Window on the West
Desolation Wilderness, CA
Fourth of July, Upper Echo Lake, Desolation Wilderness, evening canoe. Couldn't have been more quiet. — Brian Whyte
See another view next.
Desolation Wilderness, CA
View from the canoe at the end of a great weekend at Upper Echo Lake. Amazing reflections. — Bryan Whyte
Kona, HI
My husband and I hiked a few miles over a huge lava field just south of Kona to find this wonderful secluded beach.
This little sunbathing sea turtle seemed as curious about us as we were fascinated by him! — Heidi Pomeroy
Porteau Cove, BC
This is during a Camp-N-Scuba Dive trip with Emerald Sea Dive Club of Edmonds, WA.
We were all sitting around the camp fire in the evening at Porteau Cove between Horseshoe Bay and Squamish BC. A Wonderful treat on top of a few good days of diving, food and friends. — Emery Stacy
Lahaina Harbor, Maui, HI
Snapped on a sunset dinner cruise offered through the Pacific Whale Foundation. Amazing sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. — Juliana Bilibin
More: Insider's guide to Maui
Papohaku Beach, Molokai
Our footprints on Papohaku Beach, Moloka'i, on our honeymoon in August 2006. — Amber Gregory
Antelope Canyon, AZ
The canyon, like a giant camera, allows light in. It feels warm. — Chris Zukowski
Dunes near Hurricane, UT
It wasn't easy walking on the dunes. It is like you are treading across the moon. In fact, with the barren but awe-inspiring scenery you might mistake the place for another planet. — Chris Zukowski
Baker Lake, WA
Baker Lake, WA, with Mount Baker in the background. Taken September 2008. — Laura Hathapriceameyer
Bryce National Park, UT
Bryce Canyon National Park: View from Queens Garden and Navajo Trail loop. — David Millican
Manzanita, OR
"Neahkahnie Moon": Moonrise from Neahkahnie Mountain overlook along US 101 near Manzanita, OR. — Ray Wyatt
Capitol Reef National Park, UT
Sunset on trail above Fruita Campground in Capitol Reef National Park. — David Millican
More: Utah's secret park
Northern California
A carpet of blooms on Table Mountain, near Oroville, CA. — Jayne Locas
More: Great spring trips
Northern California
California poppy on Table Mountain, near Oroville, CA. — Jayne Locas
More: Great spring trips
Northern California
Wildflower hike on Table Mountain, near Oroville, CA. — Jayne Locas
More: Great spring trips
Northern California
Phantom Falls (aka Coal Canyon Falls) on Table Mountain, near Oroville, CA. — Jayne Locas
More: Great spring trips
Redmond, WA
This was taken at my high school reunion banquet. I was seated near French doors at the back of a golf course club house, and a terrific thunder storm was approaching. — Ted Herlinger
San Francisco, CA
Early morning in San Francisco and a walk across the Gold Gate Bridge, just beautiful! — Christine Haman Woods
Cannon Beach, OR
I was standing on the cliff at Ecola State Park near Cannon Beach OR at sunset, and the lights were just coming on. This is one of my favorite photos. — Liz Burnside
More: 3 days in Cannon Beach
Kauai, HI
Our last evening in Kauai, HI. I miss that swing. — Jennifer Bucsis-Styduhar
More: Things to do on Kauai
Highway 50, UT
Almost to Salt Lake City after a solo drive along Hwy 50, the loneliest road in America. This was just outside of Eureka, Utah. — Jeff Hanley
North Lake Tahoe, CA
Sunset at Sand Harbor Beach, North Lake Tahoe. — Lisa O'Hara Hertz
More: Summer at Lake Tahoe
Gig Harbor, WA
This is the view we have from the concert in the park every Tuesday evening! The best part is watching the occasional eagle cruise by. — Inga Fouquette
More: A day in Gig Harbor
Point Lobos, CA
Lovely day on the central coast! Took a hike with my 11-month-old after the morning fog burned off. — Juliana Bilibin
Point Lobos, CA
One of my favorite places: Point Lobos State Natural Preserve on the Monterey Bay in California. This place is magical. — Jan Burroughs
Morro Bay, CA
My wow pic comes from Morro Bay, CA. Jan 2010. We were kayaking in this amazing sunset! — Jean Orantes Klima
Yosemite, CA
A perfect day in Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, June 2009. — Chelsea Sellin
More: Yosemite Park Guide
Huntington Beach, CA
Kite festival at Huntington Beach, CA, March 2010. — Viki Colby Nickels
More: Weekend in Huntington Beach
Northwest Colorado
Flat Tops Wilderness Area near Yampa, CO.
