1

Ventura County, California

Image: Paul Hanaoka

A place that hosts the annual Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is a sure bet if you are looking for a place that combines mountains and beaches. Mountain hiking and the classic California coastline lie within 26.2 miles of each other. Located northwest of Los Angeles, Ojai sits in a valley, and the village is dotted with art galleries, farmers markets, and high-desert hikes in the nearby Los Padres National Forest.

When the season is right, many trails can be followed through scrubland, sometimes revealing cascading waterfalls along the Rose Valley Falls Trail. But for waves, visitors head downhill to Ventura, a classic coastal town.

2

Westmoreland State Park, Virginia

Image: Alex wolf mx

Westmoreland State Park in Virginia was established in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Covering 1,299 acres, the park offers sweeping vistas of the coastal plain and the Potomac River.

You can hike, boat, swim, camp, or fish in the majestic wilderness. And if you’re looking for an amazing view of the area, you can head to the natural attraction of Horsehead Cliffs, which rests high above the water.

3

Astoria, Oregon

Image: Nils Huenerfuerst

Oregon is likely one of the first states that come to mind when we think of a combination of beach and mountain. The coastal town of Astoria sits at the estuary of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. It is perhaps most famous as the filming location of the 1980s film The Goonies .

The Pacific Northwest’s beaches have a picturesque quality that is hard to find elsewhere. Hiking trails are just outside the backdoor: the Cathedral Tree-Coxcomb Hill Trail, for example, starts at a 300-year-old Sitka spruce and climbs 164 stairs to offer views of the town, the Coastal Range, and the Pacific Ocean.

4

Herring Cove Beach, Massachusetts

Image: Quino Al

Herring Cove Beach is a national seashore located in Cape Cop and it’s recognized as part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. It’s a popular spot among Provincetown locals featuring warm, calm waters flowing from the Atlantic Ocean.

Activities in the area include swimming, walking along the coastal dunes, or exploring the Beech Forest Trail via bike or on foot.

5

Lake Tahoe, California, and Nevada

Image: Tim Peterson

A familiar name and for good reason, Lake Tahoe offers a beautiful shoreline without being anywhere near the coasts. Destinations like Sand Harbor Beach feature wide expanses of sand, freshwater swimming areas, and beach coves dedicated to snorkelers and divers.

This is the largest alpine lake in the U.S., so the pine-studded hills of the Sierra Nevadas practically tumble into the waters. This makes hiking easily accessible. The Rubicon Trail traces the shores of Emerald Bay and features incredible panoramic views, cliffs, coves, waterfalls, and even a lighthouse along the 13-mile round-trip route.

6

Fort Wetherill State Park, Rhode Island

Image: Praswin Prakashan

Located in Rhode Island, Fort Wetherill State Park is known for its historical significance in controlling the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. During the colonial era, a strategic battery was established to control this passage.

Because of its coastal location, the fort was also used during World War II. Nowadays, visitors come to explore this park and its coastal fort, which perches high atop granite cliffs.

7

Chimney Bluffs State Park, New York

Image: Frank Eiffert

Chimney Bluffs State Park is the spot where colossal rocky spires meet calm, collected waters. This park in New York sits along Lake Ontario on the south shore. To get a good view of the stunning chimney peaks and formations, you should hike the Chimney Bluffs Trail. The park is pet friendly too, so you can bring along your furry friends for the ride.

8

Calvert Cliffs State Park, Maryland

Image: Gary Cole

Calvert Cliffs State Park is not only one of the few parks with both mountains and ocean but it also displays a prized collection of 600 prehistoric fossil species. Between 10 and 20 million years ago, the cliffs at the park were submerged under the sea. But as the water receded, erosion and exposure of the cliffs occurred, unveiling massive fossils.

Visitors can walk, lounge at the soft sandy beach, investigate these fascinating fossils, trek near forested treelines, or admire the unusual cliffs that extend along the Calvert Peninsula.

9

Echo Lake State Park, New Hampshire

Image: Aaron Burden

Echo Lake State Park boasts two stunning ledges: White Horse Ledge and Cathedral Ledge, as well as a lake called Echo Lake. Each of these spots features scenic views of the area and top-notch sites for a family picnic. You can swim, walk, or hike the White Horse Ledge Loop Trail, a 3.1-mile loop.

10

Acadia National Park, Maine

Image: Peregrine Photography

Alongside Oregon parks, Acadia National Park is a prime example of a place that combines mountainous and seaside ambiance. Situated along the Atlantic coastline in Maine, it’s no wonder this impressive scenery attracts visitors for all types of recreational experiences, especially during the fall.

