Something magical happens when you hike for a couple of miles in Yosemite... Brad and Holly catch up on summer backpacking adventures, including a gloriously quiet Yosemite High Sierra trek of lake hopping and peak bagging. Get all the details and tips on this two-to-three-night backpacking journey: where to camp, Volgensang Peak, lakes to visit, food to pack, and plenty more. Later in the podcast find out all about the upcoming SIFF Summerfest weekend in Sonoma (Aug 5-8): food, wine, outdoor fi...
Aug 03, 2021•52 min
A treasure hunt in San Francisco, backpacking in Yosemite, an easygoing bike ride in Point Reyes, a state park with a storied past, and a multi-day trek far off on Vancouver Island feature into this mid-summer podcast with Brad and Holly sharing trip ideas and more. SoCal's head writer, Matt Pawlik, also joins the podcast to share hikes to hidden lakes in Angeles National Forest, a secret side-trip to an historic dam, his recent backpacking adventure in Zion, camp spots, and plenty more. Get you...
Jul 29, 2021•49 min
After a brief hiatus we're back! Brad and Holly have a special summer edition episode on a lake hopping High Sierra backpacking trip that doesn't require a reservation, Canada's backpacking system vs. the US, and then a special guest joints the podcast. Heather Werner lives in the Bay Area, owns an eco-friendly hair salon, and recently attempted to summit Mount Everest. She's a role model and inspiration for outdoor adventures, including her quest of summiting the highest peak on every continent...
Jul 14, 2021•59 min
Is there a city with easier access to the great outdoors than Reno? In just 15 minutes you can be on the mountain trails. Or you can stay in town and wander the beside the Truckee River on the Riverwalk. In this episode Brad and Holly are joined by author and Weekend Sherpa contributing writer Nicol Szanto, a Reno local. They talk about Weekend Sherpa's recent trip to Reno, including best hikes, art walks, the newest section of city to see Burning Man installations and vintage neon signs, as wel...
May 19, 2021•45 min
We're no doctors, but nature is good medicine. In this episode Brad & Holly talk about some of their favorite nature experiences in Sonoma County. We're talking about lavender labyrinths, sunset hikes, wildflowers, and yes, beer and wine! Plus, Hank the bulldog is turning 10 years old, which is a very big deal.
May 06, 2021•33 min
For National Park Week, Brad and Holly cover a list of top outdoor adventures in national parks across the West. Find out when to go, peaks to bag, where to camp, cool bars nearby, and a tip at the end on how to find one of the best hidden hikes in America's most famous canyon.
Apr 21, 2021•39 min
Walk, wine, wildflowers, repeat! Co-hosts Holly and Brad have lots to cover for a springtastic time ... starting with where to catch wildflowers in the Bay Area, including Napa, Mount Diablo, and Marin. They also chat about what's blooming in Point Reyes (along with the latest controversy about Tule Elk). Then LA contributor Matt joins to share his recent, food, wine, and hiking adventures in in Santa Ynez Valley.
Apr 08, 2021•44 min
Brad and Holly talk about their favorite National Parks in spring. Which car-free road is idyllic in spring for bike riding? Where you can find some solitude in Joshua Tree and the Airstream of dreams to spend the night? What hikes in Death Valley are good for wildflowers when there's no superbloom? What's a great day-hike or overnight in the Grand Canyon? Plus Holly's backpacking trip on the Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park in Hawaii, and Brad's adventure to the world's third largest cave in...
Mar 24, 2021•38 min
Urban forest bathing among eucalyptus... An epic waterfall hike wayyy back in regional wilderness... A lesser-known redwood grove for soaking in some ahhhs... In this episode, Brad and Holly talk about mindful hikes in both the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles, the wonders of stairway walks, a trail less traveled with incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and what they're planning when international travel is safe and allowed again.
Mar 11, 2021•36 min
Badwater, Hell's Gate, Desolation Canyon ... do you dare go? For all its intimidating names evoking isolation, remoteness, and heat, Death Valley National Park is an intriguing destination as the largest national park in the Lower 48. In this episode, Brad and Holly talk about their recent adventure to Death Valley, including the best sunset and sunrise locations, two excellent canyon hikes, how to best experience the Ubehebe Crater, and ultimate bucket-list hike that'll have you looking out for...
