Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Monterey, CA (Part 1 of 3)

Where do you think this trail leads to? 

@Cypress Grove Trail, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

The 17-mile Drive, Pebble Beach, CA

The Lone Cypress Tree at 17-mile Drive

The 17-mile drive was one of the places we explored when we were in San Francisco during my younger brother's work assignment in the Bay Area last spring 2007. Because my younger brother only had one day to spare for exploring due to his hectic work schedule, we were at a toss then where to tour him around. I asked a friend who lives in San Francisco if she only has one day to wander from San Francisco, which she would prefer to tour friends or family: go North to Point Reyes National Seashore and Muir Woods National Monument, or go South to Big Sur. Not stopping at all to think, she said with such joyful tone, "BIG SUR!" Adding that it is her favorite place on Earth, more than Prague! Haha, of course, it is hard to compare the two, since Big Sur is more about nature, and Prague is a historical and cultural city. 

Me and My Younger Brother at Spanish Bay

Coronado Beach: America's Best Beach 2012

Hotel Del Coronado Beach Resort

The Coronado Beach has long time been one of America's finest beaches, and this year (2012) has been ranked by Dr. Beach as America's Best Beach. Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, otherwise known as "Dr. Beach", is a professor and director of coastal research at Florida International University. Each beach in the the top ten list has to meet different criteria, which ranges from water quality to sand softness to water temperature and water access. Coronado Beach scored in the 230s out of 250, losing points only in water temperature criteria, where the summer water temperature is in the frigid 60s. However, its water quality, safety ( great lifeguarding program), fantastic Mediterranean climate, and wide sand beaches ( hundreds of yards wide as you can see in the picture below) did make up for the points lost due to frigid waters.  - Source: msnbc

Point Reyes National Seashore, CA

Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore is one of the beautiful nature escapes from San Francisco. We went here for a short day trip from San Francisco last spring 2007. Our day trip also included Muir Woods National Monument and Marin Headlands. Most of the pictures in my post about The Golden Gate Bridge is from Marin Headlands.

The Golden Gate Bridge

 

Me at Golden Gate Bridge from Marin Headlands

Today starts my summer break. I no longer have to wake up early in the morning. I am so ready to hit the trails and the beach in a while. However, I promised my very good friend in London to answer his questions in installment. Before I leave the house to wander, I am writing first about photographing the Golden Gate Bridge, which was one of his many questions. Not that I am a photographer, you will probably see a lot of amazing pictures online from the photographers of this bridge. However, my quest for nature's inspirations and wonders oftentimes makes people think I am into serious photography. I frankly am a simple nature wanderer who loves to share the joy of nature in this site, and to hopefully contribute to the awareness that Mother Nature needs us to take care of her treasures on Earth. 

Yellow Mustard Invasive Non-native Wildflowers and the Golden Gate Bridge

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

From One of the Informational Posters At the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument Visitor Center

Nature heals....as it says in the poster above, about one 1,000 years ago, a volcanic eruption profoundly impacted life. It reshaped the surrounding landscape, and changed the lives of people, plants and animals. Today, you will see and experience the resilience of life, of how nature heals in this volcano.

Tree Growing From Lava Flow