Laughter is never far away when Josh Meyers is around. A popular cast member of the irreverent sketch TV hit Mad TV—where he hilariously impersonated celebrities such as Eminem and Justin Timberlake—Meyers went on to costar on the final season of That ’70s Show, followed by movies including Date Movie and Brüno. Meyers has also costarred in the Amazon Prime sitcom Red Oaks and Hulu’s animated series The Awesomes, lending his voice alongside those of Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, Amy Poehler, and Kenan Thompson.
Fans of late-night talk shows, meanwhile, surely know the former contributor to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon for his star turns on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Late Night with Seth Meyers. The latter host and Saturday Night Live vet, of course, is Josh’s older brother, and the two collaborate on an ongoing family reunion of sorts, reliving the hilarious adventures of their and their guest’s childhood travels on the Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers podcast, which they launched in 2023.
Here, Josh shares the California trips he loves going on these days with his wife McKenzie, the to-die-for spot he prefers to catch a film, and more favorite places around the Golden State—like an Austrian-inspired eatery that provides the perfect snack break during ski days.
Where do you live? Hollywoooooood!
Why there? I’m in a little pocket of Hollywood called Franklin Village, which is all residential north of Franklin with great twisty streets and access to Griffith Park if you want to get your nature on. Franklin itself has a fabulous strip of restaurants, shops, and the UCB theater. And then you’re just a mile away from the heart of Hollywood if you’re ever lookin’ to get weird.
Who or what is your greatest California love? It used to be the Arclight Cinemas, which closed during the pandemic and were quite simply the best movie theaters in the world. I still hold out hope that they’ll be back. And not just because of how many points I think I still have! But perhaps more special and certainly more unique is Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Every summer (and into the fall) Cinespia presents a fantastic lineup of films that are screened on the side of a huge white mausoleum. Thousands of audience members lay out picnic blankets on a huge lawn (no, you’re not sitting on graves) and are treated to incredible DJs before and after the movies. The setting, the programming, and the vibe are hard to beat. Bonus points if you ride your bike. (But that’s a secret so shhhhh.)
What is the biggest misperception about Californians? That we’re all a bunch of vapid idiots. I mean, sure. We’ve got some of those. But there are also some super smart people here. I’m not saying I’m one of them. But they’re around here somewhere.
What is the stereotype that most holds true? We like kale. It tastes good and it’s good for you. So you can make fun of us for it. But it’s kinda weird to make fun of someone for eating healthy. But you do you, bro!
What is your favorite Golden State splurge? I’m a sucker for Coachella. It’s been a minute since I’ve been out there. But I’ve probably been to about 15 of them. I’ve always gone with the same group of friends. I love being able to see so many great shows, catch snippets of bands I’ve never heard of, and just walk through the maze of people traversing the polo grounds.
Time for a road trip—where are you going? I’m heading up to Big Sur with my wife McKenzie to spend a handful of nights at Deetjen’s, a rustic gem tucked into a canyon and perched high above the Pacific. We’d go on any number of epic hikes before finding that swimming hole in Pfeiffer State Park. We’d grab a Bloody Maria at Nepenthe before heading back to Deetjen’s for dinner. And then we’re just gonna read our books and snuggle. Because that’s a HUGE day.
If you could decree an official state culinary experience, what would it be? I love Elf Cafe in Echo Park. Tiny little Mediterranean spot that’s perfect for a date. I also once read that their chef invented the kale salad. And y’all know me.
What is your favorite way to play in California? I hike, camp, ski, golf, and play a lot of lawn games. But the most surefire way I know I’m about to have a great time, is when I clamp my roof rack to my car and fill it up with gear. Doesn’t really matter where I’m going. That roof rack has never failed me.
Where would you go for the ultimate shopping spree in California? I really dislike shopping. So I guess my favorite place to go would be a store where no one asks me if they can help me find my size. I’m a grown man. I can find my size thankyouverymuch.
Best California song? When I drove my first California car (a red Dodge Stealth) off of a used car lot in Venice, Bobby Womack’s “California Dreamin’” was on the radio as I pulled out onto Lincoln Ave. It was perfect. I’m almost getting choked up just thinking about it. And I mean that.
How would your California dream day unfold? It’s a day I actually do a handful of times every year. I wake up at 4 in the morning, make a thermos of coffee, and get in the car, which I’ve packed the night before. I start a new audiobook as I start the five-hour drive to Mammoth Mountain. When the sun comes up over my right shoulder, I have my first sip of coffee. On my left, the Eastern Sierra Nevadas emerge from their darkness and any tiredness I was feeling is long gone. I slow down, passing through the great western towns of Lone Pine, Big Pine, and Bishop. And shortly after the lifts have started spinning, I’m gearing up next to some fellow snowbirds, eager to get up on the mountain. I try not to stop for lunch. But if I need to, I’ll hit The Yodler, which makes you feel like you’re in Austria. I’ll have a beer. But then I ski until the mountain shuts down at 4 because who knows if I can check in to my hotel before that. And I’m not about to stop skiing to find out. Once I’m in the hotel, I make myself dinner. I might pop down to the hot tub. This has also been a huge day so I make an early night of it. Besides, I’m so cooked that I’m about to sleep the sleep of the gods. Night night!