Seven Small U.S. Cities in the West You Don't Want to Miss
The Western United States is an incredibly diverse section of the country. Its geography includes soaring snowcapped mountains, desert terrain, beautiful beaches, and towering forests. While most of the region's population is concentrated on the Pacific Coast, the entire west embraces an outdoor active lifestyle and people there have a penchant for visiting nearby small cities for relaxation. Some of the small cities that have thrived as destinations in the west include the following seven locations:
ASTORIA, OREGON
For people who live along the eastern seaboard, it is difficult to appreciate the differences between this region and the Pacific Northwest. The rugged coastline of Northern California, Oregon, and Washington extends from San Francisco to Seattle for almost one thousand miles with only two small cities in between: Eureka, California with a population of 27,000 and Coos Bay, Oregon with a population of 16,000. Oregon’s North Coast is one place to experience a taste of the Pacific Northwest. A good place to start is to visit the small city of Astoria, where the mighty Columbia River comes down from the mountains to the east and empties into the Pacific, and then continues to the nearby beach communities.
Astoria’s Historic Importance- Astoria is a significant location in American history. It marks the location where the explorers Lewis and Clark first viewed the Pacific Ocean in 1805 after years of traversing the wilderness. Other explorers had visited the Oregon coast between the late 1500s and 1800, but their futile searches for a Northwest Passage and attempts to claim the region for Spain, England, or the United States had little effect on the Native American coastal tribes living there. The arrival of Lewis and Clark, who built Fort Clatsop near the mouth of the Columbia River in 1805, was different. It created national interest in the northwest coast and the other lands included in the Louisiana Purchase from France. Only six years later, millionaire John Jacob Astor established a trading post in Astoria and in the succeeding decades the city became a regional center for the fishing, timber, fur trading and shipping industries. In 1846, Great Britian ceded control of all areas south of 49th parallel to the United States, and shortly thereafter in 1859 the State of Oregon was established with only a population of about 50,000 people. The strategic location of the town and the treacherous nature of the waters soon led to the establishment of important forts, lighthouses, and Coast Guard installations in the region. Today, the region remains dependent upon the fishing and timber industries but economic activity from tourism and a growing retirement community are also important contributors to local businesses.
THINGS TO DO AROUND ASTORIA
Astoria-Megler Bridge- The waters of the Columbia River are fast moving, and they collide with the waves and currents of the Pacific Ocean. This created difficulties for mariners and the wide mouth of the river necessitated the use of rafts and ferries to cross it. In 1966, the 4.1-mile-long Astoria-Megler Bridge was built making truck, car, and pedestrian traffic possible. The huge bridge rises two hundred feet above the water allowing freighters and other large vessels to pass through to sites upriver. It is an impressive site to see from the riverbank or downtown.
Astoria Riverwalk- The Astoria Riverwalk is a 6.5-mile-long walkway that goes along the banks of the Columbia River. It is a pleasant place to take a stroll and stop to look at landmarks such as the salmon cannery that once produced tons of fish each year and the sea lions who have staked their claim to the area.
Astoria Column- People who like taking in the surroundings may enjoy climbing the 164 steps of the Astoria Column which was constructed on the highest point in the city in 1926. From the top of this column, you can see the ocean, the bay, the river, and the nearby woodlands. Along the way, the walls of the column display murals showing different historic events from the city’s history.
Columbia River Maritime Museum- This modern museum has exhibits which depict the ecology and characteristics of the river along with background on the explorers, industries, and navigators who made use of its power and natural resources. One of the more interesting pieces of history explained at the museum is the World War II battles where a surfaced Japanese submarine and a seaplane fired on Fort Stevens on two occasions in 1942.
Lewis and Clark National Park - This small national park features a reconstruction of the Fort Clatsop winter fort built by Lewis and Clark upon their arrival at the Pacific Ocean near modern Astoria. The exhibits describe the history and struggles of the expedition including their interactions with the native people of the area. Park rangers and local guides provide information and offer demonstrations.
