California

Yosemite National Park.

As a West Coaster, California is our sunshine vacation destination. When I was young, our family went on the classic road trip down to Southern California to go to Mecca of Disneyland. I did get the flu during our trip, but otherwise have very fond memories. And we stayed at a modern Motel with an outdoor pool, which was so cool and exotic to me at the time.

I have since traveled to California more times than I can remember … and I love it all! Favorite places to visit are …

San Francisco for Blue Bottle Coffee and walking everywhere. And I love eating anywhere in Chinatown … and getting Dim Sum. During our last visit we went to Yank Sing.

Santa Barbara for the beautiful beaches, awesome bike riding and tacos at Julia Child’s favorite La Super Rica Taqueria

Los Angeles for touring the many unique neighborhoods and ramen at Tatsu on Melrose. I still need to climb all the way up to the Hollywood Sign, so I have that to look forward to in the future.

And La Quinta for the long walks around the La Quinta Resort and date shakes at Shield’s Date Garden.

And here is a favorite photo of mine with my sister at The Clock Bar located in The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square

National Park Service Units: 20/27

1. Joshua Tree National Park

2. Golden Gate National Recreation Area

3. Muir Woods National Monument

4. Redwood National Park

5. Point Reyes National Seashore

6. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

7. Death Valley National Park

8. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

9. Pinnacles National Park

10. Manzanar National Historical Site

11. Cesar E. Chavez National Monument

12. Sequoia National Park

13. Kings Canyon National Park

14. Yosemite National Park

15. Tule Lake National Monument

16. Lava Beds National Monument

17. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

18. Lassen Volcanic National Park

19. Devils Postpile National Monument

20. Cabrillo National Monument