California

My complete collection of California travel guides, road trip itineraries, and personal stories. This category covers the incredible diversity of the Golden State, from the sun-drenched beaches and Hollywood glamour of Southern California to the rugged coastline and giant redwoods of Northern California. Here you will find in-depth posts on exploring iconic national parks like Yosemite, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree; tips for navigating vibrant cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego; and my favorite discoveries along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway. I’ve poured my heart into these guides, sharing my best seasonal tips, hidden gems, and can’t-miss experiences to help you plan your own unforgettable California adventure.

My Top 3 Ways to Enjoy Lake Shasta (Even if You Don’t Rent a Houseboat!) – Kayaking, Caves & More!

Lake Shasta pulls in millions of visitors every year, and honestly, most people assume you have to rent a houseboat ...
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Lake Shasta Adventures: My Houseboating Holiday on California’s Largest Reservoir – Fun, Sun, and Cavern Explorations!

I just spent a week houseboating on Lake Shasta, California’s largest reservoir, and honestly, it might be one of my ...
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Stargazing in Lassen Volcanic National Park: My Dazzling Night Under Some of California’s Darkest Skies

Standing under a sky so packed with stars that it almost felt alive, I finally got why Lassen Volcanic National ...
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Is Lassen Volcanic NP California’s Most Underrated National Park? My Thoughts After an Incredible Visit

California boasts some of the planet’s most iconic national parks, but there’s one spot that almost nobody talks about. After ...
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When is the Main Road Through Lassen Volcanic National Park Open? My Guide to Navigating this Seasonal Park (Usually June-Oct!)

Thinking about a trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park? The main road usually opens sometime between June and October, but ...
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My Top 7 “Must-See” Wonders in Lassen Volcanic National Park (From Boiling Mud to Cinder Cones!)

Tucked away in the mountains of northern California, Lassen Volcanic National Park feels like a secret volcanic playground that most ...
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Lassen Volcanic National Park: My Bubbling, Steaming Adventure in California’s Yellowstone-Like Wonderland!

So, I stumbled across what might just be California’s most underrated gem, tucked way up in the northeastern corner of ...
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When is the Best Time to Visit Mount Shasta? My Guide to Summer Hiking vs. Winter Snowshoeing on this Sacred Peak

Mount Shasta rises up from Northern California like something out of a dream—14,179 feet of snow-capped wonder. It’s easily one ...
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5 Ways to Experience the Magic of Mount Shasta (From Hikes to Headwaters!)

Mount Shasta towers over Northern California, climbing past 14,000 feet and dominating Siskiyou County’s skyline. It’s not just another mountain—it’s ...
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Mount Shasta’s Mystical Pull: My Spiritual (and Scenic!) Journey to Northern California’s Majestic Volcano

The first time I saw Mount Shasta, towering 14,179 feet over Northern California, I finally got why this ancient volcano ...
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My Top 5 Most Awe-Inspiring Moments I Had in California’s Shasta Cascade & North Coast (Pure Natural Wonders!)

California’s Shasta Cascade region and North Coast blew me away with some of the most jaw-dropping natural wonders I’ve ever ...
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What’s the Perfect Season for a Shasta Cascade & North Coast Trip? My Guide to Summer Trails, Autumn Colors & Spring Waterfalls

Trying to pick the right season for a trip to the Shasta Cascade and North Coast? Yeah, it’s a lot. ...
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7 Reasons California’s Shasta Cascade & North Coast Will Blow Your Nature-Loving Mind (My Ultimate List!)

California’s Shasta Cascade and North Coast regions have given me some of the most diverse and jaw-dropping nature experiences I’ve ...
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Northern California’s Wild Side: My Journey Through Volcanoes, Giant Redwoods & a Coastline Lost in Time

Northern California has some of the most jaw-dropping natural wonders I’ve ever stumbled across. Forget the crowded beaches and endless ...
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Alabama Hills: Exploring the Wild West Movie Landscapes & Mobius Arch Near Lone Pine, California

Just west of Lone Pine, California, the Alabama Hills rise from the desert floor like a movie set frozen in ...
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Is a Winter Visit to Bodie Ghost Town Possible? My Snowy, Silent, and Eerie Adventure (Check Road Conditions!)

You can visit Bodie Ghost Town in winter, but you’ll need to plan carefully and pack the right gear for ...
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Bodie Ghost Town: My Haunting Walk Through a Perfectly Preserved Gold Rush Past in “Arrested Decay”

At 8,375 feet up in California’s Sierra Nevada, Bodie Ghost Town feels like a time machine that’s a little too ...
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When is the Best Time to Photograph Mono Lake? My Guide to Capturing Its Ethereal Beauty at Sunrise or Sunset

Mono Lake in California has this almost magnetic pull for photographers. Those ancient tufa towers jutting out of alkaline waters, ...
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Mono Lake’s Otherworldly Tufa Towers: My Visit to an Ancient Saline Sea in the Eastern Sierra (So Strange, So Beautiful!)

Standing at the edge of Mono Lake in California’s Eastern Sierra, I honestly felt like I’d landed on another planet. ...
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Is June Lake Loop California’s “Little Switzerland”? My Thoughts on this Alpine Lakeside Paradise

People call June Lake Loop the “Little Switzerland of California,” and honestly, I get why. This tiny mountain town sits ...
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Driving the June Lake Loop in Autumn: My Most Spectacular Fall Foliage Experience in All of California!

I’ve chased autumn all over California, but honestly, nothing has blown me away like the fall colors along the June ...
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