Kualoa Ranch, on the northeastern side of Oahu, is a visit to the Hawaiian countryside, a place with all the charm of a neighbor island and just a half hour from Honolulu.

The Jungle Expedition is a great activity for the whole family. You'll board a six-wheeled Swiss Pinzgauer and rumble along jungle trails, down ravines, through rivers, and up to a scenic lookout with views of Kaneohe Bay and an ancient Hawaiian fishpond. This is a trip you won't forget.

On an ATV ride, you'll go deep into the northern valley where location shots for "Jurassic Park," "Mighty Joe Young" and many other feature films and TV shows have been produced. You'll ride through pastures, jungles, beneath mountain cliffs and through hundreds of acres of beautiful scenery. Another route, for more experienced riders, meanders through the south side of the ranch, which overlooks Kaneohe Bay.

On horseback, riders take different trails beneath the cliffs and overlooking the ocean. Vistas of the famed "Chinaman's Hat" island and ancient Hawaiian fishponds combine spectacular scenery with the old saying that there's nothing as good for the inside of a person as the outside of a horse.

Narrated tours of the ranch property include a large World War II bunker, the valley that has been the location of many blockbuster films (including Jurassic Park), a tropical fruit and flower garden and a 125-acre ancient Hawaiian fishpond.

Kualoa is one of the most historically significant destinations on Oahu. In ancient times, it was considered sacred land. In 1850, Dr. Gerrit P. Judd purchased the land from King Kamehameha III and the property has remained in the family since. The current family owners strive to be model stewards of the 'aina (land) by preserving and protecting it from development.