Alaska | Fun and Funky Things to Do

Alaska is a state full of amazing wilderness, wild life and great opportunities for recreation. If you are looking for a few quirky destinations to take a break from all of the exciting recreation, here are a few of Alaska's unique destinations and attractions.

Santa Claus House and Statue, North Pole
This is the most northern Santa themed destination in the United States. Of all of the different Santa themed destinations this one has the most similar weather to what the real North Pole has. Each year the town gets a large quantity of mail from around the world. Visitors will enjoy the Santa and Christmas items and statues throughout the town.

Mushers Hall of Fame, Knik
This museum is dedicated  to mushers, the people who drive sleds, and the dogs. The Mushers Hall of Fame is located on the second floor of the Knik Museum. This is a great way to learn all about sled dog racing and some of the exceptional mushers throughout history.

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Headquarters, Wasilla
Sled dog enthusiasts will also enjoy this destination in Wasilla. The Headquarters has a museum dedicated to the Iditarod. This museum is filled with trophies, displays and photos all about the Iditarod. Visitors can even enjoy dog sled rides during the summer.

Glacier Gardens, Juneau
Visitors to Juneau should stop by these amazing botanical gardens. Glacier Gardens covers 50 acres of southeast Alaska's rainforest, and visitors will enjoy tours of the gardens. One especially interesting feature of these gardens are the Upside Down trees. These great trees are upside down tree trunks with flowers planted on top of the roots of the upside down tree.

Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, Fairbanks
This museum is located on the grounds of the Wedgewood Resort. Visitors will find dozens of pre-World War II autos. In addition, visitors can enjoy the collection of vintage clothing. Visitors to Fairbanks will enjoy the great exhibits at the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum.

Arizona Quick Facts

Uniquely Arizona: Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Must-See: The Grand Canyon
Most Unusual: Grand Canyon Skywalk
Highest Point: Humphreys Peak, 12,633 feet
Food to Try: Homemade Tortillas and Salsa

What to Do:

1 Go skiing in Flagstaff during the winter

2 See some of the amazing species of desert plants and animals at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge

3 Explore one of Arizona's Ghost Towns

4 Enjoy a relaxing vacation in beautiful Sedona

5 Learn about Arizona's many different Native Cultures

6 Hike through the Grand Canyon and many other National Parks in Arizona

Fun and Funky

Arizona is a state with amazing natural wonders, the Grand Canyon, deserts and much more. The weather is good throughout the year, and is an excellent winter destination. If you are spending some time in Arizona and want to see a few funky, fun attractions here are a few you may or may not have heard about.

Bedrock City, Valle
For Flintstones fans a visit to Bedrock City will be a lot of fun. This recreation of the Flintstones home city is a lot of fun, and its open year-round. Within Bedrock City there are plenty of sights to see and even things to do. Visitors can watch Flintstones cartoons at the Bedrock Theater, or take the Fredmobile tram and much more.

O.K. Corral, Tombstone
The town of Tombstone is filled with great western adventures for visitors. Visitors can see reenactments of the gunfight between Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Virgil and Morgan Earp. There are life-size figures of the gunfighters on the same spot that the fight actually took place. Visitors can also learn all about the history of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

The London Bridge, Lake Havasu City
Visitors to Lake Havasu City should make sure to cross the London Bridge. The London Bridge in Arizona is the real London Bridge from London, England. The bridge was purchased by an American businessman, Robert P. McCulloch. After he purchased the bridge it was taken apart and then reassembled in Lake Havasu City. Visitors should take a stroll across the bridge and enjoy the little bit of London in Arizona.

Petrified Forest National Park
Arizona has excellent examples of some of the ancient history the Americas. One place to learn about this and see it in person is at Petrified Forest National Park. This park has an amazing concentration of petrified wood, giving visitors the chance to envision the forests that once covered the land. The park also has beautiful scenery, archeological sites and a collection of fossils.

