California Now Podcast

Atlas Obscura’s Dylan Thuras gives us a tour of strange sites that are perfect for families or anyone young at heart. Architecture expert Sam Lubell shares his picks for the most impressive contemporary California structures built in the last decade.  We end our journey with an insider’s guide to San Francisco's East Bay with  Travel + Leisure  Executive Editor Jesse Ashlock.

Stephanie Rosenbloom, a  New York Times  travel writer, discusses the merits of solo travel. Eater L.A. senior editor Farley Elliott lists his five favorite street food purveyors in Los Angeles. Thom Curry helps us understand California’s vibrant olive oil industry.

Alison Bing explains why  Lonely Planet  named California’s Redwood Coast the top destination in the country. Next up,  Travel + Leisure  Editor in Chief Nathan Lump shares his top California hotels for best splurge, best oceanfront, best value, spectacular service, and more. Then Sacramento dining critic Kate Washington highlights splurge-worthy meals and up-and-coming ethnic spots in the Farm-to...

We begin with a conversation with Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley and his new video series Wildest Dreams. The always-engaging Moseley shares insights about a few of the locations he discovered while filming, including the beautiful scenery in Siskiyou County and the raw wilderness of Catalina Island. Then, Mission San Juan Capistrano Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams takes us on a ja...

Kevin Jorgeson joins host Soterios Johnson for a breakdown of California’s best climbing—from pure beginner to expert-level adventures. Author Ann Marie Brown takes the outdoorsy theme up a notch by revealing her top five campgrounds in the Golden State. And,  InStyle  editor Ruthie Friedlander goes on a hunt for the best boutiques in Los Angeles.

Host Soterios Johnson and  Travel + Leisure ’s Nathan Lump take an audio road trip from Calistoga to the Mendocino Coast visiting friendly wineries, enjoying memorable meals, and walking in a majestic redwood grove. Rock critic Fred Schruers reveals his top five music venues in Los Angeles. And, Pauline Frommer offers up some family-friendly destinations in the Golden State.

When Curtis Stone decided to showcase Central Coast wines at Maude, his 24-seat Beverly Hills hotspot, he knew he had to hit the road. Stone and his culinary team ventured north from Los Angeles—tasting wines in Santa Barbara, visiting farms in San Luis Obispo County, and even riding along with a sea urchin diver. Also, host Soterios Johnson talks with Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley about his...

Dennis Mammana lives in Borrego Springs, an International Dark Sky Community located two hours east of San Diego that just happens to be one of the best places in the world to experience the night sky.  Former pro cyclist Phil Gaimon explains why California is his favorite place to ride (his rationale involves sunshine and dolphins) and architecture expert Sam Lubell raves about the Mid-Century Mo...

What happens when an intrepid food critic is asked to consume 13 Michelin stars worth of cuisine in the space of four days in San Francisco? Amanda Frasier pulls back the curtain on Forbes Travel Guide’s influential luxury ratings program and describes California’s three triple Five-Star rated properties.  Author Ken McAlpine shares insights on Channel Islands National Park, an archipelago off the...

Episode No. 2 of California Now kicks off with a conversation with Atlas Obscura co-founder Dylan Thuras, a man who specializes in surfacing curious and wondrous travel destinations. Pauline Frommer offers up a few packing tricks she has assembled over a lifetime of travel as co-president of Frommer’s. Acclaimed wine writer Jon Bonné talks about his latest book on wine culture,  Th e New Wine Rule...

Samantha Brown, PBS host of   Samantha Brown’s Places to Love   talks about the gorgeous views along Highway One and raves about the area’s iconic destinations and also celebrates some of the hidden gems in the region and shares her insights about how to experience them. Outdoor expert and author Ann Marie Brown, offers essential advice on  chasing waterfalls  in the Golden State, including what t...