Computer History Museum
The Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California is definitely a must for computer enthusiasts and historians alike. This museum
Petersen Automotive Museum
See iconic Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls Royce, and even a DeLorean from Back to the Future at the Petersen Automotive Museum
Titus Canyon Road
Death Valley is a park meant for vehicles. Stretching 140 miles in length, the Valley is full of attractions
Salt Creek Interpretive Trail
In a notoriously hot and dry environment such as Death Valley National Park, Salt Creak's presence on the desert floor
Zabriskie Point
There's no shortage of dramatic rock formations in Death Valley National Park. But one that is (arguably) the most
Dust Storms
We aren't too alarmed when we hear about the wind advisory in Death Valley. After our December experiences with tornados
Dante’s View
So many of the iconic stops in Death Valley are on the valley's floor. Badwater, the Sailing Stones, and
Devils Golf Course
Devil's Golf Course is host to large rugged halite salt crystal formations in Badwater Basin on the floor of Death Valley National
Camping on the California Coast
As avid outdoors people, we love to camp along the California Coast, but it isn't easy. As one might
Top 10 Stops on Highway 1
There are many ways to see California. It is a state with remarkable diversity. Colorful deserts, dramatic mountain
Sea Otters of Morro Bay
Morro Bay is a haven for sea otters. The shallow entry to the bay is near impassable to larger
Montaña de Oro State Park
The California Coastline is awash in scenic draws. We could spend years exploring the state's coastal forests and delicate tidepools
Artists Drive Scenic Loop
Explore Death Valley National Park's colorful hillsides along the 9-mile one-way Artists Drive.
Badwater Basin
Walk along the lowest elevation location in North America, 282-feet below sea level, at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National
Manzanar National Historic Site
Manzanar National Historic Site preserves the spartan remnants of a WWII concentration camp that held Japanese Americans during the war
Pleasant Valley Pit Campground
Take in jaw-dropping vistas of the Sierra Nevada mountains from Pleasant Valley Pit's primitive campground just north of Bishop, California.
Biking Movie Road
Bike the filming locations of How the West Was Won, Tremors, and Iron Man along Movie Road in the Alabama
Foresthill OHV Trail System
Explore old mines, reservoirs, and ghost towns along dirt roads and a network of OHV routes in the Foresthill OHV
Foresthill Bridge
The Foresthill Bridge (aka Auburn-Foresthill Bridge & Auburn Bridge) is the tallest bridge in California towering 730-feet over the North
Tuttle Creek Campground
After tearing through the American west, it is a relief to finally take a bit of time to relax in
Islay Creek Campground
The Islay Creek Campground is a primitive wooded campground Montaña de Oro State Park, near Morro Bay, California. The grounds
Fish Rocks
Out in the remote California desert, a debate between art, graffiti, and history rages in slow motion at the Fish
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
The Sierra Nevada mountains range is host to a stunning range of natural diversity. With the ocean to the
Mark Twain Cabin
I thought my directions were wrong when we turned up a steep incline and wandered down a rough but clearly
Murphys, California
The California foothills are full to bursting with beautiful historic towns but Murphys takes a place of special prominence. The
Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge
No Hands Bridge off highway 49 is a hiking destination crossing the North Fork of the American River in the
Yosemite Valley
Most pictures that you see of Yosemite are of and from the Yosemite Valley. This haven in the Sierra
Cathedral Lakes Trail
Hiking Cathedral Lakes Trail from Tuolumne Meadows to Lower Cathedral Lake, surrounded by Cathedral, Echo, and Tresidder Peaks in Yosemite
Borrego Palm Canyon Trail
We do not come to Anza-Borrego with particular plans. So, in the morning, we go into town, Borrego Springs, for
Melville Winery
For the burgeoning oenophile, Melville Winery is a delight and education. While the winery boasts award winning Chardonnay, like most
OstrichLand USA
Feed ostriches & emus or buy an egg that can feed a family at the roadside attraction, OstrichLand USA in
Paula’s Pancake House
It's 10AM but I am waiting to eat because we are half an hour outside of Solvang, California and I'm
Kirk Creek Campground
Kirk Creek is one of the most desirable campgrounds we have every visited. Amenities are limited: there are no hookups
Buzzard’s Roost Hiking Trail
The Buzzard's Roost Hiking Trail is a 3 miles roundtrip that follows Big Sur River and climbs up a shady
Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground
Nestled among the Red Wood Trees and bordering the Big Sur River is the Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground. This
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium is a delight of frolicking sea otters, delicate jellies, colorful choral fish, and awkward coastal birds.
