California Now Podcast
The California Now Podcast explores the people and places that make California a unique travel experience. Host Soterios Johnson, veteran radio journalist and former host of NPR’s Morning Edition on WNYC in New York City, has recently moved to California and is using his journalism skills to learn every fascinating thing about his new home state. He interviews travel experts, chefs, local guides and many others on his journey of discovery. For more ideas on California travel, go to www.visitcalifornia.com
- Update frequency
- every 15 days
- Average duration
- 43 minutes
- Episodes
- 123
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2025
California Wine Month
In celebration of harvest season, this episode of California Now Podcast is dedicated to vintages and vineyards. Host Soterios Johnson learns the best way to swirl, sip, and savor from Anna McPeck, c…
Michelin Guide, Central Coast Road Trip, LGBTQ Travel
Meet an anonymous Michelin inspector and learn how he helped anoint 90 California restaurants with coveted stars
In an unprecedented move, California Now Podcast host Soterios Johnson does not introd…
Balboa Park, Wellness Travel, Wide Open Walls
Join host Soterios Johnson as he explores America’s largest urban cultural park: Balboa Park in sunny San Diego. Jennifer Davies, a Director of Cultural Tourism for the San Diego Tourism Authority, s…
Road Trip: Music to Wine on 99
Join California Now Podcast host Soterios Johnson on this special road trip edition as he drives along Highway 99 through the heart of the Central Valley. His journey begins in Bakersfield, located o…
Road Trip: Searching for Stars
On the first-ever road trip edition of the California Now Podcast, host Soterios Johnson gets out of the studio and explores Southern California’s awe-inspiring night sky. His stargazing adventure be…
Whale Watching, Dog-Friendly Travel, Ironstone Vineyards
In episode 20 of the California Now Podcast, we set off to sea with Patti Schick of Hornblower Cruises as she discusses whale watching with host Soterios Johnson. Schick shares what to expect when e…
Spas, National Monuments, Mission San Juan Capistrano
Forbes Travel Guide recently released its Star Awards Winners, and California spas landed at the top of the rankings. In episode 19, Amanda Frasier, Executive Vice President of Standards & Ratings, s…
Sunnylands, Oysters, Free Activities
Episode 18 of the California Now Podcast begins in the epicenter of Mid-Century Modern design: Sunnylands. The center’s director, Janice Lyle, guides host Soterios Johnson through a tour of the estat…
Butte County, Temecula, San Diego County
Join host Soterios Johnson as he gets to know a Northern California region that has shown incredible resilience: Butte County. This corner of the Shasta Cascade region is recovering from last year’s …
Fascinating Road Trips
Our podcast guests often rave about one very special way to experience California: a classic road trip, where the destination and the journey are one and the same. We’ve compiled some of our favorite…
Culinary Greatest Hits
We’ve had so many fascinating food experts on the podcast that we decided to assemble a greatest hits album of sorts—a collection of tip-filled snippets with some true insiders. The episode starts of…
California Cuisine, Sonoma County, Yosemite
Hunter Lewis, editor in chief of Food & Wine magazine, explains what California cuisine is, how it took shape four decades ago, and where visitors can experience it today. After that, acclaimed rock …
California Curiosities, Architecture, East Bay
Atlas Obscura’s Dylan Thuras gives us a tour of strange sites that are perfect for families or anyone young at heart. Architecture expert Sam Lubell shares his picks for the most impressive contempor…
Solo Travel, L.A. Street Food, Olive Oil Tasting
Stephanie Rosenbloom, a New York Times travel writer, discusses the merits of solo travel. Eater L.A. senior editor Farley Elliott lists his five favorite street food purveyors in Los Angeles. Thom C…
Redwood Coast, Favorite Hotels, Sacramento Dining
Alison Bing explains why Lonely Planet named California’s Redwood Coast the top destination in the country. Next up, Travel + Leisure Editor in Chief Nathan Lump shares his top California hotels for …
Jonny Moseley, Orange County, Museum Hack
We begin with a conversation with Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley and his new video series Wildest Dreams. The always-engaging Moseley shares insights about a few of the locations he discovered w…
Rock Climbing, Best Campgrounds, L.A. Shopping
Kevin Jorgeson joins host Soterios Johnson for a breakdown of California’s best climbing—from pure beginner to expert-level adventures. Author Ann Marie Brown takes the outdoorsy theme up a notch by …
Anderson Valley, L.A. Music Venues, Family Travel
Host Soterios Johnson and Travel + Leisure’s Nathan Lump take an audio road trip from Calistoga to the Mendocino Coast visiting friendly wineries, enjoying memorable meals, and walking in a majestic …
Curtis Stone’s Culinary Tour, Lake Tahoe, Death Valley
When Curtis Stone decided to showcase Central Coast wines at Maude, his 24-seat Beverly Hills hotspot, he knew he had to hit the road. Stone and his culinary team ventured north from Los Angeles—tast…
Stargazing, Best Bike Routes, Mid-Century Modernism
Dennis Mammana lives in Borrego Springs, an International Dark Sky Community located two hours east of San Diego that just happens to be one of the best places in the world to experience the night sk…