. It is a hidden gem in Santa Barbara worth the visit. Check it out, and let me know what you think in the comments. You can read more of my favorite Santa Barbara spots here. 

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Inspiration Point is the most popular hiking trail in Santa Barbara as it leads to a fantastic view out over the city, coastline, and the Channel Islands. The hike is moderate at 3.5 miles round trip and around 1,000 feet of elevation gain. The trail is exposed to the sun pretty much the entire way to the viewpoint, so I wouldn’t recommend it in the summer heat, but the rest of the year, it is an excellent spot for a nice hike in the city. You can also extend the trail with a visit to Seven Falls or even Bubb’s Peak. Here is all the information if you want to check it out. 

Details

• 3.5 miles (Another .5-.75 if you go to Seven Falls)
• 1,000 feet of elevation gain, more if you go to Seven Falls
• Online it says you need an adventure pass, but I am not sure if that is true. I displayed my national parks pass, which is good for many national forests (double-check this before doing it, as I may have just gotten lucky)
• Location: 1454-1498 Tunnel Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (approx location)

Getting There

The trailhead for Inspiration Point is located in the mountains above Santa Barbara. You can find the trailhead location directly in Google Maps, which will direct you there. The parking situation here is rough, and there are only 10-12 spots max along the road near the trailhead. If you can’t get one of those, you may have to walk an extra half mile to get to the trailhead, as the remaining options are pretty far down the road. Get here early if you want to find a spot, especially on the weekends.

Inspiration Point Trail

After parking, proceed up the road to the official trailhead, noted by the large metal gate that blocks vehicle access. 

You will proceed around this gate and start the trail towards Inspiration Point.

The first mile or so of the trail is along a wide dirt road and is pretty uneventful.

There is no shade on this section, but there are great views of the ocean and the Channel Islands.

The road bends around as it continues back into the mountains.

Eventually, you will reach a bridge with a creek crossing and what looks like a small water processing area that is all gated up. 

Continuing on, you will reach a sign with a map that shows the area’s hiking trail. There is also a split here where you will stay left.

There is another split three minutes away, where you will stay left again and head onto a single track.

The single track winds around until you get a view of the canyon down below you.

The trail descends here to the creek, and it was flowing pretty well when I was there. 

This is also the split for Seven Falls (more on that later).

Crossing over the creek, you will start heading up, where most of the elevation comes in. 

As you head up, the trail goes in and out of shaded areas on a series of switchbacks.

As you gain elevation, you will get some great views of the coast again.

Eventually, the trail reaches some electrical towers that you will go under to reach Inspiration Point.

Inspiration Point

As you cross over a small dirt road, you will officially be at Inspiration Point. 

The dirt clearing has a few rocks but not much else, other than the stunning view out over the city and coastline in front of you.

This view is basically 180 degrees of unobstructed stunning coastline. You can see up Pacific Coast Highway in one direction and down to Sterns Wharf in the other. The Channel Islands and the oil rigs that dot the landscape are in the distance.

It is a stunning view and well worth the effort it took to get up here. I stayed for 15 minutes, just soaking it in and having a snack before heading back down to find the trail for Seven Falls.

Seven Falls

After getting back to the creek, I decided to try and find Seven Falls. I had a GPS track to follow, and you do not want to try and find it without one. The trail is unmarked, and it would be easy to get lost.

You can see two trails heading up from the creek; the one to the left is the most straightforward. Almost immediately, the trail heads up with many rocks in the path that make you gain elevation quickly. The trail is narrow and steep as you hike out of the canyon.

You will want your GPS track downloaded to note where the trail splits down to the falls.

When you find the split, note that it is very steep with loose dirt. 

The path is so steep that someone installed a rope to help you not lose your balance on the way down. 

If you take it slow, you will be fine, but if you don’t like this type of hiking, you want to stay away from Seven Falls.

At the bottom of the trail, you will see the first waterfall. This is the largest of the falls and is around 15-20 feet tall. It is beautiful as it cascades over the rock into the small pool below.

I scrambled up the rock to the right of the waterfall to get a view of the small falls behind it. 

These are only a few feet each, but it is fun to see them cascading down in succession.

After hanging out for a little while, I started the strenuous hike back out to the trail. Again, take your time as it is steep, then it is just following the main path back to your car. I spent a few hours hiking Inspiration Point and Seven Falls in this area, and I loved this beautiful part of Santa Barbara. Check it out if you get a chance, and let me know what you think in the comments. 

