Alex Schechter

Pride in San Luis Obispo is a down-to-earth, approachable event that draws “a lot of magical and mystical folks.”

Las Vegas has rebranded itself in recent years. Ditching its former Sin City credo, it now aims to lure visitors with the promise of unique experiences. (The famous slogan that winked at its hedonistic reputation, “What happens here, stays here,” was subtly updated in 2020 to “What happens here, only happens here.”)

Less than two hours from Las Vegas, the sacred creation site for Yuman-speaking Native Americans may soon become a national monument. It’s been a long time coming.

This story appears in the November 2022 issue of Travel+Leisure

Last December, Charles F. Sams III made history when he became the first Native American to be appointed director of the National Park Service. He had his work cut out for him.

Even as ginseng, St. John’s wort, and other herbs grow in popularity, the region is struggling to keep its age-old practice of herbalism alive for a new generation.

A seldom-visited corner of Belize offers writer Alex Schechter a fresh perspective on his battle with cancer.

In the rose capital of the United States, a tradition wrenched off track by the pandemic is back and in full bloom.

There are elements of Oaxacan life that are wonderfully intrinsic: tlayudas (large blue corn flatbreads); calendas (joyous, impromptu street parades); and the region’s signature black pottery. And then there’s mezcal.

Less than a year after the devastating Creek Fire, one writer returns to the Sierra Nevada foothills.

From Virginia to California, these parks, heritage centers and open-air exhibits offer fresh opportunities to confront the history and the present-day realities of Native Americans.

At Etto, a small pasta shop in Paso Robles, aproned workers pull long strands of fettuccine out of a machine that looks like a Play-Doh Fun Factory made of steel. It’s not exactly like being in Italy, but for travel-starved locals last year, the illusion sufficed.

In a northeast corner of L.A., Eagle Rock Plaza reminds many of home.

This story appears in the April 2021 issue of Condé Nast Traveler

In 1894, 25 cents gained you entry to the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. A lot has changed since then, but the novelty of these serene, pine-and-rock-filled oases hasn’t worn off.