California (north & south) Points-of-Interest

Information sources: A=AAA Travel Guidebook, AC=AAA Camping Book, H= Highways magazine (Good Sam Club), L=loop tours book (Readers Digest, hardbound), X=Xerox copy, T=1992 Texas travel soft-cover book, NOTE: Key to map-location numbering system: 05=2005 trip 06=2006 trip 07=2007 trip 08 = 2008 trip 09 = 2009 entries 017 and other like 3-digit numbers refer to the map location on the 2005 trip map. NOTE: Info may NOT contain CURRENT phone numbers, prices, times of operation, etc. due to publication dates for info sources. ALWAYS check with the attraction / location / venue for updated info rather than drive to the location and be very disappointed !

CALIFORNIA, Northern 2009

(also see Southern CA)
CA001 329 05 Salt Point State Park (A50) Extends 4 miles along the rugged coastline. Excellent place for camping, picnicking, fishing, skin diving, with marked trails for hiking and horseback riding. CA002 330 05 New Brighton, Seacliff and Sunset, CA (A48) Located between San Francisco and Monterrey, CA. For camping on all state beaches phone Reserve America at 800-444-7275. CA003 331 05 Felton (A53) Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park has picnic areas and campgrounds. CA004 332 05 Big Basin (Redwoods) State Park (A53, A64) Gem site The oldest state park has access via a 9-mile drive and contains 18,000 magnificent acres including campsites. Some trees in park have a diameter of 18 feet and height of 330 feet. Day use fee is $5 per vehicle. Phone Reserve America at 800-444-7275. CA005 333 05 Berkeley (A63) 1. Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker is a company specializing in dark chocolate, using restored vintage machinery from Europe. Guided tours are given Sun.Fri. at 10:30AM & 2:30PM; Sat. at 10:30AM, 2:30 & 3:30PM. Free. Reservations are suggested by calling 510-981-4066. 2. University of California Botanical Garden is a 34-acre complex including a Chinese medicinal herb garden. Admission is $3. Check dates and times of admission. CA006 334 05 Big Sur (A65) Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park covers 821 acres. See groves of redwoods while traversing hiking trails. Camping permitted year-round. Day use fee is $8 per vehicle. CA007 335 05 Crescent City (A68) Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park contains 15 memorable redwood groves within 6,400 acres. Day use fee is $6 per vehicle, and campground reservations can be made through Reserve America at 800-444-7275. CA008 336 05 Danville (A69) Blackhawk Museum displays distinctive automobiles from1894-1971. $8 admission. One-hour guided tours are available Sat. & Sun. at 2PM. CA009 337 05 Fairfield (A74) Jelly Belly Factory Tour showcases the manufacturing of jelly beans. Tours given from 9AM-5PM. Free. CA010 338 05 Fresno (A82 No.CA, A77 So.CA) Forestiere Underground Gardens refer to Southern California section of this document. CA011 339 05 Klamath (A83) Trees of Mystery is a forest of redwoods containing a number of oddly formed trees, some nearly 2,000 years old and 300 feet tall. Theres a museum and the SkyTrail, a six-passenger gondola transporting visitors through the tree canopy. $12. CA012 340 05 Lake Tahoe (A87) 1. Tahoe Queen Cruises depart from Ski Run Marina off US50. Several trips are available on the triple deck paddle-wheeler, Tahoe Queen. The Emerald Bay Cruise is 2.25 hours with sightseeing and lunch. Emerald Bay and Family Fun Cruises are $25 for over 54 years. Tales of Tahoe cruise is $26. Reservations recommended.

