Explore the wild landscapes of Point Reyes National Seashore, from hiking along rugged cliffs and spotting tule elk and elephant seals—both once believed extinct—to observing migrating whales. This guide covers the best hikes, wildlife highlights, seasonal tips, and top places to stay for an unforgettable visit.

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.

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!

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.

Mori Point, located just south of Pacifica, is a beautiful place on the Californian coastline and is only a short drive from San Francisco. With its rugged bluffs, the wild ocean crashing at the shore, black beaches, carpets of wildflowers in spring, and abundant wildlife, Mori Point is a great example of what is possible when restoring natural landscapes after decades of exploitation.

The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve is a remarkable place to admire the spring bloom of the stunning California state flower. A place that looks in summer like the sun must have burnt every trace of life to the ground and it is hard to imagine that there is any time during the year where something, besides maybe a cactus, could thrive there. In spring, however, nature proves otherwise.

The Carrizo Plain National Monument is a remote place in the heart of California's Central Valley that comes to life with wildflowers during spring, occasionally showcasing a superbloom in ideal years — as it was the case in 2023. The monument is a vast grassland that historically stretched across much of California’s Central Valley. Today, it is, in the midst of agriculture and the oil industry, the last remnant of this type of landscape in California.