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MANAGING EDITOR Katie Henry
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Advertising
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→ Answer (from page 50) Hovenweep National Monument, located in southeastern Utah and southwestern Colorado.
Steinhart Aquarium
Explore one of the most biologically diverse and interactive aquariums on Earth, featuring the world’s deepest indoor coral reef, an awe-inspiring rainforest dome, and over 1000 species!
Bristlecone pine in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park. Page 28
ON THE COVER
The clear blue waters of Lake Okutama are a stunning contrast to the busy metropolis of Tokyo, just 53 miles away yet a world apart. Page 28
FEATURES
28 Where to Go in 2025 Without the Crowds
Head to these off-the-beatenpath destinations to discover something unexpected—without hordes of other visitors. by keridwen cornelius , laura kiniry , whitney phaneuf , and chris woolston
38 In Search of the Authentic West
Visit saloon-packed mining towns and Indigenous lands on this road trip through Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. by keridwen cornelius
44 How to Respectfully Interact with Indigenous Places
Wherever you are in the United States, you are on Native land. Here’s how to approach these sacred places with sensitivity.
DEPARTMENTS
4 To Our Members
Driving ahead to 2025 with our new president and CEO.
7 Smart Life
Tips from AAA Travel Advisors, plus homes of the future and how to budget for an EV.
19 On the Road
Members’ favorite libraries in the West; road trip through Nevada’s Moapa Valley; a visit to Dos Rios State Park, California’s newest; and a weekend in Salinas, Calif.
47 Annual Meeting Notice
The annual meeting of the Members of AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah will be held January 7, 2025.
50 Where in the West
Snow-covered ruins built more than 700 years ago by Ancestral Puebloans.
Driving to the end of 2024
As the year comes to an end, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for your continued trust in AAA. It is a privilege to serve you and lead a 125-year-old organization committed to your safety, security, and satisfaction—on the road and in life. I’m excited to be on this journey with you, and I would like to take a moment to reflect on today’s automotive landscape and the benefits of AAA Membership. Driving is more than just a means of travel— it’s an experience. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) continue to revolutionize that connection. From forward collision warnings to automatic emergency braking, these technologies enhance the way we drive. AAA can help you understand and leverage changes to vehicle technology. When drivers are well informed about the capabilities and limitations of these systems, they experience lower stress levels and greater enjoyment while driving.
Let’s turn to an often-overlooked aspect of these systems: repair costs. Repair costs for ADAS-equipped vehicles are up to 37.6 percent higher due to specialized sensors and required calibration. To keep your vehicle’s technology in peak condition, be sure to choose a reputable repair center with professionally certified technicians. Look for AAA Auto Repair Centers or AAA Approved Auto Repair Centers, which meet our high-quality standards and provide Members with discounts, an exclusive warranty, and additional benefits.
We also offer benefits and expert support on electric vehicles (EVs). Whether you are new to EVs or are already driving one, be sure to check out our new digital EV resources using the QR code below.
Beyond the road, we are also here to make your dream vacation a reality in 2025 through our complimentary travel planning services. Whether you’re envisioning a luxury cruise, an international adventure, or a train ride through the great American West, our AAA Travel team is ready to assist you in creating memories of a lifetime, while unlocking exclusive Membersonly benefits.
As we look ahead to a new year, it’s never been more exciting to be a Member of AAA. We are here to guide you through this ever-changing era of automotive transformation and equip you with the resources you need for the journey ahead. Thank you for being a valued Member and for trusting us as your partner on the roads of today and tomorrow. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and new year!
MARSHALL L. DONEY, PRESIDENT AND CEO
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Come explore the West with us, from state parks to ghost towns. Season 1 is streaming in full, and join us next year for season 2. Listen now at AAA.com/podcast
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Smart Life
Top tips from AAA Travel Advisors
↘ Travel like a pro with these insights from the experts.
From dealing with delayed flights to knowing how far ahead to book a cruise, the ins and outs of planning a vacation aren’t always intuitive. So we’ve turned to our wealth of AAA Travel Advisors to share some of their best travel tips. Whether you’re deciding on the right time of the year to schedule an international trip or considering adding an extra stop on your European vacation, here’s some sound advice from the experts to help your travel experiences go as smoothly as possible.
Flying
“Flight delays and cancellations continue to be a problem,” says AAA Travel Advisor Lori Gonzalez, who is based in Mesa, Ariz. “It’s almost imperative that you fly out at least one day prior to a cruise or tour.” Not only will this help alleviate stress, she says, “but when you get there, you’ll be so much more well-rested at the start of your activities.”
Checking luggage? If you’re traveling with a partner or family member, says Gonzalez, consider packing half of your belongings in their bag and half of their belongings in yours. “This way, if one piece of your luggage gets lost, you have some things to get you both through until
SMART LIFE
hopefully your other bag shows up.”
While delays and cancellations can wreak havoc on a well-planned trip, there are some ways to alleviate financial burdens. “If your flights are delayed more than three hours domestically or six hours internationally, or cause you to miss your connecting flight, and/or arrive too late for a tour, cruise, or hotel stay, call the travel support numbers listed on your travel documents,” says AAA Travel Advisor Shinka McCabe, who is based in Sonoma, Calif. You may be entitled to compensation. McCabe also recommends keeping receipts and details of any extended delays, “in case you need to file a claim with your travel insurance.”
Visiting multiple cities
If you plan on visiting multiple locations during your travels, consider purchasing an “open-jaw” ticket rather than a round-trip plane ticket that has the same locale for arrival and departure.
“An open-jaw ticket means flying to one place and then returning home from another,” says Monterey, Calif.based AAA Travel Advisor Marco Antonio Ruiz-Watson. For example,
landing in Lisbon, Portugal, and then flying back from Porto, Portugal. “It’s a great option.”
Gonzalez agrees. “It takes both time and money to get back to point A from point B,” she says, “so it’s important to look at your options.” Open-jaw tickets are “often the same price—if not slightly cheaper,” and don’t require backtracking.
European travel
“When traveling in Europe, I don’t recommend renting a car unless you are in a place with hard-to-navigate public transportation, such as Italy’s Tuscany region,” says Ruiz-Watson. “Renting a car is a lot of responsibility.” The bulk of European cities have excellent public transit systems, and car shares are readily available in many places as well. Train travel “helps to save time dealing with large airports,” says McCabe. It’s also incredibly scenic. Shoulder seasons remain the best times of year to visit, says Henderson, Nev.-based AAA Travel Advisor Ronna Lacy. “The prices in late April and early May are often good, as is the weather. Same goes for October.”
Hidden gems
To enjoy one of Europe’s hidden gems, Lacy says Croatia is the place to go. “It’s not on the euro yet, so the price point is super low and your dollar goes so much further,” she says. “It also has so much beauty and history, and is sunny because it’s in the south.” Lacy also recommends Albania and Montenegro as up-and-coming destinations. Bonus: They’re both right next door to Croatia.
Cruising
All travel advisors interviewed agree that you should book cruises as far in advance as possible, a practice that has gained popularity in the last few
years. “Booking cruises one to three years out is a great way to secure preferred cabins, specific itineraries, and early-bird discounts, and also makes for an easy payment plan,” says McCabe. However, before booking any cruise, do your research, Gonzalez notes. Think about the size of ship you’d prefer, the passengers you’ll be traveling with, and the type of onboard amenities you’d enjoy, such as live entertainment or a large selection of restaurants.
Don’t overplan
When it comes to any trip itinerary, consider leaving a bit of wiggle room, says Ruiz-Watson, especially toward the end of your stay, so you’re free to spontaneously connect with a place. “Embark on a small group tour or hire a private guide when you first arrive at a place,” he says. “This way, you’ll get to know the lay of the land and learn where everything is.” You can also gather information such as the names of shops specializing in handmade goods, which you can use later in your trip.
Travel insurance
Finally, “travel insurance is so important,” says Lacy. “You never expect to cancel, but it happens more than we’d like to see. For example, if your house floods or a family member gets sick. Life happens.” Make sure you know the details of your insurance and exactly what it covers, “which is something any AAA Travel Advisor can help with.” laura kiniry
Book your trip with AAA Travel, and enjoy exclusive Member perks. Learn more at AAA.com/travel.
Tomorrow’s home: High tech meets high comfort
↘ A flurry of advances are propelling housing into the future.
Wondering about the home of the future? Don’t look now, but you may already be living in one.
“The home of the future looks a lot like it looks today,” says Brian David Johnson, a futurist, author, and professor at Arizona State University who focuses on the world of housing and home-building. “And that’s a good thing,” he adds. “If you suddenly woke up in a Jetsons-style house, it would be a nightmare.”
While we’re increasingly comfortable with technology, no one is clamoring to live in something out of Star Trek. “We like our homes to be comfortable,” says Johnson. “And we actually value houses that are older, of the past.”
So while tomorrow’s home may look similar to the house we know
now, under the hood it is changing fast. Here are three ways the home of tomorrow is being transformed.
Building with climate in mind
On the West Coast, droughts and fires continue to upend the housing industry. People could pack up and move to wetter climates, but they don’t. “We want to live where we want to live,” says Johnson. That’s driving homebuilders to adopt new materials, particularly those safeguarded with flame retardants.
While many builders are using brick and concrete to protect against the risk of fire, a bunker may not be your only choice. Consider innovations such as Garnica’s Fireshield, a new plywood that works just like regular panels but has the highest level of
Snoopy Smiles
certification for fire resistance available in a wood product.
To achieve widespread use of alternative materials, local and state governments will need to get involved. “We’ll see changes in building codes because of the losses we’ve experienced in the past,” says Johnson. “But we need to make the investments now, so that we don’t have more losses in the future.”
Sustainable energy advancements
No area gets more press in the home-building world than energy consumption for heating and cooling—another issue that is only going to get worse as climate extremes deepen.
To start, solar isn’t going away. Regions with significant access to sunshine will continue to take advantage of rooftop panels and, increasingly, home batteries such as Tesla’s Powerwall. Costs for both solar panels and batteries have been dropping fast—in both cases by a staggering 90 percent on a per-watt basis in the last 10 years. In California, there are now some times in the year where residential homes produce so much power it exceeds demand, overloading transmission lines.
For Johnson, one interesting solution to the energy dilemma is for neighborhoods or even entire cities to capture energy in large, centrally located batteries instead of in units mounted in each home’s garage. New wireless networks (like the one used by your phone) will let households communicate their power needs to the grid, he says, “which will allow us to more intelligently manage the energy load.”
The smart home grows up
By now, you probably live in a smart home of some level—perhaps with a
Step into the future
AAA Members save up to $60 per year on AAA Smart Home Security Monitoring. Learn more at AAA.com/smarthome.
doorbell camera, smart security system, or just an Amazon Echo speaker in the kitchen. All of these devices are getting smarter every day, in large part due to their integration of artificial intelligence (AI).
Mike Hetke, president and CEO of AAA Smart Home Security, says, “We’ve been on a collision course between home security and home automation for a decade, and earlystage AI is already integrated into our systems.” Today, a security camera can distinguish between a person, an animal, and a car—and can even tell whether a vehicle in your driveway is your own or a stranger’s.
But coming soon, cameras will get much smarter. “We’re going to roll out a feature called AI deterrence, where your camera can recognize an unfamiliar person, identify features of that person, and audibly announce, ‘Hey, you in the red shirt and blue shorts, this is private property,’” says Hetke. AI-powered video verification can also help cut down on false alarms, one of the biggest challenges for home security systems.
