Weekend Sherpa: Take It Outside

Is this California's wildest national park? Maybe! What's a for sure? You should absolutely visit Channel Islands National Park off Ventura County Coast. Channel Islands has been dubbed the Galapagos of North America for good reason: The five islands comprising this national park have over 2,000 terrestrial plants and animals, of which 145 are found nowhere else in the world. You won't find ice cr...

Two years into a global pandemic and one thing remains true—the outdoors is a saving grace for physical and mental health. In this new year's episode, Brad and Holly discuss winter as the season of sunrises and sunsets, and the best outdoor settings in California to experience both. Also, where to find local waterfalls, and some of the best places to hike-in for a picnic with panoramic scenery. An...

Waterfalls, wildlife, secret beaches, small towns, and epic sand dunes. The Oregon Coast and Highway of Waterfalls makes a magnificent getaway this winter. In this episode Brad and Holly share tips and itinerary ideas from their recent road trip along the Southern Oregon Coast and the Highway of Waterfalls, including "Secret Beach", the massive sand dunes that sparked the inspiration for the bests...

We may be biased, but getting outdoors is the best gift you'll give yourself this holiday. Brad and Holly talk about some areas around California that make excellent outdoor respites, with hiking, mountain biking, peak bagging and more. From desert escapes to summit hikes that are best in fall and winter, plus more easygoing walks the whole family can enjoy over the holidays together. We also catc...

What's brewing? How about some hikes with spirits (actually, beer!), or adventures with just a bit of ghostly presence, but mostly just really good hikes and adventures to do in fall. This podcast edition is like a variety-bag of Halloween candy: lots of options! From NorCal best beaches to where to find the best waterfalls now that there's been some rain, plus redwoods, tarantulas, and a bonus po...

Ease into autumn with a conversation about one of the best ways to relax on the water in wine country... Brad and Holly discuss the "Amazon of Wine Country" one of the best kept secrets for river adventures. Also in the mix: mountain biking, the debate over adding 142 campsites to a state park, a special birthday, and red flag warnings. Later they are joined by Weekend Sherpa contributing writer,...

As a new season comes and life continues with Covid variants, wildfires, and big changes to our lives as the result of a global pandemic, we've got to remember to take care of ourselves mentally and physically, and thankfully the outdoors still offers a respite for rejuvenation and proven health benefits. Brad and Holly discuss everything from meditation to local outdoor adventures to clear your h...

With wildfires raging, a serious drought, and a sobering UN climate report, Brad and Holly discuss some of the impacts on California's great outdoors—state parks, national parks, thru hikes such as the Pacific Crest Trail, and more. They also talk about redwood hikes, car-free bike paths locally and beyond for do-it-yourself bike touring. Then Caitlin Cornwall, a biologist at the esteemed Sonoma E...

Like chicken soup for the soul, there are some hikes that just deliver comfort in their familiarity and natural beauty—from iconic views, ocean scenery, wildlife sightings, and locations within national, state and regional parks. Brad and Holly talk about some "comfort food" day hikes and backpacking trails to do in California and a few points beyond (Wyoming), including a 3-beach day hike in the...

Something magical happens when you hike for a couple of miles in Yosemite... Brad and Holly catch up on summer backpacking adventures, including a gloriously quiet Yosemite High Sierra trek of lake hopping and peak bagging. Get all the details and tips on this two-to-three-night backpacking journey: where to camp, Volgensang Peak, lakes to visit, food to pack, and plenty more. Later in the podcast...

A treasure hunt in San Francisco, backpacking in Yosemite, an easygoing bike ride in Point Reyes, a state park with a storied past, and a multi-day trek far off on Vancouver Island feature into this mid-summer podcast with Brad and Holly sharing trip ideas and more. SoCal's head writer, Matt Pawlik, also joins the podcast to share hikes to hidden lakes in Angeles National Forest, a secret side-tri...

After a brief hiatus we're back! Brad and Holly have a special summer edition episode on a lake hopping High Sierra backpacking trip that doesn't require a reservation, Canada's backpacking system vs. the US, and then a special guest joints the podcast. Heather Werner lives in the Bay Area, owns an eco-friendly hair salon, and recently attempted to summit Mount Everest. She's a role model and insp...