Grand Canyon Skywalk
On the west rim of the Grand Canyon visitors to Arizona can actually walk out over the rim of the canyon and look down into the canyon. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a huge U shaped structure that extends out over the Canyon. The entire bottom is glass, so visitors can literally stand out over the canyon and see down to the bottom. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a great place to experience the splendor of the Grand Canyon in a truly unique way.

Off The Beaten Path, Arizona

Arizona is an amazing destination. There are places throughout the state for visitors to explore. There are beautiful state and national parks, as well as gardens, historic towns and more. Here are just a few of the amazing attractions the state has to offer.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Chinle
The Canyon de Chelly National Monument is one of Arizona's true gems.Visitors will discover a vast amount of information about the landscape that has been one of the longest continually inhabited in North America. The monument preserves rock art, artifacts, architecture and much more. Canyon de Chelly also has a living community of Navajo people.

Saguaro National Park, Tucson
Saguaro National Park is dedicated to the preservation of the stunning Saguaro cactus. The amazing, towering cactus only grows in a select part of the world. Visitors to the Saguaro National Park will have the opportunity to see much more than just the Saguaro. There are guided programs and many opportunities for recreation within the park. Saguaro National Park is an especially good location for wilderness hiking.

Apache Trail Historic Road
For those adventurous visitors to Arizona, the Apache Trail Historic Road is a great expedition. This byway passes through some of Arizona's amazing and rugged landscape. Travelers will pass through the Four Peaks Wilderness Area, and the Superstition Wilderness Area. Within these wilderness areas, visitors will find all sorts of stunning natural features, including rock outcroppings and formations.

Taliesin West, Scottsdale
This masterpiece was built as the personal winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright. Located outside of Scottsdale, Taliesin West is a destination not to be missed. Visitors can take a variety of tours around the home. The home truly exhibits the amazing architectural skill of Frank Lloyd Wright, the home does a spectacular job at integrating the home with the surrounding Sonoran desert, and integrating the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson
Visitors to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum will find that it is much more than a museum, it is also a zoo, a botanical garden and a natural history museum. The entire attraction is dedicated to desert wildlife. Exhibits that visitors will enjoy include the desert garden, ancient Arizona exhibit, cactus gardens, lizards, javalinas, bighorn sheep, tortoises and much more. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum provides an amazing opportunity to learn about the natural flora and fauna of the region.

Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
For all those Arizona travelers interested in the plants of the desert, the Desert Botanical Garden is a must see destination. This garden showcases all of the different plants of the desert. Visitors to the botanical garden have a variety of options for exploring the exhibits, including individual and group tours, visitors can even enjoy a flashlight tour of the gardens at night.

Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson
This museum is one of the largest air and space museums in the world. Visitors to the museum have the opportunity to see over 300 aircraft and spacecraft too. Some of the aircraft are significant, and the museum also has some of the most technically advanced aircraft. Visitors to this museum will enjoy an amazing experience learning about all of the different air and spacecraft at the museum.

Off The Beaten Path | Arizona

Arizona is an amazing destination. There are places throughout the state for visitors to explore. There are beautiful state and national parks, as well as gardens, historic towns and more. Here are just a few of the amazing attractions the state has to offer.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Chinle
The Canyon de Chelly National Monument is one of Arizona's true gems.Visitors will discover a vast amount of information about the landscape that has been one of the longest continually inhabited in North America. The monument preserves rock art, artifacts, architecture and much more. Canyon de Chelly also has a living community of Navajo people.

Saguaro National Park, Tucson
Saguaro National Park is dedicated to the preservation of the stunning Saguaro cactus. The amazing, towering cactus only grows in a select part of the world. Visitors to the Saguaro National Park will have the opportunity to see much more than just the Saguaro. There are guided programs and many opportunities for recreation within the park. Saguaro National Park is an especially good location for wilderness hiking.

Apache Trail Historic Road
For those adventurous visitors to Arizona, the Apache Trail Historic Road is a great expedition. This byway passes through some of Arizona's amazing and rugged landscape. Travelers will pass through the Four Peaks Wilderness Area, and the Superstition Wilderness Area. Within these wilderness areas, visitors will find all sorts of stunning natural features, including rock outcroppings and formations.

