Yosemite National Park, California. Everyone should come to this place at least once in their life. There is really nothing quite like it anywhere else in the world.

This was my first trip to Yosemite and can say I was in awe of it's beauty from the valley floor to it's highest peaks and giant trees.

I was blown away with the place, it is so beautiful, every turn there is another breathtaking view. It really is one of those places that can not truly be captured by words or photos.
You have to be there to truly understand how amazing it really is.

The pass at elevation 9945 feet. Tioga Pass is the greatest road I've ever driven on...and I'm glad I did it!

This scenic drive through forests and past meadows, lakes, and granite domes is very exciting and sometimes very exposed and unsecured driveway in innumerable twists and turns. On the summit of the road there’s the Tioga Pass, at an elevation of 9,943 ft. (3,031 m.) above the sea level. It is the highest highway pass in California and in the Sierra Nevada. Mount Dana is to the east of the pass.

The surface of the road is asphalted, and chains or snow tyres can be required throughout the year. TiogaPass is named after Tioga Mine, whose name originated in New York: "Tioga" is named for an Iroquois and Mohawk term meaning "where it forks". The road was built in 1882-1883 as a mining road and was realigned and modernized in 1961. 

Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe 05.20.2016

Emerald Bay is definitely one of the most beautiful places at Lake Tahoe.
We stopped at an overlook over Emerald Bay and were taken aback by the beautiful views. We enjoyed walking around the park and the lake area even it's a bit cold that day but it was a beautiful day.
Vikingsholm Castle is also nearby but we didn't get a chance to go this time around.

Emerald Bay- Topaz Lake- Tioga Road

San Francisco, California, United States 2016

This is our first time here. Pier 39 is a fun, touristy locale - snacks, candy, touristy stuff to gawk at and buy. The little carousel is charming. Great food. From late summer to late spring (mid May), there are typically hundreds of sea lions.

 California sea lions have chosen to haul out at PIER 39’s K-Dock because there’s plenty of food nearby in the bay and ocean, their natural predators (white sharks and orcas) do not typically feed in the bay and there is plenty of space. Also, the docks are easier to haul out on, more comfortable and more protected from storms than a rocky beach.

Pacific Coast Highway - Route 1.This trip was something I have wanted to do for quite some time.

I can't say enough about this truly amazing drive and scenery. This was my first trip to CA and the Pacific Coast Highway has been on my list for many years. I'm so glad I finally got to see it. We took it slow and kept stopping to view the scenery and take pictures. It was absolutely amazing. You are driving right along the ocean with the most amazing views - the ocean, the cliffs, crashing waves, flowers - it was great. The road is so narrow and winding in places that the speed limit has to drop to 25mph and even this feels fast on some of the turns. It was really beautiful. I was barely able to drive1 mile straight through without stopping. 

 A truly beautiful part of the world that everyone should experience!

Yes, I would do it again and we can't wait to go back and spend more time.Don't miss out on this adventure. You'll never forget it.

Moreton Bay Fig Tree.Historical landmark in Santa Barbara, California

Ragged Point Inn & Resort

We found Ragged Point by accident. Ragged Point Inn is a lodge situated on cliffs to the south of Big Sur, with lovely views of the Pacific and a calm and isolated feel.
The view was so beautiful I can't put it in words. Enjoyed everything about it.
Clean, quiet and awesome ocean views. Excellent restaurant.

Friends Of The Elephant Seal

What a wonderful surprise to find this on our coastal highway trip! Awesome to see the elephant seals in their natural habitat. It was really cool seeing them swim from the water and then flop around on the shore. Plenty of photo opportunities at close proximity.

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery- Military Cemetery in San Diego, California

This is a very peaceful spot. A true place of respect with a majestic view. Exceptionally well-kept grounds and beautiful views.  

One side of the hill faces the bay and San Diego and the other side faces the Pacific. Spend some time on your way to the Cabrillo Monument to walk around here and soak in the beauty, peacefulness, and honor of those resting here. Even if you don't know anyone buried here, it is an important place to visit and pay respects to those who have fought and died for us. 

Thank you to all those who gave their life for our freedom.

God bless America!!

Sun Buggy. Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve.We have made so many wonderful memories in the Pismo Dunes.

This is something I've always wanted to do! It's really exciting and thrilling!  We had fun going down the faces of these huge walls of sand... super scary but we did it! My husband had an amazing time and he said he would love to do it again.We would definitely return to sun buggy if we choose to go to the sand dunes again.

Santa Barbara Wine Tour with Picnic Lunch

https://goo.gl/maps/kWrSgLM83Aq

WELCOME TO SANTA BARBARA

State Street.

It is a fun street to walk up and down.

Lovely wide clean sandy beach with fairly cold sea water. 

Moreton Bay Fig Tree.Historical landmark in Santa Barbara, California

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes

We happened on this place by accident, trying to get to the Pacific and so glad that we did!
This place is wild and wonderful. You drive over the dunes on a paved road to get to the beach.
The dunes are magnificent! A photographer's paradise!
We arrived on a  windy May day to find something quite unexpected...an empty beautiful beach as far as the eye could see. The ocean there is so pristine.
If you're looking for a secluded beach with very few people around and lots of ocean sound, this is a wonderful choice!
This place is well worth the effort to get to.