California (north & south) Points-of-Interest

2. Zephyr Cove (in nearby Nevada) (A89) has the Ms Dixie II cruise from the Zephyr Cove Resort. Cost = $25 for over 54 yrs. CA013 341 05 Lassen National Forest (A90) Subway Cave is a lava tube that winds 1300 feet through a lava flow that covered the Hat Creek Valley nearly 20,000 years ago. Carry a jacket and reliable flashlight while exploring the self-guided interpretive trail. Free. CA014 342 05 Lassen (Volcanic) National Park (A90) 1. In the southern half of the park gurgling mudpots and roaring fumaroles contribute to the unusual atmosphere. $10 per vehicle. 2. Bumpass Hell Trail (A91) About .5 mi beyond Emerald Lake, leading 1.5 mi. off the main park road at Bumpass Hell, is a large boiling springs along with mudpots, boiling pools, and other types of hydrothermal activity. 3. Summit Lake is 5 mi. NE of Kings Creek Meadows and has two campgrounds. Theyre convenient to fishing, hiking and points of interest. 4. (13-HT) Lassen Peak, site of recent (?) active volcano, hot springs, mud pools, steam vents. CA015 343 05 Lava Beds National Monument (A91) Hiking trails, some as short as .75 mi. in length, lead to caves, pictographs, and petroglyphs, a fire lookout, crater rims, overlooks and battlefield sites. Visitor center has trail brochures. Camping is allowed (check to see if this is in a campground or just out in the woods). Admission is $10 per vehicle. (13-HT) Unusual volcanic formations, cinder cones, lava caves; ancient Indian stone drawings. CA016 344 05 Markleeville (A95) Grover Hot Springs State Park is known for its two pools filled with natural hot springs water. The 700-acre park also offers hiking and mountain biking trails. One pool is kept at 102-104F, while the other is at 75-85F (depending upon the season). $6 per vehicle. CA017 345 05 Monterey Peninsula 1. North of Carmels white sand beaches is an entrance to 17-Mile Drive*, a scenic route from Pacific Grove to Carmel. (Also see Pebble Beach, A105). 2. Gem site Point Lobos State Reserve covers 1,225 acres of land & water along the rugged seacoast. Maps of the 10 miles of well-marked trails along the cliffs are available at the entrance station. $8 per vehicle. (RVJ31) Point Lobos was originally established to protect the gnarly Monterey Cypress trees that grow naturally here and at only one other location on earth across Carmel Bay at Cypress Point. There are 14 miles of trails meandering through the 550 acres above water on this jagged headland. Hikers and walkers can access viewpoints along the cliffs to watch sea otters and sea lions, harbor seals and gray whales. Spur trails enable you to explore tide pools in the many protected coves, and wind through the gnarled cypress groves. Look closely for sea otters wrapped in kelp; Point Lobos and the Monterey Bay area are among the best places to see these cuddly creatures (sea otters). NOTE: You cannot park any vehicles over 20 feet in the Point Lobos parking lots other than weekdays in the off-seasons. Instead park your rig along Hwy 1 at the entrance station and either walk in (theres a nice trail through the forestry parts of the headland, and walk-in entry is FREE), bicycle in, or drive your tow or toad. Parking lots fill early in good weather. Entry is limited to 450 visitors at any one time. Park open 9AM to 1/2 hour after sunset. $8 vehicle entry fee; vehicles with a senior = $4. Several campgrounds lie to the south along the Big Sur coast, with Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, 22 miles south. CA018 346 05 Pebble Beach (A105) 17-Mile Drive* can be entered through several gates off SR1 and SR68. This scenic route is a highlight to a visit of this coastal region. This is a private toll road offering stopping places for viewing. Cost is $8.25 per vehicle. The toll includes a map listing 21 points of interest along the road. CA019 347 05 Oakland (A110) 1. Oakland Museum of California is a complex of terraced gardens and 3 main galleries reflecting the states ecology, history and art. $8 ea. 2. Art galleries, rose gardens, Jack London Square, Lake Merit (a salt lake); nearby: Univ. of California main campus - Berkeley; scenic Diablo State Park. CA020 348 05 Orick (A112) Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is 6 mi. N of US101 and is a coastal redwood park consisting of 40,000 acres, and protects one of the last herds of native Roosevelt elks. Beach access,

