Location: Laos, North Central
Former royal capital and current UNESCO World Heritage Site, this beautiful and tourist friendly city is known for its rich religious and cultural heritage, notable and well-preserved architectural elements, and for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries.
Location: Laos, North Central, near Luang Prabang
An incredibly beautiful multi-tiered series of falls with perfect pools of turquoise water, ideal for swimming. Pause on your way in (or out) to see the Asian Black Bears at the Bear Rescue Center!
Location: Florida, Tampa Bay Area, Sarasota Area
Limited access hike in Myakka State Park to a sinkhole filled with gators
Location: California, San Diego area
Explore the “secret” caves at Pappy’s Point including the famous “Rum Runner’s Cave”.
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Bishop
Great hike to a picturesque mountain basin with alpine lakes surrounded by towering peaks – best done as an overnight backpacking trip.
Overview of photography gear we use and when we use it
Environmentally friendly take on sky lanterns using helium balloons and LEDs
The intrepid way to enjoy a classic holiday tradition
Location: California, San Diego area
Travel the once-thriving Route 80 to see historic road side attractions, abandoned buildings, railcars, and modern day ghost towns
Location: California, San Diego
Excellent set of sea caves on the San Diego coast
Location: California, San Diego area, La Jolla
Short, non-technical sandstone canyon on the coast with year-round water and a waterfall
Location: California, San Diego, Solana Beach
Large wetland preserve – home to over 1,000 species of plants and animals and contains over 7 miles of trails
Location: California, San Diego area, Solana Beach
Fun little coastal sandstone canyon on the banks of a scenic lagoon
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Highly scenic, remote technical canyon best done as an overnight.
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Zion’s classic day hike/river walk through its most famous canyon.
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Family friendly trail that provides access to The Narrows and features views of the Virgin River and pretty hanging gardens
Location: Iowa, Eastern
State park with 13 non-technical caves that can easily be explored.
Location: Iowa, Central
Preserve featuring lakes, wetlands, woodlands, and prairie with hiking trails, boating, and fishing options
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Iconic Byzantine-era cathedral turned mosque and now a museum; characterized by spectacular architecture and decorative elements including numerous mosaics
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Breathtaking Classical Period mosque, particularly notable for its stained glass windows and decorative tiles
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Impressive Byzantine-era cistern supported by marble columns, two of which are notable for having Medusa heads carved into the bases.
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
15th century Ottoman royal palace with extensive grounds and courtyards, a harem, treasury, arms collection, and more.
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
One of the oldest bazaars in the world and featuring over 4,000 shops – a wonderful combination of history, culture, and modern wares.
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Museum housing the excavated remains of spectacular mosaics from the 4th century imperial palace
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Former palace garden turned into a lovely public park with various historic features
Location: Turkey, Antalya Region, Kemer
Picturesque ruins of an important ancient harbor city sacked by pirates
Location: Turkey, Antalya Region
Well-preserved ruins of an ancient fortified city in the mountains including numerous impressive remaining structures
Location: Turkey, Antalya Region
Mountain used by ancient sailors as a lighthouse, due to flames burning there for centuries because of gas vents in the limestone rock
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
One of the wonders of the modern world, the beautifully located ruins of this Incan citadel feature outstanding ruins and nice trails to more remote sites in the complex
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Checkpoint and outlook for the Incan city of Tipon, with beautiful views, ruins of the city walls, and ancient petroglyphs
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Ruins of a large, pre-Inca cultural site
Location: Peru, Cusco Region
Ruins of an Incan fortified citadel complex overlooking Cusco featuring huge, precisely cut stone blocks
Location: Peru, Cusco Region
Mountain biking on single tracks in the hills outside of Cusco provide great views in addition to jumps and obstacles
Location: Peru, Cusco Region
Former capital of the Inca Empire and general tourist Mecca; home to numerous Inca and Spanish colonial historic sites
Location: Peru, Cusco Region
Historic community famous for its delicious artisan bread
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Beautifully appointed train offering a luxury travel experience to and from Cusco and Machu Picchu
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Large, less visited Incan archaeological site characterized by huge terraces and an extensive canal system
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Former royal Incan estate turned stronghold of the Inca Resistance
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Ride Peruvian Paso Fino horses through the beautiful countryside of the Sacred Valley
Location: Peru, Cusco Region, Pampa Conga area
Technical canyon descent over several waterfalls; canyon also has a swing bridge and “Tarzan Swing” option typically done in conjunction with the canyon descent
Location: Peru, Cusco Region, La Convención Province
Backpacking through spectacular Andean scenery to the ruins of a remote and extensive Incan city
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Compact, significant Mayan sites with numerous ruins including the notable “El Castillo” with friezes on its upper walls
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Horseback Riding along the Mopan River near San Ignacio and Maya ruins
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Site of largely unexcavated (and possibly significant) Maya ruins
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Tallest waterfall in Central America, seen from a viewing platform at the edge of a huge canyon
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Major Mayan archaeological site with numerous ruins and structures to explore, including Caana (the Sky Palace)
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Idyllic swimming location with numerous small waterfalls and pools
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Short, non-technical and easily accessible scenic cave
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Non-technical cave that must be explored by canoe or kayak; also contains a few Mayan artifacts
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Swim into a beautiful cave notable for its excellent cave formations in addition to remarkable Mayan artifacts
Location: Belize, Eastern, Caribbean Coast
Sail to deserted islands and remote coral reef systems where you can drop in and snorkel
Location: Belize, Eastern, Caribbean Coast
Diving to attempt to find and interact with Whale Sharks
Location: Belize, Eastern, Caribbean Coast
Advanced Dive into the famous Great Blue Hole to dive the massive underwater stalactites
Location: Belize, Eastern, Caribbean Coast
Numerous excellent reefs for diving, with warm, clear water and abundant sea life
Location: Guatemala, Northern, Tikal National Park
Famous Mayan archaeological site with numerous temples and complexes; site is also interlaced with trails and provides nice wildlife viewing opportunities
Location: Guatemala, Northern, Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park
Less visited Mayan archaeological site picturesquely located on the banks of a lake
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Lovely green and blue pools of water in a mountain meadow which can be accessed via two different, but equally pretty, routes; nice hike year-round
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park
Fun non-technical winter canyon hike that also offers ice climbing options and features hoodoos and a cave.
