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> Just so many different climate zones, and all in relatively close proximity. Another place like this, perhaps lesser in scale, is the Big Island of Hawaii. I

> Just so many different climate zones, and all in relatively close proximity. Another place like this, perhaps lesser in scale, is the Big Island of Hawaii. Its latitude means the trade winds are blowing from the same direction year-round, bringing moisture to the windward side (e.g. Hilo, HI with 120" average annual rainfall) and leaving the leeward side dry (e.g. Kailua-Kona, HI with under 20" average annual rainfall), on the other side of massive volcanoes. And you can go from the ocean to almost 14k feet in elevation in an hour's drive; this may be one of the only places in the world where you can do that. All of this means that as you move around Big Island, based on the precipitation, humidity, and elevation, you're going to see wildly different environments mere minutes' drive from each other. It truly has to be seen to be believed.

Gud 2y ago
Hawaii was never on my list of places to visit until now, but now I have to go there. Thanks for sharing
- devilbunny 2y ago
  It's expensive, and it's a long way away from anything else. I've been twice and both times the Big Island was my favorite. Maui and Kauai are spectacular in their own ways, as are the few rural areas of Oahu, but there's nothing like the Big Island. The drive from Kailua-Kona to Hilo over the Saddle Road (which, in itself, goes to around 6600 ft) is spectacular, and if you have enough time to make a day of it, coming back around via the southern ring road is well worth it. If you get up early, Waimea and the surrounding area (esp the NW protuberance of land) are worth seeing as well. Huge variation in biomes in very short distances.
  - Gud 2y ago
    Probably I’d go there for a few weeks. I’ll make it my first stop to the US(if they let me in).
tim333 2y ago
Tenerife is a bit like that. 12k feet at the top.
- pferde 2y ago
  Yes, Tenerife is awesome, a different biome almost every few kilometers. I've been there hiking several times, and I always see something new!
- bostik 2y ago
  And to a lesser extent, Gomera. Just by the sea, beaches and small banana plantations. Go slightly inland and up the hills, you're in an arid region. Continue slightly further up, and you get into a lush, verdant forest. All within maybe 20 minutes' drive. Best part? There's no airport on the island - you have to fly to Tenerife and take a ferry. To this day, the best tomatoes I've ever had.
jghn 2y ago
I was recently in the big island and this was both unexpected and wild to me. The difference of a couple miles could have an enormous impact on the weather over time. We stayed a couple of days in Volcano Village and like clockwork it'd be rainy there but sunny or at least partly sunny just a few miles down the street. Then there are rain forests, cloud forests, deserts, and every thing in between.
mykowebhn 2y ago
And yet another place like this is in Southern California if you drive in an easterly direction starting on San Diego and ending in the Salton Sea, going through Ramona and Julien. You go from an area with a Mediterranean climate to temperate deciduous forests to coniferous forests to cold, high-elevation desert to hot, low-elevation desert (Anza Borrego Desert). This is all within about 50 miles (80km). It's a fascinating drive!

Gud 2y ago

Hawaii was never on my list of places to visit until now, but now I have to go there. Thanks for sharing

devilbunny 2y ago
It's expensive, and it's a long way away from anything else. I've been twice and both times the Big Island was my favorite. Maui and Kauai are spectacular in their own ways, as are the few rural areas of Oahu, but there's nothing like the Big Island. The drive from Kailua-Kona to Hilo over the Saddle Road (which, in itself, goes to around 6600 ft) is spectacular, and if you have enough time to make a day of it, coming back around via the southern ring road is well worth it. If you get up early, Waimea and the surrounding area (esp the NW protuberance of land) are worth seeing as well. Huge variation in biomes in very short distances.
- Gud 2y ago
  Probably I’d go there for a few weeks. I’ll make it my first stop to the US(if they let me in).

tim333 2y ago

Tenerife is a bit like that. 12k feet at the top.

pferde 2y ago
Yes, Tenerife is awesome, a different biome almost every few kilometers. I've been there hiking several times, and I always see something new!
bostik 2y ago
And to a lesser extent, Gomera. Just by the sea, beaches and small banana plantations. Go slightly inland and up the hills, you're in an arid region. Continue slightly further up, and you get into a lush, verdant forest. All within maybe 20 minutes' drive. Best part? There's no airport on the island - you have to fly to Tenerife and take a ferry. To this day, the best tomatoes I've ever had.

jghn 2y ago

I was recently in the big island and this was both unexpected and wild to me. The difference of a couple miles could have an enormous impact on the weather over time. We stayed a couple of days in Volcano Village and like clockwork it'd be rainy there but sunny or at least partly sunny just a few miles down the street. Then there are rain forests, cloud forests, deserts, and every thing in between.

mykowebhn 2y ago

And yet another place like this is in Southern California if you drive in an easterly direction starting on San Diego and ending in the Salton Sea, going through Ramona and Julien. You go from an area with a Mediterranean climate to temperate deciduous forests to coniferous forests to cold, high-elevation desert to hot, low-elevation desert (Anza Borrego Desert). This is all within about 50 miles (80km). It's a fascinating drive!