Travel blogger and photographer Kim Leuenberger headed out to California and escaped the tourist crowds by taking the road less-travelled: Highway 49. Starting in the understated capital city of Sacramento, Leuenberger headed south through Madera County and Mariposa County capturing rolling hills, alpine lakes and lush pine forests along the way. She stopped off at Yosemite National Park, a true California gem, explored the stunning Don Pedro Lake by paddleboard, and discovered more crowd-free wonders of the Golden State with her travel companions.
Take a look through her beautiful images and start planning your own road trip along the historic Highway 49, where charming mining towns are surrounded by panoramic vistas of the Sierra Nevada foothills. Truly breathtaking.