VideoAmericanGuruCalifornia destinations
From towering redwoods to sun baked desert floors, California packs more wonder per mile than anywhere on earth. These are our written guides to the places we film, what to see, when to go, how to plan, and whether your dog can come.
How to choose
If you have one free day from the Bay Area, start with Henry Cowell Redwoods, Point Reyes, Bodega Bay, Santa Cruz, or Monterey, all are under two and a half hours' drive. With a weekend, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Big Sur, or Mendocino reward the extra miles. The desert parks (Joshua Tree and Death Valley) are winter and spring destinations; skip them in summer heat. And if your trip must be dog friendly, know that national parks restrict dogs heavily; state parks, national seashores, and coastal towns are far better bets, each guide below has the specifics.
National & state parks
California's protected lands are bucket list material. These guides cover the essentials: signature sights, realistic itineraries, seasons, fees, and the fine print.
Henry Cowell Redwoods
Old growth redwoods minutes from Santa Cruz, a perfect first redwood walk.
Mountains & lakes
High altitude, thin air, and adventures that scale with your ambition, from lakeside strolls to alpine summits.
Coast & beaches
Eight hundred miles of Pacific edge, dramatic in the north, mellow in the south, and dotted with towns worth a whole day.
City adventures
Sometimes the adventure is urban: hills, headlands, and a hundred year old ride bolted to a moving cable.
San Francisco
Bridge walks, Lands End trails, sea lions, and the hills, the outdoor lover's city guide.
The Cable Car Ride
How to ride the world's last manual cable cars, lines compared, queues skipped.
Wine country
Rolling vineyard hills, farm to table towns, and easy walking between tastings, wine country is an outdoor destination too.