California (north & south) Points-of-Interest

guided nature hikes and campfire programs are available JuneLabor Day. Day use is $6 per vehicle. 707-464-1601, ext. 5301. CA021 349 05 Pismo Beach (A115) Pismo Beach State Park has camping and extensive dunes, some for offhighway vehicles and some for people. (RVJ67) The Pismo Beach Classic (June 20-22, 2008) features more than 800 of the coolest cars around, on display in downtown Pismo Beach and the pier. Ph: 866-450-7469, www.thepismobeachclassic.com CA022 350 05 Redding (A117) Shasta Dam is the worlds highest center-overflow spillway. A 30-minute videotape depicts water usage in California is available showing upon request at visitor center. CA023 351 05 Redwood National Park (A118, A119) 1. Coastal Drive affords 8 miles of spectacular coastal scenery. Also, Gold Bluffs Road, and Howland Road. Not suitable for RV or travel trailer travel. 2. There are 54 miles of bicycle trails. 3. Developed campgrounds are within the state parks and along US101 nearby. Reservations recommended in summer phone 800-444-7275 (Reserve America). 4. (13-HT) Magnificent stands of timber, last remaining herd of native Roosevelt Elk. CA024 352 05 Sacramento (A120123) 1. California State History Museum has 4 galleries telling the history of California. $5 admission. 2. The historic paddle-wheeler Spirit of Sacramento departs from the L Street Landing in Old Sacramento. The 110-foot riverboat conducts 1-hour sightseeing tours on the Sacramento River. Dinner, lunch, happy hour, and murder mystery excursions are also available. Sightseeing tour is $10. 800-433-0263. 3. California State Railroad Museum located at Second and I streets is a three-story brick and glass structure housing 21 restored locomotives and train cars. $6. 4. Central Pacific Station is located at Front and J streets, across from the railroad museum, was the first California terminal for the transcontinental railroad. 5. Towe Auto Museum at 2200 Front St. at V Street displays more than 150 vintage automobiles. $7 admission. CA025 353 05 San Andreas (A124) California Cavern at Cave City is 8 mi E on Mountain Ranch Rd, then 2.5 mi. SE on Michel and Cave City Rd. Chambers and passageways contain glittering formations ranging from fragile soda straws on the ceiling to colossal stalagmites rising from the floor. A 6080 minute guided walking tour is available. Walking tour is $12. CA026 354 05 San Francisco (A126A163, including San Francisco vicinity) 1. Golden Gate Bridge (A143) For a great panorama, throw on a jacket, brave the gusty conditions, and hike across the 1.7 mile walkway. Pedestrians are allowed on bridge during daylight hours. Length is 8,981 feet with a main span of 4,200 feet, and towers 746 feet above the water. 2. Golden Gate Park has miles of roads, bridle paths, and foot trails winding through its 1,017 acres. Guided tours are available on Sat. at 11Am and Sunday at 11AM and 2PM. Most tours last 1-2 hours but durations vary dramatically and tours are not restricted to the hours listed. Certain roads are closed to auto traffic in Sundays. Call 415-831-2700 or 415-263-0991 for tour information. 3. Gem site Exploratorium has more than 650 interactive exhibits that invite visitors to touch, hear, feel, and explore the fields of science, mathematics, technology, animal behavior, and human perception. The Tactile Dome is a totally dark geodesic dome with 13 chambers, none of which have right angles. Visitors crawl through by crawling and sliding, using only their sense of touch. Reservations are recommended for the Tactile Dome; call 415-561-0360 or 415-561-0362. Admission is $12 for Exploratorium and $15 for Tactile Dome, which includes admission to Exploratorium. 4. RV parking The only public parking available for RVs is at Candlestick RV Park, south of city off US101. Phone 415-822-2299. More info on A134. Maps on A138-139, A140, 5. Cartoon Art Museum is at 655 Mission St. and focuses on cartoon and animation art. $6.

