Author Archives: Krista Simmons

It’s Caviar Girl Summer. Skip the Expensive Blinis and Use These Affordable Swaps Instead

Caviar is having a moment. Not the stuffy, white-glove kind reserved for special occasions and tuxedos, but the kind Bethany Frankel stocks in her… Read More

No Reservations Are Making National Parks More Chaotic Than Ever. Here’s Where to Go Instead.

The timed-entry systems are gone. The reservation windows have closed. And if you were expecting that to mean a more relaxed experience at… Read More

These Are the Road Trips Worth Taking for America’s 250th Birthday

Sunset has been covering the American West since 1898, which means we’ve been around for more than half the life of this country. Read More

Nostalgia Travel Is Trending: These Are the Best Destinations for 2026

Something funny happens when the future speeds up. The past starts looking really, really good. It’s no surprise that with the boom of AI… Read More

Here’s Where to Travel This Summer According to Your Zodiac Sign

Living in the Western U.S., there’s an endless amount of awesome to contemplate when planning a summer vacation. So instead of leaving things up… Read More

These Small Towns Are Suddenly Incredibly Popular with Travelers—Here’s Why

Longing for simpler times, travelers are rethinking expensive vacations and overcrowded hotspots for small towns across the West. And it’s no wonder. Between rising… Read More

What Are Resort Fees—and How Can You Avoid Paying Them?

We’ve all been there. It comes time to check out after a sweet little vacay, and when reviewing the folio, that hotel room that… Read More

Human-Caused Wildfires Have Broken out in One of California’s Most Beloved National Parks

A fast-moving wildfire burning on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park has scorched more than 10,000 acres,… Read More

Don’t Make These Common Mistakes When Traveling This Memorial Day Weekend

If Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer travel, this year is shaping up to be one of the busiest in… Read More

Avoiding These Mistakes Could Save You Hundreds on Your Next Rental Car Booking

More travelers will be hitting the road this summer in search of flexibility, nostalgia, and a little more control over their vacation spending. Read More

You Didn’t Miss Wildflower Season—You Just Need to Head for Higher Ground

If the desert superbloom felt like it came and went in a blink, here’s the good news: wildflower season in the West… Read More

7 Packing Mistakes That Will Immediately Get You Flagged by TSA

If you’ve ever felt that subtle spike of anxiety inching toward the TSA conveyor belt—shoes half-off, laptop neatly placed in a plastic container,… Read More

This Popular Airline Is Now Allowing Travelers to Ship Wine for Free. Here’s How.

Bringing home wine from California’s wine country has long felt like a bit of a gamble. You either cough up steep shipping fees… Read More

These Delicious Croissants Had a 14,000-Person Waitlist—and They’re Packed with Protein and Fiber

We are officially in the era of optimizing. And food is at the nexus of it all, with protein-forward breakfasts, fiber-fueled snacks, and… Read More

Spring Is the Best Time to See Baby Animals in the Wild. Here’s Where to Spot Them Safely.

Spring in the West is peak squee season. As the weather warms, adorable otter pups, bear cubs, and shorebird chicks come to life. It’s… Read More

How to Navigate TSA Shutdowns and Skyrocketing Prices, According to a Travel Editor

As the ripple effects of the government shutdown continue, TSA staffing shortages are leading to longer, less predictable security lines… Read More

The Great Gear Glow-Up: How to Give Your Travel Equipment a Spring Cleaning

Spring is the season for fresh starts, and that includes the gear that gets you outside. Even though it’s been far from a record… Read More

These Are the Airplane Stretches a Yoga Instructor Does to Stay Centered and Relaxed While Flying

Between the stress of getting to (and through) the airport, jet lag, and being stuffed into an uncomfortable seat for hours… Read More

What a Foraging Expert Wants You to Know About Finding (and Eating) Wild Foods This Spring

This winter might not have been great for snowpack, but the intermittent periods of rain and sunshine have set us up for an epic… Read More

Daylight Savings Is Finally Here. These Are the Best Places to Watch the Sunset in California.

If you’re the kind of person who craves time outdoors to decompress after work, the winter months can be rough. It’s nearly impossible to… Read More

These Are the Best Shoes for Travel, and They’re Made with Recycled Foam

We’re in the middle of a quiet revolution in outdoor gear, and frankly, it’s about time. Brands are turning trash into treasure—and doing so… Read More

Astrotourism Is Trending—Here’s How to Shoot the Stars, According to a Professional Photographer

In an age of constant contact and always-on connectivity, more travelers are diverting their attention from Insta-worthy bucket list trips to total darkness. Across… Read More

Visiting National Parks Without Reservations in 2026? Read This First

After years of timed-entry systems and reservation booking stress, the National Parks service has announced that Arches National Park… Read More

These Are the Mistakes You Should Avoid to Prevent a Breakup While Traveling

Travel has a funny way of fast-tracking both connection and conflict—long days, irregular sleep patterns, shared spaces, unexpected hiccups, and constant decision-making can bring… Read More