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The March Air Field Museum is a great aviation museum in Riverside that has been in existence for over 40 years and has hundreds of aircraft. The museum used to be run by the Air Force, but a nonprofit now runs it on the outskirts of the March Air Force Base. If you are interested in aircraft then it is a fantastic place to spend a half day. Here is all the information if you want to check it out.

Details

• Cost: $12 for adults and $6 for children (as of 2021)
• 9 AM – 5 PM, closed Mondays
• Location: 22550 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518

Getting There

The museum is located right along the 15 Freeway. You will want to get off on the Van Buren exit and head east, and the museum is right there. You can’t miss it as you can see all the planes while driving up. There is a large parking area for the museum.

March Air Field Museum

As you walk up to the museum, you will see a few exhibits on the exterior, with one focusing specifically on the war dogs that serve in the military.

Upon entering, you can pay your fee and then explore the museum. 

The main room has a SR-71 Blackbird prominently on display, which is amazing to see and they allow you to walk around the whole thing and even up to the cockpit. Just this plane alone is worth the price of admission.

Inside, they have many exhibits from WWII. Many of the exhibits are interactive for families, such as sitting in a cockpit for photos.

As you walk through the museum, there are more exhibits on WWII with uniforms and lots of artifacts.

After exploring the interior, you can head outside to see the dozens of aircraft they have on display.

Heading south first, you can see their helicopters on display. There are 6-7 helicopters here, and it is interesting to see the progression in design.

As you walk around the exterior, you can see everything from F4 Phantoms to a B-52. 

While I don’t know a ton about planes, I have been to many air museums and this is one of the most impressive. 

The museum’s exterior area is large and has so much to see; how long it takes will depend on how interested you are in aircraft. 

I enjoyed just walking up and down the path and seeing all the different planes on display. 

After you explore the exterior, you will head back into the interior area to exit the museum. You can explore the inside more or just head to the exit. This is an excellent museum in Riverside that is well kept up and interesting to explore. Let me know what you think if you visit in the comments. 

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Dana Point Holidays At The Harbor is one of the best free Christmas light displays in Southern California. The harbor area becomes a winter wonderland with a large Christmas whale, walk-through candy cane lanes, and a popular “Merry Kiss Me” Instagram spot. It is up there with Mission Inn for the best free light displays in the area. Here is all the information.

Details

• Free
• Parking is available in the large lot but can fill on the weekends
• Location: Near 34505 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629
• You can find the map here

Getting There

The lights area is in the Dana Point Marina. You can get directions to the marina, and as you get closer, you will see lights on the trees and the harbor lights right next to the water. It is hard to miss, especially at night time. 

Dana Point Harbor Lights

After parking, you can explore the many different Christmas light displays; use the above map to find them all. It is very walkable, and there are places to get food or buy coffee. Here are some of the best displays.

Harbor Lights Sign

You will see this large sign right by the parking area as you enter. It is a popular photo spot, lit up with many different colors.

Blue Whales

Next to the Harbor Lights Sign are the two blue whales. The bigger of the whales allows people to enter into its belly for photos. There was an extensive line for this, so I didn’t get a chance to do it. The smaller whale didn’t have the photo area, but it was also fun to see. On the way to the harbor from the first two spots, you will see a lane of Christmas Trees that you walk along as well.

Surfing Santas

As you get to the harbor, you will see Surfing Santa, which welcomes you to the rest of the lights display. He is pretty fun and a popular spot for family photos.

There is also a well-lit-up tree next to Surfing Santa.

Merry Kiss Me

As you walk down to the harbor, you will see the Merry Kiss Me sign, which had the longest photo line of any exhibit here. It was a fun spot but prepare for a long wait if you want to take a photo with it.

Candy Cane Tunnels

I don’t know if these are specifically candy canes, but that is what the lights on the tunnel reminded me of. There are multiple tunnels with red and white lights on the columns and then light up stars above you as you walk through them. 

These are the main attractions at Dana Point Holiday at the Harbor in 2021, and it is a fun spot to visit that I highly recommend. Again, it is free, so it is pretty hard to beat with all the expensive light-up displays around Southern California. You can find more holiday spots here, and let me know what you think in the comments.

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I had so much fun at the Descanso Gardens Enchanted Forest event that I wanted to share a quick post. This event began at the end of November and runs through January 9th. A visit to the garden at night lives up to the name; it feels like you are visiting an enchanted forest where you will see fairies and other mythical creatures as you explore the grounds. It felt more like an art show than the traditional light-up holiday experiences you can see around Southern California. I enjoyed it, and here is all the information so you can check it out.