California (north & south) Points-of-Interest

6. Gem site Chinatown covers 16 blocks bounded by Broadway, Bush, Stockton, and Kearny streets. There are 2-hour and 3-hour walking tours available for a fee All About Chinatown! Charges $25 for 2 hours, $40 for 3-hour lunch tour, and $40 for Wok Wiz tour. Other tours listed on A142. 7. San Francisco Zoo on Sloat Blvd with entrances off Great Hwy and 47th Avenue. Has 1,000 mammals & birds. See A147 for more details. $10 admission. 8. Downtown Walking Tour see A149 for details. Takes about 4 to 6 hours depending upon how fast you walk and how many stops you make. Requires parking of car (ONLY) at pricey parking ramps, though other locations are listed (A149). Details of walking tour are outlined in this section of AAAGuidebook. 9. Guided walking tours are provided by the City Guides Walking Tours, a part of the San Francisco Friends of the Library. They give free 1.5 to 2-hour walking tours of historic Market Street, the Civic Center, North Beach, Chinatown, Golden Gate Bridge, the mission murals, the Palace of Fine Arts, Victorian San Francisco, Pacific Heights mansions and other parts of the city. Phone 415-557-4266 for schedules and information. 10. Bicycling There are 2 bike routes but the first appears hilly, while the second offers a mercifully hill-free stretch. The marked bike route proceeds from the south end of the city north across the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County. The hill-free section is near the Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street, and was created by demolition of the Embarcadero Freeway following the 1989 earthquake. 11. Golden Gate National Recreation Area includes the tour of Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Selfguided trail, guided cellblock tour, slide shows, exhibits, and ranger programs are available. Special 2.5-hour evening cruises feature guided tours and scenic skyline views of San Francisco after dark. Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing. Ferries depart daily at 9:30 and 10:15AM, then every half-hour 10:45AM4:15PM. Guided 90-minute tours begin every half-hour. Evening cruises depart ThursdaySunday; phone for schedule. Rates vary; phone ahead. See A160 and advertisement on A146. Ph: 415-705-5555. 12. Walk / ride UP Russian Hill and DOWN Lombard Street (famous for its incline). 13. (HT) Fishermans Wharf & Embarcadero; Chinatown; The Cannery; Ghirardelli Square; Telegraph Hill & Coit Tower; Civic Center (contains Opera House, Museum of Art, Auditorium); Golden Gate Park (Japanese Tea Garden, Academy of Sciences, arboretum, DeYoung Museum, planetarium, aquarium); Nob Hill and Russian Hill cable cars; Maritime Museum; Palace of Legion of Honor; Cliff House & Seal Rocks; Wells Fargo Museum; Mission Dolores. 14. (HT) Nearby: 49-mile scenic drive, Great America (theme park) in Santa Clara, Marine World / Africa U.S.A. near Vallejo. CA027 355 05 Gem site Muir Woods National Monument (A160) is one of the most beautiful and accessible of the famous redwood groves which 140 million years ago blanketed much of the Northern Hemisphere. Plan to arrive before 10AM or after 3PM during the busy summer months. $3 admission. CA028 356 05 Point Reyes National Seashore (A161162) Located 22 miles north of San Francisco, Point Reyes Natl Seashore has foot and horse trails fan out from the Bear Valley trailhead. Some 35 miles of trails are open to bicyclists, with trail maps available at visitor centers. Point Reyes lies on the scenic stretch of SR1 that extends from Leggett to Sausalito. (13-HT) Recreation area, beaches, lagoons, sea lions, lighthouse. CA029 357 05 San Jose (A166, RVJ44-45) Gem site Winchester Mystery House is a Victorian mansion designed to baffle the evil spirits that haunted Sarah Winchester, eccentric heiress to the Winchester Arms fortune. Mansion has 160 rooms, 2000 doors, 13 bathrooms, 10,000 windows, 47 fireplaces, blind closets, secret passageways, and 40 staircases. The house is so complex that even the owner and servants need maps to find their way. The Mansion Tour includes a 65-minute guided interior tour, a self-guiding tour of the Victorian gardens, entrance to two museums containing Winchester firearms, and a 50-minute behind-the-scenes (video?) on how the estate operated when Winchester was alive. The Estate Tour combines the Mansion tour and Behind-The-Scenes tour. Mansion Tour = $16.95; Behind-The-Scenes tour = $16.95; Estate Tour = $24.95. 408-247-2101 (HT, 13) Egyptian Museum; nearby: Santa Clara Mission, Lick Observatory, Big Basin Redwoods. CA030 358 05 San Simeon (A168) Gem site Hearst Castle consists of 165 rooms in a main house (115 rooms) and three guesthouses, as well as 127 acres of estate. The estate is only open by tour four distinct 1.75-