Downtown Shopping - Downtown Astoria is where the commercial activity of the city is located. It features an interesting mix of retail stores and personal services. Many stores are locally owned and offer gifts, home goods, crafts, and books. Other popular venues are museums, theaters, and music stores. Complementing these stores are more than two dozen galleries along with fifteen wellness and salon establishments. Festivals and special events held throughout the year include a crab and wine festival, international film festival, poet’s gathering, lecture series, music events, and a regatta.
Haystack Rock- Astoria is also known as the gateway to the beach communities of the Oregon coast, which are populated by retirees, tourists, and weekenders from Portland. One of the most interesting places to see along the coast is Cannon Beach, located about thirty miles south of Astoria. The town is called Cannon Beach because several cannons from a famous U.S. warship, The Shark, washed up over the years nearby after the vessel sank in 1846. The wide Cannon Beach is a favorite place for locals and visitors to walk. The view is enhanced by Haystack Rock, a 235-foot-high geological marvel that juts out of the sand just a few feet offshore. Haystack Rock is a National Wildlife Refuge so climbing it or collecting anything is prohibited to protect the seabird nests and other marine plants and life there.
BOULDER CITY, NEVADA
Boulder City is a small suburban community in Nevada located about twenty-six miles from Las Vegas with a population of 15,000 residents. While the culture of the two places is quite different, both were affected by President Herbert Hoover’s decision in 1931 authorizing the U.S. Department of Interior to proceed with a massive dam construction project on the Colorado River at the border of the states of Arizona and Nevada. Las Vegas used its legalized gambling status, entertainment offerings, and liberal divorce laws to attract workers and visitors to newly constructed casinos and hotels. Boulder City went in a different direction and today it presents some small-town attractions and outdoor activities for visitors that complement the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas.
BOULDER CITY HISTORY
As people flocked to southeast Nevada seeking work on the dam for the six companies engaged by the government, the Bureau of Reclamation designed a planned community to serve as peaceful residence for the professionals, craftspeople, and laborers needed about eight miles west of the dam location. Initially, Boulder City was like a company mill town where residents had to show identification to enter and were provided with housing, food, and basic goods. It took some time for the city to build schools or hospitals there and to add commercial establishments. However, the slow pace of development in Boulder City allowed it to preserve hundreds of classic 90-year-old buildings and brick homes in the downtown historic district which now provide art, culture, and shopping experiences. The city is easily accessible from Interstate 11 which connects Phoenix and Las Vegas, and Business Route 93 runs right through the middle of the town. Boulder City has also become one of the most prominent green energy communities in the nation because of its hydropower and solar farm resources.
THINGS TO DO AROUND BOULDER CITY
Visit Hoover Dam - The huge concrete Hoover Dam was completed in 1936 and remains a modern engineering marvel. The dam stretches 1244 feet across the Black Canyon and looms 726 feet high above the river. The dam created a state-of-the-art hydroelectric power plant, increased the water supply for the entire southwestern United States, reduced flooding and impounded one of the biggest artificial lakes in the world. Originally called the Boulder Dam and now known as the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, the structure is visited by approximately seven million people each year. From an engineering perspective, the project was an incredible accomplishment, and it was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Industrial World. It operates by diverting water from the reservoir behind the dam into intake towers, and then drops the water more than five hundred feet through pipes to the base of the dam where it turns turbines and generators to produce power. The four billion kilowatt-hours produced by the dam provide electricity for southern California and the City of Los Angeles, as well as Las Vegas, Nevada, and Arizona.
You can visit the dam by starting at the modern visitors center where there are narrated exhibits which provide background information on the history of the dam, its construction, and the way it operates. The center includes several observation decks that offer a 360-degree view of the dam, the Colorado River and Lake Mead. Tours are also available which allow guests to take elevators to see the top of the dam, some of the large generators, the penstocks, and the construction tunnels.
Hike the Railroad Tunnel Trail- Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking or biking to the dam along the railbed of the special railroad that was built to ferry equipment and workers to the construction site in the canyon before the tracks were removed in 1962. This mostly flat route begins near a trailhead parking lot located past the Lake Mead Visitor Center which is reached by taking Business 93 to Lakeshore Road. It then proceeds for 3.7 miles of desert terrain to the Hoover Dam Visitors’ Center. Along the way, you get some excellent views of the deep blue waters of Lake Mead and pass through five 25-foot diameter tunnels. After refreshing yourself at the center’s café, you can then take a tour or walk across the top of the dam yourself.