Is there a city with easier access to the great outdoors than Reno? In just 15 minutes you can be on the mountain trails. Or you can stay in town and wander the beside the Truckee River on the Riverwalk. In this episode Brad and Holly are joined by author and Weekend Sherpa contributing writer Nicol Szanto, a Reno local. They talk about Weekend Sherpa's recent trip to Reno, including best hikes, a...

We're no doctors, but nature is good medicine. In this episode Brad & Holly talk about some of their favorite nature experiences in Sonoma County. We're talking about lavender labyrinths, sunset hikes, wildflowers, and yes, beer and wine! Plus, Hank the bulldog is turning 10 years old, which is a very big deal.

For National Park Week, Brad and Holly cover a list of top outdoor adventures in national parks across the West. Find out when to go, peaks to bag, where to camp, cool bars nearby, and a tip at the end on how to find one of the best hidden hikes in America's most famous canyon.

Walk, wine, wildflowers, repeat! Co-hosts Holly and Brad have lots to cover for a springtastic time ... starting with where to catch wildflowers in the Bay Area, including Napa, Mount Diablo, and Marin. They also chat about what's blooming in Point Reyes (along with the latest controversy about Tule Elk). Then LA contributor Matt joins to share his recent, food, wine, and hiking adventures in in S...

Brad and Holly talk about their favorite National Parks in spring. Which car-free road is idyllic in spring for bike riding? Where you can find some solitude in Joshua Tree and the Airstream of dreams to spend the night? What hikes in Death Valley are good for wildflowers when there's no superbloom? What's a great day-hike or overnight in the Grand Canyon? Plus Holly's backpacking trip on the Nā P...

Urban forest bathing among eucalyptus... An epic waterfall hike wayyy back in regional wilderness... A lesser-known redwood grove for soaking in some ahhhs... In this episode, Brad and Holly talk about mindful hikes in both the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles, the wonders of stairway walks, a trail less traveled with incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and what they're planning when...

Badwater, Hell's Gate, Desolation Canyon ... do you dare go? For all its intimidating names evoking isolation, remoteness, and heat, Death Valley National Park is an intriguing destination as the largest national park in the Lower 48. In this episode, Brad and Holly talk about their recent adventure to Death Valley, including the best sunset and sunrise locations, two excellent canyon hikes, how t...

Cupid to the rescue? Not really. Weekend Sherpa’s co-founders, Brad and Holly, have some ideas on local outdoors adventures in California that are sweet and make good last minute Valentine’s plans. They also talk about their very recent southwest road trip to Sedona and Grand Canyon National Park, discussing top hiking spots in the areas, the most Instagram popular hike in Sedona (and whether that...

Stay-at-home has been lifted and everyone wants their space. With the outdoors more popular than ever, places can get crowded quickly. Brad and Holly discuss some of the best Bay Area, NorCal, and SoCal spots for getting outdoors with more room to roam. From Tahoe snowshoeing to the dunes of Death Valley, mellow marshes, and more, including international outdoors destinations and backpacking adven...

Amid a new year that is starting off as a continuation of challenges, from an attempted coup on democracy to the importance of getting outdoors, Brad and Holly discuss the realities of now. And of course they talk about some of the best new hiking trails and winter wanders to do locally in the Bay Area and SoCal. Special guest Matt Pawlik, Weekend Sherpa's senior LA writer, joins the podcast to ta...

Brad and Holly share their thoughts and lessons from 2020 and discuss the top outdoor adventures from Weekend Sherpa in this most rollercoaster of years, including how the list is developed, what their personal favorites are, the value of the outdoors in a pandemic, and more. Moving on to 2021!

Yosemite's backcountry ski hut, amazing sunset and mistletoe hikes, a Kobe Bryant mural walk... And, Oprah's favorite thing (a biscuit!) This holiday season episode is packed with fun stories and good ideas for making the most of the local outdoors. Brad and Holly talk about some of their favorite winter adventures (including Brad's epic challenge to reach Ostrander Hut in Yosemite, and the wild b...

In a holiday season like no other, Covid's projected surge is here, so where do you go to find some holiday cheer? While a lot has been closed down again in California, the outdoors can still offer some yuletide joy. In this episode, Holly and Brad talk about some easy and scenic bike rides in the San Francisco Bay Area, from a beach hopping roll to brew pubs (take out only currently), to a car-fr...