Details

• Cost: $32 – $36 per person
• It runs until January 9th
• Location: 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

Video

Here is a video I made on the experience.

Enchanted Forest of Lights

The one-mile trail takes you on a walk through the gardens, and there are ten different experiences, each noted with a number that you can see while exploring. Here are some of the experiences, but believe me, this place needs to be experienced, and photos will not do it justice.

After you enter the gardens, the first experience you will see is flower power. This installation features hundreds of tulip-shaped lights on the ground that change colors and dance to music. It is beautiful and one of the better exhibits.

Heading on, you will see Rainbow Sycamores, a series of lit-up columns that react to touch and change colors. Many of the exhibits here are interactive, which is fun.

Next up is Starlight Garden, which has a walkway of stars that leads you into one of the best areas, a collection of houses made out of what looked like stained glass.

I liked this one because the light created beautiful shadows coming off the houses as you walked around to see them.

Lightwave Lake was next. This one was a little hard to see as the trees have grown up around the lake, making it difficult to see the lights on the water. It had a fun interactive element though, where you could change the color of the lights on the trees to different hues with a spinning knob.

As you walked from experience 4 to 5, a small pond had a large light that looked like a moon reflecting on the water. This was not even an experience but was just a random display, and it was easily one of the most beautiful things in the garden. I sat here for a while on the benches by the water, just soaking it in.

The last five exhibits are more large-scale installations than the previous few, and they are ones that you have to experience yourself.

The first was the symphony of oaks, which had these raised platforms at the base of the oak trees and allowed you to walk on them and create music by standing on the lights.

The next was the fantasy forest. This was another favorite of mine as it was beautiful curated lights and ambient sounds as you walked through towering trees. The trees here were majestic on their own, and it was peaceful to see the lights slowly change color as you walked through them. There were many pathways and areas to explore here, and I probably missed things in this section as it seemed so big and immersive.

The forest gave way to the luminous lawn, which had large art pieces scattered around it, many with lights that rotated inside them. A few allowed you to go inside as well. This seemed to be a popular Instagram photo spot, and it was also where I realized that I had already been here for an hour, and it felt like time was flying by being able to see all of these unique experiences.

As you continued, you made it to another forest, much like the first in the experience but with different types of trees and stunning light displays.

This section had many other trails that you could stroll down as well.

With only two experiences left, the next was pixel grove. This area is more psychedelic with its linear lights and fog. It was a maze-like path, and you could walk through the lights, which were changing colors as you walked through them.

The last experience took you to the Japanese garden for what they called the garden of good fortune. There were hundreds of red lanterns all along the water and throughout the garden. It was a fitting end to the experience as there were so many different photo opportunities, and it was fun to stroll through the garden soaking it all in. 

Leaving here brought your back to the entrance, completing the mile loop, and about 2 hours in the gardens for me. It was a little pricey at $32 a person when I went, so you would have to decide whether it was worth it for your family. It is one of the most unique holiday experiences I have been to in a while, and I loved every second of it. I think it will probably become a yearly tradition for me to visit. Let me know what you think in the comments.

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Knotts Berry Farm is a unique amusement park in Southern California that feels almost like a historic district in the urban sea of Orange County. The park has a ghost town, still offers carriage rides with real horses, and has many pieces of California history scattered around the park grounds. Like other amusement parks in the area, the park also goes all out for Christmas, with what they call “Knotts Merry Farm.” I went for the first time in 2021 and had a blast exploring the park during this time of year. Here is all the information if you want to check it out and you can find other Christmas spots in Southern California here.

Details

• Park Tickets start at $59
• Annual pass holders can go until Dec 17; after that, there is an extra charge.
• It runs from Nov 19 – Jan 2

Getting There

The park is located in the city of Buena Park, off Beach Boulevard on the 91 Freeway. There are multiple parking lots you can use, and they cost $20. None of the parking areas feel very far from the park, which is nice though.

Knots Merry Farm Christmas Attractions

1. Park Entrance

As you enter the park, you will be greeted by lots of Christmas decorations ranging from lights and flowers to wreaths and trees. The entrance is a great spot to take a photo before heading into the park.

2. Ghost Town Christmas Market

The ghost town area has lights all strung along the buildings and a Christmas market in front of many of the town’s buildings. The market is fun, with everything from hats and earrings to Christmas ornaments for sale.

3. Snow and Glow Show

You can also watch the snow fall multiple times every night in the Ghost Town area. You have to check the schedule to see when it will be, but it is impressive as the foam snow falls for 3-5 minutes. The best area is near the candy shop.

