A large oak tree with several trunks and many branches is growing from a pile of rocks along the ridge of a hill. The Johnson Ranch Trail passes by this tree in the hills of San Luis Obispo, California. Black and white image emphasizes all the textures of the rocks, grasses, and tangled branches of the oak tree.

A large oak tree with several trunks and many branches is growing from a pile of rocks along the ridge of a hill. The Johnson Ranch Trail passes by this tree in the hills of San Luis Obispo, California. Black and white image emphasizes all the textures of the rocks, grasses, and tangled branches of the oak tree.

Bright, spring green with patches of oak trees cover the hills in Johnson Ranch, San Luis Obispo. There are a few cows out grazing and a road runs along sycamore trees at the base of the valley. Johnson Ranch Trail, San Luis Obispo, California. January 2026

Bright, spring green with patches of oak trees cover the hills in Johnson Ranch, San Luis Obispo. There are a few cows out grazing and a road runs along sycamore trees at the base of the valley. Johnson Ranch Trail, San Luis Obispo, California. January 2026

A long boardwalk is built over a green field that becomes swampy in the rain. This part of the trail runs along a top ridge of the Irish Hills in San Luis Obispo. Looking into the distance, a glimpse of the ocean and sand dunes in Oceano are just below the band of clouds and between the two trees. Above the clouds the sky is blue. This is the Ocean View Trail in the Irish Hills of San Luis Obispo, California.

A long boardwalk is built over a green field that becomes swampy in the rain. This part of the trail runs along a top ridge of the Irish Hills in San Luis Obispo. Looking into the distance, a glimpse of the ocean and sand dunes in Oceano are just below the band of clouds and between the two trees. Above the clouds the sky is blue. This is the Ocean View Trail in the Irish Hills of San Luis Obispo, California.

A black and white photo of the Yaquina Bay bridge from below. It is a concrete arched bridge with art deco embellishments on the piers. Photo by Robert Emond.

A black and white photo of the Yaquina Bay bridge from below. It is a concrete arched bridge with art deco embellishments on the piers. Photo by Robert Emond.

A hiker in the distance can be seen hiking on the trail through tall eucalyptus trees and heading to a bright green grassy hill. This is one of the trails on Cerro San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, California.

A hiker in the distance can be seen hiking on the trail through tall eucalyptus trees and heading to a bright green grassy hill. This is one of the trails on Cerro San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, California.

A large oak tree alongside a hiking trail is illuminated from the side by the early morning light. The tree is on the edge of a hill with rocks around it. Through the tree, the golden hills and other oak trees in the distance have a golden glow to them. Johnson Ranch Trail in the hills of San Luis Obispo, California

A large oak tree alongside a hiking trail is illuminated from the side by the early morning light. The tree is on the edge of a hill with rocks around it. Through the tree, the golden hills and other oak trees in the distance have a golden glow to them. Johnson Ranch Trail in the hills of San Luis Obispo, California

Black and white image of some tall grass plants that are blooming. Their blooms are like long, thin brushes and are white. The sun is backlighting them, so they positively glow against the dark mountains in the background. Between the grass and mountains are rolling hills spotted with oak trees. Johnson Ranch Trail in San Luis Obispo, California. January 2026

Black and white image of some tall grass plants that are blooming. Their blooms are like long, thin brushes and are white. The sun is backlighting them, so they positively glow against the dark mountains in the background. Between the grass and mountains are rolling hills spotted with oak trees. Johnson Ranch Trail in San Luis Obispo, California. January 2026