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.

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.

Winter in Fairbanks, Alaska hits hard: freezing temperatures, a sun that barely lifts above the horizon, and snow that swallows every sound. Yet these extremes also make it unforgettable: soaking in steaming hot springs surrounded by ice, dog sledding through snow-laden forests, watching the Northern Lights dance, or the endless sunrises and sunsets. In this article, I’ll share what I learned on my winter trip to Fairbanks, the outdoor activities you shouldn’t miss, and all the essentials for planning your own adventure.

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.

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.

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.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the lesser-visited national parks in California, yet it is by no means less beautiful or interesting. In this article, I will share my experience and best tips for hiking from Cold Boiling Lake to Bumpass Hell, where one encounters the awe-inspiring scenery of wildflower meadows, tiny streams, and turquoise lakes, all leading to the largest hydrothermal area in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are nestled in the stunning scenery of the Sierra Nevada and are home to the impressive giant sequoias — the largest trees in the entire world. While these incredible trees are reason enough to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, there’s much more to see—gray granite mountains, waterfalls, abundant wildlife, valleys, or canyons with raging rivers.

Hiking in San Francisco? Absolutely! Thanks to San Francisco’s fantastic location on the Pacific Ocean, there are numerous opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, even within the city limits. The Batteries to Bluffs Trail, Lands End, and China Beach are stunning options for exploring the city’s rugged shoreline, offering incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge along the way.

Every year, starting in October, thousands of monarch butterflies embark on the journey of their lives, escaping freezing temperatures and seeking the shelter of the mild climate along the California coast. It’s a journey that none of the travelers have ever undertaken before—without a map, without a compass, and relying solely on their instincts. This repeated journey is made by a unique generation—a generation with lives so drastically different from those of their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and even great-great-grandparents. All of this happening simply because they were born in the fall.

Winters in California are mild, and on the Central Coast, the temperatures do not differ much from those in summer. In fact, a dry and sunny winter day may even feel warmer than one of the many foggy and windy summer days. In January, after a long stretch of rain, we took the opportunity on one of those summery weekends and headed out to Point Reyes for a little backpacking adventure to the Coast Campground and Santa Maria Beach.

The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve is a remarkable place to witness the spring bloom of California’s state flower. In summer, the landscape looks as if the sun has scorched every trace of life from the ground, and it’s hard to imagine anything could thrive there. Yet in spring, nature proves otherwise, as wildflowers push through the dry soil, creating a vivid display of color across the reserve.

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.