Hetke says he’s most excited, however, about the near future when smart home technologies that were previously separate start working together as a seamless whole. “We’ll be able to read when your car comes into the driveway, set the lights and thermostat to your preferences, and unlock the door based on video of your face,” he says. “We’re getting to a point where we can finally integrate multiple devices like this much more effectively.” christopher null
How to make an EV fit your budget
↘
What to consider when you’re planning to buy or lease an EV.
Prices of electric vehicles (EVs) are finally coming down, thanks to rising inventories, tax credits, dealer incentives, and cheaper batteries.
But will an EV save you money over the long term? Fully electric vehicles generally command higher prices, depreciate faster, and cost more to insure than gasoline-powered cars, although the gaps are narrowing. And you’ll probably want to install a fast, level 2 charger at home. But when it comes to fuel and maintenance costs, EVs win hands down.
If you factor in the total cost of owning a car over five years or leasing one for three, EVs can be cheaper than gaspowered vehicles, according to J.D. Power. In 2024, out of 48 EVs analyzed, 21 were more affordable to purchase and 29 were more affordable to lease.
In a similar study conducted in 2024,
Vincentric found that 20 out of 41 EVs had a lower cost of ownership over five years than their gas-powered counterparts. These averages can be misleading, though. When Tesla—which controls just under half the EV market—changes prices, it can sway industry averages.
“Every single vehicle has to be looked at separately,” says Elizabeth Krear, a vice president in J.D. Power’s EV division.
It’s hard to compare EVs versus gasoline vehicles side by side because only a few models come both ways. Even when possible, it’s not a one-to-one comparison because automakers tend to load up EVs with fancier equipment, says Ronald Montoya, senior consumer advice editor with Edmunds.
That’s changing, though, as automakers try to reach mainstream buyers, says Stephanie Valdez Streaty, a director of
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SMART LIFE
industry insights with Cox Automotive.
To get a rough idea of how much it might cost to own a specific EV (and compare it to other models) try using the AAA Your Driving Costs Calculator. This tool estimates the allin cost over five years based on your state, vehicle, miles driven annually, and other details.
Just like any big purchase, buying an EV requires doing your homework. Here are factors to consider:
price Don’t fixate on MSRP. Many dealers are offering incentives that bring the purchase price below the sticker price. During the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, buyers paid $2,900 less for a mainstream EV and $2,300 less for a premium EV, according to J.D. Power. The average transaction price for an EV in July 2024 was $56,520, which was 1.5 percent lower year over year, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates.
tax credits Buyers who make less than $300,000 a year (married and filing jointly) or $150,000 (single) can get a federal tax credit as high as $7,500 on a limited number of new EVs that undergo final assembly in North America and meet certain price and parts-sourcing requirements. Federal tax credits are also available on some used EVs. You’ll need to dig into the fine print at energy.gov to find out what’s available. Some states and utilities also offer rebates and tax incentives.
leasing Companies that acquire EVs to lease can get the federal tax credit on any EV and pass it along— or not—to customers who lease the car, regardless of the lessee’s income. Many leasing companies advertise that they pass it along. J.D. Power found that most do, Krear says.
fuel economy To estimate and compare fuel costs for most vehicles, use the Department of Energy’s savings calculator at fueleconomy.gov. You can personalize results based on your electricity and gasoline prices, driving habits, and purchase/lease costs—but the calculator does not include other factors, such as maintenance and insurance.
insurance A recent Policygenius study estimated that electric vehicles cost $44 more per month to insure because they are costlier to repair, but call your insurance company to get a quote for the exact model you’re considering.
maintenance EVs can cost as little as 50 to 60 percent of what gasoline vehicles cost to maintain because they have fewer mechanical parts. In its 2024 Your Driving Costs report, AAA found that EVs had the lowest maintenance costs of all cars evaluated in the study. Montoya says that even though you won’t need to change the oil, spark plugs, timing belts, or exhaust systems, the tires will wear out faster
AAA EV Resources
Learn more about EVs and take advantage of exclusive charging station discounts at AAA.com/evresources
because EVs are heavier. Most batteries are warrantied for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
chargers Public charging stations can be unreliable. According to recent data from J.D. Power, from April to June 2024, 19 percent of visits to a public charger ended in a failed recharge attempt. For Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America, those figures dropped to 6 percent and 10 percent, respectively. For many EV owners, it can be cheaper and more convenient to charge at home; 86 percent of EV owners use a fast, level 2 charger, according to a J.D. Power survey. Installation costs vary widely depending on your home’s wiring, but the average owner in the survey paid just over $1,200 to buy and install a home charger. kathleen pender
Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction
Centuries ago, Persians, Tibetans and Mayans considered turquoise a gemstone of the heavens, believing the striking blue stones were sacred pieces of sky. Today, the rarest and most valuable turquoise is found in the American Southwest–– but the future of the blue beauty is unclear.
On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with fourth generation turquoise traders who explained that less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and only about twenty mines in the Southwest supply gem-quality turquoise. Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed.
We found a limited supply of turquoise from Arizona and purchased it for our Sedona Turquoise Collection. Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, one-of-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you aren’t completely happy with your purchase, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.
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On the Road
MEMBERS’ FAVORITE
Libraries in the West
“The Grass Valley Library–Royce Branch in Grass Valley, California, is a Carnegie library housed in a building that has not been altered. I love its historical presence. It just feels good to be in the building.”
susan renee hennings
↘ Nourish your mind among these impressive book collections.
“Doe Library at University of California, Berkeley, in Berkeley, Calif., is a gorgeous old library with marble steps worn by countless students, and cozy reading rooms for curling up and digging into a book. The hours change, so check the website before you go.” cathy kliegel
“Sacramento’s California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives has an extensive collection of material on North American railroading. On two separate occasions, their staff produced information that was helpful for research I was working on. It is appointment-only, so you’ll need to call or email to schedule a visit.” bill hough
“The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City has the largest collection of genealogy and family history books in the world. Everything is available to use free of charge, and help is always offered. Funded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the staff has been working hard to make information available online for the world to use.” donde hart smith
“The Alameda Free Library in Alameda, Calif., offers books and media, with a knowledgeable staff and plenty of activities for adults and kids. There is even a café on-site. The Friends of the Alameda Free Library is a very active volunteer organization, raising funds for improvements and innovations.” ken werner
“The Maricopa County Southeast Regional Library in Gilbert, Ariz., is housed in a beautiful building. It’s a peaceful place where you can easily spend hours reading with a beautiful view. It’s located at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, so you have trails to enjoy before or after you pick your books.” corinne lyon
“The main branch of the Mesa Public Library in Mesa, Ariz., has popular books and other media, and welcomes everyone. The Mesa Room contains archival materials about the city, including oral histories, former mayors’ papers, early maps of streets, and much more. I love that the friendly staff will help you find what you are looking for.” sarah moorhead
“The West Shore Community Library in Lakeside, Mont., is where we spend our summers volunteering. It’s a small, volunteer-supported library that serves the west side of Flathead Lake. It is also the location for the Lakeside-Somers Chamber of Commerce, assisting visitors to the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park.” charles robbins
“The Hearst Free Library in Anaconda, Mont., is one of two libraries in the United States founded by Phoebe Apperson Hearst. The building design was done by Hearst. She also personally selected the artwork and had it shipped to Montana. The people are friendly, and there is a community spirit in the beautiful, historic building.” brenda wahler
NEXT QUESTION
What is your favorite pet-friendly travel destination in the West, and why? Email us at otr@viamagazine.com You may be quoted in a future issue.
Road-trip through Nevada’s Moapa Valley
↘ Eye-catching rock formations, desert wildlife, and tokens of history make this a winning day trip from Las Vegas.
The Moapa (pronounced mo-AH-puh) Valley is only about an hour’s drive northeast of Las Vegas along I-15, but it couldn’t be farther from the Entertainment Capital of the World. Instead of towering resorts and clanking slot machines, you’ll find spires of sandstone, bleating bighorn sheep, and ancient petroglyphs. The juxtaposition is as refreshing as it is stark, making the region a perfect destination for a daylong road trip from the Strip.
Valley of Fire State Park
One of the main attractions in this part of Nevada is Valley of Fire State Park. At nearly 46,000 acres, the park is Nevada’s largest. It’s also its first, being officially designated in 1935. Valley of Fire derives its name from the way the red sandstone formations—which were sand dunes 150 million years ago—seem to glow just before sunset as if they are on fire. Water and wind erosion have shaped the landscape for centuries, creating otherworldly sights. The park is also notable for its evidence of Indigenous people’s ancient occupation; the petroglyphs here are more than 2,000 years old.
The best ways to explore Valley of Fire are by car and on foot. Most trails are sandy and stretch no more than a mile, offering visitors the opportunity to drive around and explore several different areas in a day. Mouse’s Tank, for instance, is about three-quarters of a mile out-andback and features petroglyphs as well as a natural pool at the end. The longest trail in the park, Fire Wave, is a 1.8-mile loop with multicolored formations that look like rock rainbows.
Because Valley of Fire is in the middle of the Mojave Desert, bringing water is essential year-round. It’s also a good idea to have a camera; bighorn sheep, Gila monsters, and rattlesnakes roam freely here, and you’re practically guaranteed to see a bighorn sheep at least once.
St. Thomas
Let’s be clear: St. Thomas isn’t a modernday municipality; it’s a ghost town inside the boundaries of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Like many Mormon settlements in the Moapa Valley, this was once a thriving metropolis between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. When the
SWEET STOPS
Stunning rock along the Fire Wave Trail. right: Spot bighorn sheep roaming the valley.
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Hoover Dam was built in the 1930s, the town was flooded. Over time, as water levels in the Overton Arm of Lake Mead have dropped, remnants of St. Thomas have re-emerged. Today, on the 2.5-mile-long trail to St. Thomas, you’ll find portions of several buildings, including an old ice cream parlor and a school. The National Park Service has added interpretive signage to help visitors imagine what the town once was.
Overton
Moapa Valley Boulevard—State Route 169—heads north from Lake Mead National Recreation Area to the heart of the Moapa Valley and the region’s largest population center, Overton. In the 1880s, this was home to the lower valley’s only store. Today, several attractions make it a popular stop.
Number one on that list is the Lost City Museum, which sits on a ridge overlooking the valley below. The National Park Service created the museum in 1935 to exhibit artifacts recovered from archaeological sites excavated before the creation of Lake Mead. The resulting collection of baskets, pottery, and more is extensive, providing a fascinating narrative of the region’s history. Outdoor exhibits include reconstructed pueblos, which kids can enter and explore.
Spirit Fun
Logandale
There isn’t much in Logandale itself, but this region is known nationally for a system of mountain-biking and dirtbiking trails. One of the most famous of these trails is the almost-four-mile Jackrabbit Loop, with small jumps, and moderate climbs and drops. For visitors who don’t have their own bikes, rentals are available at Bike Access, a business that brings bikes directly to you, at your hotel or even straight to the trailhead. matt villano
The Lost City Museum offers a glimpse of local history.
Dos Rios State Park, California
↘ Take a guided tour to visit former ranchland transformed into a place to spy endangered wildlife and learn the critical roles of floodplains in our ecology.
Situated in the San Joaquin Valley, Dos Rios State Park is California’s newest state park. As the Spanish moniker suggests, the park’s focal point is the confluence of two rivers, the San Joaquin and the Tuolumne, bounded by a riparian woodland teeming with wildlife. Yet, just 10 years ago, the property was mostly barren ranchland. Thanks to a sweeping restoration—the largest public-private floodplain rehabilitation project in the state’s history—the approximately 1,600-acre park seems almost a time capsule of the wetland landscapes that predated the region’s agricultural fields.