Rocky beaches, towering granite peaks such as the famous Cadillac Mountain, and miles and miles of natural treasure troves perfect for hikers are among the many features this park has to offer.

1

Venomous Snakes

Image: Dan LeFebvre

You have heard of the rattlesnake , right? There are 16 members of this family of venomous snakes alone in the United States. That is one dangerous family if you ask me. Aside from those, you can also bump into a coral , a cottonmouth , and a copperhead snake, all in the same country, all venomous too.

Unfortunately, snakebite victims often don’t know a snake has bitten them until it is too late. The best strategy is to not get bitten in the first place but, if you are bitten, you should get to an emergency room as soon as possible. Try not to move the bitten limb as this increases blood flow and spreads the venom faster throughout your body.

2

Black Widow and Recluse Spiders

Image: Lena Taranenko

Lucky for us, out of the 3,000 plus species of spiders that can be found in the United States, only 2 are known to be venomous. Those are the Recluse Spider and the infamous Black Widow .

If not treated in due time, Black Widows and recluse spiders are especially dangerous and even deadly to children, the elderly, and the sick. Luckily, these spiders are mostly rare to encounter. Nonetheless, you should always remain vigilant, particularly when it comes to Black Widows. These dangerous creatures tend to live in closer proximity to humans and their bites are extremely painful and can have long-lasting consequences.

3

Hornets, Bees, and Wasps

Image: Mohsen Bagherzadeh

What is worse than a venomous creature? A venomous creature that flies! Hornets, wasps, and bees kill far more Americans each year than any other animal. Understandably, most of these deaths are due to allergies, but this shouldn’t diminish the risk, as the majority of victims likely did not know they were allergic in the first place.

One of the most dangerous species, killer bees , also known as Africanized Bees, attack in swarms, often with devastating results. Upon any detection of a threat to their hive, an individual can be chased for up to a quarter of a mile. Although the venom from an individual sting is not considered to be particularly potent, simultaneous stings can lead to excess swelling, pain, and potential death if the recipient is allergic to bee stings.

4

Scorpions

Image: Leon Pauleikhoff

One of the most menacing-looking creatures around, the scorpion is an arachnid with a venomous sting. Its weapon of choice is its stinger on the end of its tail, used to inject venom into un-expecting enemies or predators.

Moreover, scorpions are also equipped with pincers, though these cannot cause substantial damage to a human; it is considered to be the case that the smaller the pincers, the stronger the venom, so watch out for miniature claws in the summer. When it comes to particular members of the species, the Arizona Bark Scorpion is the most potent one in the USA and carries a potentially lethal sting.

5

Gila Monster

Image: David Clode

A creature with an epic name if we ever saw one, the Gila Monster is the only venomous lizard in the United States. And, even though they are venomous, Gila Monsters rely more on their powerful crushing jaws to subdue their prey.

If you happen to find a Gila Monster, observe this dangerous animal from a safe distance.

Though it isn’t fatal, the Gila Monster’s bite is excruciatingly painful. These lizards have small, razor-sharp teeth that dig into the skin and inject their venom. The effects can last for hours or days, depending on how much venom someone is exposed to.

6

Colorado River Toad

Image: Jaunathan Gagnon

A toad with a psychedelic reputation, the Colorado River Toad releases a venom that is illegally harvested and used as a hallucinogenic drug, and it is even classified as a controlled substance.

It is also dangerous to most animals and large dogs who accidentally eat them have been known to be paralyzed or even die from the poison. Never handle this toad with your bare hands, and keep your pets away from them as well.

7

Ticks

Image: Adrian Siaril

A nasty little creature, the tick is one of the most dangerous animals in the United States. While ticks sometimes live indoors, they’re most commonly found in grassy or wooded areas with water nearby. They wait on tall grasses for a host to pass, then jump onto the living creature and attach to start feeding.

These insects are considered dangerous because they can spread disease when they pierce the skin. Although there isn’t a hard and fast rule, it’s accepted that the longer a tick is attached, the higher the risk of infection. If you notice a tick on your skin, you should remove it with a tick key, wash the area with soap and water, and contact your doctor.

8

Kissing Bugs

Image: James Wainscoat

Don’t be fooled by their colorful appearance, there is nothing nice about these insects. Kissing Bugs gets its name from the habit of biting near their victims’ mouths. These insects carry a parasite that causes Chagas disease. Although it’s treatable in its early stages, if an infection is left untreated, it can cause a chronic, lifelong illness.

