California Now Podcast

In this inaugural California Now How-To episode, host Josh Meyers talks with Yosemite travel expert and author Ann Marie Brown about the best ways to visit and explore Yosemite by train, bus, shuttle, and more.From seasonal access and nearby airports to getting around Yosemite Valley without driving, get insider tips to make planning your Yosemite adventure easier.All in less than 10 minutes.

Say hello to California Now: How To, a new mini series offering a closer look at the places, experiences, and local insights that make California special. In between regular episodes, we're sharing quick, insider tips to help you experience a particular destination in California. Each "How To" delivers a quick dose of knowledge, all in 10 minutes or less.

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Josh Meyers explores three of California’s most unique wine tasting experiences. First, Meyers heads to Bouchaine Vineyard in Napa Valley’s Carneros region, spending time with president and winemaker Chris Kajani and master falconer Rebecca Rosen of Authentic Abatement to learn how hawks, falcons, and owls protect the vineyard’s grapes. Rosen explains how Bouchaine’s falconry program works, including the history of falconry, its use today, and showcasing free flying to help people understand the sport. Rosen then shows Meyers how to interact with the birds. Next, Meyers tastes wine with Bouchaine winemaker Kajani, who explains why Napa Valley’s Carneros area produces such incredible wines. “Our vineyards look right over the bay to San Francisco, and the cool climate varieties like Pinot Noir are thin-skinned and need this breeze, and this fog, and this maritime influence to thrive,” says Kajani. “And the cool climate is what allows that acidity in the wine, and that’s why this little section of Carneros is so special.”Meyers then heads to Sonoma for an all-terrain tour of The Donum Estates’ world-class art collection with CEO Angelica de Vere Mabray. Meyers then gets to experience a live harvest with Tony Chapman, the estate’s head of wine-growing. The two also discuss how regenerative farming creates incredible wines. Last, Meyers stops by Buena Vista Winery, California’s first premium winery, for an immersive tasting experience in the Cave of Curiosity. He kicks things off by sharing a sparkling wine toast with Jean-Charles Boisset, Buena Vista's proprietor. Together, they enjoy a sabred bottle of sparkling wine, engage all five senses in a historic cave, and taste wine straight from the barrel. 

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Josh Meyers goes inside the world of the iconic Los Angeles Dodgers with two lifelong fans and experts.First, Josh sits down with Mark Langill, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ club historian, to get an insider’s look at what makes a day at Dodger Stadium so special. Langill details what fans can expect on game day, from stadium tours and bobblehead giveaways to seeing stars such as Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman take the field. He also talks about the excitement surrounding the Dodgers’ back-to-back World Series titles and some of the iconic moments from the team’s past.Next, Josh meets Tommy Brockert, owner of Dodgers-themed pizzeria LaSorted’s. Brockert shares the story and personality behind the restaurant, including some of its most memorable Dodgers-inspired decor. He explains the tradition behind his specialty game-day hot dogs that pay homage to the visiting team’s city, as well as other popular menu items.Brockert also dishes on the benefits of being close to Dodger Stadium and what his ideal game day looks like—from his go-to order and favorite seats to the incredible city views the stadium offers. 

Join host Josh Meyers on the California Now Podcast as he explores the laid-back coastal town of Santa Cruz with two local experts.Meyers kicks off this episode by chatting with Peter Mel, a champion big-wave surfer and Santa Cruz native. From his first waves at Pleasure Point to catching world-class beginner breaks at Capitola, Mel shares his childhood Santa Cruz surf experiences. Mel gives insider tips for first-time surfers, sharing where to find beginner surf spots and lessons. “Living here, you’re kind of living in a vacation anyway,” he says. “There’s a wave for everybody. You just need to know where it is.” Beyond surfing, Mel shares his favorite Santa Cruz adventures: “You can get up in the mountains and see the redwoods…you can get on a boat, go whale watching, go fishing…or just hang out on the beach or boardwalk, ride a roller coaster.”  Next, Meyers interviews Colby Barr, cofounder of Verve Coffee Roasters and a pioneer of Santa Cruz’s coffee scene. Barr shares his go-to order (a cappuccino) and recommends drinks for adventurous coffee lovers. He also recommends seeing old-growth redwoods and visiting the nearby mountain town of Felton for lunch. “The cool thing about Santa Cruz is that you can be in the ocean, and then be in the mountains in 10 minutes among towering redwoods,” Barr says.