The idea of restoring Dos Rios Ranch, a former cattle and dairy operation, back to its native environment took shape in 2012, when River Partners, a nonprofit river restoration organization, acquired the property in partnership with the Tuolumne River Trust and other public and private funders. Starting with historic records as a guide, the nonprofit removed artificial berms that constricted the rivers, then planted more than 350,000 native trees and plants. The work lasted over 10 years, culminating
with the preserve being selected as California’s 281st state park.
Today, the former ranch fields display a landscape of oaks, willows, and a variety of herbs and grasses. The benefits extend well beyond its natural beauty. In addition to mitigating flood risks to nearby communities, the restored floodplain filters pollutants for cleaner water and acts as a natural sink for greenhouse gases.
The restoration has also welcomed back scores of fish, pollinators, and other animals, including many threatened species that are thriving in their renewed home. Visitors will want to pack binoculars, as the floodplain is also a stop along the Pacific Flyway, a global migration corridor.
For now, access to the property’s backcountry is limited to guided walking tours offered each day the park is open. Covering a variety of topics, the rangerled walks explore wildlife habitats, old ranch structures, and the convergence of the two rivers. Walking tours usually range from two to five miles round-trip, and can be reserved in advance on the park’s website. garrick ramirez
A place to spot wildlife. right: Black-tailed deer call the area home once again.
DAY IN THE PARK
ADVERTISING SECTION
Discover Winter
Pismo Beach is classic California
Pismo Beach is the true classic California beach town and is famous for its worldfamous pier, miles of beautiful white sand beaches, outstanding accommodations, and a rich wine region only minutes away.
Make us your headquarters for adventure. Pismo Beach’s central location makes it the ideal home base, a jumping-off point for exploring the myriad attractions the area has to offer, including the historical Hearst Castle
and the rich wine region of Edna Valley. Take pleasure in world-class golf just minutes away, and if shopping is your favorite sport, there’s the Pismo Beach Premium Outlets.
Outdoor enthusiasts are constantly spoiled with an array of thrilling activities to choose from. Whether you’re into kayaking along the flawless coastline, casting a line for some of the best fishing around, catching waves while surfing, or exploring endless hiking and biking trails, Pismo Beach offers an unparalleled playground for adventurers of all stripes.
When you stay in Pismo Beach you’ll find a wide variety of lodging to meet everyone’s needs and budget. There are oceanfront resorts, family-friendly vacation rentals, affordable motels, and rewarding RV
Park resorts. Right now, you can take advantage of outstanding values with our seasonal lodging specials: experience pismobeach.com/places-to-stay/deals.
Be sure to bring along the family dog, as Pismo Beach offers many properties that are dog friendly and many of our stores and shops welcome them too.
There are restaurants that offer fresh seafood as well as farm to table dining along with original new cuisines and time-honored menus for everyone to enjoy.
It’s all here waiting for you—a gentle climate, where sand, sun, sea, and sky converge to create the ideal getaway. California’s golden past is alive and well in Pismo Beach.
→ For more information and to check our current lodging specials, go to ExperiencePismoBeach.com. Also, join us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest.
PISMO BEACH
Your next winter adventure awaits in Anchorage
Discover a winter wonderland in Anchorage. Alaska’s largest city brims with cozy urban comfort, wide-open spaces, warm northern hospitality, and some of the coolest views in Alaska.
Witness the northern lights sparkling over the city skyline as it illuminates the snowcapped Chugach Mountains. Anchorage is one of the best places to chase the aurora borealis, as prime viewing locations are easily reachable from the city.
Fur Rendezvous is the largest winter festival in North America, and this much-loved annual event in Anchorage includes a combination of quirky races, Alaskan culture, and sports. The ceremonial start of the historic Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race attracts thousands of people to downtown Anchorage, as
they cheer on their favorite mushers.
Whether you’re seeking a relaxing winter getaway or an adrenaline-filled adventure, year-round direct flights to Anchorage make it an accessible destination to see everything Alaska has to offer.
Enjoy everything from a sightseeing adventure on a snowmobile to sprinting through a snow-capped forest behind a team of sled dogs. If you like to ski, Anchorage has world-class downhill runs along with pristine cross-country trails that weave throughout the city. Après-ski in a rejuvenating outdoor spa.
A trip to Anchorage wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the city’s numerous dining options. Menus include everything from king crab, halibut, and wild salmon to other surprising Alaska
food specialties like reindeer sausage and freshly picked vegetables and berries.
Gain an understanding of Alaska Native lifestyle and traditions along with their role in contemporary Alaska. The city’s museums and cultural heritage sites are among the best places to gain insight into the rich Alaska Native cultures.
Overflowing with natural wonders and convenient city comforts, no month is off-limits when it comes to visiting Anchorage, Alaska.
→ Start planning today: Learn more with your free Official Guide to Anchorage. VisitAnchorage.net
EXPLORATORIUM
Play in the light
Step into the art and science of light.
• Play experimental LED dungeon crawlers (Robin Baumgarten).
• Delight in glowing geometries, then fold and build your own (Collective Paper Aesthetics).
• See real objects float with movie screen technology (Toshio Iwai).
• Count the craters on a vast glowing moon (Luke Jerram).
• Paint the walls with digital light and shadow (Zach Lieberman).
• Walk inside hypnotic 3D illusions and question what’s real (Olivier Ratsi).
• Soak up prismatic color inspired by particle physics (Akiko Yamashita).
• Try out new exhibit prototypes in the Light Lab.
Step into the art and science of light this winter. Paint with light, soak in color, walk inside 3D illusions, and question your eyes!
ticket
at
NOV 21–JAN 26
PIER 15, SAN
SONOMA COUNTY
Come to the
33rd annual Wine Road Festival
Join 50-plus wineries and chase away those winter blues with some amazing wines at Winter WINEland! Recover from the holiday rush with a kickback weekend along the Wine Road. Meet winemakers, chat with winery owners, and discover the road less traveled. Explore new wineries and visit your long-time favorites.
→ Get tickets and plan your visit at WineRoad.com
Explore winter in Fairbanks, Alaska!
Whether you come seeking the beauty of a sparkling winter day, the summer’s everlasting sunshine, or to scan the skies for the captivating northern lights, Fairbanks is an extraordinary portal into life in the Far North. Known as the “Golden Heart of Alaska,” Fairbanks is a vibrant city on the banks of the Chena River that serves as the basecamp to Denali, Interior, and Arctic Alaska.
Fairbanks is one of the best places on Earth to see the northern lights during Aurora Season, August 21 to April 21, because of its position directly under the Auroral Oval—a ring-shaped zone over the Far North where aurora activity is concentrated.
October through March, winter in Fairbanks offers world-class ice sculptures and outstanding dog mushing opportunities. Explore the
snow-capped hills, ice-covered lakes, and birch-laden trails, or go ice fishing, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing.
During Midnight Sun Season, April 22 to August 20, the sun shines for up to 24 hours a day. From midMay to late July, Fairbanks experiences never-ending daylight for 70 straight days.
Complete your adventure with year-round attractions including art galleries, museums, an outdoor hot spring, and the nearby town of North Pole. Don’t miss the opportunity to shop for authentic Alaska Native and made-in-Alaska gifts, or drink a beverage from a local brewery or distillery.
→ Start planning your Fairbanks vacation today at ExploreFairbanks.com
RO MANTIC DANUBE
8 DAYS • 5 GUIDED TOURS • 3 COUNTRIES
Budapest to Regensburg
RHINE GETAWAY
8 DAYS • 6 GUIDED TOURS • 4 COUNTRIES
Amsterdam to Basel
Ask about the exclusive Member Benefit from Viking. AAA Members receive up to a $200 shipboard credit per person.* Contact your AAA Travel Advisor today or visit AAA.com/Viking
*AAA Member Benefit: $100 per person shipboard credit for all Viking voyages 8-11 days. $200 per person shipboard credit for all Viking voyages 12 days or longer. Shipboard credits can only be applied when booked directly by AAA Travel Agent. This offer is combinable with group rates, early booking discounts, past passenger discounts, refer a friend credits and future cruise vouchers. Offer is not combinable with interline and wholesale bookings or valid on other Viking products. Onboard credit has no cash value. Viking reserves the right to correct errors and to change any and all fares, fees and surcharges at any time. CST# 2052644-40
From the must-sees to the local secrets and one-of-a-kind experiences, destinations come to life with absolute ease on a Guided Vacation. Your best trip starts here.
Contact Our Travel Experts 888 249 4088 or visit AAA.com/Trafalgar
World’s largest Christmas tree
Join Mr. Skunk as he visits the world’s largest living Christmas tree right in Northern California!
Take a holiday train like no other, November 23 through December 31. Mr. Skunk and the Giant Christmas Tree travels through the forest for approximately two hours briming with cheer, carols, reindeer games, and adult beverages for mom and dad. Departs Willits right off Hwy 101.
→ Visit SkunkTrain.com or call (707) 964-6371
Breathtaking views with breathing room
Washington’s Vancouver offers big city amenities, while maintaining its welcoming and friendly community. Explore the outskirts of Clark County for PNW landscapes, historical treasures, and quaint towns. Return to the Vancouver Waterfront—a mile from downtown— for wine tasting and delicious eats. We’re close to everything, but far from typical.
→ Plan your trip today at VisitVancouverWA.com
Spring getaway in Northern California
Nestled in the heart of Northern California, Redding is a hidden gem that perfectly blends soft adventure with natural beauty. If you’re seeking a spring getaway that immerses you in nature without sacrificing comfort, Redding is the ideal destination. With lodging just 15 to 30 minutes from locations where others might camp, you can enjoy adventure by day and comfort by night.
Imagine standing before breathtaking waterfalls, surrounded by lush green trees, as the soothing sound of cascading water fills the air—a scene right out of a dream. Redding offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature.
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, there’s something here for everyone. Never tried kayaking? Whiskeytown Lake is the perfect place to start. With free ranger-led kayak trips, you can glide across tranquil waters, taking in the stunning scenery. Who knows? You might discover a new passion.
Spring in Redding is magical, with
blooming wildflowers and vibrant greens awakening from winter’s embrace. It’s the ideal time to explore waterfalls, hike serene trails, or relax by the water’s edge.
→ Request our free visitors guide at ChooseRedding.com/attractions and start planning your next getaway!
Visit the snowy paradise of Missoula, Montana
Missoula, Montana, transforms into a winter wonderland during the season, when the town’s charm knows no bounds. Here, you’ll discover snowy outdoor delights that exhilarate and a culinary scene that rivals big-city dining.
In this picturesque, snowy setting, the community comes alive, with freshair lovers embracing the chill and creative spirits finding inspiration in the glistening snow. For winter enthusiasts, Missoula is a haven, boasting five nearby ski areas where you can carve through pristine slopes. Three rivers and seven wilderness areas grace this terrain, and miles of groomed crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing trails
weave through these tranquil landscapes. Lace up your skates at various outdoor rinks, including one at the University of Montana.
For a unique dining experience, indulge in a meal inside a cozy igloo surrounded by the magical winter scenery. It will fuel you for any of the events on the city’s brimming winter calendar, from thrilling sporting competitions to enchanting symphony performances and captivating community theater productions. Don’t miss the lively winter brew fests, where you can sample local
craft beers, and the vibrant Parade of Lights, which illuminates the season with festive cheer.
A snowy playground like no other awaits you in Missoula. Book your stay now for an experience you will never forget.
→ Call (800) 526-3465 or visit DestinationMissoula.org/via for more information.