Feb 17, 2021•43 min
Cupid to the rescue? Not really. Weekend Sherpa’s co-founders, Brad and Holly, have some ideas on local outdoors adventures in California that are sweet and make good last minute Valentine’s plans. They also talk about their very recent southwest road trip to Sedona and Grand Canyon National Park, discussing top hiking spots in the areas, the most Instagram popular hike in Sedona (and whether that’s a good thing), the head-scratching way some folks behave in not wearing masks.
Feb 11, 2021•59 min
Stay-at-home has been lifted and everyone wants their space. With the outdoors more popular than ever, places can get crowded quickly. Brad and Holly discuss some of the best Bay Area, NorCal, and SoCal spots for getting outdoors with more room to roam. From Tahoe snowshoeing to the dunes of Death Valley, mellow marshes, and more, including international outdoors destinations and backpacking adventures (Iceland!) to put on your adventure list when travel returns.
Jan 26, 2021•41 min
Amid a new year that is starting off as a continuation of challenges, from an attempted coup on democracy to the importance of getting outdoors, Brad and Holly discuss the realities of now. And of course they talk about some of the best new hiking trails and winter wanders to do locally in the Bay Area and SoCal. Special guest Matt Pawlik, Weekend Sherpa's senior LA writer, joins the podcast to talk about secret vistas and plenty of other less known adventures to do in SoCal, and National Park t...
Jan 13, 2021•49 min
Brad and Holly share their thoughts and lessons from 2020 and discuss the top outdoor adventures from Weekend Sherpa in this most rollercoaster of years, including how the list is developed, what their personal favorites are, the value of the outdoors in a pandemic, and more. Moving on to 2021!
Dec 29, 2020•48 min
Yosemite's backcountry ski hut, amazing sunset and mistletoe hikes, a Kobe Bryant mural walk... And, Oprah's favorite thing (a biscuit!) This holiday season episode is packed with fun stories and good ideas for making the most of the local outdoors. Brad and Holly talk about some of their favorite winter adventures (including Brad's epic challenge to reach Ostrander Hut in Yosemite, and the wild backcountry of the Canadian Rockies). They also catch up with Michael Volpatt, food entrepreneur and ...
Dec 22, 2020•1 hr
In a holiday season like no other, Covid's projected surge is here, so where do you go to find some holiday cheer? While a lot has been closed down again in California, the outdoors can still offer some yuletide joy. In this episode, Holly and Brad talk about some easy and scenic bike rides in the San Francisco Bay Area, from a beach hopping roll to brew pubs (take out only currently), to a car-free and easy bike trail among the vineyards in Napa Valley, where your lunch stop is in Yountville. T...
Dec 08, 2020•40 min
Autumn in the outdoors is refreshing and recharging. Let's turn over a new leaf on 2020. Weekend Sherpa's podcast came about as a result of the early quarantine days of the Covid-19 pandemic and 9 months later many of us have never been more thankful and grateful for the great outdoors. In this episode, Brad and Holly discuss getting outside as the weather turns colder, and share top recommendations for hikes and bike rides, plus unique and classic autumn explorations in both Northern and Southe...
Nov 25, 2020•35 min
2020 has been the year of "hold my beer" and this week is going to be no exception, as America votes! Want to clear your head? Brad and Holly are dedicating this episode to sharing some of the most meditative hikes and outdoors spots in both NorCal and SoCal for taking a breather and getting a little distance from multiple stressors. They'll talk about easy-going hikes that are beautiful this time of year, some hike-in beaches, and where to forest bathe in the redwoods, including in SoCal (yes, ...
Nov 02, 2020•41 min
Come for the wine, stay for the outdoors! However you decide to visit, fall in Sonoma County is outdoors-spectacular. In this episode, Brad and Holly give the beta on the best places to hike on the coast, drink wine overlooking the Pacific, bike ride to family-owned wineries, catch the greatest of all time sunset, and hike in to beach very few people know about. They'll also tell you where to eat mouthwatering bbq brisket on a patio overlooking a sublime harbor. Where to stay? How about a boutiq...
Oct 20, 2020•45 min
Wild times with wildfires and bad air are challenging the state. When the smoke clears and the air quality is better, beat the blues by finding blue skies. In SoCal, that includes urban hikes to less known but spectacular local bridges, including one of the few remaining pedestrian wooden trestles in SoCal, and possibly the most romantic bridge in Los Angeles. In NorCal, what's the scene at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park these days? Hear all about the things to do there right now, including an...