4. Meet Santa

You can see a fully transformed Christmas experience in the historic wilderness hall. When you walk in, you will smell the fantastic treats they are baking up all around you and can get in line for a photo with Santa. 

5. Bird Cage Theater

In the ghost town area, the Bird Cage Theater puts on plays of A Christmas Carol on the weekends. It is fun to see the classic in the historic theater where greats like Steve Martin once played. 

6. Snoopy on Ice

The main attraction in the park for Christmas is undoubtedly Snoopy on Ice. This show is fantastic, with over 30 minutes of ice skating to Christmas songs and a small Peanuts play weaving its way through the show. It is hard to get in since it is only on the weekends and always busy, but it is worth waiting for.

7. Holiday Decorations

Not to be left out, the rest of the park also has lots of holiday decorations that you can see while you walk around. From the wreath on the front of the steam train to a massive Christmas tree right in the middle of the park. The Christmas tree also has carolers that sing in front of it a few times a day if you want to see them.

8. Peanuts Meaning of Christmas Play

The last fun holiday attraction on this list is the Peanuts play in the Camp Snoopy area. This event is fun for the whole family, and it has all your favorite Peanuts characters talking about the meaning of Christmas.

I am sure I am probably missing something, so let me know if I left something off in the comments. Knotts Merry Farm is great fun during the holidays, and it is something you should visit if you get the chance. 

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If you have driven from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in the last few years, then you have probably caught a glimpse of the Liberty Sculpture Park, which is a set of large sculptures on the side of the road right before you pass Eddieworld. These sculptures were created to “celebrate freedom and memorialize the victims of communism.” They specifically deal with events like the Tienanmen Square Massacre, and it is pretty sobering to see. If you want to visit the sculpture park, you can drive through and see the dozen or so sculptures right off the 15 Freeway. Here is all the information on this spot. 

Details

• Free to visit, but you can donate 
• Not sure about the hours, but probably sunrise to sunset, I would guess
• Location: 37570 Yermo Rd, Yermo, CA 92398
• Information from my visit in 2021
• You can find more information on their Facebook page

Getting There

About 10-15 minutes after passing Barstow, you will see the sculptures and Eddieworld on your right. Get off the freeway on Calico Road and head south. Turn right on Yermo Road, and you will see the entrance on your right. It is a little hard to see, so be watching for it. 

Liberty Sculpture Park

Once you drive through the gate with a sign saying “communists not allowed,” you will go on a dirt road out to the sculptures. There seemed to be a few different ways out there, but you won’t get lost, and the road was easily passible with a two-wheel-drive car when I went. 

I headed to the right first and just took a slow drive to each of the sculptures. It was windy, so I only got out a few of them. Here are some of the sculptures you will see.

The road goes around the front of the Liberty Sculpture Park sign, which is more significant than it looks from the road. 

As you pass this sign, you will arrive at the main exhibit, the giant number “64,” which the artist said refers to 6/4/1989, the date of the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

Next to the numbers is a statue of “tank man,” the man who stood in front of the tank in the famous photo. The sculptures are really well done, and it is pretty crazy to see them in the middle of the desert like this.

There is a picnic bench next to this statue and more information on the park itself. 

After seeing this area, you can continue exploring the park or get back on the road. This is a worthy stop commemorating a sad event that everyone should see on their way to Las Vegas. Let me know what you think in the comments. 

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Chili Johns is a historic restaurant in Burbank serving customers fantastic chili for over 70 years. It is the oldest restaurant in Burbank, and it has been featured in many movies and TV series, with the most recent being “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” I am on a mission to eat at all of the historic places in Los Angeles, so I made my way over to Chili Johns on a weekday night to try their famous chili over spaghetti. It was filling and unique, and I highly recommend you stop by if you are in the area. Here is all the information.

Details

• Cost: $10 – $15
• Hours: 11 AM – 7 PM, Closed Sunday
• Location: 2018 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506
• Featured in: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Twin Peaks, and others

Getting There

Chili Johns is located off the 5 Freeway in Burbank. You will take exit 146A towards Olive Ave and then make your way towards Burbank Blvd. You will see Chili Johns on the left and can park along the street if you can find a spot.

Chili Johns

I arrived about an hour before closing on a weekday and was there with only a few other customers. I grabbed a seat at the 20 people U-shaped counter.

The waiter recommended the traditional chili over spaghetti, and I got a medium level of spice, which was the right amount for me.

There are many topping options like cheese, sour cream, and raw onions. This unassuming dish looked like something I would make at home, but I realized what all the fuss was about after diving in.