Missoula, Montana is a winter oasis where three rivers and seven wilderness areas converge to create an unforgettable snowy paradise. This season, the charm is immeasurable, with outdoor wonders awaiting at every frosted corner and a culinary scene that competes with the grandest of cities. Come and discover the enchanting world of Missoula in winter, where memories are made in the snow.
The Bay Area’s most immersive holiday event returns this year, sparkling brighter than ever before. WinterFest brings holiday cheer to California’s Great America as the park is magically transformed into a winter wonderland and holiday festival. Guests can ice-skate in front of the iconic Carousel Columbia, marvel at spectacular live shows.
Purchase your Gold Pass now and enjoy unlimited visits to this year’s WinterFest and all of 2025. Plus enjoy free parking and more! CAGRE ATAMERI CA.COM
Au en c Arizona
Discover by Chance. Return by Choice.
The Copper Corridor in south-central Arizona is filled with a rich history of mining, charming small towns, attractive local businesses, scenic mountains and a lifetime full of adventure.
Explore all the communities in the Copper Corridor including Globe, Miami, Superior, Hayden, Kearny Oracle, Oracle Junction, San Manuel, Mammoth and Winkelman. You might just like it so much you'll find yourself coming back for more.
ExploreArizona
2024-2025 SEASON WICKENBURG, AZ
Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawai’i UKULELE VIRTUOSO DEC 5
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Big Band Holidays DEC 9
SWEET HONEY IN
THE ROCK®
Celebrating the Holydays A CAPPELLA ENSEMBLE DEC 20
Neil Berg’s The 60s: Peace, Love and Rock & Roll JAN 3 & 5
John Pizzarelli Trio Stage and Screen JAN 21
Jesse Cook LATIN FLAVORED WORLD MUSIC FEB 1
Little Texas COUNTRY HITS FEB 14 & 15
The Queen’s Cartoonists MUSIC WITH ANIMATED CLIPS FEB 28
Classic Albums Live Performs Queen A Night at the Opera NOTE FOR NOTE, CUT FOR CUT MARCH 8
The Swingles “LIVE” A CAPPELLA ENSEMBLE MARCH 11
The Barricade Boys
Broadway Party Starring London’s Leading Men from Les Misérables MARCH 19
Canadian Brass FROM CLASSICAL TO POP APRIL 1
Jesse Cook
MEDIA SPONSOR
Escape to clear skies and wide open spaces
Casa Grande, a small city with 74,000 residents (estimate, YE 2024), offers visitors and tourists a respite from frenetic traffic, amped-up schedules, and back-to-back obligations of everyday life. The community’s unique charm makes it easy to slip into vacation mode. Casa Grande’s cozy niche at the crossroads of two interstates, its wideopen spaces, and clear blue skies, mean myriad opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.
The backdrop of the beautiful low desert, temperate weather, a no-snow guarantee, and the promise of a dazzling sunrise or sunset beckon to those who want to hike or bike the 17 miles of designated trails of Casa Grande
Mountain and contemplate the panorama of the valley below. There are walking paths and other recreational amenities in and around Casa Grande, including in the 19 city parks sprinkled throughout town, and a walking tour through the historic downtown area and the award-winning Casa Grande Neon Sign Park.
Golfers, we haven’t forgotten you. Casa Grande is the ideal place for golf. Several beautiful courses, sun, and fun mean you’ll want to play every day. Follow that up with an afternoon relaxing, visiting one of the varieties of unique restaurants, sightseeing, or experiencing the small-town energy at one of the city’s signature events. When you
“live local,” even if you’re visiting, you can be as busy as you want to be—or just chill and savor the moment. You’re always home in Casa Grande.
→ For more information about Casa Grande, visit ExperienceCasaGrande.com, or call (520) 836-2125
CASA GRANDE
Dave White Municipal Golf Course.
—Tony Robbins, motivational speaker “It’s
—Ali Tucker, company president “Entertainment
—Stage Whispers
WEEKENDER
Salinas, Calif.
↘ Enjoy literary history, locally farmed produce, and delicious cuisine in this eclectic Central Coast town.
Tucked between the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Gabilan Range in central California, Salinas is perhaps best known as the hometown of Nobel- and Pulitzer Prize–winning author John Steinbeck. The city offers visitors a wealth of literary and agricultural history, a walkable downtown packed with shops, and a rich heritage of Mexican restaurants and bakeries.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
● For insight into how California became the fifth largest economy in the world, drop by the California Welcome Center at the historic Southern Pacific Freight Depot The Postcards, Passengers, and Produce exhibit includes postcards that the Southern Pacific Railroad used to attract farmers to the place that’s become known as the Salad Bowl of the World.
● Get an up-close view of a local agricultural business by visiting the Farm, a working farm, bakery, and store. Almost everything grown here is certified organic and includes some 30 different crops. Join a tour to learn the daily routine of a farmer or sample some of the best pies in Monterey County.
● Steinbeck was beloved for his descriptions of the human condition, and several of his books—Of Mice and Men, East of Eden, Cannery Row—are rooted in this region of California. The 3,000-squarefoot National Steinbeck Center is believed to be the largest facility devoted to a single American author. The interactive, multisensory exhibits cover literature and history as well as agriculture, and display artifacts related to Steinbeck and the Salinas Valley.
● On the Monterey Wine Trail, you can enjoy the calm of winter along endless rows of vineyards. Sip through a guided tasting of Odonata Winery’s two labels: Odonata and Cote du Denis. The winery works closely with area growers to produce small batches of its wines and focuses on local grapes. Just down the road, there’s another tasting opportunity at Rustique Wines, where high-quality bottles of pinot noir and chardonnay are made with the grapes from their estate, Silacci Vineyards.
● You know you’re in the heart of an agricultural hub when the farmers’ market is open year-round. Every Saturday, the 300
block of Main Street in Old Town Salinas becomes a showplace for fresh produce and locally sourced products. If you’ve skipped breakfast or lunch, you’ll find it here, among local food vendors.
WHERE TO EAT
● For a hearty American-style breakfast, head to First Awakenings, where choices range from sweet to savory. Step into the past at Steinbeck’s boyhood home, open as the lunch-only Steinbeck House Restaurant, which focuses on foods from the valley that are in season. For dinner, pick Alvarado on Main for a Wagyu smash burger and a pint in a former 1930s art deco bank building.
● The Salinas Valley also reflects the Latino diaspora in its cuisine. Start your day with sweet goods such as churros at Panaderia Tres Hermanos or Guadalajara Bakery. Brave the lines of superfans at the strictly to-go El Charrito, and treat yourself to delicious burritos made with tender, hand-stretched tortillas.
● Culturas Hidalgo y Oaxaca serves traditional pre-Hispanic food from both Mexican states, with a menu including mixiote (barbecue meat traditionally wrapped in the leaves of the maguey plant) and tamales (corn masa filled with chicken and mole, wrapped in a banana leaf).
WHERE TO SHOP
● The shops in Salinas’s historic downtown are a blend of art galleries, vintage boutiques, and music stores. The Holiday Parade of Lights on the Sunday after Thanksgiving adds winter cheer with illuminated floats and residents in holiday attire.
● Don’t miss Downtown Book & Sound, where you may hear a sweet guitar riff while perusing the books and records. It’s probably Dan, the store’s owner, practicing behind the counter. See the region through creators’ eyes at the Salinas Valley Art Gallery, which features artists working across a variety of media, including sculpture, photography, ceramics, and more. jill k robinson
COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO
Winter Wonderland!
There couldn’t be a more perfect place to spend time this winter than Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. With magical holiday celebrations and snowcapped mountains. Enjoy winter recreation at its finest, unique holiday shopping, lake cruises, indoor water parks, soak in the hot winter nights’ infinity pool, special holiday festivities, live performing arts and more. Plan your winter escape today at cdawinter.com
Live music at Rustique Wines. far left: The Farm bursts with produce year-round. middle: Head to First Awakenings cafe to start off the day.
without the crowds Where to go in 2025
by keridwen cornelius , laura kiniry , whitney phaneuf , and chris woolston
Put the bucket list aside, and try one of these off-the-beaten-path destinations.
The rush of discovering something new and unexpected is one of the thrills of travel. Whether finding refuge in a quiet courtyard of a bustling city or a deserted beach on a tropical island, those moments of peace and reflection often end up being a trip highlight. If your idea of a dream vacation includes no crowds, no lines, and no tourist traps, you’ll find plenty of spots that fit the bill—if you know where to look. As you plan next year’s travels, consider a destination that you wouldn’t find on most people’s bucket lists. Here are 10 picks from throughout the world and in the West.
Sunrise in Vietnam’s Ninh Binh province, where the spectacular scenery is best seen by boat.
International
Okavango Delta
BOTSWANA
A traditional safari alternative, northwestern Botswana’s Okavango Delta is brimming with flooding wetlands where crocodiles and birdlife, such as kingfishers, storks, and bee-eaters, thrive. Most of the safari experiences here take place aboard a boat. If you’re lucky, you might spot a herd of elephants crossing the region’s waters, which are also ideal for casting a fishing line (tigerfish are especially abundant here), exploring papyrus-lined channels in a traditional mokoro canoe, or catching one of the area’s jaw-dropping orange-red sunsets. With its nine teak-deck chalets, the Okavango’s Nxamaseri Island Lodge makes the perfect perch for getting away from it all. Set out on guided nature walks through the area’s lush greenery by day, sip drinks by the water in the evening, and fall asleep to the surprisingly calming sounds of grunting hippos.
About one hour from the lodge, the Unesco World Heritage site Tsodilo Hills contains thousands of rock art paintings that date back as far as 20,000 years. These quartzite rock formations served as a cultural and spiritual focal point for Indigenous southern African Hambukushu and San communities at different moments in time, and the artwork—which includes depictions of lions, gemsboks, and giraffes—helps convey their history. The colors of the hills are rainbow hues of pink, blue, and green created from water dripping down over the centuries. l k
Okutama
JAPAN
Hidden waterfalls, hiking trails, shady forests of cedars and ferns—the mountain town of Okutama is technically part of greater Tokyo, but you’ll feel like you’ve left the city and the crowds far behind. Just 90 minutes west of the central Tokyo Station, Okutama sits in a wild valley along the Tama River, a thoroughfare for kayakers and rafters. If the wobbly footbridges above Hatonosu gorge don’t do it for your adrenaline, sign up for one of the tours run by Canyons, where guides take you zip-lining, rappelling, and hiking in the tumbling streams.
This area is renowned for strong flavors. Start with a tasting at the region’s oldest sake maker, Sawanoi Ozawa Brewery, which has been working at the craft for more than three centuries. Fields of wasabi tucked into the valley bring bite to the entire country. Order the venison volcano at the Riverside Cafe Awa, and you’ll appreciate the difference between authentic fresh wasabi and the green paste from U.S. supermarket sushi. Great tastes aren’t always fancy. If you take a to-go bag of fried chicken from Kitchen Cafe Okutama down to the riverbank, you can feast in the cool forest shade next to the rushing water. The city can wait. c w
Mittenwald GERMANY
This storybook setting in the Bavarian Alps is so over-the-top gorgeous, you might be tempted to gleefully skip through meadows singing about hills being alive before flinging off your hiking clothes and splashing into a sparkling lake. While tourists throng nearby Garmisch-Partenkirchen, savvy travelers take a two-hour train ride from Munich to this mellow town, where no car is needed because glorious hikes are all within walking distance. For the most serene atmosphere and breathtaking views, choose a hotel on the west side of town, such as Landhaus Sonnenbichl, where you can breakfast on the sun terrace overlooking the Karwendel mountains and ease your muscles in the Finnish sauna at night.
