Yosemite National Park, California
Deep in the heart of the Sierra Nevada, lies Yosemite, the crown jewel of California's National Park system. Yes, there are crowds and cars and shops, but, if you are willing to explore on foot, there is the silence and grace of nature awaiting you. I always feel I can eventually outhike the crowds, who mostly linger at the most accessible of places. But even in the valley, you can find places of peace and serenity. It's a big enough area to find whatever niche you're desiring. Yosemite is inspiring at almost every turn in the trail or road.
And soon, the spring will bring blossoms and new growth and the rush of waterfalls, filled with melting snows from the high country. If you've never seen it in spring and early summer, you really must.