The chili was full of flavor and had just the right amount of spice. With a little sour cream and the crunch of the oyster crackers, it was the perfect meal to make you feel at home on a cold fall night.

After devouring my meal, I order a slice of homemade lemon pie. The pie was a good decision as the lemon was very light, and it was the perfect change from the hearty chili.

I love a good spot like this that does a few things and does them well. It was fun to have dinner in such a historic place in Burbank, and I am sure I will be back in the future to have more of this great chili. Let me know what you think if you go!

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Obsidian Dome on Highway 395 is a fun hike that takes you to a unique geological formation only 7 minutes off the freeway. It was created through a long-ago volcanic eruption, and you can still see the smooth black glass all over the dome. The hike is less than a mile, and it is not busy, but it is undoubtedly a unique place to explore on a road trip up Highway 395. Here is all the information if you want to check it out.

Details

• .5 miles
• 100 feet of elevation
• Relatively undefined trail, take an All Trails map
• A dirt road to the trailhead but it was fine in 2WD car
• Location: Approx location you can put in Google Maps (QX6F+92 June Lake, California)

Getting There

From Mammoth Lakes, you will head back out to Highway 395 and take it north for about 10.5 miles. Here you will see a Glass Flow Road / Obsidian Dome Road on the left (it is easy to miss, so be watching). After turning, there is a sign showing you the distance to the Obsidian Dome Parking area. There are two parking areas with no signs; I just went to the start of the All Trails map and parked there.

Obsidian Dome Trail

The trail is relatively short here, but it is also not super defined, so once you make it to the top of the “dome,” you can explore more and make it longer if you would like.

The trail started by walking past a locked gate and heading up a wide dirt road.

This is the only portion of the trail that has elevation gain, and it is over relatively quickly.

On the way up, there are beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and some obsidian to see on the hillside.

Once you make it to the top of the hill, you will walk through a path with rocks on both sides of you to enter into the dome portion of the hill.

Here, the trail is relatively undefined, and you just explore. I followed the All Trails map a little but took offshoots as I walked around the top.

It is pretty crazy to see the extensive collection of rocks scattered on the top of the hill, and while not all of it is obsidian, there is a decent amount to see, especially in specific sections.

One part near the western portion was especially cool and had a ton of obsidian. I was impressed by how smooth and glass-like it was. I picked up a rock and noticed that it is a lot lighter than ordinary rocks as well.

I explored for another 15 or so minutes and then made my way back down to my car. I didn’t see another person the entire time I was there.

Overall, this is a pretty awesome short hike along Highway 395. I enjoyed it, and I recommend you check it out next time you are in the area. Let me know what you think in the comments.

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Southern California is full of unique Christmas activities for the whole family to get in the holiday spirit. I had always wanted to visit the Living Desert for their Wild Lights attraction, and I finally got the chance to do it in 2021. This event is put on after the zoo closes and is located out in Palm Desert, about 2 hours from Los Angeles. Be sure to check the site for the nights it is open, and here is all the information on this fun event.

Details

• Cost: $16 for adults, $12 for kids
• It runs from 6 PM – 9 PM on select nights in November and December
• Location: 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Getting There

From Los Angeles, you will head east on the 10 Freeway. Once you pass Palm Springs, you will exit Monterey Ave and head south. After 8 miles, you will turn left on Haystack Road and right on Portola Ave. You will see The Living Desert right after you turn. There is a large parking lot, but note that this event is jam-packed, and there may be traffic getting into the lot, or you may need to park on the street.

Wild Lights at The Living Desert

After arriving and checking in with your virtual ticket at the gate, you will be free to explore a good section of the park until it closes at 9 PM.

The event features over a million lights and has been going for 29 years. It was mentioned as one of the five best zoo lights in the USA by USA Today as well.

I walked around the entire area and spent about an hour and a half exploring it all. If you want to see the most you can, you probably want to get an earlier ticket than 8 PM as they promptly shut everything down right at 9 PM.

Some of the highlights of Wild Lights are as follows.

The Train Track

I love model trains, and I was excited to see this 3,000-foot long train track they had here.

It had all sorts of lights and miniature towns that the trains weaved through. If you are into trains, or your kids are, this will undoubtedly be a highlight.

Photos with Santa

There was a section where you could take a photo with Santa or write Santa a letter, which seemed pretty popular.

Light Archway

The light archway was right by the entrance and was a popular photo spot that was pretty much always busy. It was fun to see, and it had light shows to music.