In Old Town, stroll among pastel buildings painted with rural and religious scenes, and visit the Geigenbaumuseum to learn about Mittenwald’s role as a center of violin making. Wander along a forest trail to Leutascher Geisterklamm to saunter down bridges and walkways clinging to the cliffs of a lush gorge above a glacial blue river. Walk through ever-shifting alpine scenery on the trails to Lautersee and Ferchensee Lakes, then refresh yourself in the crystal-clear waters. Finally, settle into Michelin-starred Das Marktrestaurant to savor refined Bavarian tavern fare, such as Wiener schnitzel. k c
Where AAA Members want to go in 2025
“Duran Duran is my favorite band, and when I saw the video for their song ‘Rio’ that was filmed in Antigua, in the Caribbean, I couldn’t believe how beautiful it looked. Plus, it didn’t hurt that I was in love with band member John Taylor! I want to swim in the crystal-clear water and watch small fish, then order a drink, and relax in a hammock. I first dreamed of going when I was 13, and now I’m turning 55. I haven’t done a lot of research; I’ve always imagined a huge, wonderful surprise.”
jennifer eatherton , alaska
“My mother’s family immigrated from Budapest. My great-grandparents came here to start a new life for their family. I actually have a ceramic crockpot and one of their luggage chests that they brought with them. We had a trip planned five years ago, but then Covid struck. I want to see the historical sites and the beauty of a country that has a connection to my family.” cheryl karba , arizona
“Yosemite holds a special place in my heart. Our first time there, my girlfriend and I took a trail unprepared and it was tough. We got to a formidable part, and she was so scared she couldn’t move. I calmed [her] and walked her down. It was a bonding experience. We were engaged there in 2011 and married there on Valentine’s Day 2014. Next time, we hope to go on some night hikes for a better chance to see animals.”
rob snow , california
Antigua
International
Alentejo region
PORTUGAL
It’s easy to feel like you have the road to yourself as you drive through Portugal’s Alentejo region, where you’ll probably pass more black pigs lounging under cork trees than cars. An hour east of Lisbon, the Alentejo region reveals a gentle countryside of rolling hills, golden fields, vineyards, jagged coastal cliffs, and medieval villages.
Soak up the scenery with a night at Quinta da Comporta, one of many wellness-focused boutique hotels in the region, and enjoy a sprawling view of rice fields from its glass infinity pool. At the restaurant, you’ll find local rice on the menu along with herbs, vegetables, and fruits grown on-site— farm-to-table is the norm throughout the region. Head to the coast for a stroll or bike ride along part of the nature trail Rota Vicentina, Portugal’s equivalent of Spain’s Camino de Santiago. Portugal is renowned for its tile and pottery, and you can visit more than 20 artisan studios at the pottery village São Pedro do Corval. In the walled town Estremoz, one of many “white cities” in the area (meaning most buildings are white), you can explore Portugal’s history and culture through tile at Museu Berardo Estremoz. More art awaits in the region’s capital, Évora, where Franciscan monks in the late 16th century used 5,000 corpses to create the Chapel of Bones as a meditation on life and death. w p
Ninh Binh
VIETNAM
Less than 60 miles south of Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, sits the wondrous landscape of Ninh Binh. Its steep limestone karsts, expansive rice paddies, and system of picturesque grottoes have earned the area the nickname “the Ha Long Bay on Land,” referring to one of the north’s most popular tourist regions. However, despite its natural beauty, Ninh Binh remains much more low-key. The Ngo Dong River sits at the heart of this province, so most visitors enjoy this breathtaking scenery by water, when they’re not bicycling through the local countryside. While lodgings are plentiful in the town of Tam Coc, opt instead for the less crowded Trang An, a bit farther afield, quieter, and more compact. For the region’s best views, climb approximately 500 steep steps to the top of Hang Mua viewpoint and gaze down at the river below.
Leave time to take a leisurely earlymorning river tour aboard a sampan (a type of relatively flat-bottomed boat propelled by two short oars) and glide among limestone outcrops and sunken caves. The guides here have perfected the art of rowing with their feet rather than their hands, a method developed to reduce strain on their arms and backs. l k
The West
Girdwood
ALASKA
No trip to Alaska is complete without seeing a glacier and a bear, and you can do both in Girdwood. A one-hour drive from Anchorage on the Seward Highway, with views of the Turnagain Arm waterway flanked by the Chugach and Kenai Mountains, Girdwood is a laidback resort community with a sweet downtown, year-round outdoor activities, and a luxury hotel, Alyeska Resort. Whether or not you stay at Alyeska, it’s a must-visit for skiing, the aerial tramway, and its impressive indoor-outdoor Nordic Spa. The spa features the Scandinavian-style hydrotherapy method of moving between hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms to icy cold plunges. After, grab a nourishing bite, such as sweet potato and quinoa chili, at Two Trees Bistro.
Nestled in the nearby Chugach National Forest, the Spencer Glacier requires effort to reach (it isn’t accessible by car), but you’ll be rewarded with an imposing 3,500-foot-high tower of ice. In the winter, you need to brave a 30-mile guided snowmobile tour (Glacier City Snowmobile Tours has the permits), and in the summer it’s a stop on Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery Train. Although not guaranteed, you have a great shot at seeing a bear—along with moose, reindeer, and other local animals—at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. View rescued brown and black bears from the “Bears Boardwalk,” an open-air elevated walkway where you can catch them eating, swimming, and even sitting in trees. w p
Baker
NEVADA
If you’re trying to escape crowds, it makes sense to retreat to the last stop on Highway 50 —the Loneliest Road in America—an outpost with a population of 36 at the edge of one of the least-visited national parks. In this closeknit community of nature enthusiasts, you’ll find a warm welcome and surprisingly highquality amenities. In Sugar, Salt & Malt, chat with fellow travelers as you munch on pizza or a cheddar biscuit breakfast sandwich. At the Bristlecone General Store, play cornhole and pick up a book, outdoor gear, or picnic fare. Taste solitude in Great Basin National Park as you cruise the 12-mile Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, ascending about 4,000 feet through a sea of sagebrush to conifer forests and shimmering aspen. Trek the 2.8-mile Bristlecone Trail to meet gnarly bristlecone pines—some of the oldest beings on Earth. Make a pilgrimage to Wheeler Peak Glacier, Nevada’s last surviving glacier. Join a tour to prowl around Lehman Caves, the state’s longest. Gaze at the Milky Way during a free ranger-led astronomy program. Then hang your hat at the Stargazer Inn and join locals on a full-moon hike or other event hosted by the adjacent General Store. k . c . Listen to stories about the Loneliest Road in America at
The West
Tucson
ARIZONA
The magic power of Tucson is its ability to encompass world-class destinations and a population of 1 million in a space that feels expansive, soothing, and, at times, refreshingly empty. That’s especially true if you’re staying in an oasis amidst a saguaro forest, such as the JTH, a peaceful inn where you’ll spot coyotes, cactus wrens, and more wildlife. But even if you opt for a central motel like the Downtown Clifton, you’ll notice how relaxed the area is as you stroll to a romantic dinner at the Coronet in the colorful historic barrio. Things get even more chill as you sip a nightcap on a church pew at Owls Club, set in the former chapel of a Prohibition-era funeral parlor. In Saguaro National Park, commune with cacti in sweet serenity on the 2.4-mile King Canyon/Gould Mine Loop in the west and the 3.8-mile Loma Verde Trail in the east. South of town, ooh and aah at elaborate murals and statuary inside San Xavier del Bac Mission, nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of North America. In DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, secreted away in the Catalina Foothills, wander through adobe rooms on floors embedded with cross sections of cacti as you delight at Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia’s paintings. k c
Fort Benton
MONTANA
The mighty Missouri River finds a peaceful flow at Fort Benton. The former steamboat port, military outpost, and gold-rush boomtown northeast of Great Falls, Mont., has mellowed into an unrushed, welcoming getaway and National Historic Landmark. You can walk alongside the old riverboat levee to rediscover the sites that helped start a state, including the Old Fort. Built in the 1840s, the oldest building in Montana displays the trappings of the time, including buffalo robes, trade beads, and beaver pelts. “Forever Faithful,” a heavily-petted, much-photographed bronze statue in the center of town, honors Shep, a Depression-era dog who is said to have visited the train depot every day for more than five years in a vain search for his deceased master.
Today, Fort Benton is a launching point for hikers and slow-water canoeists who venture into the rugged Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument downstream. Explorer Meriwether Lewis marveled at the “most romantic appearance” of the towering white sandstone cliffs as the Corps of Discovery passed by in 1805. Your definition of romance may differ, but there’s no doubt Fort Benton is for lovers of quiet days, deep roots, and good dogs. c w
Lincoln City OREGON
The beaches in Oregon are known for solitude, and ultimate among them are the stretches of sand near Lincoln City. Even at the height of summer, you can be utterly alone as you take a 1.25-mile low-tide walk at Road’s End State Recreation Site to pools of starfish and anemones in a garden of seaside rocks. Wildlife-watching gets supersized at the Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint, an uncrowded spot overlooking a bay where gray whales spout all year long and pelicans and albatrosses work their trades.
In town, shoppers can browse brands, such as the North Face and Pendleton, at Lincoln City Outlets or hunt for older treasures at antiques shops, such as the Little Antique Mall, the largest of its kind on the Oregon Coast. Visitors to the Lincoln City Glass Center can learn how to blow their own jellyfish paperweights or fluted bowls. As a shortcut, they can also buy the finished products from people who actually know the craft. While walking any of the seven miles of Lincoln City beaches, keep an eye out for colorful glass floats left by local artisans. The motto here is “finders keepers”—each small treasure is meant to be discovered and taken home, a token of an unassuming town with much to offer. c . w .
keridwen cornelius is a freelance writer and editor from Phoenix. laura kiniry is a freelance travel journalist based in San Francisco. whitney phaneuf is the editor in chief of Via chris woolston is a freelance science and travel writer based in Billings, Mont.
Where AAA Members want to go in 2025
“I can’t wait to visit Puerto Rico! It has all the feel of an exotic island vacation without technically leaving the United States. I was drawn by the affordability—and the beaches. I’m looking forward to snorkeling, hiking, and just relaxing on the sand with a good book.” jackie larsen , montana
“My husband is retiring, and we are hoping to do a trans-Canada railroad trip in October 2025. He loves all things trains, and this has been on his bucket list for ages! I want to see all the highlights: Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and Niagara Falls.”
serena o ’ rourke , california
“I’m most looking forward to Rio de Janeiro. I love jazz, and one particular song performed by Joe Sample and Randy Crawford titled ‘Rio de Janeiro Blue’ has been a favorite of mine. Hearing it, I imagine myself dancing down the streets of Rio to its samba or basking in the sun on the beach with a frozen daiquiri in hand.”
nicolette willie , california
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Puerto Rico
Experience the Authentic West
by keridwen cornelius
This lasso-shaped road trip through Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico ropes in everything from saloon-packed mining towns to Indigenous lands of unbridled beauty.
The mythic tales of the American West conjure visions of cowboys galloping across ranchlands. Folks shootin’ the breeze in friendly saloons where infamous gunslingers once gambled. Indigenous peoples playing soulful flute music in heartbreakingly lovely landscapes. You’ll experience all these things and more on this road trip. Most meaningfully, you’ll hear authentic stories that will add strata to your appreciation of this complex land of dreams and extremes.
