Poway Crags
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Nice, low traffic climbing area in a scenic location that’s home to a popular hike
Gliderport
Location: California, San Diego, La Jolla
Scenic spot for paragliding and hang gliding with lovely coastal views
Doane Valley
Location: California, San Diego area, Palomar Mountain
Hike through pretty scenery including a pond, creek, rolling hills, and the ruins of a 1920’s dam and gauging station
Point Dume
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Santa Monica Mountains
Popular beginner climbing area on a coastal cliff
Wayfarers Chapel
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Palos Verdes Peninsula
Lovely chapel designed by Lloyd Wright in a picturesque setting
Walker Canyon
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Lake Elsinore
Attractive canyon that’s absolutely covered with California poppies in the spring
Indio
Location: California, South Central Desert, East of Los Angeles
Winter escape famous with polo fields, canyons, spring wildflowers, and the Coachella Valley
Avalon
Location: California, Channel Islands, Santa Catalina Island
Resort community originally developed in the early 1900’s and retaining much of its historic charm
Trans-Catalina Trail
Location: California, Channel Islands, Santa Catalina Island
Rugged trail traversing Catalina via a multi-day backpacking trip with beautiful coastal views
Wagon Caves
Location: California, East of Big Sur
Rarely visited lovely area in the Los Padres National Forest with cool rock formations and climbing options
Villager Peak
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Hike to the summit of a peak offering sweeping views of the surrounding desert and nice wildflowers in the spring
Kakslauttenen
Location: Finland, Lapland
Remote resort set in a winter wonderland with picturesque igloos; particularly popular around the holidays because you can visit Santa’s Home
Reynisfjara
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Black beach with an amazing geometric basalt cliff and an imposing pair of off shore islands with sheer cliffs
Seljavallalaug
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Outdoor pool originally constructed in 1923 filled with geothermally heated water
Mossy Lava Rocks
Location: Iceland, Southern, east of Thórsmörk
Fields of lava rocks overtaken by moss creating a delightful, green, fuzzy, mounded carpet
Kvernufoss ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Beautiful unmarked and less-visited waterfall – you can even walk behind it for bonus photo opportunities!
Thórsmörk
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thórsmörk
Nice nature reserve composed of a valley and mountain range set amidst glaciers and volcanoes
Háifoss
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thjórsárdalur
One of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls, it’s less visited due to the need for a 4 wheel drive to navigate the access road. Has a bonus waterfall right next to it!
Dyrhólaey
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Peninsula with a large natural arch, historic lighthouse, and beautiful coastal views
Gjáin ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thjórsárdalur
Delightful hidden valley with nice rock formations and waterfalls
Black Sand Diamond Beach ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull area
Pristine black sand beach littered with ice chunks, creating a stunning and unusual visual effect
Vatnajökull
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafell
Nice glacier offering hiking and ice climbing options
Jökulsárlón ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull area
Iconic Iceland location: beautiful glacial lagoon dotted with an ever-changing array of icebergs breaking off from nearby glaciers
Fimmvörðuháls ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern Iceland, Thórsmörk
Fantastic hike through stunning glacier and volcanic sculpted hills and mountains
Grænavatn
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Lake formed by a volcanic crater with remarkable blue-green water
Thingvellir
Location: Iceland, Southwest Iceland, Golden Circle
Interesting National Park with a storied history and set between tectonic plates creating a picturesque landscape above ground and the famous Silfra Fissure, which can be explored via either snorkeling or diving
Geysir
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Golden Circle
Home of the largely inactive geyser “Geysir” and the highly predictable and very active geyser “Strokkur”
Lóndrangar
Location: Iceland, West, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Large lava pinnacles at the edge of dramatic basalt cliffs; you can find puffins here during the warmer months
Búðir
Location: Iceland, West, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Site of a nice hotel and a photogenic church
Hellnar
Location: Iceland, West, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Ancient fishing village on a rugged coastline with a notable cave and nice church
Kirkjufell
Location: Iceland, West, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Dramatic peak near a set of beautiful waterfalls; one of the most photographed sites in Iceland
Stykkishólmur
Location: Iceland, West, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Picturesque fishing and trading post originally established in 1550 CE
Hraunfossar ♦
Location: Iceland, West, Borgarfjörður district
Lovely and unique set of waterfalls that appear to be magically pouring from the hillside
Blue Ridge Parkway
Location: North Carolina, Asheville
Extremely scenic highway linking Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains; renowned for its fall colors
Cedar Cliff Lake
Location: North Carolina, Tuckasegee
Very pretty lake that’s great for canoeing or kayaking as well as fishing and swimming.