Recreate and Enjoy Water Activities at Lake Mead- The construction of Hoover Dam created a huge reservoir lake with seven hundred miles of shoreline passing along the deep canyons of the Colorado River. Water sports including skiing, fishing, pontoon boating, houseboats, swimming, and paddleboarding are popular with people visiting the National Recreation Area or the marinas there. There is also a beach and campground on the lake close to Boulder City. Although Boulder Beach is rocky, the visual contrast between the blue lake, towering canyons, and desert environment is unusual to behold. In 2022, the lake’s water level hit an all-time low exposing more of the shoreline and all kinds of unusual debris. Levels have recovered somewhat in the succeeding years but remain significantly below historic norms.
Enjoy the Historic Downtown- The downtown area of Boulder City has become popular because the buildings and businesses there have retained their authenticity and there are few if any chain stores. The shops, galleries and businesses of the downtown present local products. Everything from antiques to vintage goods, quirky souvenirs, and clothes, can be purchased. The historic Boulder Dam Hotel which dates to 1933 includes a small museum about the town and the dam. Restaurants offer homemade standards, and a vintage movie theater prevents movies and other events.
PARK CITY, UTAH
Ever since Mormon settlers founded Salt Lake City in Utah, people have been drawn to the mountains, canyons, and lakes of the Wasatch Range to the east for adventure, relaxation, or a quiet place to live. Some of these settlements were later abandoned but others grew into important communities. No town in the region has reinvented itself so many times and as successfully as Park City. Today, this city of 7500 permanent residents serves as a popular center for cultural, outdoor, and entertainment activities, attracting an estimated four million visitors each year. It is not only a fashionable place for the rich and famous to stay during ski season, but a fun location for families and couples to explore year-round on a day trip from nearby Salt Lake City or as a stop on a vacation to Utah.
PARK CITY HISTORY
First settled in the 1860s, Park City began to attract prospectors and business interest after silver, gold, and iron deposits were discovered in the nearby mountains in 1868. Over the next 30 years, a frontier town developed there to service the mining industry and the needs of an estimated 7,000 mostly male residents. The main streets of Historic Park City were filled with saloons, brothels, and rooming houses above ground, while underground mining shafts crisscrossed the entire area. Great wealth was created during this time for mining owners like George Hearst while miners struggled to earn a living in dangerous and unhealthy working conditions.
A devastating fire consumed much of the downtown in 1898, a large part of the city was rebuilt with brick and stone structures. The mining industry struggled during several economic downturns thereafter and the mines finally closed in 1950. After the 1960s, some enterprising businesspeople established ski resorts in the area such as the Treasure Mountain Resort and the Deer Valley Resort which began to attract people from around the region. With dozens of skis slopes, reliable snowfall, and beautiful scenery, Park City emerged as a popular winter vacation spot. This reputation was solidified by the designation of Park City as the venue for several types of skiing, luge, and bobsled competitions during the 2002 Winter Olympic games. Park City was revitalized again in recent decades as a center for culture and entertainment with the success of the annual Sundance Film Festival. Affluent westerners flock there to acquire seasonal condominiums and permanent residences, while young people seek jobs to serve the year-round visitors and housing to enjoy the area’s outdoors lifestyle.
THINGS TO DO IN PARK CITY
Historic Main Street - There are many attractions for visitors in Park City. Most people begin with the Historic Main Street which contains some revitalized buildings from the early 1900s as well as replicas of structures from the frontier town. The street climbs halfway up the mountain and along the way there are shops, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues. There is convenient access to Main Street from the public parking places on Swede Alley located only a block away. In addition, there is a trolley system which runs from the bottom of the street up the hill and then turns around with stops at many of the parking lots.