Initial symptoms of this disease include fever, fatigue, body aches, headache, rash, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. One of the easiest ways to prevent Kissing Bug bites is to use mosquito netting and insect repellent while you’re in areas where these insects live. Also, make sure to follow up with a doctor if you notice bites or sores around your mouth and nose.

9

Common Desert Centipede

Image: Viktor Talashuk

Centipedes are one of the strangest-looking insects and many people fear them because of their aspect. The Common Desert Centipede is a pale orangey-brown color with lateral black stripes. It’s best to avoid this centipede in the United States.

The bite of the Common Desert Centipede is one of the most painful bites possible from an arthropod. Much worse than a wasp sting, it has been compared to the Bullet Ant Sting and will almost certainly send you to the emergency room. The venom spreads after the initial bite, and the pain worsens until you seek treatment.

10

Fire Ants

Image: oktavianus mulyadi

The name itself is not the most reassuring one. Fire ants are a group of stinging ants made up of over 200 individual species, all of which sting, with varying levels of pain. Additionally, they’re more aggressive than other ant species.

These insects form large colonies and usually eat insects, plants, and flowers. However, if their nests are disturbed, they won’t hesitate to swarm and sting large animals, including humans. Unfortunately, their stings are quite painful and are often compared to the feeling of being burned by an open flame.

1

Richard Nixon (1969–1974)

Image: History in HD

One of the most controversial presidents in US history, Richard Nixon, led the country from 1969 to 1974. Although it's true that Nixon was indeed popular for his foreign policy achievements before the Watergate scandal, his involvement in that unforgettable episode forced him to resign, making him the first and only US president to step down from office.

2

Herbert Hoover (1929–1933)

Image: Tomasz Zielonka

Judging a president goes beyond assessing their decisions: a lack of empathy for the people they serve can be just as damaging. Herbert Hoover was president when the Great Depression began, following the stock market crash of October 1929. He maintained a largely hands-off approach that was harshly criticized as inadequate and led many to see the president as out of touch with the suffering of Americans.

3

Ulysses S. Grant (1869–1877)

Image: Library of Congress

Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th US President, was a polarizing figure. As a Union general, he played a crucial role in securing victory during the Civil War. However, during his presidency, there were several scandals related to corruption that affected his image negatively, both during his time in office and for many years afterward.

4

Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)

Image: Library of Congress

After Abraham Lincoln's assassination, Andrew Johnson served as the US president from 1865 to 1869, just six weeks after becoming Lincoln's vice president. It was a critical period in American history, and he is remembered for opposing many Reconstruction efforts . He even vetoed several key congressional initiatives, including the Civil Rights Act of 1866, though Congress overrode many of his vetoes. In 1868, Johnson became the first US president to be impeached.

5

James Buchanan (1857-1861)

Image: Library of Congress

Often ranked among the least popular presidents, James Buchanan led the nation during a period of deep internal division, just before Abraham Lincoln took office. Despite the growing tensions, he chose to stay out of the conflict. He's most often criticized for his inaction as Southern states began seceding from the Union and making only minimal efforts to prevent the Civil War.

6

Chester A. Arthur (1881–1885)

Image: Library of Congress

Some presidents aren't necessarily considered unpopular because of any specific scandal or failure, but rather they simply went unnoticed. One such figure is Chester A. Arthur, who served as president from 1881 to 1885 after the assassination of James A. Garfield. Although many historians view him as a capable and reform-minded leader, Arthur remains one of the most overlooked presidents in US history.

7

Warren G. Harding (1921–1923)

Image: Library of Congress

Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States, is often regarded by historians as an ineffective leader. Although Harding himself wasn't directly involved, corruption scandals implicating members of his administration – along with his inaction in response to them–did the most damage to his reputation and legacy.

8

Millard Fillmore (1850–1853)

Image: Pixabay

Millard Fillmore, who served as US president from 1850 to 1853, is widely criticized for decisions that deepened national divisions , most notably his signing of the Fugitive Slave Act. The law inflamed tensions in an already fractured nation, pushing the country even closer to civil conflict.

9

John Tyler (1841–1845)

Image: Joanna Kosinska

In 1841, John Tyler became the first vice president to assume the presidency following the death of a sitting president. His assumption of office was unexpected – even for himself–and his frequent clashes with Whig Party leaders didn't help his image among voters. In fact, he was expelled from the party while still in office. To make matters worse, years after his presidency, Tyler sided with the Confederacy during the Civil War.

10

Zachary Taylor (1849–1850)

Image: Library of Congress

Zachary Taylor became the 12th President of the United States in 1849, but his sudden death in July 1850 meant his time in office lasted only 16 months. While he isn't necessarily disliked, he's less remembered, partly because of his short time in office.