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6 Most Visited Tourist Attractions in Southern California

Southern California is filled with many tourist attractions. Everyone will be sure to find one that interests them. So make sure and plan a trip to see one or more of them today.

The largest tourist attraction in southern California is Disney Land. Since the park first opened in 1955 it has delighted young and old alike. Children will especially be thrilled when visiting their favorite Disney attractions at this attraction.

For those who are looking for fewer fellow travelers, consider a trip to the Santa Monica Pier. The pier has many street performers so everyone will find something enjoyable to listen to. Make sure and leave time to ride the vintage carousel and the enormous Ferris wheel.

Another grand attraction is the zoos in Orange and San Diego. Both zoos are world class facilities with many unique attractions found no where else. At the San Diego zoo make sure and see the 500 different species of sea life at the Aquarium of the Pacific. At the Orange Zoo make sure and see the barnyard experience where everyone can pet goats, horses, rabbits and more.

Knot’s Berry Farm has delighted visitors since it opened in 1928. The amusement park will delight the kids with their thrilling adventure rides. The adults will love the many musical performances located throughout the park. Everyone will love the water play areas which are perfect for cooling down on a sunny southern California day. At the end of the day, feast on Mrs. Knott’s fried chicken.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles features over 130,000 exhibits divided into permanent and visiting exhibits. Something exciting is always happening at this museum. The museum features many varied exhibits from King Kong’s mechanical hands to the skeleton of a saber-toothed cat.

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre was originally constructed in 1927 for an astronomical $2,000,000 this theater is a great place to catch a Hollywood premiere. Many Hollywood actors and actresses love to frequent this theater so make sure you watch for stars in real life along with the stars on the screen.

The iconic Hollywood sign is a must see for all who visit southern California. Many homeowners of the area are now demanding that the sign which was originally constructed to be in place only six months be removed. Better hurry and see it now before it’s too late.

A visit to southern California is sure to delight everyone. It offers a wide variety of activities. Pick your favorites today and plan your next trip.

Visiting the Batiquitos Lagoon

Batiquitos Lagoon is a coastal wetland and nature reserve in Carlsbad, California. It is overseen by the California Department of Fish and Game but much of the preservation efforts and visitor’s attractions are courtesy of the non-profit organization the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation. From the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Nature Center, programs, and tours through the lagoon are provided by workers and volunteers.

The Batiquitos Lagoon Nature Center is located at 7380 Gabbiano Lane, Carlsbad, CVA 92011. The center is open seven days a week, Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Lagoon is managed as a nature preserve, so visitors are required to leave the plants and animals as undisturbed as humanly possible. Neither bicycles nor horses are allowed at the Lagoon, but dogs are welcome as long as they remain leashed at all times. Trail guides are available at the Nature Center.

The lagoon land area is 610 acres in size, and the lagoon itself is about 55,000 acres. Geographically, it is located 30 miles north of San Diego and directly north of Encinitas in Carlsbad. The public trail at the lagoon has a starting location just east of I-5 and stretches for 2 miles in length. It ends at Gabbiano Lane near the Nature Center. The drainage basin of the lagoon borders Encinitas and San Marcos. The basin is contributed to by San Marcos creek in the east and Encinitas Creek to the south.

The lagoon was first formed by melting glaciers at the end of the ice age some 18,000 years ago. Over the millennia, the rocky shore turned to sand until the sea level became stable about 3,500 years ago. The earliest fossil records at Batiquitos Lagoon date back 8,000 years. Fossils have been located at over 200 prehistoric sites at the lagoon. As California was settled, the lagoon has experienced some changes. The mouth of lagoon became blocked in 1952 and silt filled the area. Restoration efforts restored the lagoon and continue to this day to preserve its natural beauty and the ecosystem that so many plants and animals call home. In 1984, the lagoon was officially annexed as a part of Carlsbad.

The Batiquitos Lagoon is home not only to marsh and wetland plants, but also to upland plants that grow around the rim. Before restoration efforts fully opened the lagoon to the ocean in 1996, only five species of fish could be found there. Today, the waters are home to over 65 species, and the lagoon serves as an important breeding ground. Many types of birds can also be located at the lagoon. These include shorebirds like the stilt, wading birds such as heron and egret, and many species of ducks. In addition, gulls, pelicans, kingfishers, hawks, and many types of land birds can be seen at the lagoon.

Besides the public walks available at Batiquitos Lagoon, group walks are also offered. These guided walks focus on the wildlife and environment of the lagoon. Group walks can be joined without reservations. Fishing is also allowed in one area of the lagoon for those who hold permits.

The Batiquitos Lagoon is one of the great natural wonders of southern California and should not be missed when visiting Carlsbad. For further information, the Batiquitos Lagoon Nature Center can be contacted in writing at P.O. Box 130491, Carlsbad, CA 92013-0491 or by telephone at 760-931-0800.

