Tag: bixby bridge

The Most Beautiful Sights to See This Year 

The saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” basically means what one person finds beautiful may not be the same for another. Some find beauty in nature while others find beauty in fine art or architecture. If you google “most beautiful sights in the US” a whole bunch of lists pop up created by magazines, travel sites and bloggers. Here are a few located near our glamping locations: 

Yurts at Thousand Trails Thunderbird
Yurts at Thousand Trails Thunderbird

Kerry Park (Washington): Considered one of Seattle’s most picturesque destinations, Kerry Park is considered a “viewpoint park” thanks to the opportunity to take in the Seattle skyline with breathtaking views of Mt. Rainier in one location. This small park sits atop Queen Anne Hill in the charming Queen Anne neighborhood of the city, is open to the public and is a guaranteed spot for picture-perfect shots of Seattle’s best including Mt. Rainier, the Space Needle and Puget Sound. 

(Book a glamping cabin or yurt at Thousand Trails Thunderbird) 

Glamping Cottage at Marina Dunes RV Park
Glamping Cottage at Marina Dunes RV Park

Big Sur (California): From the purple sand at Pfeiffer Beach to the towering redwoods, Big Sur should be on everyone’s list of “the most beautiful places to see in the US.” And don’t forget Bixby Bridge, a manmade concrete arch bridge that is considered one of the most photographed landmarks in the world. Other photo-worthy, sight-to-behold views here include the setting sun through Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach (best between November and January); China Cove in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and the 80-foot waterfall, McWay Falls, located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.  

(Book a glamping yurt or vacation rental loft at Marina Dunes RV Resort) 

Lightner Museum (Florida): If you find all things Gilded Age beautiful, you might want to plan a visit to the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine, Florida. Once a hotel for the elite during the Gilded Age known as the Hotel Alcazar, the building is now the Lightner Museum and is home to a grand collection of Victorian and Gilded Age treasures. But aside from beautiful exhibits found inside, the building itself (both interior and exterior) is a thing of beauty – fashioned in the Spanish Renaissance Revival style. Completed in 1888, the building features columns, arches, terracotta, mosaic tiles, marble floors, hand-painted walls and more opulence than you can shake a stick (gilded albeit) at!   

(Book a glamping cabin or cottage at Encore Bulow) 

Cabins at Thousand Trails Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch
Cabins at Thousand Trails Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch

Gunnison, Colorado: Definitely a destination most beautiful during summer and fall, thanks to the natural beauty that abounds here with carpets of wildflowers in summer and aspen groves ablaze with colors come fall. From mid-July to early August, nearby Crested Butte, considered the state’s wildflower capital, has plenty of hiking trails to walk while taking in the beauty of blooming lupines, varieties of lilies, and fireweed to name just a few of the flowers on display here. Come fall, the leaves of the aspen trees here turn from green to brilliant reds, oranges and yellow welcoming the change in seasons. 

(Book a glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch) 

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5 Things to Do in Monterey, California

There’s no dispute that Monterey and the surrounding area contain some of the most picturesque landscape you’ll find in not only California, but also the U.S. Located in Central California on a peninsula, the area offers a lot to see and do, both inside and outdoors. To begin your Monterey adventure, book a stay at Marina Dunes. Located adjacent to the Marina Dunes Preserve with its stunning dunes, Marina Dunes accommodations include your choice of rental cottages with queen-sized sleeping options, a separate bathroom and fully equipped kitchen or one of the ultra-unique glamping tents.

  1. Visit Big Sur: It’s a little under an hour’s drive from the resort to Big Sur, but we guarantee the ride will be epic in terms of scenery. There’s so much along the way, you’ll be tempted to stop but we think these places are worthy of their own visit, so let’s just get to Big Sur. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Parks offers amazing overlooks and great hiking while Pfeiffer Beach is home to the unique purple sand. Lunch at Nepenthe promises more great views while Bixby Bridge provides perfect photo ops. It was rated the #1 Instagram Worthy Destination in 2019!

  2. Carmel-by-the-Sea: This town is pure charm – and lots of it! There are art galleries, restaurants, shops, scenic views, and the beach. Consider a Carmel food tour or a self-guided historic walking tour which starts at the First Murphy House, which is also the Welcome Center where you can learn more about the walk and the sites you’ll see. There are wine tastings and plenty of special events including the upcoming 27th Annual Carmel Art Festival set for May 13-15 and the 28th Winemaker’s Celebration, scheduled for May 7. 

Sea Otters at Monterey Bay Aquarium
  1. Marine Things: Of course, as a coastal city, there is plenty of focus on all things water here including whale watching excursions and a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The aquarium’s exhibits include the underwater Kelp Forest, playful sea otters and ocean-view decks to watch for humpback whales. Speaking of whale watching, check out the Monterey Bay Whale Watch group that offers a variety of excursions to view whales, orcas, and dolphins. For details visit gowhales.com. You can also go tide pooling at McAbee Beach or kayak the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (rentals available at adventuresbythesea.com).

  2. Drive Time: There are several scenic drives (although what wouldn’t be scenic here) and they include the 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. Photo op stops on the 17-Mile Drive include the iconic Lone Cypress, Ghost Trees at Pescadero Point, and Cypress Point Lookout. Another kind of driving is done here too as the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links are here – while it is a public course, tee-time reservations are typically done at least 18 months in advance and a round can be quite pricey, like $575 pricey!  But, you can stop in at the Visitor Center which has several exhibits and enjoy a drink and a snack on the Visitor Center’s patio.

  3. Soak up the beautiful weather with a walk or bike ride along the 18-mile Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Its’ a great way to see the coastal countryside as well as visit some of the attractions along the way like Fisherman’s Wharf, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Cannery Row. Plus, at the end of the day, you won’t need to sneak in a workout since that breezy bike ride doubled as your exercise for the day!
Marina Dunes RV Resort Cottage
Marina Dunes RV Resort Cottage

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