The adventure begins in Bisbee, Arizona, with a journey nearly 2,000 feet underground and 150 years back in time. At the Copper Queen Mine, ride a real mining train into a dark, chilly chamber where retired miners demonstrate old-school excavation methods and show you what miners would have seen in the 1880s (apart from the mules who lived down here full-time). The mine sets the stage for the entire trip, because the desire for valuable metals—first gold and silver, then copper to electrify and industrialize the world—triggered most of the events that defined the Old West and still reverberate today. The promise of bonanzas attracted the seekers who developed this region, causing clashes with the Indigenous civilizations whose people have called the land home since time immemorial. When the mines inevitably emptied, some boomtowns decayed into ghost towns. Others, like Bisbee, found ways to bounce back.
Bisbee is a hodgepodge of ochre- and cinnabar-hued buildings scattered among rusty mountains. It’s also a quirky arts haven. As you meander on your own or with a guide from the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, you’ll see how the town strikes a balance between preservation and evolution. In Brewery Gulch, once rollicking with 50 saloons, you can sip stout crafted at Old Bisbee Brewing Company. At the
Experience the true West with a stay at Kay El Bar Guest Ranch in Wickenburg, Ariz., where you can saddle up and trot through a cactus-studded desert.
Artemizia Foundation, peruse vibrant contemporary street art in a 1917 schoolhouse.
After a short drive north, you’ll roll into the Old West’s most notorious town: Tombstone. Here the entire central district, with its creaky boardwalks and dusty streets, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Dine in the Crystal Palace Saloon, once a watering hole where Virgil Earp had an office and Doc Holliday drank. Pop into the Tombstone Epitaph to see how newspapers were printed in the 1880s and read the original account of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. You can even watch actors reenact the shootout three times a day.
With its period costumes and gunslinger mannequins, Tombstone can seem like a movie set. But in a way, that’s apropos for a place where people came to reinvent themselves as characters in a frontier mythology. Much of the lore about the Town Too Tough to Die is as false as fool’s gold. Sifting through fiction for nuggets of truth takes a bit of effort. You’ll get help from knowledgeable guides on a walking tour with Tombstone Gunfighter & Ghost Tours.
You’ll learn that the gunfight didn’t take place at the O.K. Corral, and that this silver-mining town was actually a multicultural melting pot with a sizable Chinatown and restaurants that served gourmet French fare to infamous sharpshooters.
As you venture northwest, stop at San Xavier del Bac Mission, one of many Western missions founded by Spanish colonists to expand their empire and convert Indigenous communities—sometimes peacefully, oftentimes violently. In the late 1700s, O’odham people and Catholic missionaries built this gorgeous church, with ornate statuary and murals that have been likened to those of the Sistine Chapel. Today, it’s practically preserved in amber, thanks in part to Tohono O’odham member Tim Lewis and Spanish-born Matilde Rubio—husband-and-wife conservators keeping their shared heritage alive.
clockwise from top left: An antique truck marks the entrance to Vulture City, Ariz.; ride the underground train at the Copper Queen Mine in Bisbee, Ariz.; walk the creaky plank floors in historically preserved Tombstone.
After passing through Tucson and Phoenix, ride into Wickenburg. This town and neighboring Vulture City were put on the map in 1863 after Henry Wickenburg discovered gold and founded the Vulture Mine. As often happened in the West, ranchers followed. They homesteaded here along the Hassayampa River. Vulture City eventually dwindled into a ghost town. Today, it’s authentically restored, and you can wander through buildings decked with original furniture and mining technology. During a blacksmithing experience at Vulture City Forge, hammer hot steel into a knife or jewelry, as a 19th-century smithy would have done.
Wickenburg continues to cultivate its ranching roots, and here you can bond with the most universally beloved characters in the West: horses. November to April, cheer on cowboys and cowgirls lassoing steers in a rodeo arena and see why Wickenburg is considered the team-roping capital of the world. Through June 8, 2025, the Desert Caballeros Western Museum showcases The Horse in Art, an ode to the role these intelligent animals played in shaping the culture, history, and legend of the West. At Kay El Bar Guest Ranch, ride a steed through slot canyons and saguaro-studded desert, try your hand at team penning, and sleep soundly in a century-old lodge.
From Wickenburg, Highway 89 curves past ex-mining towns and ranchlands before reaching the mile-high city of Prescott. The former capital of the Arizona Territory still exudes a genteel Western feel. From the Chamber of Commerce, take a guided walking tour or a self-guided tour with the Heritage Trail map. As you stroll through the leafy central square with its neoclassical courthouse, or fantasize about living in the historic district’s Victorian homes, it’s easy to imagine Prescott’s early residents promenading in bowler hats and bustle dresses. The city also had its rowdy side. On Whiskey Row, you can imbibe at the 1877 Palace Restaurant and Saloon, a former haunt of Doc Holliday.
Don’t miss the Sharlot Hall Museum, founded by poet and Arizona territorial historian Sharlot Hall, the first woman to hold public office in Arizona. Here you can view artifacts in the Territorial Governor’s Mansion and admire basketry fashioned by the area’s Indigenous Yavapai people. During the museum’s monthly Living History Adventure, chat with interpreters in period garb demonstrating weaving, cooking, and hand-pressed printing.
Next, navigate the hairpins of Highway 89, which were dynamited out of the mountains in the early 1900s. Your destination is Jerome, once deemed “the wickedest town in the West” due to the residents’ propensity for drunkenness and setting the place on fire. But it’s understandable that locals would drown their troubles in moonshine-soaked shenanigans. When you tour the Mine Museum and the Jerome State Historic Park museum, you’ll learn that life in this former copper-mining town could be ferocious. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, miners braved threats of falling
rocks and explosive fires as they endured long hours of backbreaking work in cacophonous caverns. Around town, acidic smelter smoke laden with heavy metals filled people’s lungs and wiped out the vegetation for miles.
Thankfully, Jerome today is an artsy community where locals preserve the most charming aspects of yesteryear while adding a modern twist. On Main Street, nosh on Parmesan truffle fries in the Clinkscale Hotel, Bar & Grill, a 1899 mercantile store where some of the first Levi Strauss
top: Visit the Sharlot Hall Museum to view local artifacts and historical memorabilia. bottom: The bell towers at San Xavier del Bac Mission.
jeans were sold in the West. The Clinkscale is rumored to be haunted, as is the Spirit Room saloon in the 1898 Connor Hotel, where you can toast to a ghost named Claudette. At Nellie Bly Kaleidoscopes & Art Glass, the owners have restored this former brothel, which burned down twice before miraculously surviving the fire of 1899.
About 15 minutes northeast, Tuzigoot National Monument offers a chance to look inside a pueblo built between a.d. 1000 and 1400 by the Sinagua people, who
farmed the Verde River Valley. Based on archaeological excavations that unearthed macaw feathers and seashells, the Sinagua were part of a trade network that stretched from the Colorado Plateau to the jungles of Central America. At the Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum in nearby Camp Verde, you’ll get a sense of the larger sweep of history, when humans arrived in the region about 14,000 years ago to hunt mastodon and saber-toothed tigers. At Montezuma Castle National Monument, marvel at the Sinaguan version of an apartment building sculpted into a cliff.
Some researchers believe many Sinaguans moved on to the Hopi mesas—and now, so will you. Base yourself in Tuba City at the Hopi-run Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites, which arranges tours through the Hopi Nation. You’ll learn about this spiritual community that has lived here for more than a thousand years, sustainably surviving through dry farming. Also, visit a Hopi art gallery and see ancient petroglyphs, including artwork that encapsulates a central principle of Hopi culture: living in harmony with nature.
Continue north through the Navajo Nation to Monument Valley, an epic expanse of sandstone spires and mitten-shaped monoliths that embodies the essence of the West. On a tour with Monument Valley Safari, trundle along back roads to iconic Western film locations, towering buttes, and a Navajo hogan, or traditional dwelling. Your Diné (Navajo) guide might play a traditional flute, weave tales of Navajo lore, or share insights on archaeology.
Next, cruise into Utah and stop at Bluff Fort Historic Site to learn about the area’s pioneers. In 1879, 70 families from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints set off from central Utah on what they thought would be a sixweek journey to establish a mission along the San Juan River. It turned into a six-month ordeal that involved blasting through cliffs during a bitter winter before they gave up and settled here. You can wander through a replica of the co-op where the pioneers and Navajos traded until a bank robber blew it up in 1925. From Bluff, Wild Expeditions leads kayak and Hummer tours along the San Juan River, which is sacred to several Indigenous communities. From the riverbanks, you’ll hike to petroglyph panels dating to 2000 b.c.
Take Highway 162 toward Colorado, then cruise the Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway to Mesa Verde National Park. From a.d. 550 to 1300, Ancestral Puebloans constructed this expansive constellation of cliff dwellings and mesa-top villages. Book a ranger-led tour in advance to gain access to Cliff Palace and Balcony House. In these dwellings, climb ladders and shimmy through passageways to living rooms and ceremonial chambers as you learn how the people farmed and gathered water from cliffside springs.
About an hour east, Durango has transformed from a stop on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad serving 19thcentury silver miners to an outdoor-lovers’ paradise. In the Main Avenue Historic District, the stately Strater Hotel transports visitors to 1887 with its Victorian architecture
top: Ancient cliff dwellings tower overhead at Montezuma Castle National Monument. bottom: Tour Bluff Fort to glimpse the pioneer way of life.
and corseted ladies serving cocktails in the saloon. North of town, Bar D Chuckwagon serves barbecue with an Old West music show and sides of wagon rides, blacksmithing demos, and pistol shooting. If you have a day, hop aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad steam train, which has been whistling through Cascade Canyon since 1882. Then stroll around Silverton, where the mountain setting looks much as it did when miners caroused here in the late 1800s.
Beeline south to Gallup, N.M., to experience a fascinating blend of Indigenous cultures. Three nights a week throughout summer, the city hosts traditional American Indian dances. During the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial parade each August, see more dancing, plus rodeos, art, and parades. Year-round, take a self-guided walking tour of the downtown’s murals, which commemo-
rate everything from Diné cowboys to the Long Walk, when the U.S. government destroyed Navajo lands and forcibly marched Diné people 450 miles to a reservation. At the Gallup Cultural Center, decipher the history of the Navajo Code Talkers. These 400 Diné soldiers served the U.S. military in WWII, transmitting secret messages in their complex language to help coordinate battles in the Pacific.
Head west to Ganado, Ariz., to shop at Hubbell Trading Post, which has been selling Navajo rugs and jewelry since 1878. End your adventure in Canyon de Chelly, where Diné people and their ancestors have lived for nearly 5,000 years. The sienna-colored cliffs here are steeped in stories. On an excursion with Canyon de Chelly Tours, Diné guides, such as mythology expert Percy Yazzie, connect tales of the Ancient Ones to the canyon’s history of conflict and the peaceful ways of the Diné farmers and sheepherders who keep the culture alive today. ●
keridwen cornelius is a writer from Phoenix. She has covered travel for Outside, the New York Times, and more.
clockwise from top left: Iconic Monument Valley; Navajo weavings at Hubbell Trading Post; Canyon de Chelly National Monument; Zuni dancers and drummers perform at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial parade.
How to respectfully interact with Indigenous places
photography by christian heeb
Indigenous Nations are, in many ways, like countries within a country. This diversity offers travelers extraordinary opportunities to broaden their cultural horizons. But it also means you’ll encounter customs and worldviews you’re not familiar with, plus differing rules and laws. And keep in mind that wherever you are in the United States, you are on ancestral lands of Native communities. When you’re visiting a cliff dwelling in a national park, the descendants of the original inhabitants are still around, and many believe their ancestors reside in these places. It’s important to approach all Indigenous places and people with respectful sensitivity. And
when in doubt—as well as when it’s required—hire a Native guide.