The Best Point Lobos Hike
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is one of the most remarkable natural destinations along the California shore line. It
San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour
We are not inclined towards ghost tours. Being a history buff, I get a little salty when tour guides
Vineyard 29
An upside of travel is the many beautiful places we can visit. Few compare to the cultivated grandeur of
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
Mark Twain described Mono Lake as "lifeless, treeless, hideous desert
Cargo Muchacho Mountains & Tumco Ghost Town, California
With plans to camp at Imperial Sand Dunes canceled, we find ourselves, late in the afternoon, wondering where we will
Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area
I had thought we would spend the night in Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area. What I hadn't anticipated was the
Art In The Wild Of East Jesus, Slab City
And we are back on the road! This time, for are are traveling for some human-made scenery: the open air
Arroyo Salado Primitive Campground
Arroyo Salado Primitive Campground, as the name implies, is a primitive campground. There are vaulted toilets, but any other convenience
Palm Slot Canyon
After big horn sheep, our second greatest interest is in hiking a slot canyon. Along with being on our way,
Up a Wash Without A Key
Sometimes, someone may set their keys on the drivers seat while they put on a jacket. Sometimes, another someone may
Big Horn Sheep, Palm Trees, Slot Canyons, & Off Road Misadventures
Like all road trippers, we have a long, long list of places that we "meant to visit" but never quite
Culp Valley Primitive Campground
We arrive at this the Culp Valley Primitive Campground late at night. The sun set hours ago and the only
Cliffside Hikes, Beach Picnics, and A Visit From The Quail Next Door In Montaña de Oro State Park
After spending all day wandering around Morro Bay, we have little time to travel to a campsite before dark. Fortunately,
Sea Otters, Seals, & Sea Gulls in Morro Bay, California
It is about lunch time as we approach Morro Bay. Without any particular plans for the day, we agree to
Piedras Blancas Friends of the Elephant Seal
If you close your eyes and listen, you might think you are in the echoing halls of a labyrinthine restroom
Nacimiento-Fergusson Road
So, we've been raving about Big Sur a bit. But here is the down side: rock slides. I'm sure you've
Tide Pools, Sea Anemone, and Sunsets Around Kirk Creek Campground, Big Sur
We are done wandering in eastern and central California. It's time to go to the coast. It's time to head
Recovery, Wine Tasting, And Wandering The Forest
After a few days to recover from our wintery detour, we are ready to go exploring. Our first priority is
Closed For Gusts, Open For Blizzards, A Scenic Detour Through Nevada
We had a simple and scenic plan when leaving the Alabama Hills. We would trace the eastern Sierras up to
A Cotton Candy Sunrise, Overlanding On Movie Road, And Campfire Cooking In The Alabama Hills
After tearing through the American west, it is a relief to finally take a bit of time to relax in
Overlanding Echo Canyon
While rougher than the road to the Racetrack, Echo Canyon's 4-wheeling route was a much more fun drive both for
Overlanding Racetrack Valley Road
You all know about The Racetrack. You've seen it in pictures: the cracked earth scraped by trails of surreally moving
Return To Death Valley
It's been more than half a year since we were back in Death Valley National Park. Then, the temperature was
In Which We Are The True Winners of the Super Bowl
When it comes the the Super Bowl, many Americans are faced with the question: who's part should I attend or
Thousand Palms Oasis
There are so many ecosystems that we have explored but we have never wandered through a natural palm grove. That
Dockweiler State Beach
When a friend's plane was delayed two hours, we had time to kill before picking them up from LAX. Instead
Sutro Heights And Baths
Sutro is a name that permeates San Francisco. Roads and civic works were named in commemoration of this mining engineer
Mount Tamalpais
While we were on the other side of the bay, another box on my "to do" list was to hike
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model
We had a list of places we wanted to visit before leaving San Francisco. And then we left San Francisco.
