LA GETAWAY- Southern Sequoias

by Karen
(North Hollywood, CA)

I'm an LA local and always looking for ways to get into nature but not drive hours and hours to get there.

I was pleasantly surprised by this getaway which is just an 1 1/2 outside of Bakersfield. Took me about 3 hours to get there and up the mountain. It offers gorgeous scenery, streams, wildlife and the privilege of being among some of the biggest oldest trees in the world.

"Trail of 100 giants" is a beautiful trailed spot and there are camping areas nearby that make you feel tucked into the quiet serenity of the mountain. It is fantastic!

My mom and I had a great time wandering the woods in the mist and rain and finally enjoying a little sunshine in the southern edge of the Sequoia Forest.

We kept out eyes out for bears and enjoyed falling asleep against the backdrop of dark star filled skies and lunching near a running brook and exploring a nearby meadow. It was absolutely idyllic and easy to get to.

I highly, highly recommend it!

And the area also offers river rafting and a few quaint towns- Kernville and lake Isabella if you don't want to stay on top of the mountain all day.

Big Bear

by Kerry
(Hollywood, CA)

My friend Joe Dan organized a weekend camping trip at Big Bear. We ate, drank, fished, and swam... all was well.

One night we discovered the game "WHONU?" It was the most exciting night of my life! I def. recommend this game for ANYONE going camping. We all bonded forever.

xo

Bear facts

In July 2004, me, my wife, and sister, and her husband decided to take a camping trip in North East Georgia.



We got lost on an old dirt road miles from the nearest city. Rounding a bend i suddenly had to slam on the brakes.

There in the middle of the road was a large man standing in the middle of the road fist fighting with a huge grizzly bear. We all watched in shock.
I have never seen anything like that, after about 30 seconds they both wandered off in separate directions.

True story...