From Anchorage through Denali National Park to Fairbanks: Discover why a winter trip to Alaska is so unforgettable. Whether it’s chasing the Northern Lights, dog sledding, snowshoe hiking, or soaking in steaming hot springs surrounded by snow, there are so many outdoor activities to enjoy. In this guide, I’ll share my favorite activities during the coldest months of the year, plus all the practical tips you need to stay safe and enjoy every moment of Alaska’s wild beauty.

Monterey Bay, located on California's central coast, is renowned for its stunning marine life and spectacular whale-watching opportunities. In this article, I’ll take you on a tour to see these magnificent creatures, share insights on why Monterey is such a prime location to spot marine life, and provide everything you need to know before venturing out on a shaky boat into the ocean. While every tour is exciting, this one on a beautiful fall day in October 2023 was particularly special, as it featured an unexpected 'celebrity': the patchy white-gray orca, Frosty.

Monterey is located on the beautiful Pacific Coast in Central California. Along with a bunch of other picturesque towns, it sits on Monterey Bay, which is an absolute hotspot for marine life and coastal views. For anyone who loves nature and charming coastal towns, this is an incredible destination to visit. There are so many things to see and do: venture out into the bay on a whale-watching tour, spot sea otters and sea lions while paddling in a kayak, stroll along the coast in Monterey, hike at nearby Point Lobos, or watch one of those awe-inspiring California sunsets. If you are planning your outdoor-focused trip around Monterey, this is the post for you.

A trip to Oʻahu, or any Hawaiian island, is not complete without snorkeling, and Oʻahu has many fantastic spots for it, whether you go on your own from the beach or join a guided tour! To me, swimming is always so calming and relaxing, and exploring the underwater world lets you dive into a completely different world beneath the surface. In this article, I’ll share with you my favorite snorkeling spots on Oʻahu, along with tips for making your own trip as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

Kauai is the fourth-largest of the Hawaiian Islands and a dream destination for anyone who loves the outdoors. The Nāpali Coast is Kauai’s most famous natural wonder, offering endless ways to explore—whether on foot, by boat, or even by helicopter. But that’s not all: Kauai is also home to some of the best chocolate in the world, a vibrant canyon, excellent snorkeling, incredible wildlife, and more. In this article, I’ll help you find your own adventure on Kauai, sharing the island from the perspective of a fellow traveler who loves everything outdoors and connected to nature.

Point Reyes National Seashore has countless hikes to offer and places to explore. Rugged cliffs, wild ocean waves, incredible wildlife, tide pools, and salty air — all of that and more is Point Reyes. One particularly unique feature is Alamere Falls, a waterfall that drops directly into the Pacific Ocean. Since the hike is long for a single day and there is an unofficial shortcut to the waterfall, many opt to take it. In this article, I’ll answer the key questions I asked myself before doing this hike, and chances are, you’re wondering the same things. While the shortcut is popular, my experience led me to a clear recommendation. I’ll walk you through all the whys, whats, and whens.

Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the most fascinating places on Earth. I know — strong claim — but this place is truly unique. The hike to High Dune offers the perfect introduction to the vast dunefield, striking a great balance between effort and reward with breathtaking views of rolling sand dunes and the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains. In this article, I’ll take you on a hike into the dunes, weave in some story time and life lessons inspired by the sand, and share the essentials to plan your visit.

When the tide goes out, a hidden world of marine life is revealed—full of strange and beautiful creatures clinging to rocks or tucked beneath seaweed. Tide pooling offers a rare glimpse into this world, and in this guide, I’ll take you to my favorite spots near San Francisco, with tips on when to go, what to look for, and how to explore responsibly.

Joshua Tree National Park is not just bare desert — it is a place of surprising diversity and full of wonder. While I admittedly do have a thing for deserts, Joshua Tree can also convince those of this incredible ecosystem who find deserts generally boring and lifeless! Two days is a good amount of time to discover different features of the park. This post focuses on which hikes and places I’d recommend to pick for just two days in the park.

San Francisco is one of those rare places where city life and the outdoors blend seamlessly. If you love nature but still enjoy culture, food, and architecture, there’s really no better city (at least in my book!). Even if cities aren’t your thing, you’ll still find plenty of ways to get outside — from beaches and forests to cliffs and coastal dunes. In this guide, I’m sharing my favorite outdoorsy things to do in San Francisco — a mix of well-known spots and hidden gems for locals and visitors alike.

