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I’ve lived in a number of towns in California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco, and have been fortunate enough to travel all over the state.

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From the ocean views and green, rolling hills of Big Sur to the arid, otherworldly terrain of Death Valley National Park, I never ran out of places that I wanted to see and explore.

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But with so much to offer, how do you choose where to go and what to see? In this story, I share my favorite places to visit in California for those who want to get outside and explore the Golden State.

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Point Reyes National Seashore

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Humboldt Redwoods State Park

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Lassen Volcanic National Park

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Lava Beds National Monument

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Big Sur

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