See. Major Adams Monument A monument in Johannesburg dedicated to Major Michael Adams, the 12th and final X-15 pilot. Crankshaft Crossing An intersection in Death Valley backcountry marked by abandoned crankshafts and a metal signpost. Death Valley National Park Explore the Earth's hottest place, which became a national park in 1994. Joshua Tree National Park Visit this national park, which became a national park in 1994.
Eat. Ferry Building farmers market Visit this market in San Francisco for fresh produce and local goods. Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory Visit the birthplace of the fortune cookie, founded in 1962 in San Francisco.
Stay. Hollywood Stay in this iconic Los Angeles neighborhood, known for its hotels and pop culture representations. Santa Monica Base yourself in this Los Angeles area, near the beach and pier. Venice Discover this distinct and walkable Los Angeles neighborhood, offering charming cottage Airbnbs. Malibu Find cliffside Airstreams and oceanfront luxury retreats in this area of Los Angeles.
Atlas Obscura
The X-15 rocket plane program is barely remembered today, but it was the first venture by crewed craft to the edge of space. The rocket plane, carrying a human pilot, would be carried to high altitude under the wing of a modified B-52. The plane would then be released, and the pilot would initiate a flight plan, firing the rocket engine and commonly flying up to the edge of space. A number of t…
Atlas Obscura
Also known as Crankshaft Junction, this is another intersection in the Death Valley backcountry with a quirky tradition: the site is marked with abandoned crankshafts. It is also marked with a metal signpost on which the name has been written in molten metal, presumably with an arc welder. Crankshaft Crossing lies at the intersection of the Death Valley-Big Pine road with a side road going to G…
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Condé Nast Traveler
Feel like a celebrity—or maybe sleep in a room next to one.
Condé Nast Traveler
Here's where to rest your head in the City of Angels.
Lonely Planet
The Amtrak route between the San Francisco Bay area to Chicago shows a diverse cross-section of the nation that you won
Afar
Disabled travelers share eight beaches around the world where thoughtful design, inclusive amenities, and accessible infrastructure make it easier for more people to enjoy the coast. Accessibility ...
The New York Times
A new 17-day festival in August is a reminder that jazz roots run deep in Los Angeles. Here’s where to hear some of the best musicians around.
Lonely Planet
Here
Lonely Planet
You might already know the most popular US national parks, but maybe not the newer ones. Here
Condé Nast Traveler
Marine life encounters, giant whale sharks, and conservation programs are all on the table at the best aquariums in the US.
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Condé Nast Traveler
Now at the helm of one of America's most classic fashion brands, Zac Posen talks about relocating to San Francisco and embracing his new hometown.
Condé Nast Traveler
Take in mountain views all day long from these homes.
Condé Nast Traveler
With towering redwoods and stirring ocean vistas, these properties embody the magic of Big Sur.
Condé Nast Traveler
Whether you seek an upscale retreat, glamping spot, or refurbished motel, there's a perfect stay for you here.
Outside
You do not have to sleep on the ground or skip hot showers to enjoy America’s most beautiful wild spaces. These incredible lodges and glamping spots offer the best of nature—without any of the roughing it.
Afar
It’s a golden opportunity to explore the places and learn about the people that have defined the state’s past.
Outside
Sure, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon are impressive, but our national parks columnist argues national parks in the East rival their popular counterparts out West when it comes to biodiversity, accessibility, and more.
Outside
Early summer brings one of nature’s most impressive displays as thousands of fireflies light up forests across national parks. Here’s where you can still catch the show.
Condé Nast Traveler
From historic lodges to sprawling ranch resorts, these stunning spots are worth planning your next trip around.
Outside
Free-hanging waterfalls, thundering cascades, and rapids hemmed in brilliant moss: No matter what you're looking for, you can find it in a state near you.
Outside
With the right perspective, and the right vehicle, you can find Adventure Everywhere
Outside
From steam-powered star trains to moonlit railbike rides through redwood forests, these are the best night sky train adventures across America.
Outside
Meet Dingo, a 60-year-old surf photographer who shoots Newport Beach’s most famous wave. He recently captured a massive summer swell, and the riders who shredded it.
Outside
There's something special about a place where people and their dogs can relax, play, and experience the outdoors together. These seven destinations do it best.
Outside
The feds eliminated Yosemite National Park's entry reservation system for 2026, leading to gridlock, towing, and massive lines. But visitors can still make the most of a trip. Here's what to know before you visit this summer.
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Smithsonian Magazine
The park’s picturesque peaks, wonderful waterfalls and towering trees aren’t just photo opportunities; they’re visual poetry. And they’re just some of the reasons to love Yosemite
Atlas Obscura
The "Hole in the Wall" area, in the middle of the Mojave National Preserve, contains photogenic tuff units, volcanic rocks that were formed, not by a flow of molten lava, but by the settling out of individual particles from a cloud of volcanic ash. If the particles are hot enough to stick together, the result is a "welded" tuff. That's what's happened here. The welding is uneven, so that the le…
Outside
The same record-breaking crowds that are ruining the experience at places like Yellowstone and Yosemite may be the only thing keeping them protected from budget cuts and development.
Outside
The falling death of a 66-year-old man on the Mount Wilson Trail prompted a warning from authorities. But experts say the route—which includes precipitous ledges and a fixed rope—is safe.
Outside
Planning a National Park trip? Before you load the car, check this list. These items are prohibited, and could land you a hefty fine or jail time.
Outside
From a magical stretch of the California coast to 50,000 acres in Montana, conservationists are still finding ways to set aside land for protection.
Outside
Beach camping sites are hard to find and reserve the closer you get to peak season, so we won't gatekeep. Book these coveted spots from Assateague Island to the Kalalau Trail, before they are gone.
Atlas Obscura
Since the early 1920s, when word first spread of a highway that would run from Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 has defined the American dream—symbolizing the country's sense of freedom, ingenuity, and continuous transformation. Join us as we drive the "Mother Road" from start to finish, exploring everything from outsider art to indigenous history. Episode 1: The Mother Road We start our journe…
Outside
From a new DarkSky Approved glamping retreat in Yosemite to a former seaweed camp-turned-nature lodge in Patagonia, here are hotels, lodges, and retreats where you can feel like your stay is doing good.
Outside
When a lightning storm met a Yosemite proposal, Erica Houck leaned into chaos. The result? A viral photo of El Capitan you have to see to believe.
Outside
National Geographic Explorer Stephanie Pearson shares insights with us from her new book '100 Hikes of a Lifetime U.S.A,' including her toughest and most rewarding treks across the country.
Atlas Obscura
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , and all major podcast apps. A few weeks ago, I was up in the Sierra Nevada mountains by myself for the weekend. I like doing that sometimes. The ski mountain I like is about five hours north of L.A. I usually leave town on a Friday night. On the way up, I sleep in my van at a rest stop or a campground on public land. And I wake up the next morn…
Outside
I’ve spent my career writing about under-appreciated gems and getting away from the crowds. But there’s something to be said for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a bunch of strangers and staring at something gorgeous—especially in the times we’re living in right now.
Outside
When the social psychologist Dr. Paul Piff became interested in how experiencing awe affects people, he developed an unprecedented research project in Lake Tahoe
Outside
Despite the dry winter, spring is when waterfalls are at their most breathtaking. Witness a snowmelt waterfall firsthand in these five locations.
Outside
Groundbreaking research shows how spending time in awe-inspiring places like Lake Tahoe boosts well-being in measurable ways
AI answers grounded in the 84 recent stories about California shown on this page. It can be wrong — the linked articles are the source of truth.