California
ArchiveBut there’s still hope if we start managing water differently and addressing climate change, both of which are making dry spells more extreme
Hiking remains a rare modern opportunity to be stunned by the unknown. Don’t spoil it by obsessing over a bunch of YouTube videos.
It’s finally time to take that beach vacation. You might as well post up right by the ocean.
From Maine to Alaska, we’ve done all the research for you to camp in style while visiting America’s best idea this summer
Heather “Anish” Anderson has now chronicled her record-breaking thru-hikes in two books. The ways she documents the details may surprise you—and help you do the same.
A wild place—and an American ideal—are heading for destruction. We can stop it now.
From surfing the coast of Maine to exploring slot canyons in Utah, these adventures will make the whole family happy
The bestselling author’s latest novel was informed by years of researching the history of female aviation and traveling to far-flung places
Start by figuring out the kinds of experiences you want to have, not where you want to go
Your bucket list should go beyond national parks. This decision tree will help you find lesser known locations with half the crowds.
“For me, the climbing community was not a barrier to coming out. That community is what made it possible.”
Edgar McGregor started cleaning up Eaton Canyon near Los Angeles in May 2019, and he didn’t stop until it was spotless nearly two years later. We talked to McGregor about how to stay motivated to take care of the earth.
With pandemic-fueled use on the rise, it’s a good thing trail builders have been busy opening new pathways for you to hike, run, and bike
Two new books, ‘Under the Sky We Make’ and ‘Overheated,’ lay out a plan to overcome our cynicism and anxiety and realize a sustainable, carbon-free future
Spun-out Teslas on snowy roads. Cabins bought for cash, sight unseen. A shoveling disaster. Locals bemoan the pandemic-induced migration of Bay Area residents to the mountains. But there are two sides to the Zoom-town story.
And how to stay safe in them this summer
From a new route that provides access to some of British Columbia’s best surf spots to a 1,400-plus-mile path that will connect all of Italy’s national parks, these aren’t your average walking journeys
Whether you’re after a beachfront campsite, some good juju, or a cabin built for mountain bikers, we’ve got a spring travel deal for you
Snag some of the best spots to pitch a tent during peak season
Northern California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park is an undiscovered hiker’s dream, and it’s the 31st stop on our 62 Parks Traveler’s quest to visit every park in the U.S.
With funding from the federal government, Zion and other parks are swapping in electric shuttle buses and adding charging stations for visitors’ electric vehicles, putting the park system on the cutting edge of green technology
Vast mountains, majestic waterfalls, and a hungry bear are some of what our 62 Parks traveler encountered at her 30th park on her quest to visit every park in the U.S.
Traveling with your pod? Buy out these places for private stays.
Think you already know everything about our nation’s most iconic park? Think again. There’s so much beyond its famed Yosemite Valley, from seldom visited waterfalls to the underappreciated backcountry beyond Tuolumne Meadows.
Volatile weather has created dangerous conditions for backcountry skiers and set up the West for a bad water year. With climate change exacerbating the situation, it’s time to start assuming the worst for our winters and making plans to adapt.
Chloé Zhao’s new film follows a baby boomer who moves into her van after the Great Recession
A surfer takes solace in the dark before the dawn
Our advice on which park to visit each month of the year to see peak wildlife, foliage, and flower blooms—and to avoid the crowds
Don't let cold weather stop you from exploring. These eight trails in some of our favorite national parks may be even better in the winter.
Our seven picks for cross-country-skiing trail networks that make for perfect, crowd-free winter outings
Twenty-three surprising ways to get you inspired for next year and beyond
Ken Layne left an influential career in digital media to create 'Desert Oracle,' a cult-favorite radio show and print periodical based in Joshua Tree that explores everything from the political to the paranormal. Now it's being released as a book.
If you plan to explore the backcountry this winter, these certified mountain guides will keep you safe, refine your skills, and bring you to secret stashes
Every mountaineer knows that getting to the summit isn't a requirement, but it sure is sweet if you do
We explore the pros and cons of two relatively affordable options
After a challenging summer and fall, we're all wondering what the ski season has in store. Don't worry: resorts are working hard to open and ensure a safe experience for everyone, and there are plenty of other ways to delight in the white stuff. Here's the lowdown.
A new documentary from director Ron Howard looks at what happened after California's deadliest wildfire
Do-it-all technical denim to look good and ride better
Many backcountry huts are now available as private rentals, so you and your pod can have the entire place for yourselves. From Maine to Washington, here are a few of our favorites.
