Red Rock Canyon State Park

Two hours from from Los Angeles, at the bottom of the Sierra Nevada, lies a little state park right out of a western. You’ll feel like Clint Eastwood walking among its red, pink, and white rocks. And you wouldn’t be far off—a ton of westerns have been filmed here including the TV series Rawhide, starring Mr. Eastwood. Fans of the author Michael Crichton might recognize the area from The Andromeda Strain (1971), Westworld (1973), or Jurassic Park (1993). For those born after 1993, Beyoncé and the rest of Destiny’s Child made the video for their song "Cater 2 U" here in 2005.

Of course, there is more to see than Hollywood. You might spot roadrunners, hawks, lizards, or tortoises among the park’s Joshua tree-studded trails. After a wet winter, the desert will be in full bloom, creating a striking contrast with the park’s geologic features.

The star gazing at Ricardo Campground is heavenly thanks the lack of light pollution. The China Lake Astronomical Society holds frequent star parties and you’ll often see telescopes set up around the campground.