Travel Photography Blog by Nisa Maier and Ulli Maier. » California

Santa Barbara: A Hikers Paradise.

Nisa — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 13:30:45 +0000

This article was written in collaboration with Expedia.com.

The West Coast of the United States is a popular road trip destination among tourists and locals. Driving from South to North (or vice versa) will offer spectacular views, amazing national parks and vibrant cities. From Los Angeles to San Francisco you’ll either drive along the scenic and legendarily Highway 1, or along the faster inland route Highway 101. One of California’s most beautiful cities lies along the way: Santa Barbara.

It’s not for nothing that Santa Barbara is a fancied wedding destination and a popular weekend getaway for towners. There are plenty of reasons: the superb location along the ocean, the beautiful beaches of its surroundings, the European-Mediterranean architecture and of course the hiking trails. Santa Barbara offers some of the best day-hikes in California.

Beach Hikes In Santa Barbara.

A hike along Santa Barbara’s beautiful coastline is a must. Clifftop trails offer breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Harbor seals are a common sight and if you’re lucky, dolphins and even whales can be seen not far from shore. Some of the hikes are along the beach while others are on the top of beachside bluffs. Watch out for high tide through, because some of the beach trails can be inaccessible or your return trip can be cutoff during high tide.

Santa Barbara has some amazing beached along the Central California coastline with a Mediterranean feel.

The Golden State is the perfect getaway spot.

Watching the surfers while walking along the coastline of Santa Barbara can be really relaxing.

Mountain Hikes In Santa Barbara.

Just behind Santa Barbara County lie the beautiful Santa Ynez Mountains. This range forms a stunning green backdrop for the American Riviera as Santa Barbara is often referred to. There are many trails along these mountains, visiting quiet canyons & waterfalls, and several tranquil overlooks with stunning ocean views. Keep an eye out for poison oak and bring plenty of water!

An early morning hike in the mountains of Santa Barbara County is strongly recommended to soak up the atmosphere and to recharge your batteries.

Whether you’re experienced, or prefer shorter walks, Santa Barbara offers hikes for every fitness level.

Adrift: Is A Love Letter To The Fog Of The San Francisco Bay Area.

Nisa — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 18:13:58 +0000

Simon Christen‘s gorgeous time-lapse video Adrift is exactly what I need on a lazy Sunday. If you’ve ever wondered what it might feel like to hover among above the clouds around the San Francisco Bay Area, this video is about the closest you’re going to get.

Extremely calming. Extraordinary. Peaceful. Mysterious. And beautiful.

Autumn In Yosemite National Park.

Nisa — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 09:33:10 +0000

This autumn video by Henry Jun Wah Lee is wonderful and inspiring. It makes you want to go for a walk in the woods and soak up the fresh autumn air and listen to the falling of the leaves. Yes, autumn is a great time. And it’s also a great time to be in Yosemite National Park. The summer crowds are gone, the temperatures cool down, and the leaves change colour…

A Meteor Shower Over Joshua Tree.

Nisa — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 09:03:00 +0000

In the stunning time lapse video “Ascendance“, nature photographer Henry Jun Wah Lee documents the Perseid meteor shower at its peak in August, before a backdrop of Joshua Tree National Park and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. It’s so worth watching the video full screen to appreciate the crisp cinematography and magical details of rainbows, stars, the milky way and more…

Have a great weekend everyone!

Yosemite National Park – Range Of Light.

Nisa — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 10:50:25 +0000

I’ve always wanted to visit Yosemite National Park but unfortunately I never got to it (even when I lived in California for over a year). I know it’s a shame but thanks to Shawn Reeder, I can at least see what Yosemite must be like…

Yosemite National Park, the High Sierra, and the Eastern Sierra are some of the most beautiful places on earth. Ever since Shawn Reeder serendipitously won a trip to Yosemite when he was 18, the beautiful Range of Light has captured his heart and become his home.