From the Pacific Coast to the Sierra Nevada, California offers some of the most diverse landscapes in the West. We’ve explored its redwood forests, desert parks, and mountain trails, discovering new favorites each time we visit. These stories highlight our favorite places to stay, hike, and road-trip across the Golden State.
If you’re planning a California road trip, Highway 395 deserves a top spot on your list. Running along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains, this 150-mile stretch from Bridgeport to Lone Pine is packed with classic small towns, alpine lakes, ghost towns, and even the oldest living trees on Earth. We’ve driven this…
What It’s Really Like to Stay in Yosemite National Park’s Tent City After years of talking about it, we finally did it—we stayed at Curry Village in Yosemite National Park. And let us tell you: it was a little rustic, surprisingly comfortable, and a whole lot more fun than we expected. We’ve visited Yosemite many…
The Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite National Park’s iconic lodge, opened in 1927 and remains a must-visit for its stunning National Park Rustic architecture and rich history. Nestled in Yosemite Valley, it blends beautifully with Half Dome and Glacier Point towering above. A perfect stop, even for just a visit!
Death Valley’s Racetrack Playa is a surreal destination where rocks mysteriously slide across a dry lakebed, leaving long trails behind them. After a bumpy 28-mile journey on a rugged gravel road, we found ourselves in this remote, peaceful wonder, captivated by the strange tracks etched into the earth.
Looking for the best hikes in Joshua Tree National Park? We’ve got three go-to trails that offer stunning views, diverse landscapes, and a good workout. From the panoramic Panorama Loop to the challenging Ryan Mountain and the historic Lost Horse Mine, these hikes will leave you in awe of the desert beauty.