What to do if you see a coyote on the trail — or in your backyard
My friend Ameera and I were almost back to the parking lot after hiking to Mt. Hollywood under a full moon when she spotted something…
One of L.A’s best birding hot spots is on a military base in the desert
Last week, I drove out to Rosamond to visit a paradoxical place: the largest freshwater wetlands in the desert of northern L.A. County. I wondered:…
Joshua Tree too crowded? Try these 3 desert hikes near L.A.
Now is the time of year when I try not to brag too much about how great the weather is. Soon enough, my friends back…
L.A.’s Rim of the Valley needs to be protected. Here’s why
As our small plane flew over the San Fernando Valley, I was in awe of just how remarkable and diverse the region’s wild lands are.I…
What to do when you see a mountain lion while hiking
I was around 16, sitting on the front porch talking to my friend on the phone, as many millennial teens did, when I heard a…
Book these campsites near L.A. now to bask in wildflowers come spring
One Sunday morning in March 2019, I asked my wife to get in the car and go on a road trip with me. I decided…
Drop the doom scroll. The open road offers hope, optimism, sunflowers
ON THE ROAD FROM DENVER TO LAS VEGAS — Name the iconic plants of the American Southwest — go!Saguaro cacti in the Sonoran desert, of…
3 Mount Wilson hikes to learn about L.A.’s space exploration history
I grew up in a rural place with minimal light pollution. When I looked up to the night sky, I could see layers of stars…
Big Santa Anita Canyon is open. Here’s how to hike the L.A. oasis
Four years after the Bobcat fire and subsequent floods tore through Angeles National Forest, the pristine mountain wonderland of Big Santa Anita Canyon near Sierra…
‘SNL’ premiere recap: Jean Smart ushers in landmark Season 50
In the 50th season premiere of “Saturday Night Live,” not much was made about it being 50 historic years, save for a few mentions in…
6 helpful nature apps that will enhance every hike
I used to believe that the last thing I wanted to do on a hike was pull out my phone. That’s one of the reasons…
3 hikes that avoid the Southern California wildfires
A week before Los Angeles shut down in spring 2020, my two friends, wife, dog and I hiked the Bridge to Nowhere. Setting off into…
Bears don’t hibernate in L.A. How to stay safe from them on trails
I was drifting to sleep in my tent, soothed by the crisp night air, when I heard one word that jarred me back to reality.…
4 tips for how to start rock climbing in and around L.A.
I’ve never enjoyed walking into a gym. Growing up as a fat kid, I have enough traumatic memories around exercise to fill several therapy sessions.…
These day hikes in Kings Canyon National Park are uncrowded and serene
Hiking in and around L.A. can often feel like its own mini-vacation. Our local public lands offer many different types of escape, whether you want…
Newsom threatens to call another special session on oil regulation
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened to call a special session this fall as Democratic lawmakers wobbled on a package of energy bills that he…
Why hiking early in Los Angeles is worth getting out of bed
I’ve never regretted getting up early for a hike.I had that realization on my favorite trail near Pasadena last week, as I breathed in the…
It’s a full moon weekend. Here’s where to hike in L.A.
My coworkers and I were deep in conversation when we all gasped. We’d crested a hill in Griffith Park, and rising just as we did…
It’s rattlesnake season in L.A. Here’s how to stay safe
My good friend Bob and I were hiking to Strawberry Peak when she abruptly said, “Stop.” That’s our code for danger. Bob and I hike…
3 L.A. trails to hike before jumping straight into a lake
This time of year, I start to feel a little trapped by the heat.Don’t get me wrong, I understand the No. 1 rule of hiking…