The California wildflower super bloom following the torrential season of La Nina rains. One of the most spectacular California spectacles of the year, possibly the decade. One of those experiences you must experience in all its other-worldly glory, take in the sights and smells at this incredible national landmark, the Carrizo Plains National Monument.

And there are no secrets on living for the day or feeling limitless.

The Californist comprehensive guide to what's great about Big Sur. Places to stop, camp, view and hang.  The chillest of the chill. 

A discussion on California's legacy of putting industry before our environment.  How one fish is among a long heritage of sacrificing species in the name of mismanagement. 

Some of our favorite California documentaries, films that inspire us to think bigger, explore nature and find our inner John Muir.

This adventure leads us to explore our favorite California's most interesting caves.  Places you can check out and explore. Experience true absolute darkness and discover fascinating cave dwelling creatures.

California has, literally hundreds of ghost towns, all found in different places along the spectrum.  Some bear the former self, others a stack of rocks or, perhaps more disenchanting, nothing whatsoever. 

The National Historic Trail system is an enduring legacy chronicling the great American journeys and expiditions.  There are only a handful of National Historic Trails and fewer still in California. Let's take a look at this noble idea and explore the California National Historic Trails. 

We are now in that rare gorgeous window where the California hills become iridescent with color. Get ready for a trip to Figueroa Mountain and other favorite locations for viewing California blooms in a colorful resource for fans of the definitive springtime California landscape.

We've tracked down and catalogued our favorite California bridges; including suspension, covered, truss and trestle bridges.  Any especially fascinating bridges or stories related to are included in the survey.  

Every Californian knows about the thousands of eucalyptus trees throughout the state (especially Southern regions). Let's discuss the absurd origins and costs associated with introducing a poisoning invasive species into the state ecosystems. Let's talk about bad ideas. 

In this edition, we tour and discuss The Grand Tree Tour.  Here we'll visit the tallest, the most massive and the oldest trees on earth, all located, of course, in our California backyard. 

The most important, famous and iconic drives for any Californian. Rites of Passage. 

The beach lovers piece. The Californist looks at local and favored California beach friendly items for your beach going adventures.  We love these beach bags, boardshorts, sunscreens and beach entertainment designs. 

So you want to pitch your tent next to the crashing waves.  It's tough to find these days, but the Californist has put together a list of places that will let you pitch a tent next to the beach. 

Locations in the following areas:

Southern California

Central Coast

Northern California 

A Californist list of our favorite public and private libraries.  Libraries from all over the state of California are represented in this list that features unusual aesthetic, historical or architectural beauty. 

You have to admire this intrepid pioneer who helped move forward the fertile bedrock of the modernist California Style. Nationally recognized and lauded for his vision on elegant simplicity, livable gardens and native planting. His gardens were designed within the framework of practicality and aesthetic durability traits that likely exist within your own backyard today

The best Friday-worthy music for your liberating commute home. FREEEEEeeeeeeeddooommmm....  

Our favorite botanical gardens, ranging from higher priced to free. Including the following:

Huntington Library and Gardens

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

UC Davis Arboretum 

San Francisco Botanical Garden

San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden

Mostly California movies that wear that California neon-noir film aesthetic like a glorious synthesizer badge of honor.    

If you are one of the lucky individuals who happened to be shopping for mid-century modern furniture in the heyday of California design between the '30s to the mid '60s, you likely have some highly sought after and heirloom quality wares featured in one of the three following California Design books. 

We've done our best to cull out the places that heed the fabled motherly mantra "Well, you get what you pay for." Except for Slab City, but we really shouldn't call that camping anyway.

Ever been walking in the forest and come across a fire lookout and start daydreaming about doing one of the coolest jobs ever?

Now you can rent that experience and you don't even have to hassle with all that brush clearing, trail raking and fishing out of plastic bags from pit toilets. Live the dream!