American entertainment at its best! Universal Studios Hollywood,Los Angeles

Omg!!!This park is awesome. American entertainment at its best! Fun place for all ages.Spend a day here. Take 2 days to get all the stuff in.You will not regret it. I will definitely go back here again next time I visit Los Angeles. All in all a magical day. Thanks, Universal, for such a great time!!!!

More photos

Madame Tussauds Hollywood 2016 Museum in Los Angeles, California

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Hollywood is located next to Grauman Chinese Theater and Walk of Fame, so it's conveniently located when visiting Hollywood. It is a very fun museum, and the wax figures are so lifelike it's almost creepy: you think they will come alive anytime! I've been to other wax museums before and this one was the best by far!Lots of fun for all ages! You can make fun photos with them, sit with them etc. Also, I liked that it was interactive with different props you can use and put on to really make your pictures that much more fun.
It was definitely worth the money... I would recommend everyone to try it at least once!

Walk Of Fame 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

It's fun to walk down Hollywood Blvd to see the famous stars on the sidewalks. I love the energy of Hollywood Blvd- all the people and street performers and the famous places to eat!
Great to visit day or night something always going on and something always filming on Hollywood Blvd check it out. This is a tourist spot not to be missed.

Crystal Cathedral. Quite a spiritual "journey". :)

What a great find for me! My husband knows how much I love architecture so he surprised me by bringing me here to show me around.
The Crystal Cathedral is very unique and well worth your visit. And it's FREE. The unique part about it is that it's one of those modern churches made entirely of glass including the bell tower. The Crystal Cathedral also has a big pipe organ. The architecture and statues around the grounds are truly amazing. Even the cemetery was unique with beautiful landscaping. 
The address of Christ Cathedral is: 13280 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92840.

Calico Ghost Town 2016

A quaint little wild west mining town well worth the visit on your drive to or from Las Vegas. 

We had enjoyed wondering the streets, reading the history, and seeing all the historical buildings and furniture.So glad we paid a visit.This was a fun experience.  It's a fab way to spend a few hours and get an insight into what towns like that would have been like.

More More More 

San Diego. Mormon Temple.

One of the most beautiful temples I have ever seen. It looks like a castle from a fairy tale.   I love just looking at it! A wonderful place! There is a certain calm and peaceful feeling just being near it.
Of course, if you're not Mormon, you will not be allowed to go inside, but the outside is very impressive and makes for some great photos.
So, so, beautiful. It is lit at night, and you can see its beauty as you drive òn Interstate 5 near La Jolla.
Love this place.

Death Valley National Park,California

I never thought I would enjoy the desert so much. We spent the entire day touring Death Valley.

Spectacular!  I didn't know a view like this existed on this planet! It was pretty surreal. It is something you will never forget.

Nice little Island to spend the day!

We visited Coronado Island while staying in San Diego in May.
I like Coronado Island for its quiet, laid-back simplicity and for its beautiful views of the downtown San Diego skyline. It's the white, sandy beaches that have earned it numerous ratings as one of top ten beaches in the U.S.
The grounds of the Hotel are beautiful, and we were able to see its private villas on the beach. Also, the residential beach homes of the island were nice to look at. There is a contrast of Victorian and Contemporary styles.
It was one of the most relaxing places I have ever been! Paradise!

Sketchbook Journey: Day3. The Strip-Las Vegas, Nevada

The Strip is the single most awesome street in America. Visit every casino you can.

Do not miss the fountains of Bellagio and the conservatory inside.

What else can you say? The strip is awesome.. you need days to look at and visit everything! Great shops and tons of hotels!

Lots to see, lots to do.  Enjoy, but watch your speding. :)

If the weather is nice in the evening, walking the Strip is one of our favorite things to do in Vegas.

Caesars Palace. Las Vegas

Oh my god! It is so much fun to walk the Strip, look at, and visiting the amasing hotels. Now I know why people get married in Vegas. It is so magic and romanic!
Definitely our favourite hotel. We'll definately stay there again in the future!

Bellagio Las Vegas.This place is just beautiful!

 I knew I wanted to try the Bellagio and I am very happy we did! The Bellagio matches what I personally enjoy the most - elegance and comfort. And the hotel and casino were first class.

The Hoover Dam. Dam in the Clark County, Nevada

Hoover Dam is enormous. Much bigger than you'll ever imagine until you see it. I'm normally not interested in engineering, but our tour and walk around Hoover Dam was really interesting (and it was great to take a break from Vegas. It's only about 30 miles from the Strip).

Of course, the highlight of the "tour" is being able to walk along the Dam itself. It is very powerful to see. It was also fun to walk from one time zone to another, as you crossed from Nevada into Arizona.

I recommend spending 1/2 a day at Hoover Dam as this is truly a man-made wonder. We were not disappointed. Its' definitely worth a visit.

"We need to make at least once in their life" Grand Canyon Skywalk. Sketchbook Journey-Day2