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Taken by Don Debold on Flickr

The Half-Mile Hike To This Lighthouse Will Give You Amazing Views

By uniqueamerica on March 28, 2017 California

The hike to Point Bonita Lighthouse is an amazing adventure. This half-mile trek in the Bay Area winds through the Marin Headlands, a hand-carved tunnel, and crosses a beautifully designed suspension bridge with stunning views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean. It’s a short half-mile trip, though steep in some areas and mostly up-hill on the way back (see Point Bonita Lighthouse Map). But the walk is wonderfully relaxing – you’re surrounded with calming ocean views and blooming wildflowers in the spring. Down in the water below you can also spot wildlife, like harbor seals. The…

Photo by Joe Mabel on Wikipedia

10 Unique Towns In Washington That Most People Have Never Heard Of

By uniqueamerica on March 25, 2017 Washington

Everyone always imagines Seattle when they think of Washington, but it’s the smaller towns that really make up the heart of this Pacific Northwest state. The quiet coastal cities, cozy mountain towns and charming communities on our islands all have a lot to offer as well but somehow they just don’t get as much recognition. These are just ten of our many small unique towns that are vastly underrated. 1. Winthrop Winthrop was restored back in the ’70s as a Wild West town along the North Cascades Highway. You can stroll along old-timey storefronts here and grab a drink from…

Taken by Rick Obst on Flickr

10 Unique Towns In Oregon That Most People Have Never Heard Of

By uniqueamerica on March 24, 2017 Oregon

Everyone always imagines Portland when they think of Oregon but it’s the smaller towns that really make up the heart of this Pacific Northwest state. The quiet seaside villages, cozy mountain towns and charming communities of Willamette Valley all have a lot to offer as well but somehow they just don’t get as much recognition. These are just ten of our many unique small towns that are vastly underrated. 1. McMinnville If you’re going to visit anywhere in Oregon’s beautiful wine country, McMinnville should be it. Their historic downtown is charming to wander, with streets lined by maple trees, farm-to-table…

Photo by Ming-yen Hsu on Flickr

10 Unique Towns In California That Most People Have Never Heard Of

By uniqueamerica on March 22, 2017 California

Everyone always imagines L.A. and San Francisco when they think of California but it’s the smaller towns that really make up the heart of the Golden State. The quiet seaside villages, cozy mountain towns and charming communities of Napa Valley all have a lot to offer as well but somehow they just don’t get as much recognition. These are just ten of the many small unique towns across the state that are vastly underrated. 1. Ferndale What’s not to love about Ferndale? This quaint little Victorian village has loads of charm only five minutes from the coast, and many well-preserved…

Photo by Jan Zeschsky on Flickr

The Famous Diner Hiding In Small Town Washington

By uniqueamerica on March 22, 2017 Washington

There’s so much to love about Twede’s Cafe in North Bend. First off, it’s been around for ages. The diner, originally established in the 1940s as Thompson’s Cafe, has been through WWII, the Great Depression, new ownership, and by the 90s, was famously used as a filming location for the show Twin Peaks. Not to mention the cafe’s in a prime location – less than ten minutes from Snoqualmie Falls, an hour from Seattle, and in the shadow of Mount Si, with the trailhead just a few miles away. And then there’s the food – with an extensive selection of…

Photo by Flickr/Kirt Edblom

Take This Scenic Side Trip Off The Oregon Coast Highway

By uniqueamerica on March 20, 2017 Oregon

Even if you’ve driven it before, the Oregon Coast Highway will surprise you time and time again with its natural beauty. The route passes by several parks where you can go hiking and camping, sandy beaches where you can stroll by the ocean and through charming small towns where there’s plenty to see and do. But on the central coast, between Depoe Bay and Otter Rock, there’s a short and sweet side trip you take just off the highway known as Otter Crest Loop for even more amazing views. The 4.2-mile detour first branches off Highway 101 south of Depoe…

Photo by John Fowler on Flickr

Now Is The Best Time To Visit These Blooming California Poppy Fields

By uniqueamerica on March 17, 2017 California

California is so dreamy in the spring. The sunny weather is perfect for laying out by the beach, and bright orange poppies – our native state flower – will be starting to bloom. One of the best places to see this gorgeous floral display is Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve just outside of Lancaster, where the fields become filled with a sea of tangerine from March through May. And there’s no better time to visit than now – they recently announced that patches on the eastern end of the park are just beginning to open. The reserve is about two hours north…

Photo by Wikipedia/Abhinaba Basu

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Is Heaven On Earth

By uniqueamerica on March 17, 2017 Washington

Spring is such a lovely time in the Pacific Northwest – especially in Skagit Valley, where fields of vibrant flowers bloom every year at the world-famous Tulip Festival. We’re already excited – it’s only weeks away, and they recently announced the fields are now lined with daffodil flower buds and tulips will be blooming by April. It’s an amazing sight – flowers in all different colors span for miles in every direction. As far as you can see there are rows of blooming pink, red, purple, orange and yellow tulips. It’s not just a paradise to walk around here, but…

Photo by Pete Lamotte on Flickr

This 12-Mile Stretch Of The Oregon Coast Has The Most Amazing Views

By uniqueamerica on March 15, 2017 Oregon

The entire Oregon coast is beautiful, but there’s something especially dreamy about the southern end – where the landscape becomes more rugged with steep cliffs, sea stacks, and forested headlands. A perfect example of this is Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor. This linear park stretches for twelve miles near Brookings, in-between Highway 101 and the Pacific Ocean, with several places to pull-off and walk down to get breathtaking views. Along the road, several lookouts are marked by signs and have pull-off areas where you can park for free and walk down. Some of the key spots include Arch Rock (near…

Photo by Flickr/Mr. Nixter

10 Views In Yosemite National Park That Will Make You Say “Wow”

By uniqueamerica on March 14, 2017 California

Everyone should experience Yosemite National Park at least once in their lifetime. Even as you’re driving into the valley you can get impressive views from the road. The landscapes, granite cliffs and dramatic waterfalls (including many of the tallest cascades in California) – have world-class beauty that is unsurpassed. But don’t just stop by to see the big hitters like Yosemite Falls – make sure to check out all ten of these amazing viewpoints. 1. Tunnel View Yosemite’s most famous viewpoint, Tunnel View, gives you a perfect vista of El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome. It’s located by the…