California (north & south) Points-of-Interest

hour daytime tours and one 2-hour evening tour. Refer to A168 for descriptions of each tour, prices, etc. Reservations are recommended and are made through Reserve America 800-444-4445. CA031 359 05 Scotia (A171) Pacific Lumber Co. offers self-guiding 45-minute tours of their redwood processing plant. See A171 for days & times of tours. CA032 360 05 Sequoia National Forest (A174) Contains 38 groves of giant sequoia trees. Within the national forest are more than 50 campgrounds. For more information call 559-784-1500. CA033 361 05 Sierra National Forest (A175) Has campgrounds, and reservations are suggested for certain popular campgrounds. Call the National Recreation Reservation Service at 877-444-6777. CA034 362 05 Tahoe National Forest (A178-179) Has camping. Reservations for Logger Campground can be made through the US National Forest Service Reservation Center at 877-444-6777. CA035 363 05 Trinidad (A179-180) Patricks Point State Park is noted for agate beach, numerous tidal pools, American Indian village, and spring wildflowers. Camping is permitted. Day use is $6 per vehicle and reservations can be made by calling 707-677-3570 or Reserve America at 800-444-7275. CA036 364 05 Weott (A183) 1. Humboldt Redwoods State Park covers more than 52,000 acres, and is famous for the 362-foot Dyerville Giant Tree until another measured taller. $5 per vehicle. 13-(HT) Center of vast coastal redwood area containing worlds tallest trees. 2. Avenue of the Giants, a 33-mile section of highway paralleling US101 between Phillipsville and Pepperwood. The two-lane road has numerous parking areas, picnic sites, and nature trails that afford a closer look at some of Californias most beautiful redwood groves. CA037 365 05 Wine Country (A184-A205) 1. There are many cities within this section of the AAA Guidebook (on Wine Country). Consult the Guidebook for specifics in addition to those listed below. 2. Petaluma (A200) Marin French Cheese Factory provides tours. Allow 30 minutes. Tours are given daily at 10AM, 11AM, noon, & 3PM. Visitors can see cheese being made Tues-Thurs. Free admission. 800-292-6001. 3. Piercy a. (A200) Campbell Bros. Confusion Hill on US101 is an experience in contradictory optical and physical sensations. In addition to the gravity house, theres an optional 1.25-mile, 30-minute miniature train ride. Admission to gravity house = $5, and train ride is $7. b. (A200) World Famous Tree House is in a 4,000 year-old living tree, 250-feet high, 33-foot diameter, and 101.5-foot circumference. Allow 30 minutes. Free. Ph: 707-925-6406 CA038 366 05 Woodside (A206) Filoll is a 654-acre estate built 1916-19 for Mr. & Mrs. William Bourn. Mansion has 43 rooms and 16 acres of formal gardens. $10 admission. CA039 09 Ferndale (RVJ56) Kinetic Grand Championship (May 24-26, 2008) a 3-day, 40-mile sculpture contest over Memorial Day weekend pits ingeniously engineered, whimsically designed and manually-powered contraptions against roads, dunes, water and each other. Location (2008) Arcata Plaza to Main Street, Ferndale. 707-499-0643, www.kineticuniverse.com CA040 Pinnacles National Monument 13 (HT) Unusual spire-like volcanic formations; numerous caves. CA041 Calaveras Big Trees State Park - 13 (HT) Giant sequoia trees, related to taller coastal redwoods. CA042 Castle Crags State Park 13 (HT) Towering granite rock spires along the Sacramento River. CA043 Columbia Historic State Park 13 (HT) Located north of Sonora; well-preserved buildings of gold rush days; museum. CA044 Eureka 13 (HT) Sport fishing center; Fort Humboldt State Park Historic Park, redwood park. CA045 Fort Ross State Park 13 (HT) 15 miles northwest of Bodega Bay; restored stockade settlement of former Russian hunting and trading outpost. CA046 Glass Mountain 13 (HT) Extensive deposit of black obsidian glass. CA047 McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park 13 (HT) Outstanding multi-layered waterfall. CA048 Santa Rosa 13 (HT) Luther Burbank home & gardens; nearby: Jack London home & historical park.

California (north & south) Points-of-Interest

CA049 Shasta Lake 13 (HT) recreation area; Mt. Shasta (dormant volcano), 602-foot high Shasta Dam, caverns; nearby: gold rush towns of Shasta and Weaverville. CA050 Sonoma 13 (HT) located 10 miles west of Napa; site of most northerly and last California mission; museum, old stone wine cellars.

CALIFORNIA, Southern 2013 (info updated)

