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Jennifer Carr

Jennifer Carr is a landscape, nature, and travel photographer and educator in Seattle, WA. She spends much of her time outdoors and is an avid traveler, always with her Sony camera in hand.

Point Lobos is truly a treasure! It gets VERY crowded, so I recommend getting there right when the open. You'll want to hike the coastal trail to see all of the viewpoints and wildlife. Also look for wildflowers along the way.

An easy to find hidden gem of incredible wildflowers. This place is almost too good to be true and is certainly better than I'd imagined.

While there has been a lot of hype surrounding the overcrowding of this area due to Instagram trends, it is still a must see on a drive through Big Sur.

There are very few waterfalls which cascade into the ocean, so a visit to McWay is a treat. This beautiful spot is often crowded and it's challenging to navigate with a tripod, but well worth the effort for a long exposure photo!

I stayed at Asilomar for a conference. It was a beautiful spot to spend a few days. The beaches and trails were lovely, always offering something to see.

This is a beautiful spot to spend the afternoon. A walk along the shoreline allows for a number of views and experiences.

The Pidgeon Point Lighthouse sits perched atop a coastal cliff offering a dramatic landscape view. I highly recommend a stop to see it!

The Dish is Stanford's favorite place to stretch your legs. The trails are crowded and offer nice elevation profile to get in some exercise.

Arastradero is basically a pretty hill to walk in the middle of the Bay Area. While you won't find much in the way of isolation, it's a fun place to stretch your legs. Bring sunscreen and water, there's not much in the way of shade!

This is a great beginner surf break in NorCal. With wide beaches and ample parking, there is lots of room for everyone. Also a beautiful spot to hang out and watch the surfers.

We did this on our bikes for a fun afternoon. The views are lovely, but my favorite was the marina.

We biked the Golden Gate to Sausalito during our first weekend living in the Bay Area. Coming from the flat east coast, the steep hills were a little intimidating, but still very doable! Biking over the bridge is an unique and special experience. We spent the afternoon in Sausalito playing tourist. Be sure to stop for tacos at at the Sausalito Taco Shop!

This trail far exceeded my expectations! With a variety of views and a spectacular walk along the coastal cliffs, this is one of my favorite hikes in NorCal. The wild sweet peas were also a treat along the trail.

Muir Woods is beautiful park, but it is incredibly crowded. The redwood trees are impressive and if you can hike a longer trail, you might be able to get away from the crowds.

This beautiful hike takes you to Heather, Aster, Emerald, and Pear Lakes, each with incredible scenery. The camping is absolutely wonderful, but be prepared for a crowd!

Smith Rock is a treasure in the midst of the beautiful Cascade Range. With incredible scenery and epic rock climbing, Smith Rock offers something for everyone. The hiking trails can be rugged, so be sure to pack enough water!

This is one of my favorite fall hikes. Beautiful colors, flowing water, full of fun! It was much too chilly to jump in the water, but I hope to return one day for a swim.

This is a great hike off Skyline Drive! It's simple and beautiful, with a wonderful waterfall at the end and many small cascades along the way. Well worth the stop!

This was a fun hike along a river to the summit. I loved the cabin and wish for a night to camp there. Our highlight was the migrating butterflies stopping for a drink in the puddles on the trail.

Unfortunately we visited during a dry spell and there was just a trickle of water. But it was still a fun hike in the Virginia mountains! PS- Check out Crabtree Falls Campground and get a site along the river!

This fun hike was my first backpacking trip. We had an amazing time, despite the water source being dry. We were a little thirsty.... so be prepared to carry in your water! Overall, fun backcountry adventure.

We took my parents up to the summit to watch sunrise for their first ever headlamp hike. The trail is straight forward and simple, with beautiful views at the peak.

The dunes at Jockey's Ridge are such a beautiful and wonderful experience for the whole family. Run down to the dunes, fly a kite, or catch a ride through the air.

The old ferry landing is a wonderful, off the beaten path spot to catch a beautiful sunset in Virginia Beach. Bring your bug spray, though!