Placerita Canyon, the site of the first discovery of gold in California, in 1842, has a varied landscape, with sandstone and metamorphic formations, streams, chaparral and woodlands. Seasonal changes provide different feels.

The Trona Pinnacles are very unusual geologic formations in the California Desert National Conservation Area. The landscape consists of hundreds of tufa spires jutting out of the dry bed of an immense ancient lake, and is surrounded by stark mountain ranges in the distance. The alien feel of the Trona Pinnacles made it a perfect location for movies like Battlestar Galactica,  Lost in Space, and Planet of the Apes. Recent earthquakes in the area have caused many tufas to crumble and fall so its a place to explore before it disappears.

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area is known for its jagged rock formations, the result of sedimentary layers pushed towards the sky at sharp angles by seismic activity. The area is named after Tiburcio Vasquez, one of California's most notorious bandits, who in 1874 used this rocky maze to hide from law enforcement. This area has also been used for many movies and shows.

The Salton Sea was formed when high spring waters from the Colorado River crashed the irrigation canal gates in 1905, flooding the rift valley called the Salton Trough (more than 200 feet below sea level). This rift valley is a geologically and tectonically complex area easily identifiable from space and serves as a favorite visual reference point for astronauts on the International Space Station.  From the ground, the Salton Sea can feel at times eerily apocalyptic. However, evening lights can turn it into a stirring world of glowing reflections. 

Death Valley possesses an unparalleled geologic record that goes back 1.8 billion years. Wind, water, and plate tectonics are still shaping the land today. The geology of the park is reflected in the incredible variety of landscapes, textures, and colors the park offers, from breathtaking views, to rugged canyons, from monochromatic sand dunes, to joyful spring blooms, from multicolored badlands, to shiny salt flats. The possibilities are endless.

Along the Malibu coast are some spectacular beaches. Of these the best one is El Matador Beach, a total change of pace from the long sandy stretches of Santa Monica and Zuma. The beach does have a thin long stretch of sand, dominated by a steep cliff, but its unusual beauty is due to the many craggy rock formations, with their caves, arches and passages, which offer the opportunity for dramatic angles. The golden hour at El Matador is especially spectacular.