The Light Present

This massive present made of lights was another fun attraction as it strobed the lights on and off and changed colors to the music. It was about 25 feet tall, and it was a central point that people hung out at in the park.

The Reptile Area

While most of the animals were asleep and the lights were off on their enclosures. A few enclosures did have lights on and the animals moving around a little bit. The main area to see animals was in the reptile enclosure. Here you could see snakes and lizards in the various tanks.

Carousel and S’mores

There was a carousel that you could ride and an area where you could make s’mores around a fire for an additional fee. It was a fun idea, but I didn’t partake in either.

Lit Up Walkways

The main thing you will do on a visit is walk around and explore, so the lit-up walkways filled with all different colors of lights are a highlight. It is just fun to get in the Christmas spirit walking through the cold desert night with the lights on each side of you.

Overall, I had a fun time exploring Wild Lights at the Living Desert. It was well done and had lots of lights and other activities to engage with. It is worth the visit; let me know what you think in the comments.

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California is full of fun things to do during the fall season; you can visit a pumpkin patch, see fall colors in the Eastern Sierra, or visit the coastal town of Cambria to enjoy their scarecrow festival. This festival has been a part of the town’s fall season for 13 years now, and each October, dozens of scarecrows are created by people around the city and put on display out front of many local businesses. The festival runs throughout October, so it may be a little late to see it this year, but I just wanted to introduce the festival and encourage you to visit Cambria next year to see it. Let me know what you think of this event in the comments, and here is all the information.

Details

• It runs from Oct 1 – Oct 31
• Best seen during the day
• Free parking around the town
• Information from my visit in 2021

Getting There

The scarecrow festival happens all over the town of Cambria, with a few even out on Moonstone Drive. The main section is the downtown area, with a bunch near the old lighthouse lens and a bunch near Linn’s / Robins (two famous restaurants in town). I would recommend heading to either of those locations and just walking around. The city puts out a map as well, which you can see here.

The Scarecrow Festival

This post is from my visit in 2021, so if you visit in the following year, most of these scarecrows will be different. This information should help you figure out how to make the most of the even though.

I headed to Linn’s first and found parking near the restaurant. From there, I walked Main Street outside of Linns and saw about a half dozen scarecrows while walking.

The highlight was the pig scarecrow or the Frankenstein and bride scarecrow by the bank.

After seeing those, head down towards the Cambria Historical Museum. This is the main area with most of the scarecrows in this part of town.

Here they had 15 or so of the scarecrows all displayed around the yard.

After exploring this area, head to the end of Burton Drive, where they had my favorite scarecrow, Gandalf (from the Lord of the Rings).

This was an impressive one, as it was detailed and looked like the character. It was probably the highlight for me.

After that, I left this area and drove towards the other part of downtown. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled, as there were another ten or so along the drive.

One of the highlights was the intricate Noah’s Ark display, which had Noah and many sets of animals standing in front of him.

Heading on, there were scarecrows of first responders, witches, and even a Bigfoot about a block further.

After exploring this area, I grabbed a slice of pie for later and headed back towards the other downtown part of Cambria near the lighthouse lens they have on display.

This section had lots of different scarecrow exhibits, with the main one featuring a scene from the movie coco. My favorite was the cow though but there were a lot of impressive ones in this area.

Continuing down Main Street, there were a few more outside the businesses near Arlington Street, with a fairy and Kermit the frog being the highlights. I walked around here a little more but there was not a lot to see here.

Heading on, as you pass the Shell station on the right you will see a large lot and be greeted with the largest collection of scarecrows this year, which was all pirate-themed.

This section had the most amount of people exploring with me and it was a lot of fun to see all of these scarecrows here.

It was very intricate with a pirate Johnny Depp going down with the ship and tentacles attacking the boat.

I spent a decent amount of time here looking at all of these.

From here, you can drive Moonstone Beach Drive if you would like. There were only a few on this part of the drive, but the seahorse scarecrow was really well done. Plus, Moonstone Beach Drive is just amazing anyway.

In 2021 the city of Cambria also partnered with San Simeon, a neighboring community, and there was one last display of scarecrows there.

This display was called storybook and had many classic characters from Snow White, Wizard of Oz, and the Old Lady and the Shoe.

They even had characters from Star Wars, which seemed a little odd in the “storybook land” but was cool to see.

The seven dwarves from Snow White were especially impressive in this section.

After exploring this area my 2 hours of scarecrow hunting was done. I decided to head back to one of my favorite spots in Cambria to end my time in the city.

Overall, there were many more scarecrows than I anticipated, check it out if you get the chance, and let me know what you think in the comments.

