California Travel Guide
Explore California
After moving to the Central Coast, I kept finding my way back to California’s wildest corners. From kayaking with sea otters along the coast to walking beneath ancient redwoods, chasing fall color in the Eastern Sierra, and photographing desert sunrises in Joshua Tree, these landscapes have shaped both my travels and the way I see the world.
This page brings together my growing collection of California travel guides, all rooted in firsthand experience and countless miles on foot, by road, and behind the lens. Explore the Central Coast, Eastern Sierra, Big Sur, California parks, hiking trails, and road trips, with deeper guides to the places I know best.
To date, I’ve explored more than 50 parks and protected areas throughout the state, each offering its own kind of beauty, solitude, and sense of discovery.
California Central Coast
The Central Coast is the part of California I know best and where most of my local coverage is concentrated. From Pismo Beach and Morro Bay to Cayucos, Cambria, San Simeon, and Big Sur, this stretch of coast combines beaches, wildlife, hiking, small towns, and some of the state’s most scenic drives.
If you’re planning a trip through the region, start with my California Central Coast travel guide, then explore the individual destination guides for the places that interest you most.
Eastern Sierra
The Eastern Sierra is one of my favorite regions for mountain landscapes, alpine lakes, fall color, and long scenic drives. I return often for hiking and photography, especially around June Lake, the Highway 395 corridor, and the dramatic peaks rising above the Owens Valley.
Start with my Eastern Sierra Travel Guide for the broader region, then explore the individual hiking and destination guides from there.
California Parks
California’s parks are a huge part of how I explore the state, from coastal bluffs and tide pools to granite valleys, redwoods, desert landscapes, and mountain trails. I’ve visited more than 50 parks and protected areas across California, and many of my favorite trips have been built around hiking, wildlife, and photography inside them.
Explore my National & State Parks guide for more detailed guides to Montana de Oro State Park, Morro Bay State Park, Yosemite, Point Reyes, Grand Canyon, and other protected landscapes I’ve visited.
Hiking in California
Hiking is one of the main ways I experience California, whether I’m following coastal trails above the Pacific, climbing into the Sierra, or exploring desert and park landscapes. My hiking guides focus on routes I’ve actually walked, with practical details, trail conditions, scenic highlights, and photography tips where they’re useful.
Start with my Hiking Trails page to browse hikes by destination and landscape.
More California Travel Guides
I’m continuing to add new California guides as I explore more of the state. For individual towns, regions, and trip-planning guides, browse all of my California destinations.