This week’s Glorious Getaway takes us to Marshall, California and Nick’s Cove and Cottages nestled along Tomales Bay, 50-miles north of San Francisco. We love the cozy, rustic vibe of the place, a local institution for over 80-years. The charming cottages here include amenities like wood burning stoves and private decks over the water, and many of the rooms are pet-friendly, too. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of Nick’s new Kayak Adventure package, which includes a three-hour kayaking tour of the Bay, overnight accommodations for two, and BBQ oysters at the property’s fantastic restaurant for $675. Wine fans should also investigate the restaurant’s Vinters’ Dinners, which take place on the first Thursday of every month. July’s event features dishes like wild boar sugo with rosemary polenta and heirloom tomato salsa paired with selections from Healdsburg’s Thumbprint Cellars (upcoming dinners will feature Russian River’s Halleck Vineyard, and Freemark Abbey and Patz & Hall from Napa Valley). Each pairing menu is $89 and reservations can be made by calling 415-663-1033.

all photos via Nick’s Cove & Cottages

Zion Canyon from the top of Angel's Landing

Where: Zion National Park in Southern Utah

Why: While Angel’s Landing is among the more harrowing hikes in the National Park system, the incredible view from the top makes the 5-mile trip along the steep, winding path well worth it for any nature lover.

How: Hikers begin with a free shuttle ride to the park’s Grotto stop, where you can fill up on water before crossing the bridge over the Virgin River at the trail’s base. From there it’s a two-hour trip to Scout Lookout at the top of the 1,488-foot rock formation. There’s plenty to take in along the way, particularly for birding enthusiasts who can expect to spot winged creatures like the black-chinned hummingbird, turkey vulture, and California condor.

The first few miles of the trail are well-groomed, with shady spots like Refrigerator Canyon offering breaks from the heat before hikers reach the last half mile, one of the toughest parts of the trek thanks to 21 pinball-like switchbacks known collectively as Walter’s Wiggles. Reaching the very top with the help of anchored support chains, visitors are rewarded with spectacular views of Zion Canyon that American geologist Clarence Dutton aptly described as, “…a scene never to be forgotten. In coming time it will, I believe, take rank with a very small number of spectacles each of which will, in its own way, be regarded as the most exquisite of its kind which the world discloses.”

More: Get an even better sense of what’s in store with Zion National Park’s Angel’s Landing eHike, featuring photos, videos, and more facts about the trail.

Nature lovers looking to channel their inner cowboy will be thrilled to discover Montana’s Ranch at Rock Creek, a working cattle ranch comprised of over 6,600 acres nestled at the base of the John Long Mountains that offers visitors a chance to experience some of the prettiest, wildest wilderness in the United States. Guests can spend their days here horseback riding across fields of wildflowers, hiking the surrounding hills, or mountain biking the forest trails. The ranch also offers Western sports like clay shooting and archery, and even pistol shooting at the nearby Rod & Gun Club.

There are a range of accommodation options to choose from—opt for “glamping” in a canvas tent along the Creek, or take a room at the main Granite Lodge, or settle into one of the property’s twelve log cabins. Fly fishing fans should check into Trapper Cabin, which offers secluded fishing right outside its front door thanks so its position beside the river. Evenings see guests gather at the Silver Dollar Saloon for cocktails and games before dinner at the lodge, with dishes like Montana-raised beef and lamb, paired with local, seasonal produce prepared by executive chef Josh Drage. Families can take advantage of the property’s Little Grizzlies Club, which takes kids on outdoorsy excursions like tadpole collecting or a visit to the ranch’s horse barn, while parents will enjoy a trip to the Granite Spa for rejuvenating treatments like the Rock Creek Stone Massage.

all photos via The Ranch at Rock Creek

Today we’re looking west toward Utah and the Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa in Moab. What a serene, gorgeous setting it has along the Colorado River, surrounded by towering red rock formations and a dry, desert landscape (you may recognize the scenery from films like Rio Grande, Thelma and Louise, and 127 Hours).

Sporty types will find themselves right at home, with year-round adventures like trail hiking, mountain biking, ATVing, and horseback riding right outside of the resort’s front door, and Canyonlands and Arches National Parks are only a short drive away. And, good news for animal lovers: the resort is pet friendly, and is one of the few of the country to offer outside boarding of guests’ horses.

After a day of activity, hit the spa for rejuvenating treatments with regionally-appropriate names like the “Desert Rain Soak” in a tub of wild sages and lavender, followed by a 50-minute massage. We’d end the day with a late afternoon dip in the pool, followed by a dinner of locally-sourced fare like the Cherry-Pasilla Rubbed Buffalo filet and a glass of wine at the resort’s River Grill Restaurant.