One unique feature of shopping in Park City is that the community has limited the number of stores permitted from national chains or brands. So, although you can find high-end stores like Gorsuch and Lululemon there, many boutiques and shops on Main Street are locally owned such as a bookstore, a toy store, and a candy shop. Another attraction for shoppers is the stores providing gear and outfits for horseback riding, skiing, hiking, biking, and every other form of outdoor activity. Food outlets include everything from pizza parlors to steakhouses to coffee shops, fine dining establishments, and healthy food choices available at dozens of restaurants along the way.
Sundance Film Festival - The Sundance Film Festival was the brainchild of actor Robert Redford and his Sundance Institute. The internationally respected film festival is now held for ten days every January in the region. It features independent films, documentaries, and low budget productions seeking positive reviews and media attention. During that time, Park City venues like the Egyptian Theater on Main Street are filled with premiere showings of numerous movies or events featuring stars and producers.
Park City Museum - On Main Street it is also worthwhile visiting the compact, interesting, and affordable Park City Museum. Through period displays and interactive exhibits, the museum provides a good overview of the settlement of the region, the mining heritage of the town and its people, and the later development of ski resorts and the movie industry.
Ski Slopes and Winter Wonders - The ski resorts located in and around Park City have a national reputation among novices and skilled skiers. The huge Park City Mountain Resort is popular with snowboard and ski enthusiasts. It has more than three hundred trails and dozens of lifts including one which starts right at the bottom of Main Street. Other popular winter activities include taking a sleigh ride or enjoying a heated outdoor sauna with friends and family. Snowfall begins as early as October and ski season continues through April.
Summer Outdoor Activities - Park City can be enjoyed year-round. During the summer months, the 7000-foot elevation makes it an attractive day trip. People can explore dozens of hiking and biking trails that begin near the main roads in town and head out in all directions across the mountains and canyons. You can follow well mapped trails such as the twenty-six mile long and relatively flat Union Pacific Rail Trail or test yourself on more strenuous ascents such as the Wasatch Crest Trail. Local ski resorts and other operators also offer excursions for fly fishing, river rafting and tubing, or riding down the mountain in Alpine coaster.
Utah Olympic Park - As you head into Park City along Route 224, the first sites you see on the hillside are the ski jumps and other facilities of the Utah Olympic Park which are left over from the 2002 Winter Games. There is an interesting museum there, but visitors can also take a summer ride on a modified bobsled with an expert on the Olympic track, ride a zip line, watch the Flying Ace Freestyle Allstars soar through the air into a splash pool, or go tubing down a portion of the ski run.
SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA
One of California's special places is the small city of San Clemente located just south of Los Angeles and north of San Diego. One minute you can be stuck in traffic on Interstate 5 heading out of Orange County, but just minutes later after driving down out of the mountains and passing through a picturesque downtown, you look out on the San Clemente Pier and the Pacific Ocean. Instantly, you want to relax in a cafe or take a walk on the pier or along the shoreline to feel the cool breeze. There are many reasons to include a day trip or short stay in San Clemente when traveling to Southern California.
Brief History of San Clemente
Some areas around San Clemente were inhabited by small settlements of Native American peoples prior to the arrival of Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino at San Clemente Island in 1602. Although a Spanish mission was founded in the area around 1776, the present- city emerged from land under Mexican and United States control developed in the 19th century as part of a privately owned ranch called Rancho Boca de la Playa.
In the 1920s, a Seattle-based real estate developer named Ole Hanson conceived the idea of creating one of the nation's first planned communities there in the hills overlooking the San Clemente coastline. His vision was to create a Mediterranean style resort community with Spanish haciendas on a 2000-acre tract overlooking five miles of California beaches. Hanson's vision was partially realized when hundreds of homes were built there prior to the Great Depression. The impact of the economic calamity on the city was severe and lasted decades. However, by the 1960s, the city’s charming historic residences combined with excellent surfing conditions and the opening of many quaint shops and restaurants led to a renaissance among vacationers, retirees, and people seeking a relaxing lifestyle.
