In February 2024 I paddled an inflatable kayak across roughly four miles of water in the middle of Badwater Basin. The water was a foot deep at the center and ankle-shallow at the edges. By March 4 the National Park Service had pulled the kayaking allowance, and as of the May 7, 2026 NPS conditions …
The Backroom at Gaslight Co. is Folsom’s one and only Speakeasy, joining a small collection of high-end and eclectic speakeasies in greater Sacramento, California. Once you enter through the semi-secret entrance, you’ll find yourself transported to a vintage era with impeccably crafted cocktails, velvet couches, and leather-backed chairs. I met up with Casey and Jesse, …
Lake Natoma, located between the Folsom and Nimbus Dams in Sacramento County, California, is a relaxing spot to enjoy a day of non-motorized water activities, wildlife watching, and picnicking along the lower American River. Lake Natoma is often cited as one of the best lakes in California to paddle on. It’s certainly one of my …
Mount Diablo State Park in Northern California’s Bay Area is a great spot for wildflower hunting this spring. There are countless trails that meander through the park and many that lead to the summit, where you can take in panoramic views that span all the way to the Sierra Nevada mountains. Surrounded by rolling hills …
Located 75 miles north of Los Angeles, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve has become famous for its rolling hills of poppies, painting the landscape with a sea of orange and yellow. With the abundant winter rains we have experienced this year throughout California, officials are predicting an above-average bloom. As with …
Most of California’s wildflower hotspots are sand. Carrizo Plain spreads its bloom across a desert flat. Antelope Valley grows poppies on alluvial fans. Anza-Borrego paints its show across creosote-and-mesquite scrub. North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, fifteen minutes north of Oroville on Cherokee Road, doesn’t do any of that. It blooms on rock. The reserve sits …
I drove to Carrizo Plain National Monument the second weekend of March 2026 with three gallons of water in the trunk, a paper Bakersfield Field Office map, and no expectation that anyone I knew would be able to text me for the next forty-eight hours. Cell service ended somewhere around the second cattle guard on …
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is located in the Sonoran Desert of Southern California and is the largest state park in California. The park covers over 600,000 acres and is known for its stunning desert landscapes, unique geology, and rich cultural history. Wildflowers are currently blooming in the park, including the stunning desert lily! The park …
Here is your comprehensive list of the best coffee shops in Sacramento. *Spoiler: There are many to choose from. The independent Sacramento coffee scene is a vibrant mix of third-wave, eclectic, minimalist, and community-oriented cafés. I’m a sucker for a great-tasting cold brew, but what makes good coffee even better is an aesthetically pleasing setting …
Discover the apples of Apple Hill, California! Home to over 20 varieties of apples over 23 farms, where farmers have been growing apples since the 1800s. Learn what makes some of these apples so special, and then explore some of these apple farms on your own and try these incredible fruits in person. Apple Hill …