San Francisco: Back Where We Began
After wandering through the wilderness, we return to the city where we first launched this journey. This time, we are
Avenue of the Giants
The Avenue of the Giants is is one of so many breathtaking and unique features that make California such an
The Living Chimney Tree
While there isn't much left to see at Hobbiton, USA, there is more than just a defunct roadside attraction to
Hobbiton, USA
We are programmers. We've copped to that. So, I suppose it goes without saying that Peter Jackson's Lord of the
Confusion Hill
We do try to keep our journeys rational and high brow. Yet, every once and a while, we can't help
Pacific Star Winery
Once we had explored Glass Beach, it was time to head up the coast and inland to the redwoods. Yet,
Glass Beach
Last night, the temperatures plummeted but this morning we woke up hot. The sun beat down on our truck shell
MacKerricher State Park
With the fire behind us but on our mind, we were extra conscientious campers today. We headed due west for
Bodie, California
Bodie is the gold standard of ghost towns. Where other ghost towns have ten or so old buildings in varying
Oh! Ridge
It's hard to believe that just a few days ago we were sweating it out in Death Valley. Now, we
The Columns, Pillars, and Caves Of Bishop Tuff
The Bishop Tuff is one of the more unique volcanic formations in the world. It was formed over 700,000 years
Campfire Cooking Part Deux
After our hike, we were exhausted. Fortunately, I had already done the preparation work for tonight's dinner that morning. Now,
Big Pine Creek North Fork Trail
"Almost there" can be a promise or a threat. A lot of the deciding factor can come down to if
Experiments In Campfire Cooking
I've never reserved a camp site in advance before, but I am a convert now. After our agonizing experience searching
Wildflowers of The Mojave
Deserts are often considered to be synonymous with desolation. They are seen as barren tracts of sand dunes to travers
Cerro Gordo
Cerro Gordo is not easy to reach. If anything, traveling there was a good reminder of the compromises we
Summer in Badwater
I can tell you that we experienced 120°F, but I don't think a numeric measurement could convey what such heat does to
Paramount Ranch
Flanked by the Saratoga Hills, Paramount Ranch is part of an ongoing history of filmmaking. The ranch includes a full
The Center For Land Use Interpretation
The Center For Land Use Interpretation is part art, part research, and everything we love. I came across the site
Time Travel Mart
The Mar Vista Time Travel Mart stands apart from its neighboring stores along Venice Blvd. Perhaps it is the pacifist
The Getty
I remember visiting the Getty Center around 2004 and being blown away by the gardens. Certainly, the collection of art
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
We had many reasons for packing up our truck and heading back onto the road this summer. But one particular
Pasadena Sucks
We are meticulously law abiding. When we come to communities that have banned overnight parking in Walmarts such as Galveston,
The Museum of Jurassic Technology
It is a maze of twilight truths. Darkened, mysterious rooms hold strange oddities that might have been picked out of
The Long Haul
We have always had greater ambitions for Dodgy than just a bed under a truck shell. You don't need a
Elk Crossing
After a delightful night in the Redwood Forest, we figured the rest of our return journey would be rather rote.
Jedediah Smith Campground
In keeping with our tradition of shoehorning additional stops into an already busy schedule, we extended our trip by a
Salton Sea
The Salton Sea is an interesting example of when humans take water away, give it back again, and then take
Joshua Tree
While we had already enjoyed a short hike with friends while staying in Palm Springs, we decided to circle back
Wonderland Ranch
Joshua Tree may be a National Park today, but, back in the day, cattle roamed the scrub brush and miners
Desert Christ Park
Desert Christ Park is an early foray into biblically themed parks. It's not nearly to the state of gems you
Noah Purifoy’s Outdoor Desert Art Museum
Noah Purifoy's Outdoor Desert Art Museum fills ten acres of "environmental statues" outside of Joshua Tree, California. Visitors wander down
Krblin Jihn Kabin
The Kabin may be part of the Kcymaerxthaere series of pieces by Eames Demetrios but it certainly stands on its
Robolights
Robolights has been the continuing project of Kenny Irwin Jr. since 1986. What was intended as a dystopian Christmas display
Palm Springs
Get ready to be jealous, because we are in Palm Springs. We are renting a house with a pool in
The Cabazon Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs mean a lot of different things to different people. To children, they are awesome monsters and rubber toys. To
Huntington Gardens
Though we do live in an old van under a bridge, we do—on very rare occasion—take a shower and do
Paso Robles
There's a lot of vineyards for sale in Paso Robles. With those rolling hills and coastal breezes, I can think
Santa Monica
Well, this is it, guys, the end of Route 66. Ignore that we only picked it up in Oklahoma City
Griffith Observatory
Finally, we make it to Southern California and weather befitting civilized society. We shrugged off our coats and scarfs to
Restocking
We had to loop back to Grass Valley to pick up a few last items we had left with friends.
Los Angeles
I know some people might baulk if I were to say that we were "trapped" in Los Angeles. Maybe I'll
Red, Red Wine
Ah, Santa Barbara! Sure, I could say we visited for the cute downtown but who would we be kidding? It
Yes Sur!
Next, we mozied down the 1 to Big Sur. Aside from almost getting bit by a rattlesnake, it was a
California Dream’Inn
For our first night on the road, we celebrated by not sleeping in the car. Instead, we indulged in a