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 …
Sacramento has exactly one Thai restaurant in the Michelin Guide. Kin Thai Street Eatery picked up that listing in May 2025 and still holds it alone. Useful to know, and a poor place to stop looking, because the Thai food in Sacramento worth a drive is scattered across Midtown, Freeport Boulevard, Elk Grove, and a …
Discover a carefully curated list of the best ramen in Sacramento. This list prioritizes restaurants that take their ramen seriously, using only the freshest ingredients and sometimes preparing the rich and flavorful broths over the course of days. What Makes Ramen Exceptional? An exceptional bowl of ramen could be characterized by several key factors: These …
Located in the Crystal Basin area of the El Dorado National Forest, Bassi Falls is a popular hiking trail that leads to an incredible 109-foot cascading waterfall, fed by the pristine waters of Bassi Creek. This Northern California hike is beautiful in every season, but the best time to catch the waterfall in full flow …
These are the best restaurants in San Luis Obispo to dine at for an unforgettable experience. You’ll find an incredibly diverse selection of restaurants that have elevated SLO’s food scene and have made the city worthy of culinary acclaim. Between fine dining, craft cocktails, extensive wine lists, and locally sourced and organic foods, you won’t …
When visiting Palm Springs, the Moorten Botanical Garden is a wonderful spot to include in your travel plans. Whether you are a nature lover, gardener, or succulent propagator, this family-owned desert oasis is teeming with diverse plant life. This desert utopia located near the heart of downtown Palm Springs is home to over 3,000 varieties …