Ever been wowed by the serene beauty of a forest but ended up with a photo that screams cold green nightmare? You’re not alone! Forest photography is a unique challenge—light shifts, shadows play tricks, and the sheer depth can overwhelm your frame. There’s a saying about not seeing the forest for the trees—and that’s exactly how it feels sometimes in the woods. So many details hidden in plain sight, waiting for you to capture their magic. This article aims at inspiring you to explore those details and help you create photos that truly reflect the forest’s unique vibe.

Observing the sparkling stars in the night sky at a truly dark place is an awe-inspiring experience. Most of us don’t have access to such dark night skies right outside our doors, but there are still many places in the world where one can gaze into a star-filled sky, with the Milky Way offering a glimpse into the beauty of the universe. In this article, I will cover everything you need to know to capture a great shot of our home galaxy. I’ll discuss the essential gear you’ll need to begin with, when and where to venture out to photograph it, and how to set up your camera to take a good shot once you have all your gear, the right place, and the right time.

Moab is a hiker’s, adventure seeker’s, and desert lover’s paradise. From here, you can easily reach two iconic national parks — Arches and Canyonlands — but there are also plenty of incredible hikes outside the parks. This region is exactly what many people imagine when they think of Utah. While Moab is close to famous trails like Delicate Arch, you’ll also find hidden gems where you can enjoy some peace and solitude. In this guide, I’ll share my top hiking recommendations in the Moab area — both within and beyond the national parks.

Rocky Mountain National Park is a place where rugged peaks, alpine lakes, and endless skies meet. Whether you’re hiking to a glacier-fed lake, trying to spot moose, elk, or bighorn sheep, or just soaking in the crisp mountain air, Rocky Mountain National Park is a dream for outdoor lovers. In this guide, I'll share my tips on how to make the most of a short visit to Rocky Mountain National Park, tailored to a visit in late spring or early summer. This itinerary is ideal if you want to experience a little bit of everything — from iconic hikes to wildlife viewing and scenic drives.

Great Basin National Park is Nevada’s only “unshared” national park — unlike Death Valley, which also stretches into California. It’s one of the most remote and least visited parks in the United States. But don’t let the low visitation numbers fool you — Great Basin is packed with natural wonders: from ancient Bristlecone Pines and turquoise alpine lakes to glaciers and sweeping desert views. Imagine hiking through snowy peaks, passing the oldest trees on Earth, then gazing down at a vast desert valley from above. The contrasts are stunning — and totally surreal. If that sounds like your kind of adventure, grab your favorite drink and dive into what makes this hidden gem so special!

Joshua Tree National Park is one of my favorite national parks in California. To me, deserts are one of those places where you really feel small and insignificant as a human being - in a very satisfying way. In this blog article, I will share my favorite things to do in the park during fall and winter, give insight into the history and geology, provide accommodation tips, and guidance on park entrances.

What could be more breathtaking than a road trip from California’s rugged Pacific coast across Utah’s deep red deserts to Colorado’s rushing mountain rivers in late spring? Imagine yourself traversing the vast, sun-scorched deserts along the Loneliest Road in America, gazing into the universe under some of the world’s darkest skies, hiking the tallest sand dunes in the Northern Hemisphere, and admiring turquoise alpine lakes while looking down at bone-dry deserts stretching endlessly below. In this article, I’ll take you through my absolute favorite outdoor adventures on a three-week road trip spanning California’s coastline, Utah and Nevada’s wild landscapes, and Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a wonderful place to admire the immense biodiversity and beauty of the Californian Central Coast. There are numerous trails within the reserve that allow you to immerse yourself in stunning scenery, ranging from coastal bluffs providing habitat for — among many others — harbor seals, sea lions, pelicans, and great blue herons, to dense forests with yellow-green lichens hanging mythically from the trees, often shrouded in fog.

The Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore offers a beautiful hike along California’s central coast, featuring stunning Pacific Ocean views and wildlife sightings like tule elk and coyotes. The trail is set within a historic landscape where past land use meets today’s conservation efforts.

The James Irvine Trail is an incredible hike through a dense redwood forest, leading down to Gold Bluffs Beach and the popular Fern Canyon. Along the way, you can spot redwood sorrel, with its heart-shaped, clover-like leaves, banana slugs, or even Roosevelt Elk, that live in this unique habitat. In this article, I’ll take you on a journey through this magical hike, share fascinating facts about the majestic redwoods, and my best tips for exploring this route!