Cassidy Arch Hike
Location: Utah, Capitol Reef National Park
Nice hike with expansive views to a huge natural arch that you can walk across
Hickman Bridge
Location: Utah, Capitol Reef National Park
Short hike to an impressive natural bridge that you can walk under
Sunset Point
Location: Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park
Viewpoint with great views of Bryce’s multi-colored hoodoos, including “Thor’s Hammer”
Sunrise Point
Location: Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park
Great viewpoint featuring sheer pink cliffs that dwarf multi-colored hoodoos in the valley below
Inspiration Point
Location: Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park
Excellent viewing area for the main amphitheater, with row upon row of hoodoos that glow in morning and afternoon sunlight
⊗ Neon Canyon ♦
Location: Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Famous technical canyon, renowned for the final beautiful rappel through the roof of the Golden Cathedral
Egypt Bench to the Escalante River
Location: Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Journey through red slick rock and sand before descending a canyon to an excellent camping area on the Escalante River
Observation Point ♦
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Hike to one of the most iconic views in Zion National Park – worth the elevation gain for these views!
Subway (Bottom Up) ♦
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Great non-technical way to visit the most scenic portion of Zion’s iconic “Subway” canyon
Canyon Overlook Trail
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Short and easy trail that’s a nice introduction to Zion with pretty views
Angel’s Landing
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Classic Zion hike with some nice elevation gain and a little exposure to get to breathtaking panoramic views
Pa’rus Trail
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Wide, paved nature trail providing excellent views of The Watchman
Calico Hills
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon
Notable red rock hills with pretty striations; home to over 200 sport climbing routes
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon
Scenic drive just outside of Vegas offering views of beautiful multi-colored cliffs
White Domes Loop
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas area, Valley of Fire State Park
Nice short hike through varied desert scenery with various highlights
The Fire Wave ♦
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas area, Valley of Fire State Park
Short hike with nice scenery to a fascinating slick rock sandstone formation with colorful striations
The Wave
Location: Arizona, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Iconic sandstone formation of sculpted, beautifully colored slickrock
Coyote Buttes North ♦
Location: Arizona, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Fabulous area with outstanding rock formations, multiple natural arches, dinosaur tracks, and more!
Crane Beach
Location: Massachusetts, Ipswich
Pretty beach with several miles of trails and boardwalks
Saco River Kayaking
Location: New Hampshire, Conway
Canoe or kayak down a lovely stretch of river that crosses the border into Maine
Echo Lake State Park
Location: New Hampshire, Conway
State park with some short hiking options and a well-known area for very nice climbing
Mount Washington
Location: New Hampshire, White Mountains
Classic hike to the summit of Mt. Washington, famous for its unpredictable and remarkably bad weather
Frankenstein Trestle ♦
Location: New Hampshire, Bartlett area, Crawford Notch State Park
Hike to the scenic Frankenstein Trestle, which bridges a sheer cliff face along the Conway Scenic Railroad; particularly great during the autumn with fall colors
Arethusa Falls
Location: New Hampshire, Bartlett area, Crawford Notch State Park
Nice hike to a pretty waterfall; can be combined as a loop hike with nearby Frankenstein Trestle
Shan Plateau
Location: Myanmar, Western Shan State
Beautiful area of the country, with stunning scenery and friendly villages
Kalaw
Location: Myanmar, Western Shan State
Former British hill station with a nice hike through pretty scenery to a hill tribe village
San Luis Obispo
Location: California, Southern Pacific Coast, South of Big Sur
Nice town with a picturesque spot for some mediocre climbing, a mission founded in 1772, and a large coastal sand dune system
Chinaman’s Hat
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, East Shore
Snorkel to a great uninhabited island just off the coast
Kaneohe Bay Sunken Island
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, East Shore
Kayak through calm, blue green water to a large sunken island
Moanalua Valley to Haiku Stairs ♦
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, Southeast
Excellent ridge hike with Jurassic Park-esque views leading to the top of the famous Haiku Stairs (where they can be legally viewed without trespassing) and World War II era top secret military radio station
Olomana Ridge
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, Southeast
Legendary hike along a nice-edge ridge
Hanauma Bay
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, North Shore
Heavily visited bay popular for its picturesque appearance and the quality of its snorkeling
Pololu Valley/Beach
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, North Shore
