{"id":7123,"date":"2021-05-26T07:43:13","date_gmt":"2021-05-26T07:43:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/com.sx-magazine-wp.sixt.io\/magazine\/?p=7123"},"modified":"2026-01-16T13:45:50","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T13:45:50","slug":"us-adventure-vacations-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/us-adventure-vacations-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Best US Adventure Vacations: California"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The diversity of California&#8217;s landscape and climate makes it an adventurer&#8217;s paradise. In the north, you have the mighty redwood and sequoia trees, plus more national forests than you can count on one hand. The central part of the state is home to big-name destinations like <strong>Yosemite National Park<\/strong> and <strong>Lake Tahoe<\/strong>, plus the skier&#8217;s haven of <strong>Mammoth<\/strong>. The central Pacific Coast also has <strong>Big Sur<\/strong>, which is popular with both bikers and drivers. Further south, you have <strong>Death Valley National Park<\/strong> and the <strong>Mojave Desert<\/strong>, <strong>Joshua Tree National Park<\/strong>, and the Pacific Ocean surfing destinations between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/los-angeles\/\">Los Angeles<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/san-diego-ca\/\">San Diego<\/a>. California even contains the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, <strong>Mt. Whitney<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, you will be hard-pressed to find any other single state where you can do pretty much every kind of outdoor activity. Here we offer up just a small sampling of the <strong>adventure destinations in California<\/strong>. Have a look and start exploring!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1LxaMpPrbkwWfXboiTwnhUCKSfrj7x9Ou\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" frameborder=\"0\" 0=\"height='480'&gt;&lt;\/iframe\"  src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Surfing in San Diego<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With its 70 miles of ocean coastline, <strong>San Diego<\/strong> is a surfer&#8217;s paradise. It&#8217;s perfect for beginners, although there are also challenging surf spots that draw those with more experience. If you come at the right time, you might even see one of the many surf competitions held here each year, like the <strong>World Surfing League<\/strong> event held at <strong>Trestles<\/strong>, a beach in northern San Diego. If you are a beginner, check out <strong>La Jolla Shores<\/strong> or you can go down the coast from Trestles to <strong>Old Man&#8217;s<\/strong>, which has more forgiving waves. There are also multiple surf schools in San Diego if you need some pointers before you try your hand at surfing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/San-Diego-surfing-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A man surfing off the coast of San Diego.\" class=\"wp-image-7258 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/San-Diego-surfing-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/San-Diego-surfing-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/San-Diego-surfing-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/San-Diego-surfing.jpg 1140w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There are plenty of places in San Diego to catch some waves.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hiking the John Muir Trail<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Hike through <strong>Sierra Nevada<\/strong> mountain passes on this iconic trail that passes through three national parks. The<strong> John Muir Trail <\/strong>runs north to south through <strong>Yosemite<\/strong>, <strong>Kings Canyon<\/strong>, and <strong>Sequoia national parks<\/strong> and covers more than 200 miles. If you hike the whole thing, you will encounter an elevation of nearly 46,000 feet, and you should plan on the hike taking roughly three weeks. This is a difficult trail, and not for complete beginners to hiking. Also keep in mind that <strong>you will need a wilderness permit from the National Park Service to hike the trail<\/strong>, and getting one is competitive. If you are ambitious enough to backpack and do the entire trail, you will end at the next adventure destination on our list: <strong>Mount Whitney<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/John-Muir-Trail-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Part of the John Muir Trail with a mountain view.\" class=\"wp-image-7269 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/John-Muir-Trail-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/John-Muir-Trail-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/John-Muir-Trail-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/John-Muir-Trail.jpg 1140w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A portion of the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Climbing<\/strong> <strong>Mt. Whitney<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in the <strong>Inyo National Forest<\/strong>, and part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, <strong>Mt. Whitney<\/strong> is a top destination for adventurers because it is <strong>the highest peak in the US<\/strong>, outside of Alaska. Be prepared for a long day of hiking if you choose to do the <strong>Mt. Whitney Trail<\/strong>, which covers 22 miles and will take 12 to 14 hours to complete. While it is not a technical hike, it is a tough one that has more than 6,200 feet of elevation gains. Be sure to do research for the best time of year to go if you don&#8217;t want to deal with snow and ice on the hike (usually between July and September), for which you would need mountaineering equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Mount-Whitney-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Rocky Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states.\" class=\"wp-image-7252 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Mount-Whitney-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Mount-Whitney-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Mount-Whitney-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Mount-Whitney.jpg 1140w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hike to the top of the tallest peak in the lower 48 states.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Burney Falls<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in northern California, a bit more than an hour northeast of <strong>Redding<\/strong>, is <strong>Burney Falls<\/strong>. Located amid the evergreen forest of <strong>McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park<\/strong>, the falls are a popular hiking destination, and there are also campgrounds nearby so you can fully enjoy this scenic area. There are more than five miles of hiking trails within the park itself, or the <strong>Burney Falls Trailhead<\/strong> of the <strong>Pacific Coast Trail<\/strong> will take you to the falls and then continue on into the <strong>Shasta Trinity National Forest<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Burney-Falls-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"The multiple waterfalls of Burney Falls.\" class=\"wp-image-7254 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Burney-Falls-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Burney-Falls-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Burney-Falls-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Burney-Falls.jpg 1140w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The hike to Burney Falls is perfect for the whole family.