Castle Rock State Park, CA

Kids enjoyed hiking at Castle Rock because of its rocky trails.They loved the adventures and challenges climbing over these rocks and on steep hills.

At the ridge, the view is quite breathtaking as you can peek the Santa Cruz mountain rigde lines and the distant glimps of the ocean. 

Some days you will find rock climbers on Goat Rock.Below the photo is taken at the lookout of the waterfall right below the sheer cliff of this lookout. Beware of the height...

Mission Peak in Fremont, CA

Mission Peak is a wonderful trail for those who want a good hiking workout. Beautiful and breathtaking views at the top.  Takes about 2-3 hours for the 6 mile roundtrip hike.  Hot in the summer.  

Windy at times at the summit.

Rancho San Antonio, Los Altos, CA

My favorite local hiking spot!  Lots of trails of different length and intensity. One that I hike the most is the PG&E trail. It's a simple straight 4 mile climbup, making it a 8 mile roundtrip hike in about 2-3 hours.  You can also do a loop hike via PG&E trail andWildcat Trails.  Shorter hikes are also available throughout the park.

Antelope Canyon(Slot Canyon) Hike in Page, Arizona, June 17, 2013

We were so awe struck with this amazing slot canyon in the Navajo Desert.  There was not an inch in the tiny canyon not worth a photo shoot.  The light that shines down around noon through little pockets of rocks was stunning.  It was definitely one of those places to visit at least once in a lifetime!!

We arrived inside around 1:15pm, so the light from the sun was slanted a little bit.  

This was quite a phenomenal sight of the dust and light inside the slot canyon. 

My daughter catching the 'light'!

One downside about a famous place like this one is the crowd.  

The famous candlestick slot.

Hiking the Narrows (Riverwalk) in Zion National Park June, 18, 2013

This is by far one of my favorite hikes of all time.  It is pure fun!! On this amazing canyon hike along the narrow walls, you don't need hiking shoes, just a pair of good water sandals or shoes and good senses.  Simply majestic and beautiful!! We spent about 75% of the time hiking in below the knee depth water. The rest on the riverbank or big boulders.  There were parts with waist deep water that many little kids enjoyed.  You could hike in as far as you like before turning around. We hiked in about 2 miles (about 2-3 hours roundtrip).  My 2 older kids and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience!! Water was cold, but very soothing in the middle of summer.

Grand Canyon Hike on June 16, 2013

Hiking down the canyon away from the crowd gives you a chance to enjoy being inside the canyon for just a bit.

We got really good views of the rocks below the rim.

own. 

breathtaking views

While my older 2 kids really enjoyed the descent, my youngest at 6 years old was more adamant about the wind blowing with no rails on the ledge of the rim along the trail.  She turned around about 1/4 way down. 

This was at the Ooh-La-La Pt of one of the trails (name to be searched later)

My hat was flown away and down the canyon.  Someone offered to get it for me for $100...Not!

This 1.5 mile hike below the rim was strenuous at times inthe summer heat.  However, we all agreed that it was quite worth it!!