Culinary Road Trips, Catalina Island

02/03/20 • 43 min

There's nothing worse than a wasted meal, according to Esquire's Food and Drinks Editor Jeff Gordinier—and if you follow his suggestions, you won't be in danger of facing any wasted meals on your next California road trip. Gordinier is the author of Hungry: Eating, Road-Tripping and Risking It All with the Greatest Chef in the World, and he joins California Now Podcast host Soterios Johnson to talk about his favorite culinary destinations from San Diego to Wine Country, and why food and road trips go so well together, particularly in California.

Johnson also speaks with Gail Fornasiere, who knows more than most about the magic of Santa Catalina Island. The 21-mile-long island off the coast of Southern California is a popular destination for day-trippers and vacationers, blending a rich Hollywood history (Marilyn Monroe lived there before she became famous!) with a relaxing modern vibe. As Johnson learns during this episode, Catalina offers something for just about everyone.

Previous Episode

Curtis Stone, Hiking with Kids, SoCal Taco Tour

Celebrity Chef Curtis Stone believes that cuisine is the true soul of a place. And as he discovered on a recent trip, Sonoma and Mendocino have a lot of soul. He joins host Soterios Johnson on this episode of the California Now Podcast to dish on his recent journey to the region while filming his new show Field Trip, and where he found culinary inspiration.

There are thousands of hiking trails in California, and a good many of them offer thrilling kid-friendly adventures. Author and tour guide Wendy Gorton knows most of them, and lets Johnson in on a few must-hikes for families visiting the Golden State.

And finally, SweetC's Design lifestyle blogger Courtney O'Dell recently took a “taco tour” of Southern California, from LA to San Diego. She tells Johnson about a few places where the popular Mexican dish was unforgettable.

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L.A. Hotels, Family Learning Adventure, McCloud

Stay at certain upscale hotels in Santa Monica, West Hollywood, or Beverly Hills, and you have a pretty good chance of spotting a few celebrities in the lobby or at the bar. Even if you don’t, the posh amenities and glamorous atmosphere at these Los Angeles County hotels will have you feeling like an A-lister, according to Travel + Leisure Editor-in-Chief Jacqui Gifford. Gifford joins California Now Podcast host Soterios Johnson to wax poetic about this distinctly L.A. phenomenon.

Johnson is next joined by Monet Hambrick, author of the popular blog The Traveling Child. Hambrick recently took her family on a fun and educational tour around the San Francisco Bay Area and Monterey, and she shares a few tips on how to make the most of a visit there.

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