Planning a fall trip to California? My Eastern Sierra Fall Foliage 101 Guide covers everything you need to know about chasing autumn colors along Highway 395. Discover when & where to see peak fall foliage from Bishop Creek, North Lake, June Lake Loop & Mammoth Lakes. Learn how elevation, weather & microclimates affect timing, plus get expert fall photography tips for capturing the aspens.
Read MoreExperience the best Eastern Sierra fall colors in just one day with this Mono County autumn itinerary along Highway 395. Discover golden aspen groves and glassy lakes at Twin Lakes Bridgeport, Conway Summit, Virginia Lakes, June Lake Loop, Convict Lake & Rock Creek Lake. Perfect for photographers & leaf-peepers planning a California road trip. Download a complete Fall color travel & photo guide.
Read MorePlanning a road trip to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks? Located near Roads End and Roaring River Falls, Zumwalt Meadow is one of the best hikes along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. It's a top spot to enjoy nature and look for wildlife, such as black bears, deer, and birds. Cross a suspension bridge over the Kings River and explore under the granite cliffs of Kings Canyon National Park.
Read MoreEmbark on the ultimate California road trip from Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park to Morro Rock in Morro Bay. This 3-day itinerary includes sunrise hikes among giant sequoias, exploring the General Sherman Tree, kayaking on Lake Kaweah, shopping & dining in Visalia & the Embarcadero, scenic drives across the Central Valley, coastal adventures, and wildlife viewing of sea otters, seals & birds.
Read MoreDrive the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway in the Sierra National Forest near Yosemite National Park for breathtaking mountain views, granite domes, wildflower meadows, and historic stops. This 100-mile California scenic drive includes highlights like Fresno Dome, Globe Rock, Mile High Vista & Jones Store. A must-do mountain road trip adventure near Yosemite's southern gateway, Oakhurst & Bass Lake.
Read MoreExplore the ultimate Hwy 41 hotel guide for Yosemite National Park’s southern gateway, featuring luxury retreats, historic inns, lakeside resorts, family-friendly stays, boutique hotels, and unique vacation rentals & airbnbs. Discover top lodging in Oakhurst, Bass Lake, and beyond, plus amenities, dining, and tips for your perfect Yosemite getaway. Featuring Chateau du Sureau, The Inelle & more!
Read MoreExperience Yosemite National Park like never before with an unforgettable aerial tour from Mariposa, CA. Fly with Airborrn Aviation & Yosemite Airways over Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Mariposa Grove, Merced River Gorge, and more. Learn what to expect, how to book your flight, and why this scenic Yosemite plane tour is a must-do on your Sierra Nevada Mountain road trip itinerary.
Read MoreDiscover California's Majestic Mountain Loop, a 3-park epic road trip through Sequoia, Kings Canyon & Yosemite National Parks. Explore giant sequoia trees, thundering waterfalls, scenic drives, iconic viewpoints & top hotels. Base yourself in Visalia & Oakhurst for easy access to these Sierra Nevada Mountain wonders. This is the perfect travel guide for first-time visitors & national park lovers.
Read MorePlanning a trip to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks? Discover why Visalia, California is the perfect home base with this first-timer’s guide. Find the best hotels in Visalia (like The Darling), top things to do downtown, where to eat, shop, and explore nearby. Learn about Sequoia highlights like the General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock, Crystal Cave & more—all just a short drive from Visalia, CA.
Read MoreThe Tioga Pass Entrance is open for the 2025 Summer season in Yosemite National Park. Connecting Mono Lake, Lee Vining, and US-395 with Big Oak Flat Road, Tioga Road features some of the best views and things to do in and around Yosemite, and is a great way avoid the busy Yosemite Valley crowds. Join me for a live update of what the waterfalls, meadows, lakes & wildlife is currently looking like.
Read MoreDiscover the rich history and stunning wildlife of Piedras Blancas Light Station in San Simeon, CA just north of Hearst Castle. From elephant seals and whale sightings to coastal views and a storied lighthouse dating back to 1875, this scenic stop along Highway 1 is a must-visit. Learn what to see, when to go, and how to make the most of your visit to this historic California coast gem.
Read MoreDo I need a reservation to enter Yosemite this summer? Yes! The NPS just announced a peak-hours reservation system for the 2025 summer season to help with park crowds & wait times. Read this travel guide to help you prepare for your road trip vacation to Yosemite National Park and learn everything you need to know about who needs reservations, as well as how and when to get reservations.
Read MoreJoin me for the perfect one-day family-friendly adventure in Grand Canyon National Park. This epic 1-day itinerary along the South Rim is optimized from sunrise to sunset, with epic Grand Canyon views all along the way, including stops at the best viewpoints on Hermit Road and Desert View Road. Learn about what shuttles to take and how to plan your perfect day in Grand Canyon National Park.
Read MorePlanning a Yosemite adventure? Discover the top 10 reasons to stay in Oakhurst, CA on your next Yosemite road trip. Just minutes from Yosemite’s South Entrance, explore family-friendly attractions, outdoor activities, scenic hikes, art galleries, local history, unique shopping & delicious dining. Find more inspiration at YosemiteThisYear.com and the 41 Things To Do Around Highway 41 travel guide.
Read MoreWhen is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park? This seasonal travel guide breaks down spring, summer, fall & winter in Yosemite—what the park looks like, pros & cons of each season, top places to visit, and expert tips to help you plan the perfect road trip. Find out the best time to see raging waterfalls, fall colors, spring wildflowers, abundant wildlife, or snow-capped granite peaks.
Read MoreEmbark on a California desert road trip to explore otherworldly landscapes, unique rock formations, and stunning desert scenery. Visit Red Rock Canyon, Trona Pinnacles, Death Valley National Park, Alabama Hills & Fossil Falls. Discover epic stargazing, hidden hikes, scenic drives, and surreal photo spots on this unforgettable desert adventure with this complete travel guide & itinerary.
Read MoreCan I still see Firefall? If conditions allow, Yosemite National Park visitors can experience the Horsetail Fall Firefall phenomenon in late February & into March, even though the official Firefall season has ended. Read this Yosemite current conditions report on how waterfalls are flowing, what crowds are like & how you can help protect our National Parks after recent ranger & staffing cuts.
Read MoreExplore Fiscalini Ranch Preserve in Cambria, CA—a scenic coastal gem along Highway 1. Discover over 8 miles of hiking trails with ocean views, Monterey pine forests & abundant wildlife. Enjoy ADA-accessible Bluff Trail, unique benches & year-round free access. Perfect for hiking, birdwatching & photography. Don’t miss my 2-3 Day Central Coast Itinerary & Travel Guide for more adventures nearby!
Read MoreCheck out this Yosemite National Park FIREFALL 2025 Opening Day travel guide with real-time updates on current conditions, crowds, road status, and waterfall flow. Find out what it was like to view and photograph Firefall, plus pro tips on the best Firefall viewing spots. Get the latest on Yosemite winter conditions, Yosemite Valley waterfalls, and what to expect for Firefall next weekend.
Read MorePlan the perfect day trip to Saguaro National Park! Check out this 1 day itinerary, which includes 10 top spots to visit in Saguaro West & East, including hiking details and viewpoints of Saguaro's best areas, Bajada Loop Drive, Cactus Forest Drive, and Signal Hill. If you're planning a multi-day road trip, download my complete 2 Day Itinerary & Travel Guide, which includes hotel & dining info.
Read More
