In general, things are sorted with the newest items near the tops of albums and galleries.
Sure there might be more to Los Angeles than the birds, but that's all I have for now. The LA area has numerous wetlands that are a welcome winter home for avians of all colors and shapes.
The Channel Islands are a group of 5 islands about 20 miles off the coast of southern California, near Santa Barbara. The islands have a history of various uses, but today are managed by the National Parks, and the Nature Conservancy. They are home to a number of unique animals and plants.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is located in south-central California. Park headquarters are on the western outskirts of Borrego Springs. Spring is the most enjoyable time to visit... Though, each season has its character. You can get everything you need in Borrego Springs - a small, but full-service town.
oshua Tree National Park is located in south-central California, just northeast of Palm Springs. This is a large park, and keep in mind that the north and south halves are quite distinct. If you want to see the trees, visit the north part.
Death Valley is in eastern California, just a bit south too... The nearest major city is Las Vegas, NV. Spring is obviously the most popular time to visit. There's a chance for desert blooms from winter rains, and the temperatures are bearable. Fewer people visit in the scorching heat of summer, when temps can climb into the 120s and beyond... If you visit, carry extra water in your car, and tank-up on gas. While both are available at a couple locations within the park, it's not worth a risk to run out. This is a huge park, if you want to see all the main sights, plan at least a few days. Most of the roads are good, but it'd help to have a high-clearance vehicle if you wanted to visit a couple places. There is also a ton of backcountry to explore, and even mountains climbing to around 9000ft.
Ballarat is just southwest of Death Valley, in east-central California. You might want to read-up on the town before you arrive, as there isn't a whole lot of info at the various sites (not counting the sign, pictured above).
The California Missions are located along the southern and central California coast - though some are a way inland. Different missions have, well, different missions - some are more tourist oriented than others (San Juan Capistrano probably being the most tourist-oriented in southern California).
The Trona Pinnacles are located just southwest of Death Valley, near the town of Trona, CA. The road to the pinnacles is about 5 miles of dirt, but it's in pretty good shape. All services are available in Trona, which is just up the road.
Various points of interest and curiosity in southern California.