Several unique factors enabled the city to preserve its unique housing and culture. One was the town's ability to avoid the construction of high-rise condominiums, hotels, and apartments along the shoreline. Another was the construction of the original Pier in 1928, and dedication of large areas of the shoreline as public beaches, walkways, and trails that made it accessible to residents and day trippers. A third factor was the cache the area received when President Nixon restored one mansion into his Western White House during the years of his presidency and held meetings with world leaders at the location.
San Clemente has grown from a small town with two thousand residents in 1950 into an affluent community of 64,000 residents. Many people work at the USMC Camp Pendleton base to the south, for medical device companies and retailers located in the area, or for tourism providers. With an average annual temperature of 71° and close to three hundred days of sunshine annually, San Clemente has one of the best climates in the country.
Things to Do in San Clemente
The Pier- The San Clemente Pier can be reached by walking across Avenida Victoria and then going beneath the Amtrak train tracks onto a steel pier and boardwalk that stretches out into the ocean for 1100 feet. Unlike commercial piers with arcades and amusements, the San Clemente Pier has been designed principally for people. It allows them to take in views of the ocean, surfers, and the hillside, go fishing, grab a snack or a meal at The Fisherman restaurant, or just enjoy life together. Originally constructed in 1928 and rebuilt in 1939 and 1983, the pier is maintained by the city with help from a private group of benefactors. The San Clemente Pier shows how communities can find a balance between attracting visitors and providing places residents can still enjoy. There are public amenities across the street from the pier including nice cafes, small shops, restrooms, and a trolley system. The three open air trolleys which are free to city residents run from Memorial Day to Labor Day and stop at designated locations every 15 minutes with connections to the downtown and shopping outlets.
Shopping - Another major attraction in San Clemente are the boutiques that line Avenida del Mar and adjoining streets in the downtown. In addition to clothing stores and gift shops, San Clemente has specialty stores such as Power Plant Records, Beach Town Books, and quality thrift stores with designer fashions. Another popular shopping destination known for its Spanish architecture stores is the Outlets at San Clemente.
Water Activities- San Clemente is all about the ocean as well. The area has a longstanding history as a surfing destination which is on display at the Surfing Heritage and Cultural Center and publicized in three different surfing magazines based in San Clemente. Some of the popular local surfing locations include Trestles, Cottons Point, and Lost Winds. Marine life including dolphins, whales and sharks can also be viewed off Dana Point Coast by taking a boating trip to those nearby waters. Families and casual swimmers enjoy the T Street Beach and the San Clemente State Beach
Land Activities - Enjoying outdoor life is a fundamental part of the experience of San Clemente. Residents and visitors to the community enjoy over twenty acres of beautiful beaches, twenty-five parks, 2.3 miles of coastal trails, 6.8 miles of ridge land trails and several championship golf courses. The San Clemente Beach Trail, the city's most popular pathway, runs from North Beach to the Calafia State Beach. It provides views of the ocean from different locations and can be accessed from multiple parking spots. Designed to accommodate walkers, joggers, dog walkers and cyclists it will help you work up an appetite for stopping at one of the coffee shops, ice cream and gelato shops, and bars located nearby.
Casa Romantica- The 1927, Olay Hanson built a family home in his village by the sea on the hillside above the pier. That historic residence, known as Casa Romantica, has been maintained by the city as a cultural center. It includes scenic spaces that can be rented for cultural and private events, a landscaped garden, and an art gallery with works by local artists. Rain and landslides recently caused damage to a portion of the hillside behind the casa so repairs to stabilize the area have been initiated.
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
The popular southwestern state of New Mexico offers a vibrant lifestyle to visitors that combines elements of Spanish and Native American culture with the traditions of the Old West and a fascinating history. Santa Fe is a small city which features a unique mix of Spanish colonial architecture, adobe dwellings and pueblo buildings, while the surrounding areas are dotted with old mining camps and the remnants of ranches established by the settlers who came into the area in the 19th century on the Santa Fe trail or along railroad lines. Outdoor activities and arts and crafts are popular throughout the region, which contains breathtaking landscapes with canyons, deserts, grasslands, and plateaus. The dominant feature of the northern part of the state is the mountains since the elevation rises to more than 7,200 feet in Santa Fe. You are never more than a block away from a coffee shop or an art gallery with oxygen in either community.