Sep 16, 2020•37 min
Brad and Holly discuss the recent wildfires in Northern California, the new reality of wildfire season stretching longer every year, the status of the redwoods endangered by the flames, what happens next, and ways keep your spirits up (hint: get outdoors). They discuss some great local hikes and bike rides by the ocean, lakes, and reservoirs in Northern and Southern California. They also reveal a couple of their favorite hike-in beaches, and a few lakes in the Sierra with first-come, first-serve...
Sep 03, 2020•33 min
Okay, it's secret-ish. In this episode Weekend Sherpa co-founders Brad and Holly highlight their recent visit to The Lakes Basin, a lesser known outdoors adventureland in the northern Sierra Nevada. Get tips on everything from scenic drives, old school lodges, lakeside campgrounds (including how to score a site, and which one is their favorite), and several remarkable (and uncrowded!) hikes, including to perhaps the most dramatically perched and spectacular fire lookout in California.
Aug 19, 2020•33 min
Ready to tell 2020 to hit the road? We feel you. With reluctances to get on planes, and international travel pretty much not an option, the road trip has emerged as a welcome way to have an outdoors-focused getaway. So where do you go for wide open spaces and plenty of fresh air and fun things to do outside? We say, go for The Road Trip Less Traveled! In this special episode Brad and Holly (and others from the Weekend Sherpa team) discuss their recent road trip to Southern Oregon, and all the mu...
Aug 05, 2020•41 min
Weekend Sherpa co-founders Brad and Holly talk about unique hikes with great views, from ridge rambles where you can get good social distance in the Bay Area, to trails in LA with great views of the Hollywood Sign, as well as their experiences with celebrity sightings. They also discuss the Great American Outdoors Act, Covid-19 and the outdoors, and the Sierra Club's recent statement about John Muir's racist past.
Jul 28, 2020•34 min
A secret hike-in beach in the San Francisco Bay Area, a brilliant sunset hike in LA county, oh yeah, summer is on—and Weekend Sherpa has the goods on where to go and what to do in California. In this latest episode, co-founders Brad and Holly talk about everything from the ultimate Angel Island adventure (including where to grab a pineapple margarita afterwards), to the Canadian Rockies, including two of the best backpacking trips you can do in national parks there and a splurge-worthy backcount...
Jul 07, 2020•34 min
Point Reyes is back! In this episode, Brad and Holly go all out for Point Reyes National Seashore. As one of their go-to destinations, they'll discuss favorite hikes, bike rides, paddles, and beaches in Point Reyes. They also catch up with one of Weekend Sherpa's content creators, Brad Hyland, an avid birder and Point Reyes outdoors aficionado (he'll tell you about a trail he's been on four times and seen absolutely no other person, just birds, bobcats, and coyotes.) Plus Brad and Holly podcast ...
Jun 23, 2020•34 min
Our 10th episode since starting this podcast in quarantine! Is it us or are more people hiking than ever right now? The outdoors is "in." And change is afoot at Weekend Sherpa while some things remain the same: a commitment to Very Local Outdoors. Brad and Holly discuss the new website & email, how beer factored into its launch, and of course, where to go and what to do locally outdoors, including a "live from the trail" recording from Mount Tam's secret swing ... shhh... Also, their favorite tr...
Jun 17, 2020•29 min
While this episode discusses new local parks to discover and re-openings of old favorites, Brad and Holly open by addressing the protests surrounding George Floyd’s death and a painful week in America. They later catch up with their Southern California lead writer and photographer, Matt Pawlik to find out what trails he's been hiking in Los Angeles and San Diego County, where he's going next, and favorite national and state parks. Plus, find out the national park in Utah that both Brad and Holly...
Jun 02, 2020•37 min
(Dipping our pinky toe in...) Weekend Sherpa is back to recommending local outdoor adventures. Brad and Holly discuss parks across California re-opening (Joshua Tree!), some of the ongoing mixed messages from park agencies, and the importance of getting outdoors as a health benefit. Hear about some of the parks that Weekend Sherpa recommends, plus part of the podcast was recorded from the top of a mountain on a Memorial Day weekend hike (because, why not?!).
May 26, 2020•32 min
Ready to visit the national parks?! As we eagerly await news about national parks welcoming visitors again, which may happen soon, Brad and Holly and one of Weekend Sherpa's SoCal based writers, Natalie, discuss three California national parks to put on your shortlist for visiting ASAP upon official re-openings. We also talk about some of the positive and negative feedback from our "New Rules of the Trail" guide about being responsible on the trails. (What's up with those who don't want to have ...
May 18, 2020•38 min