Taliesin West, Scottsdale
This masterpiece was built as the personal winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright. Located outside of Scottsdale, Taliesin West is a destination not to be missed. Visitors can take a variety of tours around the home. The home truly exhibits the amazing architectural skill of Frank Lloyd Wright, the home does a spectacular job at integrating the home with the surrounding Sonoran desert, and integrating the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson
Visitors to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum will find that it is much more than a museum, it is also a zoo, a botanical garden and a natural history museum. The entire attraction is dedicated to desert wildlife. Exhibits that visitors will enjoy include the desert garden, ancient Arizona exhibit, cactus gardens, lizards, javalinas, bighorn sheep, tortoises and much more. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum provides an amazing opportunity to learn about the natural flora and fauna of the region.

Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
For all those Arizona travelers interested in the plants of the desert, the Desert Botanical Garden is a must see destination. This garden showcases all of the different plants of the desert. Visitors to the botanical garden have a variety of options for exploring the exhibits, including individual and group tours, visitors can even enjoy a flashlight tour of the gardens at night.

Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson
This museum is one of the largest air and space museums in the world. Visitors to the museum have the opportunity to see over 300 aircraft and spacecraft too. Some of the aircraft are significant, and the museum also has some of the most technically advanced aircraft. Visitors to this museum will enjoy an amazing experience learning about all of the different air and spacecraft at the museum.

Fun and Funky

Arizona is a state with amazing natural wonders, the Grand Canyon, deserts and much more. The weather is good throughout the year, and is an excellent winter destination. If you are spending some time in Arizona and want to see a few funky, fun attractions here are a few you may or may not have heard about.

Bedrock City, Valle
For Flintstones fans a visit to Bedrock City will be a lot of fun. This recreation of the Flintstones home city is a lot of fun, and its open year-round. Within Bedrock City there are plenty of sights to see and even things to do. Visitors can watch Flintstones cartoons at the Bedrock Theater, or take the Fredmobile tram and much more.

O.K. Corral, Tombstone
The town of Tombstone is filled with great western adventures for visitors. Visitors can see reenactments of the gunfight between Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Virgil and Morgan Earp. There are life-size figures of the gunfighters on the same spot that the fight actually took place. Visitors can also learn all about the history of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

The London Bridge, Lake Havasu City
Visitors to Lake Havasu City should make sure to cross the London Bridge. The London Bridge in Arizona is the real London Bridge from London, England. The bridge was purchased by an American businessman, Robert P. McCulloch. After he purchased the bridge it was taken apart and then reassembled in Lake Havasu City. Visitors should take a stroll across the bridge and enjoy the little bit of London in Arizona.

Petrified Forest National Park
Arizona has excellent examples of some of the ancient history the Americas. One place to learn about this and see it in person is at Petrified Forest National Park. This park has an amazing concentration of petrified wood, giving visitors the chance to envision the forests that once covered the land. The park also has beautiful scenery, archeological sites and a collection of fossils.

Grand Canyon Skywalk
On the west rim of the Grand Canyon visitors to Arizona can actually walk out over the rim of the canyon and look down into the canyon. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a huge U shaped structure that extends out over the Canyon. The entire bottom is glass, so visitors can literally stand out over the canyon and see down to the bottom. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a great place to experience the splendor of the Grand Canyon in a truly unique way.

Best Arizona Campgrounds

Campers Favorite Campgrounds in Arizona + Great Tips for the perfect Arizona Camping Trip.

Arkansas Quick Facts

Uniquely Arkansas: Crater of Diamonds State Park, the only diamond producing site open to the public
Must-See: Ozark Mountains
Most Unusual: World Champion Duck Calling contest
Highest Point: Mount Magazine, 2,753 feet
Food to Try: Arkansas ham, and persimmon pudding

What to Do in Arkansas:

1 Explore the Ozark Capital of America in Mountain View

2 See Arkansas on the Talimena National Scenic Drive

3 Visit the Mystic Caverns

4 Enjoy a spa day at Hot Springs National Park

5 Stop at the Clinton Presidential Library

Off The Beaten Path, Arkansas

Arkansas is a state filled with beautiful and fascinating natural features, as well as important history. From hot springs to diamond mines, visitors to Arkansas will find plenty of amazing places to learn all about the state, it's history and enjoy its natural wonders. Here are only a few of Arkansas amazing attractions and destinations.