HISTORY
In addition to the geography and cultural diversity of the area, the region also has a fascinating history.
Coronado's Path and the Pecos Historical Park- The longstanding presence of humans in the region is vividly demonstrated by the thousands of ancient petrographs of human figures, symbols and animals dating back several thousand years carved into the mesas west of Albuquerque. More recently, from the 12th to the 16th century, Native American Pueblo people had settlements throughout the area and established a sophisticated culture that included skilled stone masonry and ceramics. One of the most prominent settlements known as the Pecos Pueblo, located southeast of Santa Fe, once housed 2,000 people in more than 700 rooms, and it served as a trading center between the southwest and the plains Indians. Remnants of the pueblo as well as later Spanish missions can be viewed at the Pecos National Historic Park.
The transformative historical event for the region took place in 1540, when Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, the appointed governor of the Spanish province of Nueva Galicia, launched an expedition to investigate the reports of a Franciscan priest that cities of gold were located to the north. Accompanied by three hundred soldiers, 1,000 Mexican Indians and 1,000 head of cattle, Coronado’s explorers spent several years wandering from western Mexico across the southwest all the way to Kansas. They identified many of the natural wonders of the region, including the Grand Canyon, and sometimes brutalized the Pueblo people and Zuni Indians they encountered to force them to turn over non-existent gold treasures. Coronado's failed expedition led to the return of other colonists decades later, including Juan de Onate, who established the city of Santa Fe and the colony of New Mexico in 1598. Several turbulent centuries followed that included a decade-long Native American uprising against the Spanish known as the Pueblo Revolt; the United States’ acquisition of the southwest after the Mexican War; conflict between Anglo settlers and the Apache’s; and range wars. In 1912, stability arrived when New Mexico was finally granted statehood.
THINGS TO SEE IN AND AROUND SANTA FE
Santa Fe Plaza: Santa Fe is one of the most visited small cities in the United States, with a well-deserved reputation for the arts and free-spirited people. It is a great place for window shopping and taking in the views of the snow-topped mountains that surround the town. Much of the town’s cultural activity and tourism is concentrated in the central part of town around the Santa Fe Plaza. The New Mexico Museum of the Arts has four museums there with all kinds of sculptures, paintings, ceramics, textiles, pottery, and cultural relics. American Indian art, Spanish colonial art and folk art are also prominently displayed at various galleries and museums. For history enthusiasts, the New Mexico History Museum, and the Palace of the Governors on the north side of the Plaza effectively display artifacts about the Old West and New Mexico history.
Turquoise Trail: While not as pronounced as the California Gold Rush, New Mexico had a mining boom beginning in the 1870s, when silver and gold was discovered. For decades thereafter, towns like Golden, Cerrillos and Madrid rose and fell in the hills and valleys of northern New Mexico as people scrambled to make a fortune in mining minerals. One way to capture the flavor of those abandoned communities is to drive scenic highway 14 south from Santa Fe towards Albuquerque for an hour or two. In addition to seeing some interesting mountains and forests, this route known as the Turquoise Trail has now become the popular homestead for artists, antique shops, and off-beat small businesses.
Los Alamos: One of the most secret places in American history lies only about an hour away from Santa Fe on top of a plateau. Los Alamos served as the hidden laboratory and home for the thousands of scientists who developed the atomic bomb as part of the Manhattan Project from 1943 to 1945. Defense research continues at the restricted Los Alamos National Laboratory, but visitors can tour the excellent Bradbury Science Museum which presents movies and interactive displays about the Manhattan Project. While some people may be uncomfortable seeing life-sized replicas and pictures of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945 to end World War II, others will be drawn to the letter that Albert Einstein wrote to President Roosevelt in 1941 about the urgent need for the United States to commence research on the potential energy and military applications of the atom before our enemies did.
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA
The southern coastline of California running from Malibu in the north to Newport Beach in the south has been attracting new residents and dreamers since the late 19th century. One community that embodies the creative spirit and cultural diversity of the region is Santa Monica. This independent municipality surrounded on three sides by Los Angeles has experienced considerable change over the years but remains an attractive place for visitors seeking a sample of California lifestyle.
