California Travel Guide
California, From Our Backyard to Yours
This California Travel Guide is built on the places we actually go.
We live in the Northern California foothills, so a lot of what you will find here started as our own weekend trips and family drives. From the coast to the mountains, these are real spots with honest notes attached.
If you want the big picture first, start with our California Bucket List. From there, wander down to the coastal town of Cambria, stop in Carmel, or head up into the foothills for a day in Grass Valley.
There is a lot of state to see. The national parks alone could fill a year, and the Golden State keeps surprising us the longer we explore it.
Whether it is your first California trip or your tenth, this is the place to start. And when you are ready to stop researching and start planning, book a free call and we will map it out together.
Bowman Lake Northern California: A Local’s Guide to One of the Sierra’s Best Kept Secrets
Bowman Lake in Northern California is one of Nevada County’s most beautiful and overlooked spots. Here is what to know before you go, from a local just down the road in Penn Valley.
Yuba River Swimming Holes: A Local’s Guide
I live fifteen minutes from the South Yuba River, and every summer friends ask me the same question. Where do we swim? These are the Yuba River swimming holes I actually go to, the ones I take family to, and the honest safety advice nobody tells you.
The Ultimate California Bucket List: 50 Epic Things to Do in the Golden State
Ready to explore the best of the Golden State? From majestic mountain peaks and dramatic coastal drives to hidden desert gems, discover 50 epic things to add to your itinerary—plus the ultimate resource to help you seamlessly organize and track your dream California adventure.