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Lake Louise area
Site of an excellent historic hotel on the banks of a beautiful lake that creates excellent ice skating in the winter and is the gateway to numerous hikes in the summer; also home to a large ski resort.
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Fabulous historic hotel that’s great for exploring and has great swimming pools
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Excellent New Year’s Eve party in a historic hotel
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Quick and easy stop for views of a waterfall and a picturesque valley
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Classic hike through a beautiful non-technical canyon in any season; in winter the waterfalls freeze and offer ice climbing opportunities
Location: California, San Diego, Balboa Park
Little-known walking archery range set amidst the scenery of Balboa Park
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Nice, low traffic climbing area in a scenic location that’s home to a popular hike
Location: California, San Diego, Santee
Popular climbing area with easy access and a large number of climbs
Location: California, San Diego, Palomar Mountain
Easy hike through pretty rolling hills with seasonal ponds and picturesque old barn
Location: California, San Diego, Mission Beach
Advanced dive (due to depth) to a 1930’s era Coast Guard cutter beautifully covered in barnacles
Location: California, San Diego, Miramar
Great air show featuring historic planes, explosions, and the Blue Angels
Location: California, San Diego, La Jolla
Sea caves along the scenic La Jolla coast with land and sea access options
Location: California, San Diego area, Cleveland National Forest
Canyon with seasonal water flow that offers both technical and non-technical descent options
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Scenic multi-use trail around a lake with wildflowers in the spring
Location: California, San Diego area, Julian
Adorable historic mining town that offers apple picking in the fall and nice hikes
Location: California, San Diego, La Jolla
Scenic spot for paragliding and hang gliding with lovely coastal views
Location: California, San Diego area, Julian
Historic gold mine restored to its 1870’s appearance with old mining equipment and memorabilia
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Hike along a shaded creek with live oaks before climbing to the top of a reservoir
Location: California, San Diego area, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Less frequented climbing area with a quick approach and around 30 climbs
Location: California, San Diego area, Escondido
3,000 acre reserve of historic ranch land featuring numerous hiking trails and historic barns and buildings
Location: California, San Diego area, Palomar Mountain
Hike through pretty scenery including a pond, creek, rolling hills, and the ruins of a 1920’s dam and gauging station
Location: California, San Diego, Escondido
Extremely quick approach to a handful of climbs; features some nice beginner climbing
Contents of our First Aid kits
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Pasadena
Historic large estate with numerous excellent gardens, an art collection, and library housing rare books and manuscripts
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Hike to a great abandoned mine at the end of a non-technical canyon which includes a nice waterfall
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Hike the route of the historic Mt. Lowe railway, exploring the ruins of the two major stops along the route
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Canyoning through a historic area with multiple waterfalls and a few ruins
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Technical canyon with a straightforward approach and multiple rappels
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Nice beginner canyon with a straightforward approach, lots of rappels, and an occasional keeper pothole; optional extension on the approach through a historic area with a few ruins
Location: California, Los Angeles, San Gabriels
One of the best technical canyons in the area – like a descent of a technical waterpark with numerous slides and jumps and fun raps
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Heavily trafficked hike with multiple small river crossings to a nice waterfall
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Hike to a great set of abandoned mines and descend via a canyon; overnight option allows additional rappels and more time to explore the mines
Contents of our survival kits
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Santa Monica Mountains
State Park where Planet of the Apes and MASH were filmed; offers nice hikes and various fun climbing spots
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Santa Monica Mountains
Relatively quick approach to some excellent climbing, with climbs appropriate for all levels (beginner to expert)
Location: California area, Los Angeles, Santa Monica Mountains
Nice approach hike to a less frequented climbing area with intermediate to advanced climbs
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Santa Monica Mountains
Popular beginner climbing area on a coastal cliff
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Thousand Oaks
Nice hike with three distinct destinations: a peak, a waterfall, and a small cave
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Laguna Beach
State Park with hiking and a historic seaside colony with cottages from the 1930’s
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Palos Verdes Peninsula
Lovely chapel designed by Lloyd Wright in a picturesque setting
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Santa Monica Mountains
Quick hike to an interesting talus cave with a small waterfall
Location: California, Los Angeles Area, Temecula
Large preserve with woodlands, wetlands, prairie, and vernal pools