Hot Springs National Park and Hot Springs
Hot Springs National Park is an urban area that surrounds the northern end of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The city of Hot Springs was originally built to accommodate all of the visitors that came to the hot springs, which have been used by people for medicinal and relaxation purposes for over 200 years. Throughout the town and the park there are many things for visitors to explore. One must-see stop is the Fordyce Bathhouse, now restored, which was during its time one of the most amazing bathhouses. Today the Fordyce Bathhouse is the park's visitor center and museum as well. Visitors to Hot Springs can also enjoy exploring the park's many trails. Of course, no trip to Hot Springs would be complete without a bath, within the park, visitors can stop for a traditional experience at the Buckstaff Baths, or try a more modern experience at the Quapaw Baths and Spa.

The Ozarks
This region of Arkansas is an amazingly beautiful and historic region of the United States. Visitors to the Ozarks have the opportunity to explore the stunning beauty of the region, while also enjoying the towns and historic sites within the region. Throughout the Ozarks there are many attractions that visitors wouldn't want to miss, including the Ozark Folk Center where visitors can create their own little piece of Ozarks heritage, and Twin Fall, one of the beautiful waterfalls located in the Ozarks.

Central High School National Historic Site, Little Rock
This site in Arkansas commemorates the important events that took place on September 23, 1957. On this day in history, nine African-American teens took a stand against a crowd protesting integration, as they entered Central High for the first time. This important event put the US Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka decision to its first test. Today visitors can stop at the Visitor Center across the intersection from the High School to see the interactive exhibits and learn about the role this event played in history. Central High School is an operating high school, so visitors cannot tour the school without scheduling a ranger guided tour.

Crater of Diamonds State Park
Arkansas has an abundance of diamond mines among other natural features. Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only site producing diamonds open to the public. Visitors to the park can prospect for diamonds in the search field. While prospecting visitors can find many different colors of diamonds, as well as a variety of other rocks and minerals. Crater of Diamonds State Park has had a long history of diamond mining, and visitors can see the evidence in the remnants of the Mine Shaft Building and the Guard House. Visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation beyond prospecting for diamonds if they choose within the natural forest within the park.

Blanchard Springs Caverns
This is one of the most beautiful spots in Arkansas, and within the Ozarks National Forest. Blanchard Springs Cavern is named for Blanchard Spring, which flows out of the mountainside and into Mirror Lake. Above ground visitors can enjoy fishing, hiking and more. Within the Cavern visitors will see a whole new world. As visitors walk on the paths into the caverns they will see how the cavern is constantly changing. Blanchard Springs Caverns has an underground river, the world's largest flowstone and much more. For the adventurous there are Wild Cave Tours, which explore those parts of the caverns that are inaccessible on the regular tour.

Buffalo National River
The Buffalo National River travels for 135 miles through beautiful terrain, and it flows uninhibited, as it is one of the few rivers in the lower 48 states that does not have dams. This river travels east through the Ozarks and flows into the White River. Visitors to this park will find a myriad of activities to enjoy. Floating the river, is of course, one of the most popular activities, visitors can enjoy the river's waters by canoe, kayak or tube. Those visitors that want to try other activities can enjoy horseback riding, fishing, wildlife viewing, and stopping to explore historic sites.

Pea Ridge National Military Park
The Battle of Pea Ridge was fought on March 7-8, 1862, over 26,000 soldiers fought at Pea Ridge during this Civil War Battle. This battle was pivotal during the Civil War, and today visitors can experience one of the most intact Civil War battlefields. Visitors to Pea Ridge have a variety of options for exploring the park, for those that prefer to drive there is a 7 mile tour road. Hikers will enjoy the 7 mile hiking trail, and there is even a horse trail. Along all of these trails there are exhibits, and visitors can also learn more about the Battle of Pea Ridge at the Visitor Center, which features a film, exhibits and a museum.

