California Now Podcast

Join host Soterios Johnson as he gets to know a Northern California region that has shown incredible resilience: Butte County. This corner of the Shasta Cascade region is recovering from last year’s Camp Fire—and your vacation dollars will play a huge role in helping it bounce back. After that, our host learns about Temecula from a local: Thom Curry, co-owner of the Temecula Olive Oil Co., reveals his favorite things to do and places to go in this Inland Empire mecca. Curry recommends places to go for dinner, wineries that are worth a visit, and an essential activity in the region: hot-air ballooning. The episode wraps up with San Diego magazine editor-in-chief Erin Glenny, who encourages visitors to get outdoors, hit the beach, do some yoga, and enjoy the vibrant cultural scene.

Our podcast guests often rave about one very special way to experience California: a classic road trip, where the destination and the journey are one and the same. We’ve compiled some of our favorite chats from the past six months, covering everything from great dining to epic views to quirky diversions.

We’ve had so many fascinating food experts on the podcast that we decided to assemble a greatest hits album of sorts—a collection of tip-filled snippets with some true insiders. The episode starts off with host Soterios Johnson’s conversation with Jeff Gordinier, Food and Drinks Editor for Esquire magazine. Gordinier tasted his way through some of the top restaurants in San Francisco and discovered that there was much to love at the high end of the culinary scene, including three-star spots like Saison, Atelier Crenn, and Benu.

Hunter Lewis, editor in chief of Food & Wine magazine, explains what California cuisine is, how it took shape four decades ago, and where visitors can experience it today. After that, acclaimed rock climber Kevin Jorgeson shares some of his favorite things to do and places to go in his native Sonoma County, including spots in Petaluma, Sebastopol, and Santa Rosa. The episode ends with author Ann Marie Brown, who helps listeners hack their next visit to Yosemite National Park. Her best suggestion: Get out of your car and experience the park from the passenger seat, and on your feet.

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-Fork Capital.

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 jam-packed tour around Orange County. And, the episode closes with Tasia Duske, CEO of  Museum Hack, who brings tons of energy and a healthy dose of irreverence, to two of California’s best museums.

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.