Beautiful valley with a rocky black sand beach
Boiling Pots and Pe’epe’e Falls
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo
Waterfall upstream from an interesting series of carved bowls famous for their churning water in heavy flow
Ha Long Bay
Location: Vietnam, Northern Vietnam
UNESCO heritage site renowned for its emerald green waters and hundreds of sheer-walled limestone islands dotting the bay
Tuolomne Meadows – Soda Springs
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Tuolomne Meadows
Easy stroll through Tuolomne Meadows to a small cabin at a natural soda spring
Tioga Road
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Tuolomne Meadows
Series of stops along the road between Yosemite Valley and Tuolomne Meadows
Cathedral Lakes
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Tuolomne Meadows Area
Nice hike through pretty scenery to two lakes, both with views of Cathedral Peak
Mist Trail (to Vernal Fall)
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Short hike to the impressive Vernal Fall; spray from the falls creates impressive rainbows in morning sunlight
Sentinel Meadow ♦
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Easy hike providing several of the classic postcard Yosemite views
Mirror Lake
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Seasonal lake offering reflections of the surrounding cliffs when it’s not being used as a swimming hole; in the off season, it’s a meadow/sandy field with mountain views
Lower Yosemite Falls
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Easy stroll providing views of both Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls
Upper Yosemite Falls ♦
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Historic trail to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls, providing outstanding views of some of Yosemite’s most iconic landmarks
Mono Lake
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, Lee Vining Area
Lake with fascinating mineral towers (called tufa) exposed due to decreasing lake levels
Lake Sabrina
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Bishop
Some of the nicest fall foliage displays California has to offer, set amidst lakes, streams, and country roads.
North Fork of Big Pine Creek ♦
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Big Pine
Great trail through mountain scenery to a series of lakes providing views of the Palisades and Palisade Glacier.
Bishop Pass Trail to Long Lake
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Bishop
Extremely rewarding hike to an expansive lake surrounded by rugged mountains
June Lake Loop
Location: Northern California, Eastern Sierras, Lee Vining Area
Pretty lakeside resort area with lovely scenery and nice fall colors in the autumn
McWay Waterfall Trail
Location: California, Big Sur, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Iconic view of the idyllic beach, waterfall, and bay with turquoise water
Tanbark Trail and Tin House ♦
Location: California, Big Sur, Northern
Great hike through redwood forests with a waterfall and great views, ending at the ruins of an old tin house
Bixby Bridge
Location: California, Northern Big Sur
Iconic, oft-photographed bridge on the Big Sur coast
Mrauk U ♦
Location: Myanmar, Western, Rakhine State
Former capital of the ancient Arakine Kingdom, Mrauk U is a remote area with a fascinating history and excellent Indiana Jones-esque temples
Sunrise Balloon Ride over Bagan ♦
Location: Myanmar, Western Mandalay Region
Balloon ride providing outstanding views of the temples of Old Bagan and the Irrawaddy River.
Sagar
Location: Myanmar, Western Shan State
Rarely visited ruined royal capital south of Inle Lake, famous for its sunken stupas
Umauma Falls Ziplining
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, North of Hilo
Excellent zip lining course with great coastal and waterfall views
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, North of Hilo
Nice botanical garden with a waterfall and bay views
Rainbow Falls
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo
Beautiful waterfall with very easy access; under the right conditions, the spray from the falls makes rainbows
Kepler Track Day Walk
Location: New Zealand, Southland, Te Anau area
Short, scenic section of one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, featuring a great swing bridge and lake views
Queenstown to Milford Helicopter
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Queenstown area
Helicopter flight to iconic Milford Sound offering outstanding views throughout the flight
Queenstown
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Queenstown
Popular travel destination featuring various tourist activities including bungee jumping and jet boating.
Lake Tekapo
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Lake Tekapo area
Lake with beautiful turquoise water set amidst lovely scenery and a cute lakeside town.
Doubtful Sound ♦
Location: New Zealand, Southland, West Coast
Outstanding remote fiord with beautiful scenery, wildlife, and opportunities for fishing.
Milford Sound
Location: New Zealand, Southland, West Coast
Fiord with iconic views accessed via a stunning drive through outstanding scenery
Larnach Castle
Location: New Zealand, Otago, Dunedin area
Large historic home with beautiful gardens and coastal views
Nugget Point
Location: New Zealand, South Island, The Catlins
Scenic lighthouse location with a penguin colony