Category: Guides

Experience the inspiration behind some of Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings at Ghost Ranch

March 21, 2017

About 60 miles north of Santa Fe, New Mexico is an education & retreat center that was frequented by American artist Georgia O’Keeffe in the 1930s. It’s where she spent a couple of summers before purchasing a house on the property in 1940. The center, called Ghost Ranch, encompasses a vast area of stunningly picturesque… More Experience the inspiration behind some of Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings at Ghost Ranch

This exhausting 10-mile hike in Southern California will lead you to nowhere

October 11, 2016

How would you like to spend an entire day hiking to a bridge in the middle of nowhere? If you’re in Southern California, you’re in luck because there’s a popular trail in the San Gabriel Mountains that leads to a bridge that literally leads nowhere and feels like… More This exhausting 10-mile hike in Southern California will lead you to nowhere

Ho Chi Minh Trail: a slippery San Diego hike to Black’s Beach

February 24, 2016

If you’re looking for a challenging hike with a rewarding view in the San Diego area, the Ho Chi Minh Trail in La Jolla is a good choice. The trail is a little over a mile long one way and concludes at a beautiful beach with black sand and smooth stones. Trailhead The journey to… More Ho Chi Minh Trail: a slippery San Diego hike to Black’s Beach

5 awesome Christmas light displays in Los Angeles

December 23, 2015

Wakefield Winter Wonderland It might not snow in many places in California during winter, but the season is alive and kicking at Wakefield Winter Wonderland, a vibrant Christmas light display in Northern Los Angeles County. In the Wakefield Court area, neighbors dress up their houses in spectacular, sparkling lights that really make it feel like… More 5 awesome Christmas light displays in Los Angeles

Travel photography with the Canon Powershot SX160 IS and iPhone 5S

July 15, 2015

I love taking pictures. Who doesn’t, though? Especially when it’s so easy to snap everything and anything with smartphones these days. When it comes to visually documenting my travels so that I can share them with you on Backyard Destinations, I heavily depend on two devices to help me do that: a Canon Powershot SX160… More Travel photography with the Canon Powershot SX160 IS and iPhone 5S

What it’s like to hike Potato Chip Rock on somewhat of a whim

June 24, 2015

There’s a lot of hype around Potato Chip Rock, a hiking trail in Poway, California because it leads to a rock that resembles a potato chip and because people get really cool pictures on it. So, I hopped on the bandwagon and added it to my bucket list a few months ago, set a date to… More What it’s like to hike Potato Chip Rock on somewhat of a whim

9 non-touristy things to do and see in Los Angeles

May 19, 2015

If you’re planning on swinging by Los Angeles and wondering what else to do besides/in addition to typical touristy activities like checking out Hollywood, Universal Studios, and the Hollywood sign, this is for you. Los Angeles County is more than 4,000 square miles in size and encompasses 88 cities. Plus, in 2013, the census recorded… More 9 non-touristy things to do and see in Los Angeles

Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles, California

5 disappointment-proof expectations to have before visiting Los Angeles

May 18, 2015

The way Hollywood is portrayed on television makes it seem like it’s one of those absolute places you have to visit before you die. The Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica Beach look oh-so glamorous in montages of and films that showcase Los Angeles. That can leave people who haven’t been to the… More 5 disappointment-proof expectations to have before visiting Los Angeles