California

A spectacular statue welcomes visitors to the San Diego Zoo.

The power behind the throne: The Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum shows off the power plants that make big industry and modern agriculture possible.

Even in chilly weather and nearly deserted, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk holds the promise of fun at the beach.

Samantha shares some of her fond memories of trips to Mono Hot Springs when she was a child.

A light-hearted visit with a variety of monkeys, a hippo and more.

DrFumblefinger hikes the Tokopah Falls Trail in California's Sequoia National Park.

PHeymont shares a quiet moment with an apparently love-lorn gorilla.

PHeymont spent a good part of a day wandering one of America's top zoos, and found it was for the birds.

In a pocket-sized botanic garden, PHeymont found a riot of obvious and subtle colors and contrasts.

In Northern California's Gold Country PHeymont chances on a most unusual used-car lot.

It its early years, it was the "hard-luck" mission because of its history of floods and earthquakes. Now, one original building remains.

The museum at the site of California's original gold strike works hard at making clear truths behind the legendary images.