HISTORY
Santa Monica was originally a small settlement controlled by several Mexican American ranchers. After the Gold Rush and the transcontinental railroad brought thousands of people to California during the 19th century, investors like Colonel Robert Baker and Nevada U.S. Senator John P. Jones bought up most of the land and waterfront. They began to sell residential lots in the newly created town of Santa Monica in 1875, and then built rail connections and port facilities in the city with the hope of creating the West Coast’s major shipping port there. While Santa Monica eventually lost out to San Pedro Bay, the beachfront areas and adjoining land attracted people seeking a comfortable place to live or a bungalow by the bay. By the 1920s, numerous hotels and entertainment venues like the Santa Monica Pier and a public bathhouse had been built along with commercial enterprises like Douglas Aircraft, turning the town into one of Los Angeles's most prominent communities.
THINGS TO SEE IN SANTA MONICA
The most popular attraction in Santa Monica is the Santa Monica Pier which was originally constructed in 1909 and repaired and expanded on several occasions thereafter. It can be reached by proceeding down a ramp connected to Ocean Avenue which is the main thoroughfare along the beach. The pier extends almost a half mile out into the Pacific and is popular with both serious and casual fishermen. The Pier holds a small amusement park which includes everything from a roller coaster to a Ferris wheel to a large arcade featuring many old-fashioned games of chance and skill. One of the landmark features of the Pier is a beautiful carousel with finally crafted horses and sleighs which was constructed in 1939 and has been used as backdrop for many Hollywood scenes.
A second feature of Santa Monica is the Third Street Promenade which is a four block long, pedestrian shopping area located close to the beach. There are several hundred retailers in the area including the stylish Santa Monica Place together with renowned dining, entertainment, and movie facilities. Santa Monica also provides easy access along the Pacific Highway to nearby venues in Malibu and coastal Los Angeles.
SEDONA, ARIZONA
Sedona, Arizona is highly regarded as one of the most beautiful places to enjoy the red rock landscapes of the Southwest and is conveniently located halfway between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon. Many people find it to be as special a place to visit as the canyon and the small city attracts over three million visitors annually. Sedona is located at a high elevation, but the desert environment still causes temperatures to rise about 90 degrees regularly from June through the end of September. Those same desert conditions make it cooler at night all year long with some snow in the winter. The best times for sightseeing in Sedona are in the late spring or at the very end of the summer through late October.
THINGS TO DO IN SEDONA
Enjoy the Outdoors- There are all kinds of ways to enjoy the outdoors in Sedona. People who like to hike or horseback ride will find there are many interesting trailheads and experienced guides available in the area to help you explore the desert and hill country around the town. Although Sedona can be an active tourist area with considerable traffic, it only takes a few minutes to leave the city behind so be sure to take proper precautions before heading out on your own.
Jeep Tours- For decades now, local companies have found an exciting way for adults to enjoy the scenery while providing a sense of outdoor adventure to children and teenagers. Covered Jeeps with extended seating for small groups are the vehicle of choice for touring the backcountry, climbing up and down rock formations, and viewing some of the spectacular scenery which the Coconino National Forest and the rest of the region has to offer. There are many capable companies offering tours in and around Sedona. The best known is the Pink Jeep Tours company which was established in 1960. During a more recent trip to the area, we took the opportunity to go out into the wilderness again on a group tour and enjoyed it immensely. There are quite a few different itineraries available. Depending upon your taste, you may want to take in the views from the rim of some of the canyons, explore the watering holes and habitats of desert wildlife, or go far off road deep into the forests and valleys. The tours range between 90 minutes and 3 hours in length and can be personalized to include some hiking as well.
Slide Rock State Park - A great place for kids located about 20 minutes north of Sedona on Route 89A is Slide Rock State Park. While hiking and other camp activities are allowed there, the star attraction is the swimming areas. These include a smoothed-out chute connecting several branches of the stream which creates a natural waterslide of cool mountain water.