The post Cambria Scarecrow Festival in October Along the Central Coast appeared first on California Through My Lens.

Underwood Family Farms is a great place to explore any time of the year, but especially in the fall season when their pumpkin patch is in full swing. This farm has been a staple of Ventura County for over 40 years, and people come from all over (especially Los Angeles) to visit the farm and buy fresh produce. The farm is located 45 minutes north of Los Angeles, and all of this information is from my visit to the pumpkin patch in October 2021. Here is all the information.

Details

• Cost: $10 to get in and more for activities like the rides. Weekends are more, ranging from $16 to $22
• Fall Harvest Festival is during the weekends in October, but you can also visit on the weekdays, which is less busy.
• Location: 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021

Getting There

The farm is located in the city of Moorpark. You can access it via Highway 101 or Highway 118, and it is off Highway 23, which connects both. When you get to the farm, there is a large dirt parking lot with room for hundreds of cars.

Underwood Family Farms

After parking, you can proceed to the entrance, pay your $10, and then you are free to explore. 

The farm is massive, and it had so much to do, making it great for a half-day adventure for the whole family. 

To the left, when you enter, you will see the petting zoo and animals. They have lots of goats you can pet and many other animals you can look at, like emus and turkeys.

It’s a great animal area, and it is nice that it doesn’t cost more like many of the other farms.

From there, you can see some old farm equipment on display before making your way back towards the pumpkin area.

The pumpkin area is the biggest of any pumpkin patch I went to this year, and it’s enormous, making it great for families that want to take some fun fall photos.

They have an area full of specialty pumpkins, like yellow pumpkins, some with warts and even bluish ones. 

One of the best photo areas was by the large tractor with lots of different pumpkins stacked at the base.

In this area, they also had tractor rides, pumpkin blasters, and a few other activities that you could buy tickets for.

During the weekends, they have pig races, and it is a blast to come for a harvest party? But it is a lot busier than a weekday.

You can continue to explore and buy pumpkins or participate in the other activities making a full day out of the experience if you would like. 

I visited tons of pumpkin patches during the 2021 Fall season, and I have to say that Underwood was probably my favorite. Let me know what you think if you visit in the comments!

The post Underwood Family Farms: Halloween Pumpkin Patch and Fall Harvest Festival in Moorpark appeared first on California Through My Lens.

Travel Town Museum is a historic railroad museum in Griffith Park that was created in the 1950s and which preserves the history of California and its connection to the trains and railroads that helped build it. The museum features a big park, dozens of train cars, interior exhibits, and a train you can actually ride. It is fantastic for families or anyone who enjoys trains, and here is all the information if you want to check it out. 

Details

• Free to enter
• $3.50 for a train ride
• Closed on Wednesdays and periodically for events. Check their site before going
• 10 AM – 5 PM on the days it is open
• Location: 5200 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Getting There

From the 5 Freeway North, you will get off on the Forest Lawn Drive exit and turn left to go under the freeway. You will then turn left again on Zoo Drive and see the parking lot entrance in front of you. The parking lot here is pretty big, but it can fill up on the weekends.

Travel Town Museum

After parking, you can head into the museum and railyard to start exploring.

The first few trains you will see are the ones that you can actually rent out for birthday parties. I have to imagine this would be a ton of fun if your child were into trains.

You can also climb up into a few of them as well.

You will notice that there is a track that surrounds the whole area. This track is for the train that you can pay to ride if you would like. 

If you want to ride it, I would recommend going over there first and getting a ticket so you will know when you can go on it. When we went, we got the last ticket before the conductors were breaking for lunch.

The train is a lot of fun as it goes slowly around the park twice, and you can see all of the trains on display in a fun way.

After taking the train, you should explore the interior section, which has exhibits on trains and the history of the railroad in California. 

There are many train cars in there, and it is worth walking through.

After exploring the indoor area, head over to the large hanger; it shades the most extensive collection of train cars and engines. 

This area is pretty cool as it has a lot of trains in excellent condition, and you can walk up into a few of the engines. There is also a store if you want to buy any train-related merchandise and a large grass area to have a picnic on.

My family loved exploring the Travel Town Museum, and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a fun spot to explore in Los Angeles. Let me know what you think in the comments.

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Santa Cruz is a fun coastal city on the northern part of Monterey Bay. It is a popular destination for those that live in San Jose to visit, and it has lots of history, beautiful beaches, and fantastic restaurants. While I have only been able to spend a little time in the city, I have explored enough to know that Santa Cruz is a place you want to visit. Here are some of my favorite places in the city. Let me know what I left off in the comments.