Top 5 Hiking Trails in Southern California

In Southern California, there is an endless array of mountains, landmarks and valleys to explore. This area of the country has a lot to offer; it is highly popular amongst both the serious and recreational outdoorsman. If you are thinking about heading out to California to do some hiking, read on. Before your hiking trip, follow these packing tips to make sure you have everything you  need. Hiking supplies can be expensive, but if you go online to shop, you might be able to find discounts for travel gear such as goggles, gloves and branded North Face jackets. This article goes over the top five hiking trails in southern California, as follows:

1) The Garnet Peak Trail of Pine Valley is not to be missed. While this trail isn’t exactly seated on the highest point of the Laguna Mountain range, it still offers breathtaking views of the low-laying desert and far-reaching Laguna valley. One of the more common reasons that people have for coming to the Garnet Peak Trail is to watch the setting sun from the summit point. You can even make your way up to the top of the mountain and have the opportunity to see the famous “green flash” on the horizon as the sun dips into the coast.

2) The Backbone Trail is an extensive system of paths that were built for hikers, mountain climbers, snowboarding enthusiasts and bicyclists. It is also one of the most rugged trails in California, with its highest point of elevation at 2,300 feet. For its ruggedness, though, the area makes up for it with its incredible beauty. The Backbone Trail is great fun for everyone, but even if you decide to take it easy and just walk the trails here, don’t be surprised when you come out of the place huffing and puffing.

3) The Holy Jim Falls Trail is nestled in the canyons of the Santa Ana Mountains, and its majestic grandeur is unsurpassed. Out of all its many natural wonders, the trail is most known for its cascading waterfalls and adjacent picnic area on Holy Jim Creek. Many will tell you that getting there is half the fun!

4) The Deep Creek area offers some of the most breathtaking and undeveloped lands you will ever find in southern California. People appreciate the area for its many hot springs that sit in the heart of a canyon. It takes quite a bit of walking to get there, but the journey is well worth making. Hot springs are a rare gem of the wilderness here, as they tend to be rather sparse in California. While most expect the hot springs to be just what they sound like – hot – their waters sit at a very comfortable temperature. If the hot springs in Deep Creek weren’t rare enough, having the opportunity to play and romp in them without being scalded is an even greater miracle.

5) Last, but certainly not least, is Chantry Flats. Chantry Flats is a somewhat obscure set of trails that hiking enthusiasts absolutely love. It is only several miles away from Los Angeles, and it guides hikers through some of the most beautiful points of the Angeles National Forest. It is a very popular summer getaway for residents and tourists alike.

Is it any wonder that families come to spend their summer vacations here? After all, southern California happens to be one of the most beautiful places in the United States. Its easy accessibility and many natural wonders are a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and relax.

History of Captain John A Frazier

Captain John A Frazier is a significant figure in Southern California’s history. After retiring from his position as a sea captain with the United States Navy, he decided to settle with his family in California. He chose a location near Los Angeles now known as Carlsbad, CA and moved onto a government homestead there in 1883.

Soon after settling onto his new land, Captain Frazier drilled several wells to provide water for himself and his family. One of the three wells Captain Frazier drilled provided an interesting development: After delving just 400 feet, Captain Frazier found water. However, this was not regular water. It was actually a mineral water containing many elements rumored to have curative powers. Captain Frazier discovered the healing powers of the water after drinking it for several weeks and finding that much of his rheumatism pain had disappeared. In the past, Captain Frazier had suffered from chronic rheumatism pain, but he found that drinking his mineral water eliminated his symptoms entirely.

Convinced of the water’s miraculous effects, Captain Frazier began to advertise the land’s remarkable water. A small town was formed in the area, which was named Frazier’s Station. Soon, railroad trains began stopping in the village to allow passengers traveling between San Diego and Los Angeles to drink the increasingly famous water. Captain Frazier placed a sign near the railroad station telling travelers to “alight, drink and be happy” before continuing their journeys.

As Captain John A Frazier’s wells grew more attention, it was decided that a chemical analysis should be performed on the water. The results of the study were encouraging; it was found that the water was nearly identical to the water found at a very famous spa in Karlsbad, Bohemia. It is from this connection that the town of Carlsbad got its name.

Soon after the water’s spa-like quality was confirmed, Captain Frazier began the construction of the Carlsbad Mineral Springs Hotel and Spa. The hotel was completed in 1887, boosting tourism and development in the small village. Thus Captain John A Frazier was credited with founding, developing, and naming the town of Carlsbad, California.

Today, Captain Frazier’s statue stands in downtown Carlsbad as a reminder of his influence on the town. The bronze sculpture stands over ten feet tall and weighs over one ton. It took the artist 3,000 hours to complete the statue.

Little is known of Captain John A. Frazier’s life after the establishment of Carlsbad and the Mineral Springs Hotel and Spa. It is likely that he lived the rest of his days in the growing town in a position of prominence. However, while the latter part of his life has been forgotten, his legacy in southern California will be remembered for years to come.