Summer 2014 Trip to California

Landscape Pictures

The highlight of trip was undoubtedly a day trip to Channel Islands National Park, off the Pacific Coast from Los Angeles. Dubbed as the "Galapagos of North America", it is an archipelago that has its unique flora and fauna. It would be the second U.S. national park off the mainland that we have visited (the other one being Acadia off the Maine coast).

(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)

After an hour or so boat ride we arrive on the largest island, Santa Cruz. Immediately we were mesmerized by the clear, transparent water washing the shore.

Channel Islands

We took the Cavern Point Trail to the northern cliff and all the way to Potato Harbor. With the expansive Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, sometimes with the mainland and California's Coastal Range looming in the distance, the view is beautiful as well as stunning.

Channel Islands

Channel Islands (Cavern Point)

Channel Islands (Potato Harbor)

But a day excursion is never long enough (we spent about 5 to 6 hours on the island). Before we knew it, it was time to board the boat back to the mainland. Next time we will bring camping gear, I think.

Island Packers

The next day we made a quick trip to Point Mugu Beach north in Ventura County. I had been here before, but I will never turn down a visit to the California Coast.

Point Mugu Beach

On the way back from Point Mugu Beach we made a stop in Malibu. Beautiful scenery, with some not-so-sightly trash on the roadside.

Malibu

A short hop took me to the Bay Area, and most of my "landscape" pictures were taken at Bedwell Bayfront Park, a reclaimed landfill(!) in Menlo Park. There were many evaporative salt ponds, with the crystalized salt clearly visible. These were used to make salt, apparently; I do not think they are still in used, what I do not understand is why the city does not let water in now.

Bedwell Bayfront Park

Bedwell Bayfront Park

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