Fun & Funky, Arkansas

Visitors to Arkansas will find a state filled with amazing attractions. The state has a wide variety of fascinating natural features. Here are a few of the fun and funky destinations visitors to Arkansas can explore.

Arkansas Alligator Farm
This fun attraction in Hot Springs is excellent for families is home to many of Arkansas' native alligators. Children will also love the petting zoo, the many different species of animals that call the Arkansas Alligator Farm home, including a variety of primates and Arkansas Mountain Lions. Visitors can also explore the museum and the gift shop.

Cosmic Cavern
Located in Berryville, is a fascinating natural attraction in Arkansas. Visitors can take an hour plus tour of the cave. On this tour, people are guided to amazing natural features, including soda straw formations, underground bottomless lakes, and unique animals like the fish living in the bottomless lake and even the Ozark Blind Cave Salamander.

Mountain View
This folk capital of America is a great spot to experience the pioneer lifestyle. Mountain View preserves some of the essential pioneer crafts and industries, including pottery, blacksmithing, basketry, quilting and more. Visitors can see a wide range of tradition pioneer era crafts, music and more at the Ozark Folk Center State Park during the summer.

Popeye Statue
Travelers to Alma Arkansas can see and enjoy all that the "Spinach Capital of the World" has to offer. In addition to a large bronze statue of Popeye in downtown Alma, visitors can also see the water tower in the shape of a spinach can. Alma also has an annual spinach festival.

World Championship Duck Calling Contest
The town of Stuttgart has an annual Duck Festival in late November. During this festival visitors and residents can observe and compete in the World Championship Duck Calling Contest. In addition to having duck calling contests for all ages and experience levels, the Duck Festival also has exhibits, a party and more.

Off The Beaten Path | Arkansas

Arkansas is a state filled with beautiful and fascinating natural features, as well as important history. From hot springs to diamond mines, visitors to Arkansas will find plenty of amazing places to learn all about the state, it's history and enjoy its natural wonders. Here are only a few of Arkansas amazing attractions and destinations.

Hot Springs National Park and Hot Springs
Hot Springs National Park is an urban area that surrounds the northern end of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The city of Hot Springs was originally built to accommodate all of the visitors that came to the hot springs, which have been used by people for medicinal and relaxation purposes for over 200 years. Throughout the town and the park there are many things for visitors to explore. One must-see stop is the Fordyce Bathhouse, now restored, which was during its time one of the most amazing bathhouses. Today the Fordyce Bathhouse is the park's visitor center and museum as well. Visitors to Hot Springs can also enjoy exploring the park's many trails. Of course, no trip to Hot Springs would be complete without a bath, within the park, visitors can stop for a traditional experience at the Buckstaff Baths, or try a more modern experience at the Quapaw Baths and Spa.

The Ozarks
This region of Arkansas is an amazingly beautiful and historic region of the United States. Visitors to the Ozarks have the opportunity to explore the stunning beauty of the region, while also enjoying the towns and historic sites within the region. Throughout the Ozarks there are many attractions that visitors wouldn't want to miss, including the Ozark Folk Center where visitors can create their own little piece of Ozarks heritage, and Twin Fall, one of the beautiful waterfalls located in the Ozarks.

Central High School National Historic Site, Little Rock
This site in Arkansas commemorates the important events that took place on September 23, 1957. On this day in history, nine African-American teens took a stand against a crowd protesting integration, as they entered Central High for the first time. This important event put the US Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka decision to its first test. Today visitors can stop at the Visitor Center across the intersection from the High School to see the interactive exhibits and learn about the role this event played in history. Central High School is an operating high school, so visitors cannot tour the school without scheduling a ranger guided tour.

