California Archives - Asya Olson Travel Photography

A magical bookshelf display from the Last Bookstore, a unique bookstore in California.

April 16, 2025

The Most Unique Bookstores in California

Books are magical things! They’ve carried people through a lot of long flights and travels, and they’re still a daily essential for many creatives. It’s no surprise that California has so many independent bookstores selling something special for all sorts of novel lovers. After one of my visits to Carmel, the storybook town of California, I started wondering how many unique bookstores there are across the state and what they might look like.Read More

The Heart Lake Trail in Dunsmuir, California, one of the romantic outdoor places in California

February 10, 2025

6 Unique Romantic Outdoor Places in California for Valentine’s Day

Did you know California has many heart-shaped natural rock formations? With Valentine’s Day coming up, I thought it was the perfect time to share a list of my favorite romantic outdoor places in California. These unique spots are just as charming and photogenic as they are romantic—perfect for a date any time of the year. Read More

December 31, 2024

The Ultimate 2-Week California Road Trip Itinerary From a Local

Many people come to California just to visit lively cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco. While those cities are beautiful, they are far from the full picture of California. There’s so much beauty in this state that people never get the chance to see, and you can get a taste for all of it with this once-in-a-lifetime California road trip itinerary. Read More

Woman in red dress walking through Christmas lights in California.

November 29, 2024

The Best Places to See Christmas Lights in California 2024

Christmas is almost here! The holiday season has finally returned, and so have the fantastic light displays that come around starting this November. Christmas in California is always a fantastic affair, and there are so many different displays all around the state that it’s hard to choose where to see the lights. So here’s a quick look at some of the best places to see Christmas lights in California this year! Read More

The pink cottage of Body Frenzy in Downtown Carmel by the Sea.

August 1, 2024

Most Beautiful Fairytale Photo Spots in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Driving to Big Sur from the north, you’ll likely stop in or pass by the storybook town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Coming to this fantastical place has been a great highlight of my travels in California – no matter how many times I visit, I can never get enough of it. That’s not much of a surprise for photographers, though. There are so many unbelievable photo spots in Carmel-by-the-Sea that you’ll hardly ever want to leave! Read More

The MIssion Inn Hotel and Spa from the inside of the courtyard in Riverside, California.

July 21, 2024

The Most Unique Things to Do in Riverside, California

As one of the sunnier and more historic places in SoCal, there’s a lot to love about Riverside. It’s a vibrant city with summer weather and beautiful mountainside views. It’s also close to Joshua Tree National Park, one of my favorite parks in the state. Today, we’ll be showing some appreciation for the Golden State’s citrus capital and talking about the most unique things to do in Riverside, California! Read More

The storefronts of the Silver City, a ghost town in California.

June 23, 2024

The Best Gold Rush Ghost Towns in California

Have you ever visited a ghost town? I didn’t even know what one was until I moved to California 6 years ago and then became fascinated by learning about them and visiting them here.

Once the center of the massive 1850s gold rush, thousands of people from all over America flocked here to look for wealth, filling up towns and building new settlements. However, with the gold gone, those same towns were soon abandoned. This has left us with dozens of gold rush ghost towns all over California.Read More

The Mist Falls trail in King's Canyon National Park in California, on a midday with clouds overhead.

June 4, 2024

The Best Trails for Hiking in Kings Canyon National Park

While most Californians know about Sequoia National Park, they don’t talk as much about its neighbor, King’s Canyon. This underrated park holds the steepest peaks and valleys of California, filled with ancient giants and vast wilderness. It’s a real hidden gem for hikers, as the preserved terrains make for fantastic trails all through the year. Like we did with Sequoia, this guide will talk about the best trails for hiking in Kings Canyon National Park. Read More

A couple lying on the bed inside the Pinecone Treehouse in California.

May 10, 2024

The Top 5 Coolest, Most Unique Stays in California

California has some of the most diverse landscapes in America. Unsurprisingly, the culture and architecture are just as impressive. I’ve already talked about deserts, forest trails, and waterfalls throughout the state. Now I want to show some local mind-blowing accommodations that really surprised me. Here are five of the coolest, most unique stays in California! Read More

The peaks along High Peaks Trail in the midday in Pinnacles National Park.

May 5, 2024

The Best Trails for Hiking Pinnacles National Park

The Pinnacles National Park is the youngest and tiniest national park in the state, and it has everything a hiker could ever want. It’s also just two hours south of San Francisco, making it a great weekend trip. Today, I’m showing off these stunning views through a guide to hiking Pinnacles National Park! Read More

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