bewithabob Loc: Dallas TX

I am a native Californian- and it is a huge state with loads of beautiful natural scenery.

As people have mentioned- Yosemite National Park is magnificent, and the valley is spectacular, but there are also some great spots in the upper Tuolomne Meadows and hikes to Hetch Hetchy or horseback trails that will amaze you. There are great look outs is so many places there, countless.


If you are on the coast, the drive from Carmel south along route 1 is magnificent. But if you are in Northern California, visit the wine country, specifically Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino- the vineyards are beautiful and several wineries there present great photos ops. Again there are so many- I have been there dozens of times and every one is wonderful. There is a hot-air ballooning and gliders yo can take from Napa, as well that present great photos and experiences. Further north, the town of Mendocino on the north coast is fantastic- beautiful shoreline and nice feeling, and friendly.

Further south- spend some time in Santa Barbara 0 the beaches there and the town is quaint- the old missions of California are great historical landmarks and are spread all over the state.

Drive south along the coast through Malibu- The coast line is fantastic

In Los Angeles, there is an amazing horseback trail that is at the foot of the Hollywood sign, that goes over and into the hills. Not many people know about it, but it offers some colorful scenery that you won't normally see in the LA area, and good views over the city.

The Getty Museum in West Los Angeles is fabulous- the grounds are wonderful, as is the architectural marvel of the museum itself and the gardens.

Going further south ( I am skipping a lot) you should visit beautiful Laguna Beach and the tide pools there. There is an artists colony as well, but the scenery along the coast is spectacular some of the most beautiful in California-

Lived in Manhattan Beach for 20 years, I miss it now that I am in Texas!

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Then head north. Once you're out of the smog belt, things get even better. Don't forget to let me know when you are coming to the California State Railroad Museum. I'll meet you there and give you a tour you'll never forget - and it will br FREE!

djrobins

last year my wife and I drove from Seattle Wa. to san Angelo Tx. On the way down, we were going through Montana on I-25, and it took us right by the Little - big - horn battlefield. it's just about a half mile off the freeway. They have a small museum, and a tourist center to help you to learn about the battle. Well worth the time for photos. Also, coming home we went through Arizona. About 30 miles east of Flagstaff, is the meteor crater. It's about 6 miles off the freeway, but again, well worth the time they also have a small museum and tourist center. A fascinating place! hope you enjoy yourselves. Driving around the country is something I have always wanted to do. There's so much to see and do!

art pear Loc: North Dakota

Hit Northern WI along Superior and take the North Shore out of Duluth and then head over to Ely Mn. Then you can cut SW and hit ND, SD and all the Nat Parks to the West. The Badlans of ND are nice and then you can go South to Mt. Rushmore and that area into SD.

azlynn Loc: Arizona

Mid- to southern Az. in June is blisteringly hot... word of caution. Northern Az. will be OK (Slot canyons in Page; Rainbow Bridge on Lake Powell- requires a boat ride, but is spectacular; North Rim of the Grand Canyon)

Robeng Loc: California

Hi Anne,
Check out my website. It should give you some ideas.
Rob

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Having lived in and traveled most of the western States I know the photo ops are almost endless- in 6 weeks you will just scratch the surface. Map your rout in pencil then research what is along the way -a lot of ops are a few miles off the main hwys.
You could spend most of your 6 weeks in California alone.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

How is that possible when the Geniuses on the House Science Committee have declared that Earth is less than 9000 yrs. old?

pigpen

I believe it was Mark Twain: "Before one travels abroad, they should see thier own country." (paraphrazing)

This country IS beautiful!!! After a trip to the Smoky Mountains, we realized that our neck of the woods looks very similiar (western PA). We want to travel so much, it's hard to understand just how nice your local area can be.

drkeene Loc: Florida Gulf Coast

Six weeks sounds like a lot of time, but it isn't - particularly if four people are involved. I suggest you think in terms of two trips, one year after the other: One starting in Santa Fe NM and working up the Rockies to Glacier and Banff (parks). The other would start, say, in Los Angeles and work up to Victoria, Vancouver.

(You might want to consider flying and renting or leasing a van, one way. It will cost, but consider: the transit time to Santa Fe from NC by car might be three days, and back to NC from Glacier National Park might be four days, thus one week will be eaten up just in travel time. Add to that the cost of fuel, rooms, meals and aggravation. The four of you may be tired of each other before you even arrive in Santa Fe!)

The Lonely Planet series of travel guides are excellent for identifying scenic, out of the way, and/or eccentric places. They are also very practical for the cost conscious. For an example, look at the one entitled "Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest". Even here, there is more than enough here to absorb one's interest and energies in six weeks.

Sometimes less is more...

dfchief7

Sedona, AZ without a doubt. Also Monument Valley, UT.

rcurrie Loc: Kingsport, TN

Don't miss the Great Smokey Mountains National Park near the beginning of your trip: Wild flowers, waterfalls, great vistas, log cabins, grist mills, elk and more.

RuthP Loc: Montana

You posted this a couple of days ago and I am just now responding......You are missing out if you skip Glacier National Park in Montana and Bryce Canyon in Utah. Glacier is breathtaking.

Tom H Loc: St. Louis, MO

Glacier NP is wonderful. BUT, the main road across the park may not be open when you go there in May or even in early June. I strongly recommend calling the park's rangers and asking when they hope to get the snow off of the roads and open it up.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

This thread is almost to nine pages, and I haven't seen a suggestion yet I disagree with. I think the OP will be hard pressed to hit all of these locations and get quality pictures. Maybe this should set the stage for annual excursions. I don't see how this can be done, but I personally would sure as heck like to give it a try. I don't know which I'd like more - trying it at top speed on a Harley or carrying my lab with me in a small motorhome (Hmmm, maybe a Harley with a detachable cargo side-car?). Anyway you do it, it will be a blast. Have fun.

(And don't forget my invitation for a railroad museum tour!)