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Camping at The Pots<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Drive about one hour south of <strong>Lake Tahoe<\/strong> and you will find<strong> Silver Lake <\/strong>(not to be confused with the trendy neighborhood of the same name in L.A.). If you are using GPS, enter <strong>Kit Carson Lodge<\/strong>, just off <strong>Highway 88<\/strong>, as your destination, as it sits at the northern end of Silver Lake. From there you can follow signs to the trail that runs parallel to the river running west from the lake, and you will find pools (aka, the Pots) amid the granite to swim in, and some camping spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Santa Catalina Island<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Santa Catalina Island<\/strong> lies about 30 miles southwest of Los Angeles and can be reached in just over an hour by high-speed ferry. If you are even more adventurous, you can sail there and rent a mooring. Although many people come to the island to stay in a posh hotel in the small towns of <strong>Avalon<\/strong> and <strong>Two Harbors<\/strong> and to enjoy the beach, there are many more outdoor activities to partake in. The island is mountainous and offers opportunities for ziplining, hiking and mountain biking. You can even go on a wildlife tour to spot bison! As this is an island, there are also many activities centered on the ocean. You can rent a kayak, go snorkeling, try stand-up paddleboards, and even go on an undersea adventure in a submarine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Santa-Catalina-Island-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A view of mountainous Catalina Island with turquoise waters.\" class=\"wp-image-7256 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Santa-Catalina-Island-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Santa-Catalina-Island-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Santa-Catalina-Island-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Santa-Catalina-Island.jpg 1140w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Enjoy watersports or go hiking on Catalina Island.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Biking Big Sur<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As one of the most scenic stretches of the Pacific Coast in California, biking <strong>Big Sur <\/strong>on <strong>Highway 1 <\/strong>is something many cyclists dream of. The route stretches from <strong>San Simeon<\/strong> in the south up to <strong>Carmel-by-the-Sea <\/strong>and <strong>Monterrey<\/strong> in the north, and if you do the full route it will cover roughly 90 miles and take more than eight hours, without any stops. The terrain and fact that you have to share the coastal highway with cars and motorcycles mean that the full Big Sur route is not for beginners. If you are in good shape but want some guidance and support on your ride, there are several bike tours you can join.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Big-Sur-biking-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"The Bixby Creek Bridge over the Pacific Ocean.\" class=\"wp-image-7260 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Big-Sur-biking-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Big-Sur-biking-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Big-Sur-biking-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Big-Sur-biking.jpg 1140w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ride over the Bixby Creek Bridge along Highway 1 north of Big Sur.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hiking in Fern Canyon<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The hike through <strong>Fern Canyon<\/strong> in northern California&#8217;s <strong>Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park <\/strong>is Instagram-ready. You will walk through a narrow canyon with ferns and moss covering the canyon walls on either side. There are several hiking options available, including a one-mile walk through the canyon, or a five-mile hike on the <strong>James Irvine Trail<\/strong> that is moderately difficult. Just keep in mind that the trail through the canyon is also a creekbed, and depending on what time of year it is will have varying levels of water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Fern-Canyon-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"The moss and fern covered walls of Fern Canyon.\" class=\"wp-image-7262 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Fern-Canyon-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Fern-Canyon-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Fern-Canyon-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Fern-Canyon.jpg 1140w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hike through the magical Fern Canyon located in a redwood forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exploring Death Valley<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want something different than the ocean and forests of California, then perhaps <strong>Death Valley National Park<\/strong> is your kind of adventure destination. Located in the northern <strong>Mojave Desert<\/strong>, this is the hottest and driest national park in the US, and it contains the <strong>lowest point in North America<\/strong>. <strong>Badwater Basin<\/strong> lies 282 feet below sea level. Activities available in Death Valley include hiking, camping, mountain biking, and trail running. You can even do some epic stargazing here! Keep in mind that doing any of these activities in Death Valley in the summer is not a good idea, as the temperatures can reach up to 200 degrees F in some areas, and heatstroke and dehydration are real threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Badwater-Basin-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"The salt flats of the lowest point in the western hemisphere, Badwater Basin.\" class=\"wp-image-7264 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Badwater-Basin-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Badwater-Basin-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Badwater-Basin-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Badwater-Basin.jpg 1140w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The salt flats of Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exploring the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This nature reserve in <strong>Inyo National Forest<\/strong> in central California contains trees that are more than 4,000 years old. You can visit<strong> Schulman Grove<\/strong> and <strong>Patriarch Grove<\/strong> to see some of the oldest trees in the world. Schulman Grove has a visitor center that is open in the summer, and you should know that getting to Patriarch Grove requires driving on a rough dirt road. But the drive is worth it to see the <strong>largest bristlecone pine in the world<\/strong>, the <strong>Patriarch Tree<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Bristlecone-Pine-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"An ancient bristlecone pine tree.\" class=\"wp-image-7266 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Bristlecone-Pine-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Bristlecone-Pine-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Bristlecone-Pine-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Bristlecone-Pine.jpg 1140w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The bristlecone pine trees are more than 4,000 years old.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The diversity of California&#8217;s landscape and climate makes it an adventurer&#8217;s paradise. In the north, you have the mighty redwood and sequoia trees, plus more national forests than you can count on one hand. The central part of the state is home to big-name destinations like Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe, plus the skier&#8217;s&#8230;<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":7258,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-7123","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-travel","8":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - 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