I’ve lived in Southern California all my life, and I’ve visited Los Angeles more times than I can count. I also lived in East LA for a year after college. I love this city, so I’m always disheartened to hear visitors talk about how much they didn’t like it. Yeah, the traffic can be frustrating, …
California has the most national parks of any state in the U.S. There are 9 in California (Alaska comes in a close second with 8). I made it my personal mission to visit all 9 national parks in California, partly for fun, partly out of curiosity. Now after visiting all 9, which ones do I …
With one day in Lassen Volcanic National Park, you can see and do a lot, but you should still prioritize the best stops and hikes in the park. Stick to the scenic Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway and explore the Manzanita Lake and Southwest regions of the park during your day trip. Can you do …
Planning on visiting Redwood National and State Parks? Good choice. The majestic redwood trees along northern California’s jagged moody coastline are a sight to behold. With three days in this area, you can see and do a lot — from hiking to exploring lighthouses to even catching sight of an elk or two. Here’s your …
The Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in San Diego is an incredible place to hike, offering a unique combination of cacti, pine trees, wildflowers, and ocean views. However, there are six trails here, so it can be hard to know where to start or which Torrey Pines trail to hike. I’ve hiked all six Torrey …
An absolute gem in San Francisco is the Japanese Tea Garden, which is nestled inside Golden Gate Park, a beautiful place to visit nearly any day of the year. Here’s everything you need to know before visiting the Japanese Tea Garden (Golden Gate Park) to make your visit more meaningful. Why Visit the Japanese Tea …
Thinking of visiting Death Valley but you only have a day? No worries, a day in Death Valley National Park is possible. Yes, the park is huge, but there are several highlights in Death Valley close enough together to where you can easily see all in one day in Death Valley. A bonus: All of …
I visited Lake Manly in 2024. It’s a rare, temporary lake in the driest place in North America. Does that not blow your mind? If you’re wanting to see this incredible phenomenon, follow news alerts from the national park about current conditions. Lake Manly can appear as quickly as it disappears. Here’s everything you should …
Wondering how to do a day trip to Channel Islands National Park? I journeyed to Channel Islands with 12 family members. It was a long day but a good one. After my experience, I put together this guide with everything I wish I knew when I did a day trip to Channel Islands National Park. …
Imagine heading into a store, down a set of stairs to find yourself looking out at the ocean from inside a sea cave. Does such a place exist? Yes, at the Cave Store in La Jolla! The Cave Store is one of seven sea caves in La Jolla, California, but it’s the only one in …
