Ways to Play in California

California offers endless ways to play, and on this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson explores some of the reasons why California is The Ultimate Playground.

First up, Johnson is joined by Andrew Nelson, award-winning writer and editor for National Geographic Traveler. The Here Not There author discusses one of this year’s biggest travel trends, destination dupes, with a focus on where to experience them in California. Nelson explains why the Golden State is such a hot spot for destination dupes from all over the world. “[There are] so many different geographical features, so many different lively and vibrant cities of all sizes,” he says, “it seems only natural that so many of these destinations can be found here.” He shares several alternatives for the Riviera, Tuscany, the Galapagos Islands, and more that can be found in California. A seasoned traveler, Nelson also name-drops a few of his favorite unique travel destinations, from the Bay Area to the desert.

Next up, Johnson talks with Jordan Kivelstadt, winemaker and founder of Bohemian Highway Travel Company, a tour operator crafting personalized wine country excursions in Sonoma County and Napa Valley. Kivelstadt sheds light on the historic origin of the company's name and shares some of the experiences guests can expect on his custom-crafted tours. “I’m going to get you out in a vineyard on an ATV with a winemaker hearing about the process, learning why grapes grow here, what the process of harvest is, all the way to the bottle,” he shares. One remote corner of wine country receives special attention on the show: “The Sonoma coastline is spectacular, and we have some of the best creameries in the world,” he enthuses. Beyond wine, Kivelstadt adds his picks on where to eat, stay, and play in Sonoma and Napa.

Lastly, Johnson speaks with Martin Cate, owner of Smuggler’s Cove, an acclaimed tiki bar in San Francisco. A driving force behind the resurgence of tiki culture, Cate cites the history of tiki in California dating back to the 1930s. “It was just kind of a wild experiential setting that people weren't used to, and it became a sensation overnight,” he explains. The tiki expert lists several must-visit tiki bars in California and gives a rundown of what to expect inside, from tropical decor to a crash course on what to order. Moreover, the tiki mocktail scene is thriving, and Cate explains how tiki drinks lend themselves to being served without alcohol.

GUESTS

Andrew Nelson, author of Here Not There: 100 Unexpected Travel Destinations

Jordan Kivelstadt, founder of Bohemian Highway Travel Company 

Martin Cate, tiki bar expert and owner of Smuggler’s Cove 

RESOURCES

Andrew Nelson, National Geographic contributor and author of Here Not There, highlighting 100 locations—including nine California hotspots— that rival some of the world’s most famous travel destinations.

Here Not There: 100 Unexpected Travel Destinations

Central Coast

Santa Barbara

San Luis Obispo

Paso Robles

Hearst Castle

San Simeon

Channel Islands National Park

Santa Rosa Island

San Miguel Island

Anza Borrego Desert State Park

Death Valley National Park

Fonts Point

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Bumpass Hell

Palm Springs

Hollywood

Parker Palm Springs

Colony Palms

Hermann Bungalows

San Francisco

Marin Headlands

Golden Gate Bridge

Bubblegum Alley

Yosemite National Park

Jordan Kivelstadt, winemaker and founder of Bohemian Highway Travel Company, a tour operator that crafts personalized wine country experiences in Sonoma County and Napa Valley.

Bohemian Highway Travel Company

Sonoma County

Napa Valley

Bohemian Highway Travel Company

Bohemian Highway 

Sonoma Coast Tour 

Hill of Tara Wines

The Church Vineyard

Sonoma Coast

Healdsburg

St. Helena

Yountville

Bloom Carneros

Glen Ellen Star

Glen Ellen

Barndiva

Bottega

Jack London State Historic Park

Sonoma’s Tuesday Night Market

Downtown Sonoma

Martin Cate, owner of Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco, James Beard Award–winning cocktail expert, and tiki enthusiast.

Smuggler’s Cove 

San Francisco

Tonga Room

Fairmont San Francisco 

Trader Vic’s

Emeryville Marina

Dr. Funk

Downtown San Jose

The Kon-Tiki

Oakland

Tiki-Ti

The Royal Hawaiian 

Laguna Beach

Strong Water Anaheim

Anaheim

Forbidden Island

Alameda

ABOUT THE HOST

Soterios Johnson, formerly the local host of National Public Radio’s Morning Edition on New York radio station WNYC, has been the host of the California Now Podcast since its inception in 2018.

OUR TEAM

Host, Soterios Johnson

Editorial Director, John Godfrey

Producer, Kate Eplboim

Technical Producer, Jessica Marshall

Theme music, Aaron Taos