The Northern California coast is where the state shows its wildest side. Winding roads along rugged Pacific views, damp fern-covered forests, redwoods more than a thousand years old — acres upon acres of nature with the occasional small town in between. A road trip up this coast feels like stepping back in time. Here are 9 of my favorite places, with the best hikes, where to stay, and what to know before you go.

What could be more breathtaking than a road trip from California’s rugged 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 road trip from California’s coast through Utah and Nevada’s wild landscapes to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

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.