Day Trips from Sacramento: A Local’s Guide, Sorted by Drive Time
A Sacramento local’s day trips, sorted by drive time. Wine country, Tahoe, the coast, Gold Rush towns, and Yosemite, with real drive times and what to skip.
California
Things to Do in Folsom: A Local’s Guide to the Town Beyond the Lake
A Folsom resident’s guide to Old Town, the restaurant scene, the lakes, the rescue zoo, the prison museum, and the trails. Real costs, hours, and what to skip.
Folsom Lake: A Local’s Guide to Beaches, Boating, and the Town Underneath
The most important choice at Folsom Lake happens before you see the water: which of the six gates you drive to. Get it right and the day sorts itself out, a swim beach or a boat ramp or a quiet cove, exactly as you pictured. Get it wrong and you are looping the long way …
Sacramento Beer Week: 37 Breweries and Ten Days of Independent Pours
Sacramento Beer Week 2026 guide. Every Sacramento Area Brewers Guild brewery, the curated Spotlight events, and how to plan your ten days of pours.
California Fire Followers: The Rare Wildflowers That Only Bloom After Flames
Some seeds wait decades for the right moment. They sit dormant in the soil through wet winters and dry summers, through drought years and El Niño storms, through generations of hikers passing overhead who never know they’re there. Then fire sweeps through. The heat cracks their seed coats. Smoke chemicals trigger ancient germination sequences. And …
Fuller Lake, California
Nestled at 5,400 feet in the Sierra Nevadas, Fuller Lake provides a peaceful alpine retreat just a short drive from Nevada City. This gem of a lake invites visitors to paddle its calm waters, cast a line for trout, explore forested hiking trails, and spot wildlife amongst tall pines. An inviting escape from the everyday, …
Mushroom Foraging for Morels at Mount Shasta
Mushroom foraging for morels is far from glamorous. After a day spent traipsing through the woods, my pockets may have been filled with mushrooms, but my bare feet held together a displeasing combination of bear scat and red dirt. The area around Mount Shasta had received plenty of rain during springtime and was primed for …
The Best Breakfast in Sacramento
Discover the best breakfast in Sacramento, where every morning offers a culinary adventure suited for every palate. Whether you’re a local resident or a traveler eager to taste the best of the city, Sacramento’s vibrant breakfast scene is a delightful blend of locally sourced farm-to-fork dishes and classic greasy spoon comfort foods. These restaurants, often …
Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park
Badwater Basin, nestled in the heart of Death Valley National Park in Inyo County, California, holds the title as the lowest point in both North America and the United States, plunging 282 feet below sea level. Remarkably, it lies a mere 84.6 miles from Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States, showcasing …
Kayaking Death Valley National Park
I spent a few days kayaking Death Valley National Park and lived to tell the tale. Whether you want to kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, this is a proper guide full of tips gleaned from kayaking alongside folks who live in the park and first-hand experience. Kayaking on Lake Manly, nestled within the striking landscapes of …