Mission San Luis Rey in California

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is the largest of the Spanish missions in California. It is located near Oceanside, California, north of San Diego. – photos by Joe Alexander
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is the largest of the Spanish missions in California. It is located near Oceanside, California, north of San Diego. – photo by Joe Alexander
Official website: Mission San Luis Rey

Website: California Missions Foundation

Mission San Diego de Alcala

Mission San Diego de Alcala was founded in 1769 and is the oldest and southernmost of the historic Spanish missions in California. – photo by Joe Alexander
Mission San Diego de Alcala was founded in 1769 and is the oldest and southernmost of the historic Spanish missions in California. – photo by Joe Alexander

Official website: Mission San Diego de Alcala

Website: California Missions Foundation

Joshua Tree National Park in California

The Joshua Tree only blooms in the area in and around Joshua Tree National Park in the high desert of California. – photo by Joe Alexander
The Joshua Tree only blooms in the area in and around Joshua Tree National Park in the high desert of California. – photo by Joe Alexander
Official site: Park Service, Joshua Tree National Park

Pershing Square in Los Angeles

Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles, California is the home of concerts, art exhibits and other cultural events. – photo by Joe Alexander
Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles, California is the home of concerts, art exhibits and other cultural events. – photo by Joe Alexander

Santa Monica Beach and Santa Monica Pier

Any trip to Southern California should include a stop at the legendary Santa Monica Pier and the surrounding beach. – photo by Joe Alexander
Any trip to Southern California should include a stop at the legendary Santa Monica Pier and the surrounding beach. – photo by Joe Alexander

The murals of Venice Beach, California

Venice Beach in Southern California has always attracted artists. You can see a lot of their work on local buildings. – photos by Joe Alexander
Venice Beach in Southern California has always attracted artists. You can see a lot of their work on local buildings. – photos by Joe Alexander

Hollywood Boulevard at night

The neon lights of Hollywood Boulevard are as much a part of the glamor of Southern California as the stage lights. – photos by Joe Alexander
The neon lights of Hollywood Boulevard are as much a part of the glamor of Southern California as the stage lights. – photos by Joe Alexander

Mission San Juan Capistrano in California

Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776 by Spanish Catholic missionaries and is in present day Orange County in Southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego. – photo by Joe Alexander
Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776 by Spanish Catholic missionaries and is in present day Orange County in Southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego. – photo by Joe Alexander
Official site: Mission San Juan Capistrano

Website: California Missions Foundation