After years of effort, the 34-year-old climber motored up El Cap's Golden Gate route and now joins the ranks of Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, and Lynn Hill
From Washington to California, here are nine of our favorite short treks along the famous route
Work life got turned upside down this year, and many people are just thankful they have any job at all. But some companies have gone above and beyond to not just survive, but thrive.
With 'The Forests of California,' naturalist and artist Obi Kaufmann aims to deepen environmental literacy. He also argues that this cataclysmic time is an opportunity.
Armenians and Turks have a long and hostile history that includes a genocide. On a cross-country journey in 2006, two young cyclists formed a bond that bridged this fraught past.
In a new era of menacing blazes, there are lessons to be learned from the people who stay and defend their properties
This six-part series explores the history of California's forests and the increasing threat of wildfires across the state
'Clarity' dives into North America's largest alpine lake, highlighting the beauty of, and threats to, its renowned clear water
This six-part series explores the history of California's forests, as well as the increasing threat of wildfires across the state
This fire season is yet another sign that we can't wait any longer to fix our planet
With the CZU Lightning Complex fire bearing down on them, a rogue group of citizens banded together to stay and defend their homes in the mountains above Santa Cruz, California. Here's how they fought the fire—and won.
In her new book, 'Superman's Not Coming,' the activist gives a lesson in community engagement and warns that we shouldn't expect the government to save us
Marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols's house burned to the ground in California's CZU Lightning Complex fire. He wrote his daughter a letter breaking the news.
These affordable digs are within driving distance from major cities but feel like far-away escapes
See 300-foot-tall redwoods, banana slugs, and more in this dreamlike landscape. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's 16th stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park in a year.
From trails to post-ride tacos, the decorated Mountain Bike World Cup champ shares her favorite Northern California spots
Serene places to pitch a tent—where it's just you and the ocean
'An Almost Perfect Race,' from Salomon, follows runner Courtney Dauwalter during her course-record attempt at Western States in 2019
In the spirit of Thoreau and Dillard, Donovan Hohn considers the joyous and brutal aspects of the natural world
Little luxuries for nights spent under the stars
From Houston to Minneapolis, protesters on horseback are sending a powerful message
Brush up on your knowledge before you hit the waves
In 'First Descent,' legendary canyoneer Scott Swaney reflects on a career of self-taught outdoor skills and a few close calls
Years of underfunding and climate change are increasingly threatening the national park system. From the Everglades in Florida to Glacier in Montana, here are the ones we stand to lose.
The cycling world has turned its eye toward an obscure challenge called Everesting
Organizers of the popular Grinduro California gravel event wanted to do better than its 15 percent non-male participation rate. So they set aside spots for women, femmes, and trans and nonbinary people, and sold out in four hours.
The best documentaries from this year's film festivals look at quixotic quests and devastating disasters
The Brown Ascenders is out to have a good time—and to bring change and equity to the climbing culture
From Patagonia to South Africa to Yosemite, visit some of our favorite places on the planet in real time via these live webcams—and start dreaming of where you want to go when we can travel again
In his new book, writer Mark O'Connell explores what our anxieties about the future say about our precarious present
In this film from director Brian Kelley, Carl Casey explains what a champion tree is and some strategies he uses to find them
A new wave of craft distilleries are using salvaged ingredients to brew up spirits
Some bucket-list adventures require securing a wilderness permit months or even years out. Here’s how to book the most coveted ones in the country.
The owner of longtime San Diego retailer Adventure reflects on the decision to close his store
The architect Charles Bello has spent the past 52 years restoring forests from logging and protecting the land on his 400-acre Bello Ranch in Northern California. Here's what he's learned along the way.
Electric vehicles are becoming popular among the environmentally conscious, but are they realistic for road trips to more remote destinations? I took my Tesla to Utah to find out.
Walking away from the adventure of a lifetime is hard, but it makes coming back to it especially rewarding. Here, five thru-hikers share their stories of failing and coming back for more.
This simple cushion that rescued me on a long-haul flight has become my ultimate work-from-home hack
With every race canceled, runners face logistical and ethical dilemmas. Some have turned to unusual solutions.
Hostels are closing, volunteers are staying home, and trail organizations are advising hikers to cancel their plans
Stop storing up days and start using them, whether it's for a microadventure, a staycation, or a road trip