Oak trees in Palo Corona Regional Park, Carmel Valley, California (© Doug Steakley/Getty Images)

【April 25 2014】Ten years ago, various state and regional agencies joined with private conservation groups to purchase the Palo Corona ranch in California. The former cattle ranch is now protected for conservation in more than 15 square miles of undisturbed hills in the Carmel Valley of Monterey. More than a quarter of the acreage is now the Palo Corona Regional Park, a hike-friendly space with wide views of grazing lands where cows still wander and copses of oak trees offer shade.Explore breathtaking Gallery from the HuluTrip homepage over the past 5 years..