Adhere to local laws and regulations
Be attentive to signs, online instructions, and your guides’ advice about local rules that may prohibit entry to sacred areas or forbid drones or other kinds of documentation. For example, in Hopi villages, all types of recording are disallowed, including video, photography, sketching, and note-taking. Always ask permission before photographing or recording people and places in Tribal Nations. Also note that in Tribal Nations, alcohol is only permitted in designated areas.
Be mindful of varying customs
Indigenous customs differ between communities and generations, so it’s difficult to navigate them perfectly. But in Tribal Nations, you’ll generally receive an understanding welcome as long as you’re respectful. When in doubt, ask your Native guide questions, and try not to make assumptions about people’s behaviors. For example, many Diné people consider it impolite to make direct, sustained eye contact. They may also be reluctant to hug, shake hands, or exuberantly talk with people they don’t know well. So if your guide is reserved and looks away from you, it could be a sign of respect.
Acosia Red Elk of the Umatilla people looks over the Central Oregon lands of her ancestors.
Refrain from touching or taking objects
In some places, you can walk through ancient pueblos or hike across ancestral lands where you might see intriguing items such as pottery shards. But be careful not to touch these buildings and objects. They’re fragile, and even the natural oils on your hands can harm them. Absolutely do not move or take any objects. Many are considered sacred and protected, and they belong to the land and its people. Do not touch modern or ancient shrines or Native people’s clothing, jewelry, instruments, and other belongings.
Support Indigenous communities
At some sites, you can access overlooks or certain locations on your own or with a non-Native guide. But traveling with a Native guide often allows you to delve further into destinations while gaining deeper, perspective-shifting insights into cultures and lands. You’ll also be supporting Indigenous people’s livelihoods and ability to live and work on the lands of their families
and ancestors. When shopping for jewelry, art, and other objects, try to support Native businesses and craftspeople, rather than non-Native people who are profiting through appropriating Native traditions.
Listen with an open mind
When traveling in Native lands, you may hear stories of the past that are painful to face. You may hear ideas about spirituality or lifeways that are new to you. You may hear oral histories that don’t match up with the archaeological consensus you’ve learned. In some cases, scientists have found evidence that these oral histories are correct, and the consensus has changed. But in any case, you’ll have the best experience (and be the most respectful) if you look forward to having your views challenged and glimpsing new ways of seeing humans’ relationships with nature, places, objects, and each other. Feel very free to ask questions of your guides, with the goal of broadening your knowledge, rather than debating.
Learn about the history of Indigenous lands from Indigenous viewpoints
During the westward colonization of the country, the U.S. government sanctioned war, massacre, land theft, kidnapping, cultural annihilation, deliberate starvation, broken treaties, and the forced removal of Native Americans from their homelands. Yet school lessons, films, books, and websites often gloss over, misrepresent, and romanticize this history. That’s why it’s essential to seek out information from a variety of Indigenous perspectives, before and during your travels.
Though no one is culpable for what happened before they were born, the consequences of these events remain actively present in people and places in the U.S. And the colonial mindset toward humans and nature that caused these things to happen is still very much alive. Through education— including engaging sensitively with Indigenous communities while traveling—everyone has the power to make a difference. keridwen cornelius
Lakota tribal members ride through the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
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Annual Meeting Notice and Proxy Statement
November 20, 2024
To the Members of AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah: Please be advised that the regular annual meeting of the Members of AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah (“the Association”) will be held at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the Sheraton Sonoma Hotel in Petaluma, Calif. If you plan to attend the annual meeting, please register at AAA.com/registration no later than December 13, 2024. Members who do not register by this date will not be admitted to the meeting. Please bring your Membership card and photo identification for admittance.
MEETING CONDUCT
In fairness to all Members attending and to ensure an orderly and constructive annual meeting, please observe the following procedures:
1. Do not attend the meeting if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, including fever, cough, congestion, or shortness of breath.
2. We may be required to limit attendance at the meeting to comply with state and local laws and guidelines.
3. Recording the meeting is prohibited.
4. The Corporate Secretary and/or Presiding Officer will stop discussions that are: irrelevant to the business of the Company, in substance repetitious of statements made by other persons, personal claims or grievances, or proposals to further a personal interest.
5. Derogatory references to personalities or comments that are otherwise in bad taste will not be permitted and will be a basis for removal from the meeting.
6. If a technical malfunction or other significant problem disrupts the meeting, the Corporate Secretary and/or Presiding Officer may adjourn, recess, or expedite the meeting, or take other action that the Corporate Secretary and/or Presiding Officer determines appropriate.
Please comply with these rules, which are intended to benefit all Members in attendance. Deliberate violation of procedures or an attempt to disrupt the meeting will be considered cause for expulsion from the meeting.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The following candidates for election to the Board of Directors have been nomi-
nated by the Nominating Committee, per the Bylaws of the Association:
Tom Hayes, Montana Member since 2006
Occupation: Tom retired in January of 2021 from RBC Wealth Management. He was a founding member of Hayes/Keel Group, an investment advisory business within RBC. Mr. Hayes is an Accredited Wealth Manager from the Estate and Wealth Strategies Institute at Michigan State University. He began his AAA service on the AAA Mountain West Board, a club comprised of Members from Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. As Vice Chair, he was instrumental in merging that club into AAA NCNU. Mr. Hayes has also served on the Boards of Columbus and Benefis Hospitals and Big Brothers & Big Sisters.
Statement of Views: AAA is a business with a 100+ year history of serving its Members. We are, like many businesses, impacted by the disruptive forces of technology in an increasingly competitive landscape. Thriving in this environment requires operational excellence and visionary leadership. We are fortunate to have a team that possesses these qualities, along with a commitment to bringing value to our Members both now and into the future. I am proud of our history and eager to help set a path for the next 100 years.
Wendy Paskin-Jordan, California Member since 1972
Occupation: Ms. PaskinJordan currently serves as Board Chair for AAA NCNU and Board Member of AAA Insurance Group. She is currently Co-CEO of Paskin & Berler Capital Advisors. Previously, she was Managing Director at Montgomery Asset Management, National Sales Director at Wells Fargo, and a corporate counsel at Bechtel Corporation.
Statement of Views: AAA strives to provide the services and products that Members want, while maintaining a company that is fiscally sound. With increased domestic economic pressures, AAA must continue to focus on improving our technology and delivery systems so that Members receive service and value in the most efficient way possible.
Nominees for 2025 Director elections are not more than the number of directors to
be elected, therefore pursuant to Section 9 of the AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Bylaws, no election of directors will be held, and the nominees within this notice are deemed and declared to have been elected.
GENERAL PROXY
The proxy form on the next page appoints the person(s) named on the form as your proxyholder(s) to vote and act for you on any other matter to be voted on at the 2025 annual meeting—or at any other meeting of the Members of the Association—during the term of the proxy. The term of the proxy will be three years, unless you indicate your wish to grant the proxy for a shorter term.
Consequently, the proxyholder(s) will have broad discretion to represent you and will vote on your behalf on a broad variety of matters, which may include election of directors of the Association, and/or proposals presented for the approval of Members. As of today, the Association is not aware of any specific proposals to be presented to Members at the 2025 annual meeting or at subsequent Member meetings.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Before filling out the proxy form, please note:
● Every Member is entitled to vote, either in person or by proxy.
● You may attend and vote at any regular annual meeting or at any special meeting of the Membership, whether or not you have signed a proxy.
● If you now have a proxy in effect, you may substitute a proxy of a more recent date.
● You may revoke your proxy at any time by written notice.
● In the event there are more nominees than vacancies, we will continue to vote your submitted proxy unless you revoke it in accordance with procedures that will be established by the Association.
● Your proxyholder must attend the annual meeting of Members in person in order to vote.
PROXY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Print your name, your address, and your Membership number in the spaces provided on the proxy form.
2. If you wish for anyone other than Marshall Doney (President & Chief Executive Officer) and Dustin Cramer (Chief Financial Officer) to act as your proxy(ies), print their name(s) in the space provided.
3. Sign and date the proxy form on the lines provided. If the proxy is undated, your signature authorizes the Association to insert the date of receipt.
4. Your proxy can only be exercised at the regular annual meeting if it has been signed and filed with the Secretary before the polls open for the first contested issue, if any, at the meeting.
Submit this form by mail or online at proxyonline.com/AAA.
You may also fill out the form online at proxyonline.com/AAA. Forms must be received by January 3, 2025.
Kamili Moreland, Secretary
Please choose option A or B:
Proxy Option A—I wish to appoint Marshall Doney (President and CEO) and Dustin Cramer (CFO), and their respective successors as President & Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah as my proxies to attend the annual meeting of the Members of AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah, a California non-profit mutual benefit corporation, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, and any adjournment or postponement of that meeting.
Proxy Option B—I wish to appoint the person(s) named below as my prox(ies) to attend the annual meeting of the Members of AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah, a California nonprofit mutual benefit corporation, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, and any adjournment or postponement of that meeting.
I APPOINT:
NAME(S) OF PROXYHOLDER(S)
ADDRESS(ES) IF KNOWN
In the event that a proxyholder is not designated, the President & Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah will be deemed to be the proxyholders appointed hereby. Said proxies shall vote in their discretion on all matters which may come before such meeting(s). Each proxy shall have power of substitution and any one of them shall have the powers hereby granted.
You may revoke this proxy at any time. In the event there are more nominees than vacancies, we will continue to vote your submitted proxy unless you revoke it in accordance with procedures that will be established by the Company. This proxy, unless revoked or replaced by substitution, shall remain in force for three years from the date hereof; but, if you wish this proxy to remain in force for only one year, check here:
Voting on other matters and at other meetings. I further appoint the person(s) named above my lawful proxyholder(s) to vote and act for me and in my name at all regular and special meetings of AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, held during the term of this proxy, in transacting any business that may come before said meetings, including but not limited to the election of directors, as fully as I could do if personally present. Said proxyholder(s) shall vote at their discretion on all matters that may come before such meetings.
(IF UNDATED, THE DATE OF RECEIPT WILL BE INSERTED BY AAA)
WHERE IN THE WEST
Marvelous masonry
Where in the West can you find these snow-dusted, castlelike ruins? Hint: The name for the now-protected park translates to “hidden valley,” and it was here in 1854 that a Mormon expedition first documented several abandoned structures. Scientists estimate that the stone towers were built more than 700 years ago by Ancestral Puebloans. But why remains a mystery. Were they storage facilities, defensive structures, observatories? Visit during the quiet winter season to ponder the possibilities.
← FIND THE ANSWER ON PAGE 2.
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CHRISTIAN
ADVERTISING SECTION
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There are restaurants that offer fresh seafood as well as farm to table dining along with original new cuisines and time-honored menus for everyone to enjoy.
It’s all here waiting for you—a gentle climate, where sand, sun, sea, and sky converge to create the ideal getaway. California’s golden past is alive and well in Pismo Beach.
→ For more information and to check our current lodging specials, go to ExperiencePismoBeach.com. Also, join us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest.
PISMO BEACH
Your next winter adventure awaits in Anchorage
Discover a winter wonderland in Anchorage. Alaska’s largest city brims with cozy urban comfort, wide-open spaces, warm northern hospitality, and some of the coolest views in Alaska.
Witness the northern lights sparkling over the city skyline as it illuminates the snowcapped Chugach Mountains. Anchorage is one of the best places to chase the aurora borealis, as prime viewing locations are easily reachable from the city.
