Why are paper maps still around in a world where GPS navigation can be accessed easily from a smartphone or other portable device? Well, there are many advantages that paper maps hold over their electronic counterparts. When it comes to safety, maps are more reliable. Paper maps won’t lose signal…

  Maps make the perfect souvenir, especially of major cities such as San Francisco. You can mentally re-trace routes you once took and reminiscence about all the places you’ve been.  While their compact, folded design is perfect for navigation, it doesn’t make them the easiest to display and share with…

California has a long history of producing wine. Today’s thriving industry dates back to the state’s founding. If you’re planning a trip to the California wine country, bring a copy of one of our California wine maps.  From Missionaries to the Gold Rush Grapes were one of the first crops…

Any trip to the Southwest isn’t complete without a stop in Phoenix, Arizona. The fifth-largest city in the United States and one of the top tourist destinations, Phoenix is packed with things to do for all ages and interests. With sunshine and warm weather year-round, Phoenix is a great place…

New York City is the unofficial birthplace of modern Christmas traditions. When the Dutch set sail for New York, their ships were adorned with images of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and children. As America was settled and New York grew, the ideas of winter holidays were mixed…

Off-season travel earns a bad reputation. Many people assume that traveling to a summer destination during the winter months is somehow sacrificing the quality of their trip. While some popular tourist attractions may have seasonal closings, most stay open year round. Traveling during the off-season actually has many perks you…

Do you believe in the paranormal? Visiting these destinations may leave you feeling spooked. With long records of reported ghostly encounters, these historic sites are considered the most haunted in California. For easy trip planning and navigation, shop our user-friendly printed maps. The Whaley House The Whaley House was built…

There is no better time to visit California than the fall. The weather is cooling, the scenery is changing beautifully, and wineries are announcing their new releases. Wine festivals are the perfect way to celebrate a love of wine with others and sample new varieties. Here are our recommendations for…

Lighthouses played an important role in California History. As major cities, such as San Francisco, began to grow, resources needed to be transported in from northern parts of California. Ships faced a dangerous journey because of foggy, rainy weather and a jutted, rocky coastline. In 1852 the United States Congress…

California is home to over 4,000 wineries and vineyards. Yet, when most people think of California wine, they only think of the Napa and Sonoma valleys. Clusters of wine regions exist throughout the state, each producing wine as unique as the area that grows it. San Luis Obispo is one…

Embarking on a solo road trip can be a fun and freeing experience. The majority of the United States is safe to travel alone. If you’re driving along interstates, there will be plenty of rest areas. Highway exits with restaurants and gas stations will be clearly marked. However, there are…

Many historical facts about Los Angeles are well known. Any guidebook or tour will tell you that LA is the birthplace of Mickey Mouse, or that the Hollywood sign first read “HollywoodLand” as an advertisement for a real estate development. With so much interest in the modern Los Angeles, many…

Yosemite National Park, established in 1890, boasts over 1,200 square feet of protected natural beauty in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Each year over four million people travel to view the legendary granite cliffs, sequoia groves, glaciers, waterfalls, and more. With so much to see, knowing the best times…

Route U.S. 66 was one of the first American highways and a major path for travelers migrating west for decades. While new interstates and freeways have made travel quicker and more efficient, they can’t replace the charm of Historic Route U.S. 66. Whether you’re planning a trip, or just feeling…

If you’re taking a little weekend trip to Paso Robles, it’s your perfect opportunity to stop and visit a winery or two. The Paso Robles area is home to over 200 wineries, and a visit to one or more of these can net you some world-class wines for your collection….

I am absolutely sure that if you are coming to Southern California, you are probably going to ask yourself – what’s happening in Hollywood? Well, the very first thing you will want to see is the Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. If you are driving from south to north on Beachwood…

Look at the beautiful experience you are missing! From their humble, thatch-roofed beginnings to the stately adobes we see today, the missions represent a dynamic chapter of California’s past. We personally think there ‘s nothing more exciting than history, up close and personal. By the time the last mission was…

Hopi occupied several mesa villages in N.E. Arizona. In 1540, they were visited by some of Francisco Coronado’s men under Pedro de Tovar. However, because of their geographical isolation, they remained more independent of European influence than other Pueblo groups. Pueblos in the foothills were abandoned.  New villages were built…

The still occupied Hopi, Zuni, and Acoma Pueblos date back 700 years. The Europeans who settled in the Southwest adopted the adobe structures and compact village plans of the Pueblos. The Pueblos adopted many domestic animals and various crafts from the Old World, including blacksmithing and woodworking. Early Tribe Culture…

Basket Makers were predecessors of the Pueblo, they are jointly referred to by archaeologists as the Anasazi culture. One system of dating places their arrival in the area as early as 1500 BCE. They lived chiefly in houses with adobe floors and learned to grow corn and squash, probably from…