Crater of Diamonds State Park
Arkansas has an abundance of diamond mines among other natural features. Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only site producing diamonds open to the public. Visitors to the park can prospect for diamonds in the search field. While prospecting visitors can find many different colors of diamonds, as well as a variety of other rocks and minerals. Crater of Diamonds State Park has had a long history of diamond mining, and visitors can see the evidence in the remnants of the Mine Shaft Building and the Guard House. Visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation beyond prospecting for diamonds if they choose within the natural forest within the park.

Blanchard Springs Caverns
This is one of the most beautiful spots in Arkansas, and within the Ozarks National Forest. Blanchard Springs Cavern is named for Blanchard Spring, which flows out of the mountainside and into Mirror Lake. Above ground visitors can enjoy fishing, hiking and more. Within the Cavern visitors will see a whole new world. As visitors walk on the paths into the caverns they will see how the cavern is constantly changing. Blanchard Springs Caverns has an underground river, the world's largest flowstone and much more. For the adventurous there are Wild Cave Tours, which explore those parts of the caverns that are inaccessible on the regular tour.

Buffalo National River
The Buffalo National River travels for 135 miles through beautiful terrain, and it flows uninhibited, as it is one of the few rivers in the lower 48 states that does not have dams. This river travels east through the Ozarks and flows into the White River. Visitors to this park will find a myriad of activities to enjoy. Floating the river, is of course, one of the most popular activities, visitors can enjoy the river's waters by canoe, kayak or tube. Those visitors that want to try other activities can enjoy horseback riding, fishing, wildlife viewing, and stopping to explore historic sites.

Pea Ridge National Military Park
The Battle of Pea Ridge was fought on March 7-8, 1862, over 26,000 soldiers fought at Pea Ridge during this Civil War Battle. This battle was pivotal during the Civil War, and today visitors can experience one of the most intact Civil War battlefields. Visitors to Pea Ridge have a variety of options for exploring the park, for those that prefer to drive there is a 7 mile tour road. Hikers will enjoy the 7 mile hiking trail, and there is even a horse trail. Along all of these trails there are exhibits, and visitors can also learn more about the Battle of Pea Ridge at the Visitor Center, which features a film, exhibits and a museum.

Arkansas | Fun and Funky Things to Do

Visitors to Arkansas will find a state filled with amazing attractions. The state has a wide variety of fascinating natural features. Here are a few of the fun and funky destinations visitors to Arkansas can explore.

Arkansas Alligator Farm
This fun attraction in Hot Springs is excellent for families is home to many of Arkansas' native alligators. Children will also love the petting zoo, the many different species of animals that call the Arkansas Alligator Farm home, including a variety of primates and Arkansas Mountain Lions. Visitors can also explore the museum and the gift shop.

Cosmic Cavern
Located in Berryville, is a fascinating natural attraction in Arkansas. Visitors can take an hour plus tour of the cave. On this tour, people are guided to amazing natural features, including soda straw formations, underground bottomless lakes, and unique animals like the fish living in the bottomless lake and even the Ozark Blind Cave Salamander.

Mountain View
This folk capital of America is a great spot to experience the pioneer lifestyle. Mountain View preserves some of the essential pioneer crafts and industries, including pottery, blacksmithing, basketry, quilting and more. Visitors can see a wide range of tradition pioneer era crafts, music and more at the Ozark Folk Center State Park during the summer.

Popeye Statue
Travelers to Alma Arkansas can see and enjoy all that the "Spinach Capital of the World" has to offer. In addition to a large bronze statue of Popeye in downtown Alma, visitors can also see the water tower in the shape of a spinach can. Alma also has an annual spinach festival.

World Championship Duck Calling Contest
The town of Stuttgart has an annual Duck Festival in late November. During this festival visitors and residents can observe and compete in the World Championship Duck Calling Contest. In addition to having duck calling contests for all ages and experience levels, the Duck Festival also has exhibits, a party and more.

