While Los Angeles is known for all the glitz and glamour associated with Hollywood, this famous city is also home to a variety of natural attractions that let you experience an idyllic getaway amidst stunning landscapes rich in flora and fauna. One of the best sites for those who love nature and the great outdoors is the Angeles National Forest.
Located within easy reach of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, this picturesque park spans an area of around 650,000 acres and provides visitors with hours of recreational fun and adventure. With a varying terrain that ranges from deserts to forests, the site is the perfect place to visit with the entire family and gives you a chance to appreciate the breathtaking natural beauty of the region.
The Angeles National Forest features over 500 miles of trails for hiking and horse riding as well as those for mountain biking, which are great activities that let you explore this vast area and its awe-inspiring scenery. Horse riding in particular, provides a unique experience and such specialized trails as Castle Canyon, Mount Waterman and Jackson Lake give you a chance to see various parts of the park while on these majestic creatures.
Not to be missed is an opportunity to go boating on Pyramid Lake or Elizabeth Lake. While Elizabeth Lake only permits non-motorized boating, those heading to Pyramid Lake can enjoy such exciting water sport activities as jet skiing and water skiing in certain areas. For a truly memorable visit to Angeles National Forest, you should look to stay overnight and enjoy camping under the night sky. During winter such activities as snowmobiling, downhill skiing and cross-country skiing are available as well.
Those visiting during March have the chance to see such wildflowers as baby blue eyes and golden yarrow. April is a great time to view hollyleaf redberry, silverleaf lotus and sweet alyssum, while May is known to be the time when silvermat lotus and purple nightshade begin to bloom. Mountain lions, Nelson bighorn sheep and bears are among the animals that have found a home here.
Pasadena hotels such as The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena provide the perfect base from which to explore Los Angeles and its many natural attractions. Set amidst the natural splendor of the San Gabriel Mountains, this luxurious Huntington hotel is within easy reach of downtown Los Angeles.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
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