Fur Rendezvous is the largest winter festival in North America, and this much-loved annual event in Anchorage includes a combination of quirky races, Alaskan culture, and sports. The ceremonial start of the historic Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race attracts thousands of people to downtown Anchorage, as
they cheer on their favorite mushers.
Whether you’re seeking a relaxing winter getaway or an adrenaline-filled adventure, year-round direct flights to Anchorage make it an accessible destination to see everything Alaska has to offer.
Enjoy everything from a sightseeing adventure on a snowmobile to sprinting through a snow-capped forest behind a team of sled dogs. If you like to ski, Anchorage has world-class downhill runs along with pristine cross-country trails that weave throughout the city. Après-ski in a rejuvenating outdoor spa.
A trip to Anchorage wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the city’s numerous dining options. Menus include everything from king crab, halibut, and wild salmon to other surprising Alaska
food specialties like reindeer sausage and freshly picked vegetables and berries.
Gain an understanding of Alaska Native lifestyle and traditions along with their role in contemporary Alaska. The city’s museums and cultural heritage sites are among the best places to gain insight into the rich Alaska Native cultures.
Overflowing with natural wonders and convenient city comforts, no month is off-limits when it comes to visiting Anchorage, Alaska.
→ Start planning today: Learn more with your free Official Guide to Anchorage. VisitAnchorage.net
EXPLORATORIUM
Play in the light
Step into the art and science of light.
• Play experimental LED dungeon crawlers (Robin Baumgarten).
• Delight in glowing geometries, then fold and build your own (Collective Paper Aesthetics).
• See real objects float with movie screen technology (Toshio Iwai).
• Count the craters on a vast glowing moon (Luke Jerram).
• Paint the walls with digital light and shadow (Zach Lieberman).
• Walk inside hypnotic 3D illusions and question what’s real (Olivier Ratsi).
• Soak up prismatic color inspired by particle physics (Akiko Yamashita).
• Try out new exhibit prototypes in the Light Lab.
Step into the art and science of light this winter. Paint with light, soak in color, walk inside 3D illusions, and question your eyes!
ticket
at
NOV 21–JAN 26
PIER 15, SAN
SONOMA COUNTY
Come to the
33rd annual Wine Road Festival
Join 50-plus wineries and chase away those winter blues with some amazing wines at Winter WINEland! Recover from the holiday rush with a kickback weekend along the Wine Road. Meet winemakers, chat with winery owners, and discover the road less traveled. Explore new wineries and visit your long-time favorites.
→ Get tickets and plan your visit at WineRoad.com
Explore winter in Fairbanks, Alaska!
Whether you come seeking the beauty of a sparkling winter day, the summer’s everlasting sunshine, or to scan the skies for the captivating northern lights, Fairbanks is an extraordinary portal into life in the Far North. Known as the “Golden Heart of Alaska,” Fairbanks is a vibrant city on the banks of the Chena River that serves as the basecamp to Denali, Interior, and Arctic Alaska.
Fairbanks is one of the best places on Earth to see the northern lights during Aurora Season, August 21 to April 21, because of its position directly under the Auroral Oval—a ring-shaped zone over the Far North where aurora activity is concentrated.
October through March, winter in Fairbanks offers world-class ice sculptures and outstanding dog mushing opportunities. Explore the
snow-capped hills, ice-covered lakes, and birch-laden trails, or go ice fishing, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing.
During Midnight Sun Season, April 22 to August 20, the sun shines for up to 24 hours a day. From midMay to late July, Fairbanks experiences never-ending daylight for 70 straight days.
Complete your adventure with year-round attractions including art galleries, museums, an outdoor hot spring, and the nearby town of North Pole. Don’t miss the opportunity to shop for authentic Alaska Native and made-in-Alaska gifts, or drink a beverage from a local brewery or distillery.
→ Start planning your Fairbanks vacation today at ExploreFairbanks.com
RO MANTIC DANUBE
8 DAYS • 5 GUIDED TOURS • 3 COUNTRIES
Budapest to Regensburg
RHINE GETAWAY
8 DAYS • 6 GUIDED TOURS • 4 COUNTRIES
Amsterdam to Basel
Ask about the exclusive Member Benefit from Viking. AAA Members receive up to a $200 shipboard credit per person.* Contact your AAA Travel Advisor today or visit AAA.com/Viking
*AAA Member Benefit: $100 per person shipboard credit for all Viking voyages 8-11 days. $200 per person shipboard credit for all Viking voyages 12 days or longer. Shipboard credits can only be applied when booked directly by AAA Travel Agent. This offer is combinable with group rates, early booking discounts, past passenger discounts, refer a friend credits and future cruise vouchers. Offer is not combinable with interline and wholesale bookings or valid on other Viking products. Onboard credit has no cash value. Viking reserves the right to correct errors and to change any and all fares, fees and surcharges at any time. CST# 2052644-40
From the must-sees to the local secrets and one-of-a-kind experiences, destinations come to life with absolute ease on a Guided Vacation. Your best trip starts here.
Contact Our Travel Experts 888 249 4088 or visit AAA.com/Trafalgar
World’s largest Christmas tree
Join Mr. Skunk as he visits the world’s largest living Christmas tree right in Northern California!
Take a holiday train like no other, November 23 through December 31. Mr. Skunk and the Giant Christmas Tree travels through the forest for approximately two hours briming with cheer, carols, reindeer games, and adult beverages for mom and dad. Departs Willits right off Hwy 101.
→ Visit SkunkTrain.com or call (707) 964-6371
Breathtaking views with breathing room
Washington’s Vancouver offers big city amenities, while maintaining its welcoming and friendly community. Explore the outskirts of Clark County for PNW landscapes, historical treasures, and quaint towns. Return to the Vancouver Waterfront—a mile from downtown— for wine tasting and delicious eats. We’re close to everything, but far from typical.
→ Plan your trip today at VisitVancouverWA.com
Spring getaway in Northern California
Nestled in the heart of Northern California, Redding is a hidden gem that perfectly blends soft adventure with natural beauty. If you’re seeking a spring getaway that immerses you in nature without sacrificing comfort, Redding is the ideal destination. With lodging just 15 to 30 minutes from locations where others might camp, you can enjoy adventure by day and comfort by night.
Imagine standing before breathtaking waterfalls, surrounded by lush green trees, as the soothing sound of cascading water fills the air—a scene right out of a dream. Redding offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature.
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, there’s something here for everyone. Never tried kayaking? Whiskeytown Lake is the perfect place to start. With free ranger-led kayak trips, you can glide across tranquil waters, taking in the stunning scenery. Who knows? You might discover a new passion.
Spring in Redding is magical, with
blooming wildflowers and vibrant greens awakening from winter’s embrace. It’s the ideal time to explore waterfalls, hike serene trails, or relax by the water’s edge.
→ Request our free visitors guide at ChooseRedding.com/attractions and start planning your next getaway!
Visit the snowy paradise of Missoula, Montana
Missoula, Montana, transforms into a winter wonderland during the season, when the town’s charm knows no bounds. Here, you’ll discover snowy outdoor delights that exhilarate and a culinary scene that rivals big-city dining.
In this picturesque, snowy setting, the community comes alive, with freshair lovers embracing the chill and creative spirits finding inspiration in the glistening snow. For winter enthusiasts, Missoula is a haven, boasting five nearby ski areas where you can carve through pristine slopes. Three rivers and seven wilderness areas grace this terrain, and miles of groomed crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing trails
weave through these tranquil landscapes. Lace up your skates at various outdoor rinks, including one at the University of Montana.
For a unique dining experience, indulge in a meal inside a cozy igloo surrounded by the magical winter scenery. It will fuel you for any of the events on the city’s brimming winter calendar, from thrilling sporting competitions to enchanting symphony performances and captivating community theater productions. Don’t miss the lively winter brew fests, where you can sample local
craft beers, and the vibrant Parade of Lights, which illuminates the season with festive cheer.
A snowy playground like no other awaits you in Missoula. Book your stay now for an experience you will never forget.
→ Call (800) 526-3465 or visit DestinationMissoula.org/via for more information.
Missoula, Montana is a winter oasis where three rivers and seven wilderness areas converge to create an unforgettable snowy paradise. This season, the charm is immeasurable, with outdoor wonders awaiting at every frosted corner and a culinary scene that competes with the grandest of cities. Come and discover the enchanting world of Missoula in winter, where memories are made in the snow.
The Bay Area’s most immersive holiday event returns this year, sparkling brighter than ever before. WinterFest brings holiday cheer to California’s Great America as the park is magically transformed into a winter wonderland and holiday festival. Guests can ice-skate in front of the iconic Carousel Columbia, marvel at spectacular live shows.
Purchase your Gold Pass now and enjoy unlimited visits to this year’s WinterFest and all of 2025. Plus enjoy free parking and more!
Au en c Arizona
Discover by Chance. Return by Choice.
The Copper Corridor in south-central Arizona is filled with a rich history of mining, charming small towns, attractive local businesses, scenic mountains and a lifetime full of adventure.
Explore all the communities in the Copper Corridor including Globe, Miami, Superior, Hayden, Kearny Oracle, Oracle Junction, San Manuel, Mammoth and Winkelman. You might just like it so much you'll find yourself coming back for more.
ExploreArizona
2024-2025 SEASON WICKENBURG, AZ
Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawai’i UKULELE VIRTUOSO DEC 5
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Big Band Holidays DEC 9
SWEET HONEY IN
THE ROCK®
Celebrating the Holydays A CAPPELLA ENSEMBLE DEC 20
Neil Berg’s The 60s: Peace, Love and Rock & Roll JAN 3 & 5
John Pizzarelli Trio Stage and Screen JAN 21
Jesse Cook LATIN FLAVORED WORLD MUSIC FEB 1
Little Texas COUNTRY HITS FEB 14 & 15
The Queen’s Cartoonists MUSIC WITH ANIMATED CLIPS FEB 28
Classic Albums Live Performs Queen A Night at the Opera NOTE FOR NOTE, CUT FOR CUT MARCH 8
The Swingles “LIVE” A CAPPELLA ENSEMBLE MARCH 11
The Barricade Boys
Broadway Party Starring London’s Leading Men from Les Misérables MARCH 19
Canadian Brass FROM CLASSICAL TO POP APRIL 1
Jesse Cook
MEDIA SPONSOR
Escape to clear skies and wide open spaces
Casa Grande, a small city with 74,000 residents (estimate, YE 2024), offers visitors and tourists a respite from frenetic traffic, amped-up schedules, and back-to-back obligations of everyday life. The community’s unique charm makes it easy to slip into vacation mode. Casa Grande’s cozy niche at the crossroads of two interstates, its wideopen spaces, and clear blue skies, mean myriad opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.
The backdrop of the beautiful low desert, temperate weather, a no-snow guarantee, and the promise of a dazzling sunrise or sunset beckon to those who want to hike or bike the 17 miles of designated trails of Casa Grande
Mountain and contemplate the panorama of the valley below. There are walking paths and other recreational amenities in and around Casa Grande, including in the 19 city parks sprinkled throughout town, and a walking tour through the historic downtown area and the award-winning Casa Grande Neon Sign Park.
Golfers, we haven’t forgotten you. Casa Grande is the ideal place for golf. Several beautiful courses, sun, and fun mean you’ll want to play every day. Follow that up with an afternoon relaxing, visiting one of the varieties of unique restaurants, sightseeing, or experiencing the small-town energy at one of the city’s signature events. When you
“live local,” even if you’re visiting, you can be as busy as you want to be—or just chill and savor the moment. You’re always home in Casa Grande.
→ For more information about Casa Grande, visit ExperienceCasaGrande.com, or call (520) 836-2125
