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 trails in Yosemite (which just re-opened), and fire lookout hikes in SoCal.

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 thinks is an undersold gem!

(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?!).

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 a mask "at the ready" while outdoors?)

Brad and Holly talk with award-winning travel editor, author, and trip guide leader Don George. Don's extraordinary career spans the globe, literally, and includes time with The San Francisco Chronicle, Salon.com, Lonely Planet, National Geographic Traveler, Gadfly, GeoEx, and—woohoo—Weekend Sherpa, where he was a founding editorial advisor! Brad and Holly talk to Don about quarantine life, travels near and far, keeping wanderlust alive, and the future of international and local adventure. BONUS: Don gives a very special reading from his book The Way of Wanderlust.

Beach, blanket, what the hell is going on?! In this week's episode, as the weather is getting warmer, quarantine tensions are running hot. Brad and Holly discuss the outdoors during quarantine blues; the interesting array of outdoor activities that are now allowed, Brad's recent appearance on NPR/KQED radio's Forum, beach-goers going big in Orange County; and some of Weekend Sherpa's favorite beaches across the state. And a bit more!

Brad and Holly discuss the latest developments in California's inch towards opening the outdoors again. And is the outdoors getting picked on? They also chat with a special guest and good friend "Irish" Greg McQuaid, formerly of the popular KFOG morning show. Greg talks about his new entrepreneurial endeavors leading stairway walks in San Francisco and how he's using his time in quarantine to "step up" for food bank fundraising.

Co-founders Brad and Holly discuss the state of the outdoors during COVID-19 and if the outdoors is considered "essential," mask mandates outside, physical and mental health in the parks, the possible fall of influencers, and one of their favorite (less-traveled) CA national parks not named Yosemite.

As we enter week 4 of quarantine in California, Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss ways to get your outdoor fix and creative solutions for keeping the parks open.

With the closures of parks and beaches in California due to COVID-19, what is an outdoorsy person to do?