The Grand Canyon. Photo by Tobias Alt

I write a lot about the National Parks on this site. One of the reasons I started blogging about the U.S. is to encourage travelers to get excited about the beautiful destinations right in their own backyard. I’m always surprised by how few National Parks the people I meet have visited—they are the country’s most incredible places, and thanks to the size of the U.S., they are wildly diverse. I got to see many of them myself as kid during summer road trips with my family. I have a vivid memory of looking out over the Grand Canyon with my parents and brother, and feeling a true sense of awe for the first time in my life. It’s a trip I recommend every family take and there’s no better time for it. This Saturday marks the beginning of National Park Week, when over 100 parks that usually charge admission will be free to visitors. To help plan your trip, check out Mapquest’s brand new guides to the parks with photos, video, and all the info you’ll need to get started. And, if you like the handiness of mobile technology, check out Chimani’s national park apps, which they’re giving away free downloads of this week.

Here are a few pictures of some of my favorite parks (and here’s a link to the complete list of parks). What are some of your favorites?

Leigh Lake in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming

Joshua Tree National Park in California. Photo by Jarek Tuszynski

Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. Photo by Jonathan Zander

Mount Rushmore in South Dakota

Loving the new ad for Nike by filmmaker Casey Neistat. Neistat was given a budget to create a movie to promote Nike’s FuelBand, the slogan of which is “make it count”. Rather than spending the dough on a traditionally scripted commercial, Neistat took the message to heart and (unbeknownst to Nike) used the money to instead travel the world with his friend for 10 days, visiting 13 countries and filming their adventures along the way. The journey, edited to include some uplifting quotes from the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Albert Einstein, is one inspiring travel video that I’m sure left even the execs at Nike smiling in the end.

Looking ahead to summer and planning trips with friends, I recently came across the Natural Retreats South Fork Lodge in Swan Valley, Idaho. The rustic-chic retreat is perched along the Snake River, which happens to be one of the best spots in the country for fly fishing, and they’ve just launched a new catch-and-release Ladies Fly Fishing School that sounds right up any nature loving girl’s alley. The week long program includes instruction in all things fishing related, as well as other activities like cooking classes, wild-flower hikes, a wildlife and landscape photography lesson, and a leisurely morning float down the river followed by a champagne brunch. Guests can a day trip over the state border to Wyoming and to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, then arrive back at the lodge for cocktails and dinner on the patio overlooking the river. And, should you want even more time in the outdoors, South Fork also offers a guided overnight camp nestled in the cottonwoods and aspen trees along the river. The school starts at $3,250 per person for six nights, and includes all meals, guiding, permits, shuttles, and more.

photo by Jon Sullivan

What: An unforgettable journey through the belly of the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world

Why: The rush of rafting through whitewater, majestic limestone cliffs, cactus gardens, visits to Native American ruins, canyon hikes.

How: Since 1969, rafting outfit O.A.R.S. has been operating guided, non-motorized trips down the Colorado River. Guests can choose from two types of vessels: an inflatable raft which offers a bit more give over rapids and travels more quickly through the water, or hard-hulled dories, which make for a more up-and-down experience through whitewater and go at a more leisurely pace through the canyon. Trips range in length from 4 days to 18-19 days, but on each visitors can expect to spend 3-5 hours aboard the boat, and the rest of the time hiking around the canyon, eating, or hanging out at camp. For first timers, we like the 5 day Whitmore Wash to Lake Mead trip, which also includes an afternoon of horseback riding, ATVing, of hiking at Bar 10 Ranch and a scenic helicopter ride into the Canyon.

all photos via O.A.R.S.

One of the most unique places I’ve ever come across has to be Dunton Hot Springs, a restored ghost town nestled in the San Juan Mountains of the Colorado Rockies. Comprised of twelve cabins, many of which were hand built by the miners who occupied Dunton in the 19th century, each room has its own, distinct character—I particularly love the Store cabin (above, below) with a private soaking tub in the back.

Guests here have plenty in the way of outdoor activities to keep themselves busy, including skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, trail hiking, mountain biking, and fly fishing. Downtime can be had the property’s restored bathhouse, with treatments like a hot river rock massage followed by a dip in the thermal hot springs. A stay here is all-inclusive, with locally-sourced fare served alongside varietals from Dunton’s winery Sutcliffe Vineyards at the rustic Saloon & Dance Hall at the center of the property.

Have a special occasion coming up? The entire town can be rented out to accommodate up to 44 people. How much fun would a destination wedding or family reunion here be?

Back of Store Cabin

Interior of Major Ross Cabin

Saloon & Dance Hall

Dolores Cabin

Oahu’s North Shore as seen in Blue Crush

photo by Veronica Carmona via Brides.com

The great outdoors of Montana as seen in A River Runs Through It

photo courtesy of Triple Creek Ranch via Brides.com

The bustling streets of New York City as seen in When Harry Met Sally…

photo courtesy of the St. Regis via Brides.com

If you could travel through any movie, what would it be?