Activites & Adventures

Santa Cruz is known for the boardwalk and the Mystery Spot. Both of them are fantastic adventures you can have in the city, but there are many other places worth exploring as well. Here are some of my favorite activities and experiences you can have in Santa Cruz.

Mystery Spot

Bigfoot Discovery Museum

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Roaring Camp Railroad

Painted Houses of Capitola Village

State Parks

There are a surprising amount of California State Parks that are in the Santa Cruz area. These parks protect beautiful beaches, historic sunken ships, and even some coastal redwoods. Here are some of my favorite state parks in the Santa Cruz area.

Wilder Ranch State Park

Mission Santa Cruz State Park

Natural Bridges State Beach

Seacliff State Beach

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Restaurants

Of course, Santa Cruz is also full of unique places to eat. In comparison, there are quick spots like Pizza My Heart and The Penny Ice Creamery, and there are also excellent sit down locations like Lillian’s Italian Kitchen. You can read all about my favorite places by clicking the image below.

My favorite restaurants in Santa Cruz

There you have it, my favorite spots in the Santa Cruz area. This list will continue to expand as I visit more places in Santa Cruz, and be sure to let me know what I left off in the comments.

The post Santa Cruz City Guide: Hiking, Restaurants, Beaches & Museums appeared first on California Through My Lens.

During the Halloween season, it is hard to beat a family trip to a local pumpkin patch. While many smaller ones pop up all around the city, there are some fantastic pumpkin patches around Los Angeles if you are up for a drive. I spent the first few days of October traveling around to many of the most well-known spots to share them with you in this post. Here are five great pumpkin patches near Los Angeles, and let me know if there is one I left off in the comments. This list starts in the city and makes its way out to the surrounding areas. Also, note that most of these cost to get in and cost for the activities as well. Let me know what your favorite is in the comments!

Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch

First up, Mr. Bones is probably one of the best pumpkin patches in Los Angeles. Mr. Bones has been an LA staple for a few decades now, moving from Beverly Hills to where it now sits in Culver City. While it is smaller than many on the list, it still has a petting zoo, bounce houses, food trucks, and lots of pumpkins for sale. You have probably seen this spot on social media since their pumpkin houses are popular for people wanting a Halloween photo. It’s a fun area to visit if you don’t want to drive out of the city, be sure to grab tickets online.

Underwood Family Farms

Next up, we head about 45 minutes northwest of Los Angeles to Underwood Family Farms. While I love every spot on this list, it would probably be Underwood Family Farms if I had to pick a favorite. This massive farm is a fall wonderland with pumpkins as far as you can see and all sorts of activities. They had a pumpkin house, many different rides, many photo opportunities, and a great animal area. They go all out for their weekly fall harvest events, which have pig races and lots of other fun activities for the whole family. Check the dates online if you want to attend one of those. They also had some of the largest pumpkins I have ever seen here as well—overall a great pumpkin patch and well worth the drive.

Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Festival

Heading east from Los Angeles, the next spot is the Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Festival. This pumpkin patch and festival is popular every year, and you want to get tickets online if you’re going to go. They have a pumpkin patch, corn maze, sunflower fields you can walk through, food, and many other activities. They also have some interactive farm events, which are fun to see, like sheep shearing and cow milking demonstrations, and some old farm equipment that is running for you to see. They were the only ones with a children’s pumpkin patch, separate from the main patch. When we went on a weekend, a band was playing, and it was a great way to spend a fall day. 

Live Oak Canyon Farm

Live Oak Canyon Farm is further east, about an hour and 15 minutes from Los Angeles. Live Oak Canyon is the most like a fair, with fair foods, lots of rides, and even fair games where you win prizes. This is a big farm with a corn maze, photo opportunities, and the option of shooting a pumpkin out of a cannon. Remember that each activity does cost to experience, including the petting zoo, but my whole family had fun visiting this farm early in the fall season.

Tanaka Farms

My last recommendation is Tanaka Farms in Irvine, which is about an hour south of Los Angeles. This is a favorite farm for many people as it has been running for a long time and is a staple in the community. The farm is fun to experience with tons of pumpkins that you can pick from and many different activities. We bought tickets to ride the tractor and go into the small petting zoo while we were there. It’s another fun farm for a half-day trip, but do get tickets online, especially for weekends.

Video

Here is a video I made of all these recommendations as well.

So there you have it, 5 of my favorite pumpkin patches in the LA area. Be sure to let me know what I left off and what your favorite one is in the comments. 

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