California Quick Facts

Uniquely California: the Golden Gate bridge
Must-See: the world’s largest tree in Sequoia National Park
Most Unusual: Winchester Mystery House
Highest Point: Mt. Whitney, 14,494 feet
Food to Try: Locally-grown artichokes and avocados

What to Do

1 Visit Point Reyes

2 Play the slots or take a hike at Lake Tahoe

3 See a Joshua tree
See the sea lions in San Francisco

4 Take a star tour of Hollywood

5 Play golf in Palm Springs

1 Drive across the Sundial Bridge

Off The Beaten Path | California

 California is a beautiful state that has a little bit of everything -- mountains, beaches, deserts, and forests. Travelers will find big cities, stunning state and national parks, beautiful coastlines and much more. And of course you won't want to miss Los Angeles, Disneyland and the Golden Gate Bridge! Here are a few fun destinations that are well worth visiting, but that you may not have heard about already.

Point Reyes

Point Reyes National Seashore and Point Reyes National Park are great options for enjoying California's natural environment and outdoor recreation. At Point Reyes you will find trails, historic structures and visitor centers. You can enjoy camping, hiking, biking and kayaking. Point Reyes National Park also features the Point Reyes Lighthouse and visitor center where you can learn all about the lighthouse. For the very adventurous, a trip down the 308 stairs to the Lighthouse is a great option.

Half Moon Bay

This beautiful coastal town is a fabulous destination for a quiet California getaway. You can enjoy the many beaches on the coast, play golf at the championship golf course or stop at the historic Point Montara Lighthouse. While enjoying the coast, you can walk on the trails and keep your eyes open for the California wildlife, especially during a visit to the nearby Pescadero Marsh Bird Refuge. Another popular destination in the Half Moon Bay area is the Moss Beach Distillery. The Distillery was a popular spot during the years of prohibition, and it is still said to have a resident ghost.

Mount Shasta

At an elevation of over 10,000 feet, Mount Shasta is the fifth highest peak in California and a part of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. This mountain, which has inspired so many, stands on its own, unconnected to any nearby mountains. Many people visit Mount Shasta to make an attempt at the summit -- the climbing season lasts from April to October, but some adventurous people try to summit during the winter. Mount Shasta is also a great destination for backcountry skiing -- the most experienced climbers and skiers can climb to the summit and then ski back down. Inexperienced climbers should be aware that making a summit attempt is not easy, but there are other hiking options on trails around the base of the mountain.

Catalina Island

Located off the coast of Southern California, Catalina is one of the eight islands that make up the Channel Islands archipelago. Catalina is part of the Southern Channel Islands, and is the only island with a significant permanent population. Visitors to California hoping to visit Catalina should either take a boat service from one of five coastal communities or, for an even more exciting adventure, take a helicopter flight from one of two costal locations. While on the island, visitors can enjoy all types of recreation including biking, hiking, golfing, swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving and even a zip line tour.

San Francisco's Chinese New Year

This is one of the best and largest celebrations of Chinese New Year outside of China. During the Chinese New Year celebrations, you can enjoy the Chinese New Year Flower Fair and of course the Chinese New Year Community Fair. Throughout the celebrations you can learn about all of the important symbols and cultural celebrations. If you need a break from the festivities, spend some time at Golden Gate Park or exploring the beauty of San Francisco.

The Winchester Mystery House

The Winchester Mystery House has to be one of California's most unique destinations. This house was built by Sarah Winchester with the legacy from the Winchester rifle. After the deaths of her child and husband, Sarah Winchester started adding all manner of unique architectural features to her home. Some speculate that she created the house to ward of ghosts. During a visit and tour of the house you will see twisting hallways, secret passageways, wandering staircases and doors that lead to nowhere.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

If you are looking for a wide range of California's amazing natural sights all in one area, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is a great destination. The Park ranges from deep canyons to tall mountains. In fact, within the park, you will find the highest peak in the lower 48, Mount Whitney. The park also has some amazing specimens of the giant sequoia tees. Be sure to stop and see the General Grant Tree in Grant Grove and the General Sherman Tree in Giant Forest. At Redwood Canyon you can visit the largest grove of sequoias in the world.