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.

5 Incredible Hikes Around Mammoth Lakes I Took in the Summer (Lakes, Waterfalls & Volcanic History!)

Mammoth Lakes sits right in the heart of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, and honestly, I’ve never found hiking terrain this ...
Read More

Experiencing Mammoth Mountain’s Legendary Spring Skiing (April/May): My Days of Sunshine and Corn Snow!

Spring skiing at Mammoth Mountain is honestly something else. Most resorts shut down by March, but Mammoth’s spot in the ...
Read More

Mammoth Lakes Adventure: My Year-Round Playground in the High Sierra – From Epic Skiing to Summer Mountain Biking

Mammoth Lakes sits way up at 7,880 feet in California’s Eastern Sierra, just about an hour from Yosemite’s eastern entrance. ...
Read More

7 Jaw-Dropping Wonders I Discovered Along Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra (My Must-See List!)

Highway 395 snakes through some of California’s wildest landscapes. After a few trips up and down this stretch, I’ve realized ...
Read More

Chasing Autumn Colors on California’s Highway 395: My Guide to Finding the Best Golden Aspens in the Eastern Sierra (Late Sept-Oct!)

Every fall, Highway 395 in California puts on a show. The Eastern Sierra corridor—about 150 miles from Lone Pine to ...
Read More

Eastern Sierra Scenic Drive (Highway 395): My Road Trip Through California’s Most Dramatic “Backside” – From Mammoth Lakes to Mono Lake!

Highway 395 hugs California’s eastern edge, and honestly, it might just be the most jaw-dropping drive in the state. This ...
Read More

My Top 3 Most Breathtaking Viewpoints of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe (And How to Get to Them!)

Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe has earned its spot as one of California’s most photographed natural landmarks. After visiting more ...
Read More

Emerald Bay State Park: Why This Slice of Lake Tahoe is Even More Stunning in Person (Vikingsholm & Fannette Island!)

I’ve wandered across plenty of scenic places in California, but nothing quite hit me like the first time I saw ...
Read More

Winter Wonderland in Lake Tahoe: My Epic Ski Trip to Heavenly & Palisades (And Finding Cozy Apres-Ski Spots!)

Lake Tahoe turns into a snowy paradise every winter, and honestly, it’s got some of California’s best skiing. On my ...
Read More

Summer Bliss at Lake Tahoe: My Guide to the Best Beaches, Hikes, and Crystal-Clear Kayaking Adventures

Lake Tahoe just comes alive in summer. Imagine crystal-clear alpine waters, endless outdoor adventures, and that unbeatable mountain air. I’ve ...
Read More

My Perfect 3-Day Lake Tahoe Itinerary for Any Season (Summer Fun, Winter Snow & More!)

Lake Tahoe sits high up at 6,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, right on the border of California and ...
Read More

Which Side of Lake Tahoe is Better? My Thoughts on the North Shore’s Charm vs. the South Shore’s Buzz

Lake Tahoe stretches about 22 miles from top to bottom, and honestly, each side feels like its own world. After ...
Read More

10 Ways to Experience the Unbelievable Blue of Lake Tahoe (From Kayaks to Viewpoints!)

Lake Tahoe’s impossibly blue water stretches across the Sierra Nevada mountains like a massive sapphire someone just tossed from the ...
Read More

Lake Tahoe, My Jewel of the Sierras: A Year-Round Paradise of Crystal Blue Water, Pine Forests & Mountain Fun

Lake Tahoe rises high in the Sierra Nevada, straddling the border of California and Nevada at over 6,200 feet above ...
Read More

Grant Grove & the General Grant Tree in Kings Canyon: My Walk Through a Grove of Giants (America’s Christmas Tree!)

Wandering through the giant sequoias of Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park feels a bit like stepping into a ...
Read More

Climbing Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park: My Heart-Pounding Ascent for 360-Degree Views of the High Sierra

The first time I saw Moro Rock looming above the highway in Sequoia National Park, I just knew I had ...
Read More

Standing Before the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park: Feeling So Small Next to the World’s Largest Living Thing!

Standing at the base of the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park feels a bit like stepping into a ...
Read More

When is the Best Season for Sequoia & Kings Canyon? My Guide to Summer Canyons vs. Snowy Sequoias

Trying to figure out the best time to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks? Honestly, it all depends on ...
Read More

Sequoia & Kings Canyon: My Journey into the “Land of Giants” – Towering Trees, Deep Canyons & High Sierra Wilderness

When you stand beneath the towering giants of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, your sense of nature’s scale just ...
Read More

Sunset at Glacier Point, Yosemite: Watching Half Dome Glow – Was This the Most Perfect View on Earth? (Possibly!)

The first time I stood at Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park, I watched the sun throw a golden blanket ...
Read More

Walking Among Giants in Mariposa Grove: My Humbling Encounter with Yosemite’s Ancient Giant Sequoias

I’ll never forget standing among the giant sequoias of Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park. These trees, some stretching nearly ...
Read More