TALES AND TRAILS
OF CALIFORNIA AND BEYOND
Explore California’s trails through story with John McKinney, The Trailmaster—30 books, longtime LA Times columnist, and a lifetime of hiking across the Golden State.
Welcome to The Trailmaster
I’ve spent a lifetime exploring California, one trail at a time. Along the way, I’ve learned that the most memorable journeys aren’t measured in miles, but in the stories they reveal.
You’ll find tales from California’s mountains, deserts, forests, coastlines, and hidden corners, along with reflections on the long and winding pathway we call life. There are films, talks, videos, and plenty of hikes, too.
Begin with the Tales below. Every trail tells a story. And I’d love to share my favorite stories with you.
Welcome to The Trailmaster.
This is where hiking becomes story—where California’s trails are explored not just for where they go, but for what they reveal.
From iconic parks to lesser-known paths, each place has a character. Each walk, a story.
Featured Tales
Stories from California—and the long and winding pathway we call life
-
Ten Best Waterfall Hikes in California State Parks
-
Montaña de Oro State Park
-
Opening Day on the Trail
-
Welcome to the Trail
-
Trail Mix
-
Trekking Poles
Videos
Stories in Motion
Films and short documentaries from The Trailmaster
Hike California State Parks
Hiking the Holy Mountain
Father Serra and Me
Hike to the HOLLYWOOD Sign
Welcome and HIKE ON
Redwood Coastal Trail
California State Parks
Explore California’s extraordinary collection of 280 state parks.
California National Parks
Walk California’s greatest landscapes—from Yosemite to Death Valley.