(also see Northern CA)
CA200 319 05 New Brighton, Seacliff and Sunset, CA (A48) Located between San Francisco and Monterrey, CA. For camping on all state beaches phone Reserve America at 800-444-7275. CA201 320 05 Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park (A49 So. CA, and A171-174 No. CA) SR198 connects these two national parks and provides a scenic 2-hour drive from the entrance station to Grant Grove. On the mountainside and in the meadows are giant sequoia trees. Throughout both parks are wonderful places to picnic, hike or camp. 13-(HT) Kings Canyon National Park has granite rock gorges, giant sequoia trees, large sugar pines; General Grant Tree. Theres a forest museum in Sequoia NP, and Mt. Whitney is the highest point in California. CA202 321 05 Fresno (A82, A77 So) Forestiere Underground Gardens contains underground rooms, passageways, gardens, patios and courtyards connected by tunnels and lit by skylights. Sicilian immigrant Baldasare Forestiere to 40 years to create this underground retreat by hand. Arches and stonework resemble the catacombs of Rome, Italy. Allow 1.5 hours to tour. Guided tours given Wed.Sun. at 10AM & noon; Sat. & Sun. at noon and 2PM. $9. 559-271-0734. CA203 322 05 Monterey 1. Monterey Peninsula (A152) The Monterey Peninsula Trail is a walking, jogging and biking path that parallels the coastline from Seaside through Monterey to Pacific Grove. 2. Monterey State Historic Park (A156) is a 7-acre site preserving the historic and architectural heritage of old Monterey. Guided 45-minute tours. Stanton Center, in the Maritime Museum on Custom House Plaza, has a theater showing a 14-minute videotape about Monterey history. 3. Pebble Beach (A158) 17-mile drive can be entered through gates off SR1 and SR86. This scenic route is a highlight to a visit of this coastal region. This is a private toll road offering stopping places for viewing. Cost is $8.25 per vehicle. 4. Carmel (A153) Point Lobos State Preserve covers 1,225 acres of land & water along he rugged coast. Maps of the 10 miles of well-marked trails along the cliffs are available at the entrance station. Fee is $8 per vehicle. Sea lions, otters, gray whales, and pelicans can be seen. A museum covers the 19th century whaling industry. 5. Robert Louis Stevensons house, (HT) Presidio, Old Custom House, Fishermans Wharf, 6. Aquarium been here; one of the best aquariums we have ever visited. Shows during the day find divers inside tanks working with fish. Huge schools of sardines, anchovies, jellyfish, etc. are very interesting to watch. This is a must-see attraction. Parking can be a bit hard to find and you MUST feed the parking meters and a time limit requires moving the car one or more times to keep from getting a ticket ! CA204 324 05 Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park (A210) Landscape is studied with the largest trees, the giant sequoia. Many trees are more than 200 feet high. Other interesting trees are sugar pine, ponderosa pine, white fir, red fir, and incense-cedar. Sugar pines are known to grow to 11 feet in diameter. Also see AAA California & Nevada CampBook. CA205 325 05 Sequoia National Forest (A212) 1. Contains more than 50 campgrounds.

California (north & south) Points-of-Interest

2. Boyden Cavern is on E. Kings Canyon Rd. within Sequoia National Forest, and has guided 45-minute tours that wind through underground chambers filled with a variety of interesting formations. Temp is 55F, so wear a sweater or light jacket. Tour = $10 ea. CA206 326 05 Sierra National Forest (A213) located between Kings Canyon and Yosemite national parks. Camping reservations are usually required for June, July & August at Shaver Lake, Huntington Lake, Dinkey Creek, and Bass Lake, and can be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service at 877-444-6777. CA207 327 05 Yosemite National Park (A220) The park is greater both in area and beauty than most people generally realize See A220 for details on location. Ranges sponsor year-round nature walks form a half-hour to 2 hours in length. There is an open-air tram offering a 2-hour tour, and a hiker shuttle to Glacier Point and Tuolumne Meadows. For recorded info on camping, roads, weather, and recreation phone 209-372-0200. (HT, 13) Spectacular scenery; valleys, waterfalls, rock walls and domes, sequoia groves. CA208 367 05 Yosemite National Park (A206-212) 1. map of Yosemite found on A209. 2. Glacier Point is 30 miles from Yosemite Valley. There are bus tours and hiker shuttles in summer. 1.5-mile walk from parking lot leads to 8,122-foot Sentinel Dome. 3. Yosemite Valley is 7 miles long and averages .7 miles wide. Its walls rise to 3,200 feet. See details of other sites on A212. 4. Merced River, CA (RVP.com) This River in Yosemite National Park is a wonderful river to enjoy floating down. Visitors to the Yosemite Valley can spend a few hours of their visit leisurely floating down the river, and stopping to enjoy the wonderful Sentinel Beach. Another wonderful beach travelers can enjoy while floating down the Merced River is Cathedral beach. The river offers cool water, great during the summer months, as well as a relaxing rafting experience. CA209 368 05 Death Valley National Park (A70) 13-(HT) Extensive desert solitude, salt beds, borax deposits; lowest point in No. America; Scottys Castle (BT). CA210 09 Huntington Beach (RVJ76) 4th of July Independence Day Parade said to be the largest Independence Day parade west of the Mississippi. Runs 10AM to 12:30PM, from Pacific Coast Hwy, up Main Street, to the downtown area. 714-374-1535, www.hb4thofjuly.org CA211 13 Devils Postpile National Monument (HT) Symmetrical fence post shaped blue-gray basaltic rock columns. CA212 13 Joshua Tree National Monument (HT) Preserve of unusual Joshua trees, giant yuccas and other desert plants.