California

This is pretty incredible footage. Just to put this in perspective, blue whales are the largest animals in the world—bigger than any dinosaurs. Their hearts are about the same size as a compact car.… Read the rest

If you’re a yoga-lover, it’s high time you entered this outstanding contest from prAna to win tickets for yourself and a friend to the four-day Wanderlust festival. It’s quick, easy and free; just go here, enter your contact information and submit it before the June 30th cut-off date.
In return,… Read the rest

This great short video, titled “Lundberg Loses It,” delves into the life and mind of professional downhill skater Erik Lundberg for the duration of a day. The filmmaker, Kenny Luby, describes it best:
The idea behind this shortflick was to give the viewer some surreal insight into the mind of … Read the rest

The star of this video is Brandon, owner of Godspeed Courier in San Francisco. Having been a bike messenger since 1997 may not explicitly qualify him as a badass, but we think this video certainly does.
Badass or not, the video of him cruising through the city is definitely fun… Read the rest

The potential for California to pass a law stating youth must wear ski helmets at all times–or face a revoked lift ticket or fine–has caused many people over the past several months to wonder whether or not the legislation will pass. So, wondering people, do you want the good news… Read the rest

Earlier this week, Berkeley’s famous Gourmet Ghetto was the site of a wild goose—or rather, cougar—chase. Authorities were notified at 2:13 am on Tuesday that a 100 pound mountain lion had been spotted in the parking lot of a vacant building.
When police arrived, the cougar successfully evaded them by… Read the rest

For anyone looking to partake in a long weekend of relaxation, yoga, dancing and music, Wanderlust is the perfect end of the summer celebration. The festival takes place Thursday, July 29th through Sunday, August 1st in North Lake Tahoe, CA and is a self-described “one-of-a-kind festival bringing together the world’s… Read the rest

This week’s Friday Photo winner is Hilary Harris, who submitted this shot of a Teepee Campsite in Modoc National Forest, Northeastern California.
Congratulations, Hilary, you win a Grand Trunk Parachute Nylon Double Hammock, a pair of ExOfficio travel underwear and a pair of Keen shoes.
But don’t forget, pretty soon,… Read the rest

Apparently if you falsely claim to be stranded at sea you will be sentenced to prison. That’s the verdict for a California man who repeatedly made this claim and was sentenced Monday in San Jose to 30 months in federal prison as a result.
Prosecutors say 53-year-old Kurtis Thorsted broadcast… Read the rest

Tom Stienstra is an iconic outdoor writer, having written several widely recognized guidebooks about California, Washington and Oregon hiking. However, as of March 25th, Stienstra is also known as the guy who got busted for pot. Police arrested Stienstra and his wife after deputies found “a sophisticated marijuana cultivation operation… Read the rest

Amid the stressful recession, most people could probably benefit from the stress-release of getting outdoors. But the 2.3 million people that visit Arizona state parks each year had better find another place to adventure.
Arizona’s State Parks Board voted unanimously on Friday to close 13 state parks by June 3,… Read the rest

Since 1976, Charlie Toups (63), otherwise known as “Colorado’s ultimate ski bum,” has skied at various resorts around the country (California, Utah, Oregon, Colorado) in return for shoveling snow and doing other odd tasks. At night, he has always retired to his car, once an old VW Beetle, and more… Read the rest

Kona Brewing Company is currently seeking artists who live in (or near) the southern California coast. The company is calling all artists interested in painting its 1970 Volkswagen bus, which will be the official Kona Brewing Co. vehicle traveling to surf events and contests. The artist chosen will have to… Read the rest

We do love a good collection of surf photography, so we were stoked to come across this set of photos of Laguna Beach taken by Eric A. Nelson.

Click on any of the photos to be taken to the full gallery.… Read the rest

For anyone planning a trip to the deep waters of San Diego, beware. The BBC … Read the restreports that jumbo Humboldt squid are showing up in large numbers in the waters right off the Californian city. Although the squid aren’t really a threat to swimmers (the animal tend to remain deeper in