This is Ranger. His middle name is Danger. — Heidi Taylor
More: Pets in the West
Marin County, CA
I loved the flowers springing up on the coastline! — Amber Gallegos
More: Sausalito secrets
Kruzof Island, AK
Iris Meadows, Kruzof Island, in Southeast Alaska. Only reachable by boat. Beautiful place and tons of brown bears.
This was taken while heading to the Forest Service cabin at North Beach. We were on 4-wheelers. — Roz DeRensis
Zion National Park, UT
That's the Virgin River in the foreground with the Watchman in the background. — Marianne Wedell-Wedellsborg
More: Zion National Park Guide
Maui, HI
Makena Beach, Maui on our 25th wedding anniversary in March 2006. — Peggy Jackson Dale
More: Insider's guide to Maui
Crater Lake, OR
Crater Lake National Park, OR, July 2003. — Micaela Torregrosa-Mahoney
Guide: More national parks
Lake Wenatchee, WA
Lake Wenatchee State Park is one of Washington's undiscovered beauties. — Mark Gubrud
Northern California
More: Fall getaway to California’s Eastern Sierra
Skagit Valley, WA
Tulip Festival in Washtington's Skagit Valley. — Tina Tran
More: Skagit Valley day trip
Napa River, CA
A stormy sunset over the Napa River wetlands, California. — Doug DaSilva
More: Napa, the grand tour
Cannon Beach, OR
Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, OR. — Cheryl Koschalk Comsia
More: 48 hours in Cannon Beach
Big Sur coast, CA
Day trip to Big Sur Coast, California. — Theresa Geary Liddell Bridwell
More: California coast escape
Abiquiu, NM
Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM. I think Georgia O'Keefe once lived in this log cabin. — Julie Chai
Wrights Lake, CA
Wrights Lake in the Eldorado National Forest, Southwest of Lake Tahoe. — Suzanne Gladkoff Stephen
Southern Colorado
The Ophir Pass in the San Juan Mountains of Southern Colorado. — Justin Thor Simenson
Explore a 55-Acre Blooming Wonderland
It’s hard not to feel a bit like Alice when strolling through Victoria, B.C.'s Butchart Gardens in April. Turn in any direction and discover towering trees—evergreens, magnolias, and cherry trees raining pink—and green grass studded with Technicolor tulips and tiny narcissus. This century-old classic is also more progressive than you might think: Butchart’s 50-plus gardeners repurpose green waste into compost, recycle as much water as possible, and use organic mulches—even the kids’ carousel has a living roof. $23.50 U.S.; butchartgardens.com
Humboldt State Park, CA
Overlook from the Seven Bridges Trail, Humboldt State Park, CA. — Jaye Finley
Yosemite, CA
Yosemite Falls: A favorite sight in Yosemite National Park. — Janye Locas
More: Your guide to Yosemite
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, CA
A meadow of native plants at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. — Mary Anne Kendall
Northern Oregon
Rhododendrons on US 101, near Hug Point State Park on the North Oregon coast. — Ray Wyatt
More: 3 days in Cannon Beach
Asotin, WA
A Rocky Mountain big horn sheep wandered into my Hells Canyon Kitchen at Heller Bar Lodge on the Snake River of Hells Canyon on July 13, 2010. — Jill Koch
Lassen National Park, CA
Juniper Lake, Lassen National Park. A shot very similar to Sunset's May 2010 magazine cover. — Marc Svenby
More:
Maui, HI
Seven Sacred Pools at Haleakala National Park, Hana, Maui. — Michell Eblin
More: Insider's guide to Maui
La Jolla Shores, CA
La Jolla Shores, just as the sun melted into the sea. Our daughter is making her own footprints in the sand. — Peggy Jackson Dale
Yosemite National Park, CA
Yosemite, above Tuolumne Meadows Lodge. Gorgeous day hike on day off from our volunteer work week in the Valley. — Kathy Montgomery
More: Your guide to Yosemite
Routt National Forest, WY
Routt National Forest, west of Centennial, WY, in the summer of 2009. — Rick Kornegay
Grand Tetons, WY
Reflection of a cloud-capped peak at the Grand Tetons, WY, September 2007. — Viki Colby Nickels
Depoe Bay, OR
Our favorite place, Depoe Bay, early in the morning. This returning charterboat illustrates just how narrow the bay entrance is. Picture taken from the deck of our B&B. — Liz Burnside
More: 10 hideaways by the sea
Avalon, Catalina Island, CA
Our honeymoon cruise to Avalon, on Catalina Island. — Viki Colby Nickels
Sequoia National Park, CA
Amphitheater Lake, Sequoia National Park, CA. — Elizabeth Evans
More: Sequoia Park Guide
